Sew Many Projects

Oh, my goodness, I have to tell you all that I completed all of these projects (small Amy Butler tote bag, orange & white CD holder, Amy Butler travel bag, flannel doll diaper set for my daughter, and small Anna Maria Horner runner) plus one more that I can't post, just this past week. I think I am officially done with my Christmas sewing. Now I'm dreaming up new projects to work on for my self!!

I also received so many complients on the Amy Butler (brown flower) bag that I think I might make up a few new bags and post them on my etsy site in the next couple of weeks. Of course, I have to order the fabric, get through Christmas, get through Christmas clean-up and reorganization, and then I can get to the bags. Yikes! It was really nice to have some new interest in my bags though! Maybe I can sell a few more in the new year!!!

Happy Holidays to all, in case I don't get back here until after Christmas!! Thanks for reading and I hope to continue my pattern and bag endeavors in the New Year!!!

I know it has been so long, I am so sorry! I have been working on so many projects lately that I can't even keep track of them all! I just recently finished 2 large twin quilts, one for my grandma and one for my father-in-law. That project was really cool because I used the hems of wool pants my grandma had collected in the late 70's early 80's. They turned out amazinly well, considering I had absolutely no pattern and no direction when I started washing the fabric!

And then last night, I finally had a chance to sit down and make the new Liverpool pattern by Amy Butler. I fell in love with this Anna Maria Horner fabric, more with each stitch. The only thing is, I'm not sure it is really a good color for me, I'm still trying to decide. And I think the next time I make the pattern I will use the next size up for a few spots. Otherwise, I feel like it is really cute and I can't wait to get more fabric to make another one, maybe something that looks more like fall and winter!

All in all, just trying to get those Christmas gift projects finished up. I'm starting to get the itch to make more bags, but I'm not quite there yet. I have too many scraps that are asking to be made into something colorful and cute! Let me know what you think about the Liverpool and the quilts!!

More Christmas

Sorry gals, I think bag making is on hold for now. I have officially been sucked into creating Christmas presents! I am having so much fun!! Here are a few more pictures...

Christmas Projects Galore

Okay, I have been really busy sewing, and some of it I can't post here, but these few things I can. Hope you enjoy these pictures. The clutches are from Amy Butler's book "In Stitches" and the bag is from Heather Ross' "Weekend Sewing". All were challenging for different reasons, but turned out so cute. Won't make the clutches again unless I have a lot of time and patience, love the bag and will definitely modify and make again! Let me know what you think!

Another review...

Here is that review I promised you all. She is a dear friend and agreed to test my pattern for me about a month ago. I love how she used corduroy! Thanks, Liz, for posting this for me, your words are so sweet!

http://drytodamp.blogspot.com/2009/09/oak-street-bag.html

As far as the giveaway, I'm having a bit of a difficult time with this. I wanted to giveaway one of my Oak Street Bag patterns, the raw version, but they aren't copywritten yet, and I don't want to take any chances. And since I haven't had my sewing machine out of the closet in almost a month, I don't have any fun items laying around to giveaway. Basically I need more time for the giveaway. I do apologize for the teaser, but I am getting ready to pull out the sewing machine, and I will give something away. I hope the anticipation doesn't kill you! ;}

Bag Review

Okay, so summer is almost officially over, and I feel like I'm ready to get back to this bag thing. I have been itching to make myself a fall/winter bag, so I'm thinking about a new pattern. Maybe this week I will sit down and put it into writing. Anyway, I promised a giveaway when things settled down, and I intend to do that, but first I wanted to post this Oak Street Bag review that my dear friend sent to me. She purchased one of my bags a couple of months ago and loves it, here is what she had to say...

"I have been meaning to write to tell you how much I LOVE the bag I bought from you. I was a little hesitant to use it because it is so nice and I am pretty rough with my purses. However because it is made so well it has stood up to my beatings. I love the pockets inside and the size is perfect. I use it as a purse and mini diaper bag. A baby bottle fits perfectly in one of the inside pockets and I also throw in wipes and a diaper if we are going on a shorter trip. I did take the flower off in front and appreciate the option to do that. I knew it would get destroyed if I left it on but it is so cute I use it as a decorative pin on my bulletin board. Overall, I love the bag for it's functionality, colors (goes with everything), and how well it is made. It was worth every penny and you have my 5-star recommendation. I'll spread the word!" - AM

Stay tuned for a link to another review of the Oak Street Bag, the link will include photos!

Busy!!

I can't believe how unbelievably busy I have been this month, where did it go?! Just wanted to check in and let you all know that I sold 6 more of the small bags today. They are on their way to the Saturday Market in Oregon where they seem to be very popular! I'm very happy about that!

Also, wanted to get you all excited about the giveaway I will be doing when I get back from vacation next month. My pattern has been tested and approved by some very important gals in my life, I think I'm ready for an inital release to measure the interest. So, I will be gone for a few weeks, but when I get back, there will be fun to be had by all!

Flea Market Pic

Here is that picture I promised almost a week ago, of my bags at the flea market in Oregon. The two that were sold last weekend were the black and white bag shown just to the right of the middle bag and the Oak Street bag on the bottom right in Amy Butler's Morning Glory. I haven't heard if anything sold this weekend, but I will hopefully be making some more bags for this gal as the month goes on. Now I'm just trying to decide what to make more of, and what fabrics to use. Any suggestions of fabrics you would like to see my bags made up with? My friend at the Fabric Farm has a TON of new fabrics and I can't decide what to order, help me!!!

Quick Update

Just wanted to give you all a quick update. I have been sewing, just a bit, on Christmas gifts actually. Those that know my husband and I, know that we start every year in July with Christmas and are usually done before Thanksgiving. It usually makes us the envy of everyone we know, but keeps us sane! So, I can't post pictures here because the presents will be seen before the holiday, but I am making some CUTE stuff!!

My pattern has been successfully tested by two of the four testers. Both gave it very good reviews, with just some minor changes. Once I get feedback from the other two testers, I will move forward with printing and marketing. Not sure when that will be, but I'm okay with that. Just kind of resting right now, enjoying the summer!

Also, an update on those bags that I sold last week, they got rave reviews in their new retail location. I guess that two of them have sold. I haven't gotten any details yet, but I will keep you all posted! I'm just so excited that they are such a big hit, maybe I can get some new fabric and make some more, between Christmas projects that is! ;} So long for now....

Bags on the road

I am SOOO excited, I just sold six bags this morning, yes, six bags. If you keep an eye on my etsy shop, you will see that I pretty much cleared it out just now. I have been talking with a gal I know about selling my bags in her shop at one of the Saturday markets in Oregon. We finally got together, and I showed her what I had, she loved them all, but thought she would start with the six she chose. If they are a hit, I think she will be purchasing more. Now I have some money to get some new fabric, a girl has to love that!!!

If anyone else is interested in selling my bags, I would consider working with you to sell them, just contact me and we can work something out. What an exciting day! I was feeling a little bag lull because I ran out of fabric, so this is perfect! Gorgeous fabric, here I come.....

More Bags

Check out these little numbers!!! Just wanted to post a picture of the two little totes I put together last night and this afternoon. Still have some more fabric that should work, hope to make another one this evening after the kids go to bed. Hope you think they are as cute as I do!!! Check out my shop for more pictures...

Been Sewing

Okay, so I thought I would post a couple of pictures here because I have been sewing this weekend! You can find these bags in my etsy shop. I'm very happy with the tote bag I made up yesterday with fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks collection. And Amy Butler's Lotus collection is gorgeous too, blue is my favorite color and I love the splash of red. Hope to get to some more put together in different fabrics this week. I have so much fabric, there will be more cute ones coming I promise!

Patterns are still with the testers. I've gotten some feedback, a few changes to make so far, but nothing major. In the mean time, I'm enjoying some other projects for now! Hope you enjoy these bag pictures!

Banner Making

SO excited, I just found a website that I could use to make a banner for my etsy store. I always see people charging to make them on etsy for other people, and I was encouraged to try to find someway to make one myself. After about 90 minutes on the internet, I found this website, http://mybannermaker.com/ where you can make a banner with your own picture. I think mine turned out pretty cute, and I can change it so easily. Just thought I would share my excitement. Check out my new banner here, and let me know what you think....

Small Oak Street Bag

Well, two posts in one day, I have been busy! Just thought I would share the picture of my first attempt at a smaller Oak Street Bag. Turned out kind of cute. Unfortunately, it is a bit too small, will be great for my 2 year old daughter, but won't even fit my wallet through the opening. So, back to the drawing board, but a good first try. I will post another picture when I give it another shot.

Pattern Testers

I feel like I haven't been keeping you all informed lately like I should. I feel like I have been so busy, guess that's what happens during the summer! Anyway, I thought I would send a quick update about what's going on here.

First off, I have give my Oak Street bag pattern to 3 of the 4 testers. They are waiting for their fabric to arrive, but should get to testing next week. It was quite an exciting thing to get them bagged up and handed out. Of course, I am still figuring out all of the printing/packaging details, but they all got color copies and hand drawn pattern pieces (have to figure that out too). I'm excited! I've also made up a couple more bags these past few days. I will be posting another one to esty later today after I get some pictures of it.

Also, I am going to sit down and see if I can downsize the Oak Street bag a bit. I have a friend that may be able to sell my bags, but she would like something a little less expensive, and I had an idea this morning that if I downsized my current pattern, I could advertise and sell it with the full size pattern as an added value. I'm not sure if it will come out the same, or slightly different, but I'm hitting the drawing board in a few minutes, so we'll see what I come up with. Wonder with I will call that one, the Oak Street Mini?! :} Have a great weekend if I don't get back here I'm sewing like crazy!!!

Pattern and Cutting

Not much going on here, just enjoying time with the family over the holiday weekend. I did make the corrections to my pattern, and I'm hoping to pass it out to a few of my testers this week. I love the format and how it is coming together!

I'm also hoping to cut out some more bags tonight. I have actually been selling a few to some family and friends, so that is also pretty exciting! I'd like to get some more up on etsy, although I'm still not selling many through there, that's where the family and friends see the pictures before they request them in person, so I guess it is serving some purpose. Anyway, off to the cutting mat, cloth napkins, kitchen washcloths and bags are waiting for me! I do love to be creative and I've had such a great Monday! Hope you have too!

A Break

Just thought I would share what I made last night while taking a break from bags. Just a cute little table runner that I purchased the kit for. Can't wait to use the pattern to make some more of these out of my ever-growing scrap bin! Great Christmas gifts!!!

Also, just thought I would share my excitement, I have finished the 1st draft of my pattern, pictures and all. I hope to print it out and get it ready for my pattern testers this week. I am happy with how it is turning out and I feel like I have made it over the big hurdle of getting it all down on paper! Hope your week is off to as great a start as mine!

Patterning

Okay, after dragging my feet for so long, I am getting back to my pattern. I have finished "writing", which was really the part that I dreaded most. Now I am going to work on formatting this pattern in a way that is easy for everyone to follow. I have my trusty pattern publishing book handy and I'm going to start playing around. Hope it isn't too hard!

Also, a bit of exciting news! I went Quilt Shop Hopping with some special women in my life this past week, and there was great reception to the cards I passed out. I even had one shop very seriously and enthusiastically ask me if I would be willing to teach a class about how to make the Oak Street bag. That thought had never crossed my mind, and with my teaching background, it almost seems natural. Now, I just have to contact them again and figure out how it's really done. I couldn't believe it, yet another direction I can move in, I suppose the possibilities are endless!

And just for fun, here is a picture of the tote I created last week to carry the kids' things in when we get out of the house. It turned out perfect, I love how open and big it is, but not too deep, not to mention the gorgeous fabric that I had laying around as scrap from one of my bags! I know it's sad but bags just bring me so much joy!

Kimberly's Name Change

Well, I'm so sad today, but I realize the change was probably necessary. Instead of being able to call this bag the Kimberly bag after my daughter, I have changed it's name to the Oak Street Bag. I am starting to do some promoting at local shops and I didn't want my pattern being confused with Amy Butler's Kimberly bag. Although, it would be great for me, I figured some shops might not want to stock it for fear of customer confusion.

So, tomorrow I will be debuting this cute little card that my dear friend made up for me. We will be doing a local Quilt Shop Hop and I hope to pass these out at each shop we get to. Then I must get back to the pattern drawing board because I think pattern publishing is going to be a longer process than I anticipated. Wish me luck!!!

The Bags

So, here are the first 3 bags I made up with the new fabric. I was planning about 6 bags total with this fabric, so the next 3 will be some variation of these. I might switch some of the fabrics around, I haven't decided. I'd love to get your opinions!

I better get back to the drawing board, so many ideas in my head, so little time in the day!

Something New

So, this is a pile of 12 yards of fabric I just received from my dear friend over at The Fabric Farm I have been working on some new bags this weekend. I will post a picture of them all, probably tomorrow, but here is the first one over on etsy...

And this is something new I just "whipped" up this afternoon, out of necessity. I'm calling it the coupon clutch, it is about 6"x4" when it's folded closed. What do you think? I'm kind of excited, it was very quick and so cute!!!

In the Mail

Before I show you all what I have been getting in the mail, I have to show you what I completed this weekend. I love quilting and I have been wanting to try this little number for a couple of months, but have been busy bag making. So, here it is, just 12" square (completely from my scraps!!!), in all it's beautiful glory!!!

Okay, so here are the things I have received in the mail this week...

First up is the pouch I won from the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day from Just Charming. I LOVE the fabrics she used and I have been wanting to make some pouches out of my bag scraps, now I can see how she does it! I am really enjoying it!!

Next up are the Rustic Rompers - I traded Barb at the Rustic Raspberry for these cute and comfy little dresses for my littlest sweetpea! Aside from having to double knot the ribbons so she didn't undress herself, they are perfect! Thanks again Barb, so much fun!!!

Last but not least - for those of you wondering about my pattern writing, it is currently on hold until I receive my pattern writing book in the mail. I should be getting it tomorrow, then I will resume that part of the process. Besides I have had so much to do, I haven't really had the time or the focus! Maybe this weekend...

Scattered Thoughts

I feel like I have about a hundred things I want to mention here, so if I'm a bit scattered, please bear with me!

First up, I finally had a chance to make up that Birdie Sling with the fabric from the other day. What a crazy life! I think it turned out really well, so bright and cheery. Here is a peek at it.

Also, another Kimberly bag arrived at its new home today in Canada, http://gypsyluludelights.blogspot.com/2009/06/wheeemy-new-kimberly-bag-came-today.html I think she is going to really enjoy it! Thanks again for the order gypsylulu!

And then there is the fact that I ordered 12 yards of fabric yesterday from my dear friend at The Fabric Farm That is going to be quite a weekend full of bag making, let me tell you! Keep an eye here for the new Kimberly bags I will be making up once I get all of that fabric, I CAN'T WAIT!

Last, but certainly not least, I have received a couple of things in the mail the past few days that I want to post here, maybe I will do that tomorrow, I need to get a couple of pictures and I'm just not up for it tonight. I think that is all for now, until tomorrow...

Bag Review

Well, it's official, someone other than the wonderful people around me is enjoying one of my Kimberly bags!!! Here is the link to Desiree's blog, she was the winner of the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway bag earlier this month. http://simplysimonsisters.blogspot.com/2009/06/simply-stylish-kimberly-bag-winner.html

I am so excited that she loves it so much! Keep checking back for other reviews, I sent a bag to Canada last week and another one is going to Arizona probably tomorrow, after I whip it up tonight! :} This is so cool!

Thank you!!!

So, I had a request from a good friend to make a bag for another friend. I'm going to make the Amy Butler Birdie Sling and here is the fabric I have chosen. I hope she likes it! When I get the bag done, I will post a picture of the finished product. I have to admit, it won't be this weekend, but maybe next week!

Also, as a side note, I want to really thank everyone that is visiting commenting on my blog. I can't believe how many positive thoughts are coming my way. I truly appreciate them all, and they keep me moving forward! So, keep'em comin'!!!

Labels

I'm so excited, I finally had a minute and a reason to create a label for my bags. I decided I wanted to use iron-on transfers to directly iron the label onto the pocket inside. I printed one up real quick today before I sent off another bright and sunny bag to gypsylulu! Didn't it turn out so perfect?! (I know the picture isn't really close up, but you can get the overall idea!)

Things are moving right along! I have ordered that pattern writing book, while I wait for it to arrive in the mail, I'm going to try to get the pictures I took last night added to the pattern writing I have already completed. Quite a process, but I'm happy to be moving forward!

Back on Track

Well, I'm back at that pattern today. I have started taking pictures so I can write up the cutting instructions. Maybe tomorrow I will actually sew the bag together, more big family plans this evening so I probably won't get to sewing. I think I'm going to check out the book that Stephanie talks about over at Loft Creations here, so I can become more confident in my pattern writing. Thanks to Vikki for that suggestion, I think it is just the motivation I need! I'm also wondering if I should try to find a store close to home to sell my finished bags. The ones on etsy aren't going anywhere and I want to get these bags out there. They are far to cute to be sitting in a plastic container in my garage!! That's a whole other project in itself, maybe while I wait to get the book in the mail I will pursue that aspect of this project. Hmm, where to begin...

Slacking!

I feel like such a slacker. I haven't revisited my pattern since the other night, and I haven't touched a piece of fabric either. In my defense, I have not been feeling very well and we are having a big family BBQ this weekend, so I have been trying to get the house ready. Lots more to do to prepare, but I'm going to try to motivate at some point this weekend to atleast make the bag that I will use to take pictures for the pattern. So much to do, so little motivation... :}

Pattern Writing

Well, I wish I had some pictures to post, because that would mean that I was actually sewing, which is the part I enjoy most apparently! I wrote out the draft of my pattern for the Kimberly bag last weekend, but haven't been motivated to type it up yet. I got up the nerve this evening, and it is tough. I haven't really written anything besides emails and blog entries since having my kids and it takes a bit to get my brain in gear. Not to mention this heat wave we are having which makes it hard to focus on anything. But, here I am, where I have been for the past 90 minutes, typing away, trying to focus on this pattern while watching a movie with my husband. I wish I were sewing instead of writing. I did take a break today from bags and cut out some very small pieces for a little 12" square quilt I have been longing to put together, that was fun for a change. Anyway, I better get back to this pattern writing, argh! But I will make millions when I'm done, right...
Wish me luck!

Been Busy

So, I have been "busily busing", as we say around here sometimes, during all of the giveaway hoopla! I just thought I would share a couple more finished products that I put together. The purple bag I made for my dear friend that has been helping me get this bag designing off the ground, and the white/orange bag is the one I posted on my etsy shop but hadn't posted here to show a final product. They both turned out amazingly. Each time I see the finished product, I get more excited about the bag! I've started writing up the pattern, hopefully by the end of the week I will have a good draft and I can figure out how/where to get it printed. Right now I'm off to design some business cards...

Giveaway Winner!

Wow, I don't know about you all, but I sure got excited about Giveaway Day(s)! I entered so many myself that I can't even remember what I was trying to win! I also want to thank everyone for their exciting, warm comments about my bag. Since I have just started down this path with designing, it was so great to have so much positive feedback! I can't believe how many people commented on my bag, INCREDIBLE!

So, without further ado, the winner of this goregous bag is Desiree from .simply simon.!! Check back on my blog, or her blog to find out what she thinks of her new bag in the coming weeks!

If you didn't win, but are interested in having one of these bags, please contact me, or check out my etsy shop www.simplystylishdesigns.etsy.com, I would love to get my stuff out there for other people to enjoy instead of having it sit at my house in a plastic container!

Thanks again to everyone that came to my blog, and all of my new followers, I am so excited to have you onboard!

May Giveaway Day

Okay, so here it is. I am giving away the Kimberly Bag made with "Sorbet" by Sentimental Studios for Moda fabrics. (Actual fabric placement on giveaway bag may vary.) In order to win this bag, you must post a comment here on my blog. I will be putting names into a box for each person that comments. If you mention my blog on your site, I will put your name into the box 3 times and if you post my button on your site, I will put your name into the box 5 times. I will ship internationally. The giveaway is open until May 31st and I will notify and post the winner on this blog on June 1st.

The Kimberly Bag has three pockets on the inside and a removeable flower on the outside. It is also very durable with double stitching all around and a zig-zag stitch at the slit opening for added strength.This bag comes from a smoke free, pet free home. Spot clean only. Dimensions: Base - 4 1/2" x 19", Height - 11", Handle Drop - 9 1/2"

If you are interested in this bag and don't win the giveaway, please check out my etsy site http://www.simplystylishdesigns.etsy.com/ to purchase it. If you like the bag, but would choose different fabrics, check out The Fabric Farm at http://www.thefabricfarm.etsy.com/ for some beautiful fabric choices. I can make the Kimberly Bag out of any of those fabrics, just let me know your interests! Good luck!

More Fabric

I am getting so excited, I have just posted my newest Kimberly bag on etsy and figured out how to add my etsy gallery to this blog. Today has been very productive as far as bags go. I chose some new fabric from Moda, here is a little taste. I will be putting this on etsy either tomorrow or Thursday depending on when I have time to actually make the bag up. I am also excited about the encouragement I am getting from everyone around me! Okay, I will post my giveaway later, I better get back to work, I mean fun! :}

Getting Ready

I have been busy today! I picked out some Amy Butler fabric for another Kimberly bag that I am going to put onto my etsy site for sale. I have entered myself into the Sew Mama Sew blog Giveaway day on Wednesday and I want to have some Kimberly bags for sale just in case you all really love them so much that you can't live without them! Here is a little sample of the fabric I used to make this bag. I will be posting it to etsy later this week, I need to get some good pics. I am very excited because I have been getting so many compliments on the Kimberly bag I completed on Friday. More fabric shopping tomorrow, and a Giveaway day post to come...

Another Kimberly

I panicked yesterday and realized I needed a new bag for sister-in-law's baby shower, so I stayed up all night making the second version of the Kimberly bag. This is the version with the modifications I wanted to make after the first try. I think there are still a couple of quirks I want to adjust, but overall, I am REALLY happy with this new Moda fabric, it made the bag look gorgeous! And I did get a few compliments at the shower today, so that was satisfying! I also decided to add the flower, I need to modify it a bit, it was a quick effort very early this morning, but I feel like it achieved the look I was going for! For now, I'm going to try to write up a pattern for this and see where that takes me, maybe a new business will be born after all!