The Buffy B

I have been working on embroidery pieces for my messenger bags. I have a ton traced out (click here if you want to see that post). I am almost done with the Firefly Coin I featured in my last post. And while I was waiting for a trip to the store for more orange floss, I made this Buffy B.




And for those of who who are not familiar with the reference...Buffy the Vampire Slayer - tv series by Joss Whedon. The "B" here is the font of the title. And the stick thingy...that is Mr. Pointy - her stake. I am really happy with the way it turned out. Now I just need to decide what color the bag should be. This piece will be a panel on the front flap like I did with my Serenity bag. Any thoughts?

Trying a Scroll Frame

I have been working on some more embroidery for messenger bags - mostly geekery, mostly Whedonverse. I was getting frustrated with a hoop, so I decided I am going to give a frame a try. I looked at square hoops, but did not care for the price point. Plus, I am hoping for less "Hoop Dent" in the material.

Has anyone used these? I'll have more to say on it's effectiveness in a day or two after I've used it more. I do have some pics of the frame with the material, which is still a work in progress. Plus some more pics of "why it is hard to take pictures at my house". I think you'll know which those are :)

Bridal Party Clutches Complete

Another custom order complete! These are so fun!
I had another order for coordinating clutches for a bridal party. The choosing of the fabrics took a little while, but I love what she decided on - they look great live!
Here they are...each one has a great little touch - monograms! What a wonderful keepsake for the bridesmaids.

wanna see all of them? just click here

Wordless Wednesday

Time to Redo

Okay - time to redo the shop. Hmmm...how to start? With a SALE! 'll let you know when it's all up & ready to shop :)

I will be putting all items that don't mesh with the new reorganization into 2 clearance sections - $10 and $20...I realize it may look odd to see a purse at the same price point as a zip pouch, but I only want to clear out specific "models". There are a few items which will be "on hold" until I have made more for their category. Actually, I am toying with keeping everything out except what is to go. I could you some opinions on this if you've got any :)

So - the "new look" ... I am whittling down what I offer style-wise...although it may not appear so to the casual observer. Ok - maybe just to me. I will still be playing around with new designs. I think it's an addiction & I just can't stop. But I won't be listing the newbies in my shops unless I plan to keep making lots of 'em. Keep a lookout though, because I may have them for sale on my sidebars.

Here's the breakdown:
Casual: large messenger bags with embroidered panels like my Serenity bag, large totes with contrast panels & embroidery/paint/buttons, medium hand painted duffles like my Tree and clutches, plus smaller wristlets/banglets.
"Dressed Up": large decorated flap purses, medium ribbon accented handbags like my Watercolor and handbags like my Venus, and small large handled handbags like my Anns.
*see below for examples
I will keep zip pouches and keychains too as accessories.

Right now I have a bunch of panels all traced out to embroider for the messenger bags. It will take a while to complete all of them since they are hand embroidered...but they will be fun :)

"Casual" line:

oops..forgot a pic of the totes:

"Dressed up" line:

Wordless Wednesday

latest embroidery project...design by Urban Threads

Craft Show Complete

Yesterday's craft show went pretty well. My Serenity bag was a huge hit and did not make it home with me... and I went home to design 13 more different embroidered messenger bag ideas :) The blue floral Bizarro clutch found a new home too. I think I need to post my new stuff here more regularly since 2 of the last 3 sold...and the one that did not wasn't even on display. And that's just one of the changes I decided to make.

I took my son with me again. He told me parents he was bored, yet while we were there he was talking about improvements for next time. But still, it couldn't have been too bad for him if he wants to go again. Some of his ideas were merely things for him to fill the time with, but he did help me towards some other changes I will be making.

I did leave the show with lots of new ideas though. And not just show improvements. I have decided that I will be changing my shop. I am not giving out all the details yet...especially since I am still banging some of them out. It will involve more clear cut "lines". Casual -v- "dressy"...which can be in the eye of the beholder, but it'll help me narrow down what I offer. Within each I'll have a small, medium and large bag...all different designs of course. I can't not have a variety of styles. But they should have a more cohesive flow. And it will involve lots more embroidery and buttons :)

I can say that it involves a HUGE sale.

I want to get all the items that won't mesh with the new flow, so later this week I will have a $10 and $20 clearance section in my shop. So if there's a bag of mine you've had your eye on but it was too pricey at the time...now it won't be :)

One last goodbye...No pics of everything since some things that sold were not listed yet :)

Serenity Messenger Bag

Well - I decided to go with a messenger bag for my Serenity embroidery. I thought it made the most sense with the show. I even left to edges out and raw looking for that space cowboy feel. Rugged, yet durable.




I now have to decide...keep it for myself or put it in my shop? Do you think it'd have a chance of selling.

Wordless Wednesday

Craft it Forward

I am always looking for a reason to craft something new. But I usually need someone to give (or sell) it to or else my home would quickly become overrun!
I was looking at UniqueCommodities, Memories for Life and Beaded Tail's blogs and they are all doing a Craft It Forward, so I decided to be a copy cat and do the same! So here it goes!

I'm going to offer a Craft It Forward to the first five people to respond to this post. You will get something handmade by me!

Here are the restrictions that come with this:

*There are no guarantees you will like what I make...although I sure hope you do!

*What I create will be just for you

*You'll receive it this year (2009)

*The item will be a surprise to you and can be ANYTHING handmade

*And in return, all you need to do is post this text into your blog, email me the link back to your Craft It Forward blog and make 5 things for 5 people...the post doesn't have to be done now now, but before crafts are sent out it should be up so I know it's been put into motion to craft it forward :)

The first 5 people to respond in the comments section WINS!!!!!

After you have posted about the "Craft it Forward" and offered prizes I will need a way to contact you for addresses and such - so either leave contact info in the comments or email me (my email address is in my profile).

Also it would be helpful to know what your favorite color is and what crafts you excel at yourself...so I can try not to give you something you whip up yourself all the time :)

Treasury Feature Fun

I found myself in a second treasury in the past few days :) The firsr one has since expired, but click on the second one to go leave some love!

That's my Green Ribbon Handbag in the bottom center spot.

That was my Blue Suede Bag in the bottom right corner.

Both of those were created by a fellow Etsyblogger - Peacox Creations...thanks sweetie!

Show and Tell: A Small Twist

I made a tote a little while back that my mom took on vacation. I knew she'd like it. The size was just right for all their beach things and the way it keeps everything inside by hugging your hip. The strap is kind of funky, but lets the bag wrap around you so even when you lean over stuff does not fall out. She liked it so much I decided to make a few more. And I even got an order for one when I was wearing the small version. yippee!

I made a smaller version of the Twist bag for myself. I wanted a new bag, one that can be hands free with quick access. This is the first one I made. It turned out cute, but the strap was a bit too short. It fit my mom ok (she's only 5'2") but on me (5'7") it was too short & tight under the but area. I think I may take it apart at the center of the strap & extend it.

Anyway, just thought I'd share:





Oh yeah...and this was the larger version:

Why photos are hard to take...

Hi Mom!

This is what happens when I try to get stuff done when my youngest is around. He was laying on the floor & popped up right when I was snapping the pic. Changed the focus & everything.

No wonder I have nearly 15 bags ready to list & yet can't. Heck, while writing this he has pulled me away 4 times!.

If only school lasted longer than 3 hours *sigh*

Wordless Wednesday

Bizarro Clutch

Have you ever wondered how many different designs can be out there? Ever hear about people "borrowing" designs and claiming they never saw the other one out there that looks just like theirs?

Well...it just happened to me. And no, my pattern wasn't "borrowed".

I just finished off a new clutch this weekend. 100% me. Most of it was even freehand. I drafted out the basics: handle & body. I pleated the body & curved the sides after I sewed in the pleats to give it shape.

And this evening I took some pics and then checked my email while they downloaded. I had lots more to pic than just the clutch.

Lo & behold...my newsletter from The Fabric Shopper had advertised a pattern for a clutch that is nearly identical to the one I just made. And I know I have never seen it before. I guess there are just only so many ways to make a basic pleated curved clutch with a flat attached grip handle.

So if you see something out there that looks a lot like yours...it doesn't necessarily mean that someone "borrowed" the pattern. It's all in the individual touch you give it that makes it yours.

So...here's my Bizarro clutch:



And the pattern I saw tonight...after the fact...

Vendor Apron

I made a vendor apron for my last craft show. I wanted something with a pocket for cash, notepad, calculator & pens. I also wanted to make sure the cash pocket was front & center with no way of falling out as I moved around. So I zippered it shut.

I was going to do a simple cotton apron like the one I use in the kitchen, but it needed to be a tad more durable. So I used a denim fabric for the base & one of my fave florals for the pockets. Topping it all with a burgundy bias tape strip along the edges & matching fabric for the ties.

I love how it turned out. Everything fit in perfectly & the money stayed put! Too much unfortunately...but that was not due to the apron so much as the show being a bust. Here's to next time!





See the pins? "Make Art" and "Art for art's sake" from Barrel of Monkeys...my son wanted a bunch, so I got a few also. They go well with the apron I think :)

Serenity

I finished my Serenity embroidery! Woo Hoo!
Now I need to decide what it is going to be? Pillow? Backpack? Tote? Probably not a tote - too simple....unless I use it for a tutorial too...hmmm...

Anyway - here it is...and so is the pic I based it on:




Next up: Crafty Bunny from Urban Threads and my Faerie baby...I figure a week for each.

Flock Me

Okay - it was either "Flock Me", "I flocked myself" or a "Flock of Seagu...Chickens", but if you weren't around in the 80's you'd be thinking "huh?". hint: They were a cool (at the time) band with awesome (only at the time) hair. aaanywhooo....

These were the little guys I brought to Easter dinner. Each family could take one home if they wanted...and my mom got the rest. I think she was hoping for all of them, so shhh, but I'm making more of those that were taken to a new home.

These were great fun and a wonderful way to use some of my smaller scrap pieces. Thanks to Sew, Mama, Sew! and Badskirt for the awesome tutorial!They call them Chooks and you can Click here if you want to see this tutorial & make a few for yourself.
***apologies for the pics, it was too bright behind them & I had a limited time in which to take them.**

Wordless Wednesday