Holidays Equals Vacation

Hmmm...actually, looking at my recent posts, I'd have to say I already hit vacation made. With my blogs at least. They have been neglected while I gave my attention to the sewing machine. There have been 2 hand painted messenger bags, 3 custom backpacks, one altered backpack, 2 zip pouches, a pillow and a 6 bag set (pictures will be coming later for these 6 & the most recent backpack). So vacation...not really. But it is now, because for the next week there will be no sewing or blogging...well, not much anyway :)


These are the completed messenger bags. I think I may start making more of these...some in a half size. I was thinking about the smaller size for a while...ever since the summer zoo trips. I think it would be a perfect hands free was to carry my wallet, keys, camera & small snacks.

This pink bag was a bit challenging. The customer will be using it as a ballet bag. There needed to be 2 mesh pockets for the shoes and a box pocket on the outside for keys & small wallet. Not having the actual shoes in front of me made it tough to get the pocket size correct. I did have the basic measurements, which helped, but it would be nice to have the actual shoe for testing. She sent me a pic of the bag with the shoes in the pockets - it looked like a great fit. woo hoo!

Have a Happy Holiday! See you in a week or so.

Trading Fun... Fa La La

I have had a slew of custom orders this month. Well, to me it is a slew. And amidst it all, I have a couple trades as well. These are always fun, especially when going to online buds :)

The first one was a zip pouch with a front zipper & a pillow. Pink zebra minky...so soft! I may make another pillow like this for me.

And I made another purple zip pouch. This one is in flames with a standard top zipper. I just hope her crochet hooks fit (they are hooks right? or is it needles?).

Thanks ladies! Now I need to decide my end of the trade :P I was in no rush, so I told them I'll shop later...let the Xmas buyers go first.

Wordless Wednesday

think I look goofy...you should see my brother!

Custom Black Backpack

Nice & simple solid with a little surprise inside....silky leopard print.


I think I may need to make a variety of solid color backpacks...after the holidays though. I am, almost, overwhelmed with custom orders. It is not that I can't get them done...I am merely surprised at the sudden influx of requests. Feels nice :)

Hand Painted Custom Order

I was so excited recently when I was asked if I could make another Serenity & Grr Arrgh bag...only painted instead of embroidered. It is always fun to make something in a different medium. The woman had seen my Serenity pillow that was hand painted, so she knew I knew how.

The bags are done, but I still need to click some pics. I do have pics of the painted portion I am going to show off though....

Wordless Wednesday

New Purse Version 2

Okay - I got the 2nd version done...and with only 2 "flubs". Let's just call them "areas to work the kinks out".

The first is the zipper ends - they need to taper to avoid getting bunched where the strap attaches. The second is where the strap connects to the purse. This part is less of a kink and more of an "oops, need to leave a longer & thinner tab so my needle can go through it & I do not have to sew it sloppy and put a tie around it to cover the seam up" flub. I kind of like the tie thingy I used to cover it up though. And I do know how to correct the flub for next time. Both flubs actually.

The pictures may be the best part...I had a wonderful helper, as you can see...

New Purse

I know I said I was not going to make any new purses for the rest of the year, but....I am making some custom purses for Xmas gifts and need to make the pattern. I played around with one this past weekend. Overall it'll work. The "problems" are pretty much just the parts where I winged it. But since I use the prototypes myself, it's no biggie.

I do love the fabric though. I had a remnant that was the perfect size...all that is left is a 6 inch long 3 inch wide strip. I do, however, hate working with the material. Upholstery material like this looks great on bags, but it is so bulky to work with, well, let's just say if my sons were in the room they would have learned a few new words.

I had some fun with the lining too...nice and bright. Next go around will make sure to have a facing for the gusset too though. That was one of the places I winged it. The top sides were supposed to be longer & narrower, but the fabric disagreed. I did come up with an alternate if I kept it the same size...grommets on the front & back to hold two straps.