Yes, I do still make bags

It's been really hard to find time to sew this summer. We have lots of little household projects going on and the togetherness of summer is quickly wearing thin for the girls. I'm spending a good portion of my day breaking up fights and deciding who should do naughty time.

Somehow, I managed to get back into my crafty room yesterday and make not one, but TWO new bags. I'm absolutely in love with this clutch. It was inspired by the one I made for Laura in my swap last month and I really couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.

I also made this bag using the very last bit of this Japanese fabric (REAL Japanese fabric straight from Japan, not Japanese-inspired fabric). It's a nice shape and size, perfect for an everyday purse.

I have a few new ideas in the works. I'm hoping to list some mini bags/clutches soon made with purse frames and I'm definitely planning to list more clutches like the one above. Just click on the pics to take you to the listings.

Unintentional Mini Makeover

First I got my hair did. Super short and darker. Then I got a mini shopping spree this weekend courtesy of some nice family members. I got lots of fun clothes for work (some with a little retro flair...or is it flare?), comfortable stuff that isn't my standard mom tshirt and jeans. I even got some of those slimming Lee jeans that Stacey London from What Not to Wear pushes on the commercial. I didn't intentionally pick them up but when I tried them on and was surprised at how good they looked, I had to check out the tag and saw "Lose ten pounds, instantly slimming jean". Ok, it's a deal.

Next step in the mini makeover is fun jewelry. I can't stop making these chain necklaces. I think they add such a touch of femininity and sparkle to any outfit. I made this one a few days ago and realized it coordinates perfectly with my outfit. (Don't worry, I realize the necklace is copper and the earrings are silver. I'm not actually wearing the necklace today because it's going into my shop later with the matching earrings. Also, as a bonus, I don't look totally pissed off in this picture like I usually do. The girls were standing next to me being silly so this is proof that I occasionally so really smile.)

I think they're the perfect length and can coordinate with a variety of different styles from casual to dressy. This set is currently listed in my shop at a reasonable price of $22.

New Listings

With summer vacation here and Bella out of school, it's even harder for me to find time to sew. Instead, I've been sitting at the kitchen counter, making jewelry, while we watch dvd's borrowed from the library or the girls sit next to me and play pretend restaurant.

I've made more than one trip to my local bead shop this week and also did some shopping online this morning. I'm so excited about the supplies I have coming! I tried working with chain for the first time and I think I'm officially addicted. I love the look of the antique copper and really like that with chain, you can achieve a casual or formal look as opposed to heavy beading which usually looks more dressy.

I made this set recently which I love. These lime green beads are among my favorite and I really like how they look paired with the copper. In fact, I liked it so much, I ordered only antique copper supplies.

I've listed several pairs of new earrings in my shop. I found these gorgeous stone flowers at my local shop and had to have them. I originally bought them for myself but figured I would share the love first and then be selfish later (like next week maybe). Just click the picture to link to the listings.

Channeling my inner Duggar

It's no secret that I love me some Duggar Family. In so many ways, I couldn't be more opposite from them (I check the "none" box on the religious preference question) and although my mom would laugh hysterically at me, I actually have learned a few things watching their show.

So, I'm reading their book. My mom was here last week and saw it lying around and choked back laughter to ask me whether I bought it. Um, no. In true Duggar fashion, I checked it out from the library so as not to spend money that I don't have. Ooooo, and speaking of spending money and the Duggars, I got my hair cut last week. A very un-Duggar pixie cut.

But, to make my favorite family proud, I got it cut at the local beauty school for $10 and colored and highlighted it myself for $14.99 plus tax. Not too shabby.

So, back to the book. I've been employing two Duggar techniques that really seem to be working for me.

First, I'm constantly deferring to Steve Bob and his infinite wisdom. It's sort of a joke but sort of not. Saying that I like to argue is an understatement. I thrive on confrontation and disagreement. So it's not unusual for us to go to the drive in movies and discuss our parking spot for 15 minutes. It's not really arguing, just lenghty stubborn disagreement. Now, on all of those little issues, I just say, "Steve Bob, I'm deferring to you and your infinite wisdom." Actually saying it outloud makes us both laugh, lightens the mood, and then I follow up with a brief evil eye so he knows I really do want him to just make the freakin decision. Michelle looks at Jim Bob lovingly when she says this so we do differ slightly on our approach.

Second technique I'm using is bribery. No, seriously. I got this from Michelle. When we go out to run errands, I decide on some kind of small treat for good behavior (usually 5 jelly beans). Before we leave, we have a pep talk in the car. "We're going to xxx, and yyy. You're either in the cart or out, no back and forth. No running in the store and no beating each other up. No stomping your foot at me or screaming or telling me what I "have to do!". You get one warning. If I have to give you a second warning, no treat."

Maybe the magic will wear off but at Vons this morning, an employee told me how lovely my children were. According to Michelle, it only takes 2 or 3 instances of one child not earning his/her treat to see that mama means business.

Hope you've enjoyed your Duggar lesson for the day. Really, I just wanted to write something about a family other than The Gosselins.

Stalker

In the six months or so that I've been working at Carters, I've seen one of my bags walk through the doors five times. Five times! How cool is that? Twice it was people I knew and the other three times it was complete strangers who either purchased from me via Etsy or at one of the events I used to do. I always go through the same routine. Gather all of my coworkers and whisper and point. They usually seem totally uninterested but that doesn't deter me. I still approach the bag owner, and with a stupid smile on my face I say, "Um, I made your bag". Thus far, no one has gotten scared and run away so I think I'm keeping the stalking at a socially acceptable level. A few weeks ago, a lady came in who had been carrying one of my bags every day for a year. She said it was her favorite bag and she really loved everything about it. Totally made my day.

A few nights ago, a lady came in with a gorgeous handmade bag. That wasn't mine. I casually asked whether she made her bag and she had. I wish I had a picture of it to share. It was really stunning. A beautiful large floral print (that I recognized but can't remember who it is...Kaffe Fassett?) that she free motion quilted with a sort of matching abstract floral design. Definitely a bag that looked handmade but not homemade, if you know what I mean.

We chatted for a bit and I resisted the urge to secretly clock out and go out to dessert and coffee with her (not that she asked me to, but I felt like we could be friends). She was so inspiring. I decided that I would no longer put off trying out free motion quilting on a bag. And that I would attempt to dress as cute as her. She was just as stunning as her bag and I want to look like that. She had on a pink and white polka dot sort of retro looking top with a bright turquoise sweater. She looked like one of the "good" mannequins on "What Not to Wear".

So, in honor of Raye Ann (she commented on my blog so now I know her name!), I did some free motion quilting yesterday and wore three bracelets to work (that's the extent of my dressing up attempt for now). Thanks for the inspiration Raye Ann!

A quilted owl bag with a great zipper closure. I read an online tutorial about doing "zipper surgery" when installing a zipper. After completing this bag, I can verify that you really should be a real surgeon to perform zipper surgery.

30 Days

I made it.

30 days without any Diet Pepsi (or really any drink with artificial sweeteners) and I'm still alive. On the up side, I'm really proud of myself for sticking with it. Will power and self control aren't exactly my specialties. On the down side, I don't really see any change in how I feel and I was really hoping I would. I still have constant pain in my face (weird, huh?) but after 2 1/2 years, I'm learning to just deal with it and not let it affect my sleep or daily life anymore.

To celebrate my small success, I bought myself two clearance shirts and some clearance jewelry today. My total was $30 plus change. 30 days, 30 dollars, coincidence?

So, in keeping with the theme, I'm offering 30% off all purchases above $30 in my shop now through Sunday. Happy Shopping!

Just purchase as usual through Etsy and pay with Paypal. Send me an Etsy convo or email and I'll refund you this discount.

I haven't been sewing nearly enough for my shop lately. Instead, I've been making homemade bread, brewing Lipton Red Tea iced tea, reading The Duggar Family book, napping, and spending too much time on the internet. I've been toying with the idea of just closing down my shop since I can't seem to find the time to sew anymore and most people don't have money these days for the fun stuff on Etsy. But I just bought $50 worth of fusible fleece for bags so apparently, there's a part of me that wants to keep going.

I listed this beauty made with Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks line today...

I'm hoping to complete two more bags this week but I'm not making any promises.