Today's Bag

This is actually the third bag I've listed on Etsy this week but I wasn't overly excited with the other two so I didn't bother sharing them here. Funny thing is that one of them sold in just a few hours so maybe I should have been more excited about it.
Anyway, I got a bunch of new fabric this weekend including this surfboard print that has been back ordered for several months. I love all of the bright colors in the surf boards and I'm realizing that I'm totally addicted to the dots from Amy Butler's Lotus collection. In fact, I'd like to get the dots in several more colors but am having trouble finding all of the colors I want from one retailer. If any seamstresses reading this know of one place where I can find the dots in blue, green, red, orange, and pink, I'd love it if you could send me a link.

Today's Bag

I think I'm addicted to these dots. I've realized that use them as an accent fabric on about 80% of my bags. I think the shade of green just happens to be a very versatile shade that goes well with lots of greens. I guess I'm off to Betty's tomorrow to buy even more of it.

Sunday's Bag for Etsy

I was able to get in a little bit of sewing time today while Bella and Steve were at the beach flying kites with Grandpa. I've been wanting to make another bottlecap bag because I got a lot of good feedback on the first one and of course I really like the style since it combines my two hobbies, sewing and scrapbooking.

And speaking of scrapbooking, my other "business" I've mentioned a few times in my blog is my Ebay store where I sell Prima flowers. I just started up the biz about 10 days ago and it's been crazy. I've gotten a ton of orders and already made back my initial investment on inventory. If your a scrapbooker or cardmaker, check out the flowers I have to offer at www.craftymamacreations.com.

Behind on my blogging

I've been so busy this week with running Bella back and forth to school, cleaning house, sewing, tending to my sinus issues, and managing my other business. I've only managed to complete 3 bags this week and probably won't get any made this weekend due to out of town guests. Ok, enough whining.

This first bag has already listed and sold. I tried something different with the appliqued cherries on the back and am really happy with how it turned out...

This second bag I listed yesterday and is far too tame for my taste. I like a lot more color and pattern but occassionally try to make something that appeals to the more boring crowd. Ok, not boring, less crazy. My husband saw it last night and went on and on about how much he likes it. Huh??????

Today's Bag for Etsy

I'm loving this style and think it's the perfect size for an everyday diaper bag. The retro dots fabric is actually the first fabric I ever bought for making a bag. I made one for myself and then don't think I ever wanted to use the fabric for anyone else, like the fabric was sacred or something. Anyhow, I saw the fabric in my stash today, took a short trip down memory lane and then decided it was time to share these fun dots with someone else. I guess the lucky new owner of this bag will be buying a piece of Crafty Mama Creations history as well. Ok, not really, more like tearing away something that holds sentimental value for me, but whatever:)

Crafty Mama's been busy!

I know I haven't been blogging or listing that much this week but I haven't been watching tv all day while eating bon bons either. I've been totally swamped with a new business endeavor (more about that later), custom orders, and gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day.

This is my latest bag. Very crazy and funky. I think this one is going to need a unique buyer and may take a while to sell. But, I always seem to be wrong. I thought the bag from last week ("Love, love, love this bag") would sell immediately and it's still sittin' there.

Today's Bags for Etsy....Scrapbook Inspired

I'm loving this first bag with scrapbooking inspired details. When it comes to scrapbooking, I'm totally addicted to Prima flowers so I found a way to incorporate them into my other passion. I attached the flowers and bling to semi-flattened bottlecaps and then modge podged over for added hold. Then attached pins to the bottlecaps so the buyer can remove them if they hate them. If this one doesn't sell I won't be too sad. I think it could find a happy home on my shoulder.

Today's Bag for Etsy...Love, love, love this bag!!!!

This is definitely one of my all time favorite bags that I've made. It features all of my favorite things...brown, paisley, dots, and sherbert colors. I'm sure it'll be too busy for many people but I am really pleased with how it turned out. I had a feeling I would love the end product so I purposely designed it to be too small for me so I wouldn't be tempted to keep it for myself. Of course, now I'm just thinking about making a similar one in another size for me. Since I won't be getting a Mother's Day gift (other than a weekend of scrapbooking and meals cooked by Steve) because of our tight budget, maybe I will go ahead and make myself a bag similar to this and wrap it up for myself.

Birthday bag and a little story

Against my better judgement, I made this bag for my sister in law's birthday without any input from her on style, fabric, etc. I LOVE how it turned out (I'm not sure she did though) and plan to try out this new circle applique style with a few other fabrics.

Now, onto the story... A few years ago I decided to make my friend, Alissa, a bag for her birthday. I couldn't have gotten it more wrong. Bright colors, bold and funky patterns, everything I love and Alissa hates. Looking back now, I don't know what I was thinking. She and I always joke about how our tastes are completely different so I should have gone with the opposite of my gut instinct. Kind of like that episode of "Seinfeld" where George decides to do the complete opposite of what he feels and walks up to a beautiful woman and says, "My name is George. I'm bald, unemployed, and live with my parents. Want to go out sometime?". I digress. Alissa ended up telling me the bag wasn't her style, I was crushed, and vowed to never blindly make a bag like that again. I've done several gift bags since then but have always gotten some level of input from the recipient on color, style, etc. Anyway, back to the point...I was brave and made this bag without any input from sister in law and am still not sure which way it went. Really couldn't tell if she loved it as much as I do or was sickened by the crazy combination of patterns.

Today's Bag...Love It or Hate It?

Moda's sock monkey fabric paired with some of Amy Butler's coordinates. I bet Amy would poop her pants a little if she saw her fabrics next to these monkeys. See the little guy, third row from the top in the red square? He's my favorite. Such a sweet little baby monkey.