New Fabric on the Way

After sorting through my fabric stash this week, I decided I needed some deeper, more fall-like colors so I have just a few new things on the way. www.quilthome.com has insanely quick shipping. They usually ship out within 24 hours and use priority mail so I get my order within just a few days.

Things are picking up

I sold a bunch of bags in the last week and I think that's been just the kick in the ass I needed to get sewing regularly again. My new goal is to get three bags listed every week. We'll see how that goes. I saw the cutest skull and cross bones fabric on a blog the other day and am desperately trying to find it. Hopefully you'll see it on one of my diaper bags soon. I seem to be really motivated by new fabric. Maybe I should list some fabric mystery boxes on Etsy, clear out my stash and start fresh. How to convince Steve on that one?

Funky Country Christmas Quilt Bag

I really like how this one turned out. I know, not my usual style, but I loved the fabrics and wanted to do something a little different. I went through a phase five or six years ago when I was really into quilting. My friend, Alissa and her Mom, Jana taught me the basics and I made several baby quilts. I even pieced a queen size quilt that will probably never be finished because sadly, now that I have children, I can't do anything that takes longer than 2 hours. Anyhow, I'll be curious to see how this one does. I think it's good mix of styles, kind of a country design but my usual funky pattern and color combos.

Finally, a new bag

Crafty Mama's been feeling a little under the weather lately...ok, crappy, so I really haven't been sewing much. A good friend ordered this custom bag about a month ago and thankfully, she's been really patient with me. I finally finished it tonight and can tell you I won't ever be making this style again unless it's for another REALLY good friend or a celebrity. I say celebrity because my grandma is always coming up with these "business ideas" for my "big break". She's convinced I need to somehow get one of my bags to a big celebrity and then Crafty Mama will become a household name and I'll be rolling in the dough. She's always cutting out articles from The Fresno Bee about stay at home moms who became entrepreneurs, etc. What's so wrong with being a full time mom and liking it? Ok, so I wouldn't even remake it for a celebrity. Maybe Tori Spelling because I'm totally addicted to "Tori & Dean Inn Love"....how pathetic am I? I already know my friend Lena is totally going to call me on that.
Ok, back on topic. These ruffles have sort of been my "thing" for a while and after this bag, I freakin hate them. Seriously, they took forever to make and forever times two to fray. Shanna better be sending me that "toad-ally awesome" card or she'll hear me complain about these ruffles every day.

Why so slow?

Hello, anyone there? Seriously, if anyone reading this has any idea why my Etsy sales are so slow lately, let me know. I can take it! Is it because buyers are preoccupied with back to school shopping and activities? It can't be my taste in fabric and combos because I find my style to perfect and desirable to all buyers. Bad pics? Bad prices? C'mon, tell me! I really want some feedback.
I posted this one yesterday. We'll see how long it sits in my shop with its friends.







































Oh, and I almost forgot that I listed some handmade cards. I originally made them for myself, posted them on the scrapbooking forum I frequent and then decided to list them in my store after a fellow scrapbooker suggested I give it a shot. I think they'd be a great addition to a bag you're giving as a gift or just a nice surprise for a friend. I loooooove getting handmade cards (my friend Shanna makes the best cards, see her work at the link below). Seriously, for me, getting a handmade card is even better than getting a present because I know the giver put time, effort and thought into it (so not like, "Hmmmm, she'll probably like this peach melon Bath & Body works lotion). And I haven't purchased a greeting card in years. I really enjoy making these and it's a great way to use my scraps. And for buyers, I think they're a great price, only $2 each, much cheaper than Hallmark and their sappy crap. Bummer, I made a bunch of thank you cards last week and decided to include one in every package I send out to my bag and scrapbooking buyers. I have 4 packages sitting on my porch now and forgot to put a card in all of them.

Some of my favorite links

Since I can't live without the internet, thought I'd share some of my favorite links with the world. "The world" being the 10 people who read this.

Cactus Blossom Designs
This is my "friend" Jona's Ebay listings. I say "friend" because I've never met her but we chat occasionally online. We met in an Ebay forum for bag makers a few years ago, I've since moved on to Etsy and she's transitioned from bags to clothing. Love her little girl's outfits! So classic and sweet, not the "Look at me wearing my ruffled overalls with 10,000 rhinestones and bright pink lipstick!" kind of boutique outfits that you find all over Ebay. She super nice and I love her style and fabric combos. In my head, I always say her name as "Joe-nah" but I think she's said it's "John-ah". Oh well, I'll still call her, my "friend", "Joe-nah".

Shanna's Scrappy Sketches
This is my good friend Shanna's scrapbooking blog. Full of great sketches and her awesome work. I love to scrapbook but am much more into creativity with combining papers than I am with the actual layout, so I use Shanna's sketches all the time. Ok, I've never actually met Shanna either but I swear I do have friends that I actually see in person! Shanna has become a really close friend, we talk almost every day, and I'm hoping to finally meet her next spring. And I don't think I say her name correctly either. I think it's "Shawn-ah" but I say "Sha (a, like apple)-nah".

JCaroline Creative
Best site ever for fabric and other crafting items. Great prices and a really great selection of funky fabrics. They carry all of my favorites, Amy Butler, Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, etc.

Craftster.org
There is some really cool and really crazy, out there stuff on this site. I love to see how people take an old shirt and turn it into a dress for their toddler. Makes me wish I had more time to sew for my own fam.

*SALE*SALE*SALE*

Out with the old and in with the new! Check out my Etsy store, www.craftymamacreations.etsy.com to see lower "sale" prices on a few on my bags. And just a quick public service announcement...........start shopping now (with Crafty Mama, of course) for Christmas. Number 1, Crafty Mama firmly believes in having most of your holiday shopping done by September (at the latest) and Number 2, Crafty Mama's custom order list gets craaaaaazy in November and December. Crafty Grandma (Crafty Mama's Mama) likes to order a bunch of gifts and then call and add just one more, oh and one more, oh and Mrs. So-and-So loved Miss So-and-So's bag so I need for her too.

Today's bag for Etsy

I think I'm finally coming out of my sewing funk. Nothing like a bunch of new fabric to turn things around. Really happy with how this one turned out, tried a new style and for once, it worked! I'm trying something new with my pics. There are some awesome photographers on Etsy and their pics always look so much better than mine. Anyhow, trying out the black background to see if it makes things look "cleaner". Tell me what you think.

Latest Bags

The whole fam has been a little sick this week (mostly Mama and Papa though) so I didn't get much sewing done. I did manage to complete a custom order for a his/her's bag. One side is camo for "him" and the other is floral for "her". He's a basketball coach and their new baby is Emma, hence the "Team Emma" and basketball applique. I wasn't too crazy about the whole idea of the bag at first but I'm fairly happy with the end product.











































I was supposed to be working on a custom bag for a friend today but for whatever reason, I'm finding it really hard to get motivated for custom orders lately so I ditched it and whipped up this. I just got this fabric last weekend on clearance at Beverly's and I love it! Sort of Asian inspired without being too theme-y.

Bye bye trick or treat bags

At least for now. Honestly, I've just reached my limit for the time being. I made the bags two years ago and told my husband I would never do them again. Crafty Mama is not an assembly line, sweat shop, etc. and I was firm in my declaration that I would stick to being creative. For whatever reason, Steve talked me into making the bags again this year (Why does he care? Did he liquor me up in order to impair my judgement and get me to agree to this?), said it would make the children of the world happy. Well, children of the world, you may just have to go get a big plastic pumpkin from Walmart for $1.98 without your cute little name stitched on it by someone as caring as Crafty Mama. Or, you might be able to stop by my Etsy shop later this month and order one. We'll see if my mood changes.