Excuses. Excuses.

Isn't it sad how I often need an excuse to sew something for myself. My friend was having a party last week and asked that everyone bring an apron to wear in honor of the homemade Italian dinner she was making. Perfect! I have been waiting for an excuse to make a new apron. I used the pattern from the book "Sew Liberated" by Meg McElwee. I was enthralled with the cinched-in waist held together by a grommet corset. I used fabric from my favorite designer, Anna Maria Horner. I rather like the final product. Now...I am off to the kitchen to whip up something in my new apron.

Ready for Spring

I know we are in the middle of cold wintry weather, but I was in the mood for a bit of summer fashion. I love boots, jackets, and hats but nothing beats wearing a light summery top. I made this one with vintage buttons from my grandmother. I think I may need to find a cardigan to wear over it...I don't think I want to wait for warm weather!

Key Ring-Coin Purse

Here is a new design. Perfect for carrying a bit of cash and a license...all you need for that quick trip to the store.

I've been a'sewin

I've been listening to Christmas music while I sew. It is sooo cold outside I had to have hot chocolate (with whip cream on top). Its been a pretty good Sunday, I'd say.

Coin Purses now at Textures

A New Design

I have been working all morning on this new design. I like how it turned out. Now, I have to make a bunch of them for Textures. Holiday shopping is just a week away! Yippee!

I will be drawing for the give-a-way tonight!

Tag! You're it!

OK guys...does anyone else want free stuff? I am giving away a handmade coin purse and right now I only have 4 people in the contest. That is just fine, but your chances of winning are not too shabby if you throw your name into the mix! Go ahead and leave a comment here...you might win!

I am so excited. I finally figured out how to make my own tags for my bags. I used the logo that my husband created for me, a little sun that looks like a single piece of thread. In the past I had this super Etsy seller, mommiemadeit, make my tags. She was great, but I wanted to figure out how to do it myself. It wasn't too hard, either! I think I may do a tutorial soon to show you how I did it.

Coin Purse Give-a-Way

I am up to my 100th post and I thought I would do something special. I just received a shipment of these little flex frames and am making some coin purses that will be great as stocking stuffers. The first one I made I used some of my own original fabric. I know I don't have a huge following on my blog, but maybe the few loyal readers that I do have would like to take part in a give-a-way? I will be giving away this cute little coin purse. Perfect for you to hold your itty-bittys. All you need to do is leave a comment telling me your all-time-favorite stocking stuffer. (Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, should you win). I will randomly pick a winner next Saturday, Nov. 13th.

Sewnsunday: Quilted Handbag

I have been sewing today! Yippee! Back to sewing on Sundays again. I made my first log cabin block today and decided to feature it on one of my bags. Hope you had a bright and sunny weekend, too!

Quilting for Baby

The sewing bug has got me again. I have been mulling over ideas and day dreaming about new bag designs for a while. I sewed a few goodies this weekend. One was for a shower for a soon-to-be new mother. I made her quilted burpcloths and wrapped a few of my favorite Sandra Boynton books in them: Moo Baa La La La and The Going to Bed Book. Sandra is one of my favorite authors of books for babies. They are silly and fun for adults to read and have adorable pictures. I called my gift "Books and Burpcloths for Baby". I hope she enjoys them!

Shop Update

A new collection of patchwork roses are in my shop!

Stitch Mistress

Well I am off to do my first craft show tomorrow night. I have decided to use my "Stitch Mistress" (vintage child's sewing machine) to decorate my table. Maybe she will be my good luck charm. I hope to make some new friends and sell a few goodies in the process! Have a great Friday!

Sew, Forest, Sew!

Gathered clutches getting ready for the big show

I have not been posting a whole lot lately because of an exciting event coming up...my first "craft show!" I have been sewing like a mad man trying to get ready for the "Old School Handmade Market" at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA. I have been frantically sewing as many things as possible so that I have enough goodies to fill up a 6 ft. table. So I hope you'll forgive me for not being around lately.

If you live close, come check this cool event on Aug. 6th!

Ready to sew into stacked fabric cuffs

Patchwork Painted Fabric

I love Spoonflower, a website created for every day people to print out their own designs on fabric. I recently did an experiment and sewed some of my painted fabric pieces together and then had them printed out at Spoonflower. I was inspired by Laura Gunn. The result is really unique, and I think fun. I do not know what I am going to do with the fabric, yet. I can't wait to create my next fabric on Spoonflower. I wish it cost a bit less but that keeps me from "impulse buying." I could easily spend all my extra cash printing my own fabric.

African Clutch Designed by....

I have created a new listing for my shop. A simple little clutch made with fabulous fabric that the customer gets to choose. The fun part about it (besides picking your own fabric) is that I am going to take 50% of the proceeds from each bag and give it to a charity that is near and dear to my heart.

Some of you may already know that my husband has been spending a good part of his summer for the last three years, in Rwanda. It all started with research for his dissertation, but it has become more than just that. It has been life changing. I was able to join him in Rwanda the summer of '08. While we were there we made so many amazing friends. One of the special souls that we had the privilege of meeting was Pastor David. Pastor David is one of those people that really makes an impression. He is a very gentle spirit with a huge heart. He has taken on many projects to try and improve the lives of others in his community. For example, he has an after school program for children, grows a very large garden to help sustain and support his neighbors, and he runs a program that teaches widows the art of tailoring so that they can learn a skill that will allow them to be self-sufficient and care for their families. He does this with kindness and compassion without seeking anything in return.

Pastor David telling a story to his little neighbors.

Pastor David showing off his beautiful garden.

The women in Rwanda wear these stunning clothes created with African Wax-Print fabric. You see the fabric everywhere on the streets in Butare. It adds pops of color to the already beautiful landscape. While I was there I bought some fabric and my husband has also brought me back fabric from his trips. I now have a nice collection of this fabric.

Women from the tailoring class dressed in the beautiful prints.

I decided to use the fabric I have collected to raise a little money for Pastor David and his sewing school. So each time one of my custom bags sells, I will "sock away" 1/2 of it to send off to Pastor David. Here are some of the choices of fabrics that I have (I am hoping that Jason will get me a few more when he returns from his trip this year):

I am not sure how much money I will raise with this little endeavor, but I know that each penny helps. If you know someone who might like a little African bag, pass the word on. Thanks friends! :)

Rusty Gathered Wristlet

I'm trying to fill up my etsy shop with more goodies. Here is my latest wrislet. The fabric is by Laura Gunn, who inspires me greatly. I love the way her fabric collection looks like her paintings. It adds such texture and dimension to a flat piece of fabric. She inspired me to create my own painted fabric. I actually used one of my painted creations to create fabric that was printed at spoonflower. It is in the wash right now, so maybe tomorrow I'll show you?

Check our Laura's Blog. You'll like it I promise.

Hat Happy

While on vacation I was inspired to try some new hat designs. It was a bit of a challenge, not working with a pattern, but I think they turned out kinda cute. I would like to get better at the hat making process. I have dreams of being like Piper and Paisley or Sparky Jones. LOVE these two shops.

Pink Floral Kick-Pleat Cloche

It is kinda cool the way the wind started blowing when I took this picture. Do you recognize the fabric?

Country Bumpkin Kick-Pleat Cloche
Looks like a modern day bonnet in a way. Kinda silly, but I think it is fun.

They are both in my shop now.

Mini Messenger Bags

I've been sewing a lot. Busy with old and new styles. Here are some new hip bags, made to be like mini-messenger bags:

And for the old, some stacked cuffs:

I love summer vacation! So much time to sew!