Pattern-Making is a Huge Pain in the BUTT

I am liking what comes out of it, however. I'm figuring it out slowly. I made one bitty purse this morning that will never be anything useful, (the red one, love the fabric, definitely going to have to try that one over again) I don't think it could even carry change sensibly... But then I revised my dimensions somewhat and the second go was much better. I have to go pick up some large lobster claw clips to finish this one but I'm loving it already! Having so much fun with my new venture, set myself up an Etsy account yesterday. Spent the entire day searching and brainstorming, have some new ideas to run with as well. There isn't enough time in the day!














GREAT BIG PICTURE UPDATE!!!

Been a busy gal lately! Not so busy that I have a valid excuse for putting off this post for over a week, but busy enough that I don't feel TOO bad about procrastinating...

Sunshine 2009
Donation of three bags to annual cancer fundraiser organized by one of my good friends, Laura Power. Yay Laura, you're so awesome. Go check out her blog if you wanna.

Large Tote













Handbag Tote













Wristlet Clutch

New Sewing Room and Pretties!

Great shopping day last week, only getting to picture posting now. Very fruitful visit to the second hand stores... picked up some plum corduroy and a nice grey and blue suiting from Value Village, as well as a big bag of shinies!! Happened into the Goodwill on 50% off day and got a solid wood table from Sears for $15. Yay! No more sore back from bending over at my makeshift ironing board and cutting table! Its starting to look mighty good in there!




My other fab find of the day ... my very own vintage button collection! I can remember Mom's buttons in the old Player's tobacco tin. The top had a bit of resistance to it and didn't always move right away when you turned. And the smell is something I can't really describe but will never forget. A kind of sweet, old things smell. And what was inside might as well have been jewels; the way I pored over that pile of plastic. The translucent "cut" looking ones were always my favorite, as well as anything in a bright color or an odd shape. I still have the couple I kept in my beading case that I took because I might find a use for them.
Anyway, not quite as nice as all the ones Mom has still, but a few treasures to be had.










My pick of the lot is the old wooden button at the top right of the picture to the left. It looks homemade. I imagined it on an old man's coat. The sides were rough once upon a time, but are now worn smooth from handling over the years. Definitely has a story to tell. Maybe I should write that one down...

Wristlet!

Cute bitty wrist purse. Fought with this for days. Design now has almost all of the bugs ironed out! Made a couple little mistakes on this one, but know what not to do next time. Exterior cotton, cotton twill lining, taffeta bits on the front, heart embroidered with metallic thread, shoe has beading on toe. Cell phone pocket, wrist strap and snazzy zip with ends capped!

Spent the morning sketching out design ideas for a suggestion Mom made... you'll see the finished one of those next time!

Shoe Totes!

Did some more sewing this past week, two tote bags honoring a subject very near and dear to my heart...

























The first belongs to cousin Katie, a fellow shoe aficionada, and the second is all mine! Totally reversible liner as well. Very proud of the work on it. I made it as an example for a gift shop who may be interested in selling them. Wish me luck!

Christmas Fun!

OK! I finally get to show you what everyone got for Christmas! It would have been done earlier but I've had a busy, busy week with cousin Katie over for a visit. We did tons of shopping (this chick is the first person who has ever been able to keep up with my shopping pace!) and we went to the CN Tower and the Bata Shoe Museum (which was incredible). So here we are: