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!

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.

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!

Pockets Anyone?

I was commissioned to create a bag for a friend of mine. She makes jewelry and wanted a bag that would carry all her jars of beads and jewelry making supplies. I stitched together this bag using a basic tote design. I added pleated pockets, 6 on each side for the jars-o-beads and then one on each end, for a grand total of 14 outside pockets. I trimmed the pockets with a mustard fabric to highlight the shape. I think it added a cute "ruffled" look to the bag.

Patchwork or Paint?

My sister asked me to make a bag for a silent auction for my niece and nephew's school. I was torn as to whether I should make a scrap bag or a painted bag...which one would bring in more money? I wasn't sure, so I decided to combine the two. I made a scrap clutch using some pieces of hand painted fabric. Hopefully it will be a hit!

Don't forget about my Vintage Wallpaper Giveaway!

Library Totes

I made these two library totes last week...thought I'd let you take a peek before I set out to sewing something else this Sunday:

This was made from an old quilt top that someone had already pieced together and left behind. The fabrics must have been bits and pieces of leftovers from the previous owner. They were all randomly sized and the colors even clashed a bit. That is why I like it.

It carries with it a vintage and bohemian quality.

The other side of the vintage quilt top library tote.


This tote was sewn from this marvelous print from Joel Dewberry.
Love the colors and the little birdies and deeries.
Hopefully it will make someone else so happy...

Big Brooch, Little Bag

I am trying to build up my inventory at sewnsunday so that I can bring a bunch of goodies to sell at Textures. Since Christmas, business has been slower and I haven't been sewing as much. Well time to get busy!!! Today I have been working on my Amber Wristlets in various colors using flower brooches that I already had on hand. I have three down and two to go!

Amber Clutch in Aqua

Amber Wristlet in Forest

Amber Wristlet in Forest

Amber Wristlet in Brown Dots

Amber Wristlet in Brown Dots

Soon to be an Amber Wristlet

Soon to be an Amber Wristlet