artsy-crafty babe

a sewing machine

My sewing machine and I are getting along swimmingly.  I set her up on my kitchen dining table and go to town.  I have a lot more distractions sewing in the kitchen, but I get a lot more accomplished.  I think it's a fair trade off.

Besides my home decor sewing, I did manage to squeeze in some bags (no surprise there).  I finished 4 of them.  To be honest, 3 were partially assembled during the week, so there wasn't a whole lot to do to finish them.

I played around with the granny style again, using one of my thrifted sheets.  It's okay, but I already have a tweaked pattern ready to go for round three.

I finished those two pleated pocket totes I started earlier in the week.

And, I made a custom order, manipulating my short & sassy pleated bag.  I'm really happy with this one.  I wasn't planning on finishing it in one sitting, but once I got started I couldn't stop.  My customer supplied the fabrics, giving me free reign to come up with what I wanted.  I love customers like that!  Thankfully, she was pleased with the result.

If you're interested, these bags (minus the custom one) are available in the shop.

boosting my confidence

This weekend I started working on my fiesta dress.  Oh boy, this is turning out to be way more complicated that what I wanted.  I had to stop working on it because I didn't have a zipper (and was just plain frustrated).  I didn't even realize that the dress needed a zipper!  That's what I get for using a pattern I bought 4 years ago and not consulting the back of the envelope before diving in.  I'm gonna plow through it, and hopefully have a dress at the end of the week.

After working on that dress I needed to work on something to build my confidence back up (a tricky pattern will do that to ya).  I decided to go with a simple zippered pouch.  Easy peasy.  I think I was trying to build up a good rapport with my zipper foot before I attempt the 22" zipper on that dress.   I think it turned out cute - I'm so easily pleased!

Because I was still in the mood to sew, I decided to tackle a new bag design I came up with last week.  It's a pleated pocket tote.  I still need to do some tweaking of the pattern, but for a prototype I think it turned out great.  The fabrics totally make it.  This bag makes me want to sip a tall glass of lemonade.  I'm so tempted to start carrying this around, but I just made myself a new bag last week.  I plan to list it in the shop, but I have a feeling I'll be making myself one soon...I'm such an addict!!

unfinished business

I have something else to share.  Before you start thinking that I'm a robot or something, I must tell you that this clutch was cut and partially assembled months ago.  It's been sitting on my sewing table mocking me since November.  Yes, November.  I don't know why I never finished it, but I'm so happy to finally check it off my list.

This clutch is variation of this bag. I designed it for an upcoming book, Pretty Little Purses and Pouches, which should be out sometime in the fall, I think.  If you look on the sidebar to the left, you'll see three books that I have projects in.  I don't know why I haven't talked about these before. I was very excited to be included in them, but by the time I get everything written and made I was so worried about getting it to the publisher in time, I didn't think to take pictures of my finished projects.  The potholder book comes out first, then the patchwork, then the purses.  I can't wait to see them.  I'm very curious as to how my patterns, directions and products were interpreted.  If you can wait until fall, then you can get the book and make your own version, if not, this one, along with another in the works (also since November) will be in my shop.

One more thing, those of you who won my drawing back in January - I should be finished with your prizes soon.  I'm so sorry it took me so long to get it together.  Better late than never, right?

lucky

Yep, I'm a lucky girl!  Sorry I've been absent, but the time change last week kicked my butt.  The longer days meant that I stayed up too late, then could hardly wake up in the morning.  I felt like a zombie all week.  Lucky for me, I was able to catch up on my sleep this weekend.

The weekend was wonderful.  We had glorious weather and did a whole lot of nothing.   We played in the yard, I cooked some good meals, and I fit in some crafting time (more on that later in the week).  I even managed to do a little shop update of pleated wristlets (I told you those were next).  I wish every weekend could be like this...

Hopefully the luck I found this weekend will last me through the week.  Happy Monday and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

obsessing

Do you ever obsess over the little things?  Work yourself up into a frenzy about something that no one will probably notice?  I do.  Often.  I'm doing that now.  It usually happens with bags that I'm going to list on etsy. 

I'm not going to mention my funk again, but I've been trying to keep my spirits up by focusing in on some craft projects (in pretty colors).  It's been helping.  The other night I was almost blissful as I was sewing along on my latest batch of bags, so pleased with how everything was coming together so nicely - all my seams met, there were no puckers - I love when that happens.  I was starting to think that I was something!

But then last night I finished 3 of my bags.  That final topstitch got me.  It just didn't come out as perfect as I thought it should be.  I pressed and steamed, but it still didn't look *perfect*.  So, I was bummed.  And I started obsessing about how to get that top edge of my bags PERFECT.  All morning I've been reconstructing and deconstructing in my mind how I could do things differently.  I've been looking on etsy and flickr, examining other bags, looking closely at their top edges.  And you know what?  Not many of those are perfect.  Theirs looked just like mine, but theirs didn't bother me one bit.  I didn't see theirs as an imperfection, I saw it as 'that's how handmade fabric bags look'.  *sigh*  I need to get over myself.  Hopefully I won't obsess too much and these three bags will make it into the shop this weekend.

P.S. The sunshine came out this afternoon, now those obsessions don't seem like such a big deal.  Yeah, these bags are just fine.  Happy Weekend :-)

on the mend

Sorry to have disappeared for a bit, but I haven't felt much like blogging.  I blame it on the winter funk and the lingering illness that's been plaguing my little family.  On Friday afternoon I finally drug my stubborn butt to the Dr's office (after much persuading) to get some help.  I really didn't want to spend another weekend sick.  Turns out I really was sick (in my mind I thought the Dr. would laugh at me and tell me that it was all in my head).  He gave me some antibiotics, prednisone, and a good cough medicine.  After about 24 hours I felt better than I had in weeks!  Now I wish I had gone weeks ago when this all started.  Lesson learned.

Saturday was a fabulous day.  We had wonderful weather.  Lily and I were able to get out for some girl time.  We grabbed lunch at a deli then hit Anthropologie and a few other cool stores that recently opened up.  It was nice spending time with her, she's growing up so fast.

We spent the rest of the weekend just handing out, playing in the yard.  Lily finally learned to ride her bike without training wheels, so that's all she wants to do now.  Too bad we live on a busy street with crazy drivers and no sidewalks.

And look, pigtails!  Little Ava's hair is finally long enough to do something with it.  Now if only she'd leave them alone and not pull them out!!

Sunday I got a little time to myself to sew and this is what I came up with.  I have no idea what version this is, but I feel like I've beaten the "pleated" style to death!  But I don't care, I like it.  I have this one listed in the shop, if you're interested.  Being inspired by spring, I cut out a bunch more (well, 4) in this style - they look like bunch of easter eggs.  I'm hoping to have them finished and in the shop by next weekend.

Happy Monday!

latest and greatest

I'm having lots of fun putting these together. So much so, that I don't want to do what I have to do. These are currently in the shop, more in the works once I get my self-imposed deadlines out the way.  *sigh*, if only I could play all the time!!

SALE

Just a little FYI, I've marked everything down at least 20% in my etsy shop.  I'd like to clear things out for the new year.  If you've had your eye on something, now is the time to get it!  I have lots of new fabrics and ideas I'd like to try out in the upcoming year, so making room for new inventory is a must.  Thanks so much for all your support!!!

update!!

I've been a busy little bee! Check out all my hard work in my etsy shop.

I didn't get around to making all that I wanted to, but I figured I had enough to do an official update. From here on out I'll just add items as I complete them. I have a couple of clutches in the works that I can't wait to share. When those get put in the shop, I'll make note of it on my sidebar.

Thanks so much for all the support - I wouldn't be doing any of this without the feedback of you all!!

this-n-that

First off, thank goodness it's Friday!  And not just any Friday, but the Friday before a 3 day weekend.  And not just any 3 day weekend, but one only I have.  The Mr. and the kiddos don't have the day off.  I suppose I could keep the 2 littlest ones home with me, but I'd rather not.  I have things to do!  I will pick them up early, and will hopefully already have dinner prepared so that we can enjoy an uneventful afternoon together.  If they stayed home with me it wouldn't be so, I know it.

With my day off, I plan to work on some items for the shop.  It was a goal of mine to have it stocked for the holiday season, but life has gotten in the way.  I plan to include some more bags like this, more like this, and some new designs.

In other news, my kids are no longer Lego virgins.  While out in CA, I got the chance to visit a Lego store.  Oh my, it's hard to resist those things, isn't it?  My kids were thrilled with them.  With a little guidance, Lily made that house complete with a fence, benches in the front and a palm tree.  It's so nice to find something that more than one kid will play with.  I think I know something that Santa is bringing this year...

Do you know what this is?  It's a picture of a ginormous Lego giraffe butt.  See, there's the tail on the upper right...Judi dared me to take a picture of it, so I did, which brings me to my next random bit of info.  Sweet little Ava, who barely says 5 words (she's more of a screamer than a talker) can now say "poop poop".  When she says this, she pokes out her little diapered bottom out then proceeds to make fart noises.  What a little lady I have.  I'm sure I can blame Alex for this newly acquired skill.  Let's hope she doesn't do it in the church nursery!

Y'all have a great weekend!! 

**Be sure to check out my quick, easy gift tutorial on Sunday Nov. 11th - it'll be posted here and at Cotton Spice blog.