All Over the Place

Just a peek at what I've been making lately. A bit of everything.

Last night, the idea of making some crocheted Easter eggs just popped into my head. While Nick watched Quantum of Solace (this movie is so not my cup of tea), I came up with a pattern that works for me. I've made these six so far, I think I'll make a few more.

While working on my zipper pouch pattern, I discovered that some of the photos were missing. I had to start all over again, so this is what I made. I'm really hooked on these fabrics and this color combo. I'm thinking it's a perfect color scheme for my future laundry room. I'm going to hang this print in there for sure!

Speaking of Easter, I finally listed a Nano Bunny this morning. I wasn't sure I liked him, but he might as well get his chance for adoption. Poor Hank deserves a good home as much as any other critter. ha!

Totelicious Pattern

Last night I finally listed a new sewing pattern in my Etsy shop, yay! The shopper tote has been a good seller for me so why not share my innermost secrets with the world? Uh, yeah. Anyhoo, now you can make one for yourself, or your grandma! You'll learn to sew French Seams in this one and I've included some options for different pockets & such. I'm pretty happy with it and very relieved to have it done. On to the next one...mini wallet or tissue cozy, I think.

Off to the City

Today is our friend Amanda's birthday, so I'm headed for the city with Nick at lunch time. I get to run around SF all afternoon with Amanda while Nick works, hehe. I need to go here for thank you card bits (and a super secret shop idea I'm working on), and maybe we'll swing by the cool vintage fabric shop Amanda heard about on Apartment Therapy. I hope she wants to go check out the Japanese bookstore too. Last time I got this. I'm aching for some new inspiration. I'm excited to have a day out. Can you tell?

I managed to get something made yesterday. I'm going to be writing up a pattern for my shopper tote, so I made this one to illustrate the steps. I actually made a mistake sewing the pocket in so I guess I'm going to have to keep it for myself. Oh well.

Look where the handles meet the pocket...whoops!

I used French Seams on this tote, and added the pocket. My old ones have serged seams and no pocket. I think that will make for a better pattern, and a better bag. Oh, and if you're curious about French Seams, check out this post by Tess over at the Sew Mama Sew Blog. It's a great guide for different seam finishing techniques. Cool! So have a great Friday and I'll catch you later.

See store for details

I did it! After weeks of planning and sewing and graphics & testing, my Diana Handbag Sewing Pattern has finally made it's way into my shop. I'm super excited about this, I've seriously been planning it for a long time.

Thanks so much to you ladies who volunteered to test the pattern for me too. I'm confident that it's clear and accurate at this point & there are still a few more testers out there working at it for me. Can't wait to hear what June and Heather think.

Thanks so much: Jenn, Kristi, Veronica and Jodie, your comments were all so helpful. Here are a couple of the bags that were made during the testing phase...

Kristi's bag is so pretty in pink!

And Jodie's chickens are fantastic!


Look a these gorgeous colors! Thanks Veronica.


June used her own covered button! What a great idea.


Heather's bag is lovely in Amy Butler fabric.

Now I can get back to my Hawaiian shirt frenzy that I spoke of yesterday. I went through the fabrics and found that I have 18 shirts to make!!!! ouch There's one calling my name from the cutting table right now. Better scoot.

Lots of New Things

1. QUILTED TOTE - Flea Market, 2. GEMMA Coine Purse - Red Sock Monkey Portraits, 3. SHOPPER TOTE - Retro House, 4. SHOPPER TOTE - Natural Daisies, 5. LITTLE BOX ZIP - Chocolate Strawberry, 6. ZIPPER POUCH - Flea Market Lime, 7. PATCHWORK ZIPPER POUCH - Orange & Green, 8. QUILTED ZIPPER POUCH - Amy Butler French Wallpaper, 9. SARAH Handbag - Denim & Daisies

I had a very good day at the market on Thursday, which led to 3 days of sewing here in the sweat shop. I tried something new...I just made things. I tend to not only be a very slow sewer, but I think I spend way too much time in the planning stage. This past week I just went for it. I pulled out some fabric and made whatever popped into my head. I'm proud of myself for being able to make so much, and this isn't even all of it!

Guess who made their farmer's market debut?

I did well again yesterday, so it's back to the old drawing board later this week. My next market isn't until the 12th so I can rest a bit. I've got a big custom order I'm working on today for some Hawaiian shirts, a nice change of pace.

And later this week, maybe even tomorrow, I will be listing my first sewing pattern in the shop for this bag...

I've gotten some feedback from my pattern testers, so once I've made some tweaks, the pattern (and the bag) will hit my shop. This is something I've been planning for a long time so I'm really happy to have this little project almost completed. Now, I really need to get into the sewing room.

Take it Easy

I forgot to mention some other goodies I picked up over the weekend. I found my new table skirt fabric for my market booth (no, not the monkeys!). I'll use those monkeys to make a baby gift set & some bibs. They're so cute! I've got a market tomorrow, but I think it'd be crazy to try & get new table skirts made by then. I think I'll do something a little more reasonable. Like mail & fill orders, pay for my car insurance, pack up the car for the market. Nothing too ambitious for me today.


Yesterday I spent the entire day at the computer. I got my pattern all written out & pdf'd. It's now in the hands of some lovely ladies who've agreed to test it for me. I hope it makes sense! ha!

Here's what the kitties did while I was working. Must be nice.

And a quick thank you to Nick for giving me this as a wedding gift. What would I do without it?