What I Have Been Up To...

...vacation, photos, listings & sewing. The usual. Except for the lack of blogging....and the vacation. I rarely vacation...I went down to Nashville area to visit my brother & his family. It was the 1st time I have been there since they moved a year ago. The place is gorgeous. But that 9 hour drive is a killer.

And I usually blog more - lots more. It seems like most of my time at the computer has been for editing photos and listing. If only cameras snapped square shots *sigh*. The first round of pics had 313...the second had only 180. And all for 25 new bags and a couple re-shoots.

I made some collages on Picnik of some newer bags. I will add links as I list them...
clicking on some of the collages will bring you to that section of my shop at either Etsy or Artfire.

clockwise from top left: cherry red & pink floral, fuchsia & black,orange vintage & blue, Nicoise Spice & burgundy Venus handbags

Raisin berries & sprigs, Pink Kelso Paisley, Jelly Bean Fireworks, Burgundy corduroy floral

Chocolate squares, Tabasco Kaleidoscope, Rose Dotted Leaves, Galaxy Ginger


Pink Bad to the Bone, Red Ironworks, Black Bad to the Bone, Nicoise Spice Becki clutches



Shadow Gold, Pink roses on chocolate, Mauve Garden Wall

September Challenge Days 5 & 6

I do not want to fall behind in my posting since I have been able to keep up with the actual crafting, so I am combining my day posts. I was at a craft show Sunday and a pool party today - fun, but exhausting. Especially since I am not feeling up to par. So, let's get on with the showing...

I made another Venus handbag...this time in the intended hard handle. I am still deciding on buttons for the handle tabs since that is what I generally put there...plus, it hides the stitches that hold them in place.


That was Day 5, Saturday. I did bring along some things to make to the craft show Sunday and was able to complete this little guy...my Day 6. He's a keychain monster squid thingy. I have a big one in progress too that I will show when I am all done.


Remember when I started this I said there will be no actual planning? Well, I guess I was wrong. I went through my notebook of tutes and made a list to fill the month. Many of the items are for personal use only so they won't be going in any shop, but I do foresee many gifts coming out of this :)

...come see Peacocks and Dragonflies' OADCC (one a day craft challenge)...she got me started on this :)

September Challenge: Day 3

Day 3 and I have already cut corners a little bit, kinda, sorta, maybe. I was going to complete 2-4 bags that have already been cut. I thought the quantity could make up for the not being completely done start to finish in one day. But since the biggest point is to craft each day, I cut myself some slack :)



Then I hit a snag. I had then damnedest time with the handle. After the first bag was mostly made and I set the handle next to it...I wasn't so sure I cared for it anymore. But i forged ahead, only to cut it back out...and changing up the shape a bit in the process. So the bag you see here is not 100% complete because I am not sure about this second choice handle. It is not sewn in right now.


The orange floral fabric is vintage...and if anyone knows what it is, I'd love to know :) So I thought maybe the rope would go. Opinions...yes or no? btw - This bag generally has a round solid handle.

...come see Peacocks and Dragonflies' OADCC (one a day craft challenge)...she got me started on this :)

What I Have Been Doing

Well, it does not feel like much. And yet I seem to have all my time full. I think it will be more difficult than I thought to get sewing completed while the boys are home for the summer.

I have gotten some bags done, like my clutches, pink skull handbag, a couple Venus handbags and of course the bridal order. Then there was the picture taking - which led to much ibuprofen taking. The pics always have a yellow glow, even with the full spectrum lights. I really, really, need to make a giant light box. Giant because of the size of many of the bags.

update: listed the pink bag too here

And then I listed these...



..plus some of the clutches from Clutchapalooza...



So, I guess that is pretty full. But my Not Mandatory embroidery is still half done, my paperwork is not caught up, and I still need to finish rearranging my fabric & possibly where it will be stored. Let's see how far I get this week with the little guy in summer day camp 2 times a week.

And We Shall Call it This Land...

Ok - for those of you who are not Firefly freaks like myself - this piece is from a quote in the pilot where the pilot (no pun intended) Wash is playing with his plastic dinosaurs on the ships console. This is the entire quote:

"Wash: (as Stegosaurus) Yes...yes. This is a fertile land, and we will thrive. We will rule over all this land, and we will call it...This Land.
Wash: (as Allosaur) I think we should call it...your grave!
Wash: (as Stegosaurus) Ah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
Wash: (as Allosaur) Ha ha ha! Mine is an evil laugh! Now DIE!
Wash: (as Stegosaurus) Oh no, God, oh dear God in heaven..."

This embroidery piece is my version of that quote. The dinos here are based on the dinos he was playing with. I got lucky and found a screenshot image from the show.

And then there is the big pile of fabric that is cut & needs to be fused to interfacing and sewn. Well, after I finish off these 2 Venus handbags from last week. And since these pics, I only have to sew the lining shut & put on the buttons.