Christie's Bag

Sometimes it is useful to be a stalker. A stalker of a lady with a nice bag, at least. After a year of admiring the bag of a mother at my son's preschool I finally mentioned how much I would like to borrow it and attempt to copy it. Turns out, she was pretty amenable to the whole idea and next thing I now she was handing it over to me. This is my copy of her pretty bag. I made it from fabric I had on hand...a tan essex linen and a heavier weight flower print bought ages ago from fabric.com (I think).

It's pretty big, which I like...slung over my shoulder it comes down to my wrist and it fits a whole world of snacks, sippy cups, notebooks, and rocks/trucks in addition to the essential wallet, keys, phone combo. I'm not crazy about the flowery pattern so I bought the fantastic fabric below to make another one now that I know the pattern works.

Flashy Produce Bags

The whole family is really ready for spring this year...the boys are literally jumping off the walls with all their pent up outside energy and like a sad April Fools joke it is snowing outside today. So, rather than enjoy actually spring weather I'm preparing for the growing season and the arrival of our CSA bounty and start of the farmer's market.

Last year I quickly threw together some produce bags so that when the big box of veggies did arrive I was able to quickly throw everything in cotton, breathable bags and get it into the fridge. It made things alot easier on 'box day' but the bags were made from such a flimsy fabric that they fell apart over the course of the harvest season and they didn't always protect the veg. from the harsh refrigerator conditions. So, this year, I took a little more time and made sturdier, thicker bags with pretty labels.
To make the labels I printed (mirror image) text onto iron-on transfer paper and ironed it onto twill tape. The bags are made from old tablecloths that I had long ago cut up and stored in the deep, recessed corner of my fabric stash cabinet. So, I'm very happy to bring them a new and thrilling life in the refrigerator.
In all I made six bags..3 larger ones for greens and smaller bags for herbs and vertical veggies like carrots and beets. I suspect I will need more but I ran out of old tablecloths! Got to do a bit more digging through the fabric weeds multipying in the studio.

Going Bricks and Mortar!

Our town appears, at first glance, like a sleepy little New Jersey suburb but it also harbors a good deal of bustling creativity. To harness some of that creative goodness a local metalsmith has opened up a main street shop aimed at selling local, handmade goods. She also teaches silversmithing classes and plans on expanding what she can offer in the future. The shop is called Highland Spark and while it has very limited hours, right now, it is an exciting development for many reasons.

I took a big huge leap last week when I dropped off 20 of my very own creations for sale in her shop. I focused mostly on baby bibs (more on an evolving pattern for them later) but also threw in a few bags and pouches. I'm planning on sewing more for her shop (and possibly some others) to see where this venture leads. Wish me luck!

Something for Mom

Well, it has been awfully quiet here lately. I hate when that happens. I have been sewing a lot just feeling a bit...reflective...about it, I guess. There is lots going on and it has me a little topsy turvy.

I did manage the sew together an exciting collection of things as a gift to my mom, a deeply belated gift I should add. It's nearly all from Weekend Sewing, which I go on and on about, I know. These were somewhat adventurous sewing projects for me. My idea was to create a pampering kit for her. So, I made slippers, a washbag, my zipper pouch, and the face wash, lip balm, and face oil from here.

The slippers were very satisfying. Cute, not that hard, and so functional I nearly cried. The border is ric-rac and they even have a little elastic at the back to keep them from slipping. But, none of it is fussy to sew.

The washbag was more challenging, I must say. Inside are little pockets to keep small things...they are even a little elasticized so things stay put. The components are straightforward enough but sewing it all together is a pain and a half. I'm an idiot about these things anyway and this just left me completely befuddled. I even stuck a pin in my hand. I don't think it was a function of the directions but more my lack of experience, if truth be told.
But, completely worth it. If for nothing than the pure joy of taking on a challenge. I will have to make more of these now, or all that effort to scale the learning curve will have been lost. Good thing it is getting on holiday time.

Tigerlily Market

Here is the market of goods for the barter swap!

I'm just crazy about aprons and have lots of deep thoughts about them and would love to make someone a fun apron. It wouldn't look like this one, which was for my sister, but we can work on the details of the apron if you want to swap.
Of course, baby bibs are always on the table and are nearly irresistible, if I do say so myself.

I would also love to swap for some farmer's market bags like the one below (with either the broccilli or beet hand-carved stamp). Or, I can make these into CSA vegetable bags like this. It's growing season, which is so exciting, it's nice to have some fresh bags for the occasion.

The words can be anything you like, you barterers are probably more clever than me.






Just added! Ric Rac cloths napkins in any variety of fabrics, we can discuss the details.

Also added: My homemade face cleaner, deodorant, face moisturizer, solid perfume (scent of your choice), bug balm, and lip balm. The recipes are from here and are spectacular and I would be remiss if I didn't also recommend that you purchase it and make your own. They are a great, great, great way to eliminate a ton of yucky preservatives from your daily routine.

Picnic Time

I noticed recently that my wedding gifts tend to be food-centered--table runners, napkins, coasters, etc. I think there is something about new love that is equivalent to indulging in good food. There is certainly alot of romance in good food. Whatever it is, this is the latest addition to my food-centered wedding gift list.


It's a picnic bag with roll-out placemats inside...everything you need for a picnic except the food. I also threw in a neoprene wine bag (though it occurred to me afterwards you could sew in a wine pocket!). As they live in California I hope it gets some use.

I imagine wildy romantic things about newlyweds, actually I do this with most people who don't have children. They must have SO MUCH FUN cooking together--their heads tossing in laughter, soaking up amazing non-toddler music, running carefree through fields to get to the perfect picnic spot on a rock in the middle of the countryside, feeding each other strawberries and wine when things get out of hand...like in the movies. Is that what it is like, I don't remember anymore? Of course, they probably have jobs and bills, too, children didn't invent those things.

The Barter Marketplace

So, I've been hemming and haa-ing about this whole barter idea for a while and a little nudge nudge from a fellow blogger prompted me to finally dive in. I love the idea of getting a little crafty alternative economy going. And, I thought it might work like this.

1) If you are interested, post what you are interested in making for others (or just tell me with a photo or two of the item)
2) Everyone can view what others are interested in making and strike up barter bargains with eachother (or work through me, though it will definitely be faster to go through eachother). Really think about what you have made and what it is worth in a barter exchange. 'Cause I think one could resent it if they worked on hard on something and then it wasn't exchanged in kind, ya know?
3) I will add links to all of it on my sidebar so you can reference all the option at any time
4) Then we make what the other wants, ship it off and wait for our barter item in return.
5) If you don't really know what you want to make, look at what others are offering and decide what it is worth in exchange or ask someone what they might like of the things that you make.

So, let's say you make great children's apron, for example, or adorable little baby hats, or crayon rolls, or whatever else but you would love a cute little bag....it's a barter!

I do want to add a few things, a project like this could be overwhelming so don't be afraid to limit your barters and don't be offended if someone says no to your barter offer. (Unless, of course,I end up doing this alone.) Also, every item will have a few errors and a little extra *love* worked into it. This is great! It's handmade!

I already know what I want. My next post will be options for my barter items. I'm so excited (yes, again). Now, please do join in or I will really feel like I am talking to myself. And, don't be afraid to join. Beginner sewers, knitters, crafters are definitely welcome...I am speaking to you, Grossman.

The lost post

I posted this already and then it was gone. First it posted with a random date and then when I changed the post date it disappeared. This is actually the second time this has happened and both around tote bag posts. Do I talk about them too much? Is it that bad? Well, here it is again (I hope). (And yes, for those asking 'you can have one'...I think it's time to get thinking about a barter!)

This was another bag made for my sister for Christmas. From the pattern I'm obsessed with, it's a simple tote with just a bit of a gentle slope that makes it more all-purpose than a boxy grocery tote. The fabric is from Ikea, surprisingly.

the farmer's market bags

Ok, time for some of the top secret holiday gifts to see the light of day. My sister is almost always my favorite person to make gifts for. She is a great giver of handmade gifts as well and so I know that she will enjoy (and maybe even cherish) the 'character' in many of the handmade things I make for her. This year I aimed for making things as sustainable as possible. So, using the top of a yard sale cotton shower curtain and the stamps I had carved myself, I made these farmer's market bags.
They came out a little wonky because I used the grommets on the shower curtain as the loops for ribbon handles.

I should confess to really digging these bags myself, I might have to find another yard sale shower curtain so I can be styling at the farmer's market, too.

I kind of skipped the cookie part...

our local crew's annual cookie exchange party was this last weekend. we hosted and thoroughly enjoyed our spacious kitchen, though nearly everything loses its spacious feel when kids are running amok. well, i'm embarassed to admit it but I just couldn't muster much enthusiasm for the baking part of it so I half-heartedly pulled off a family toffee bar recipe the morning of. I just couldn't wait to give the kids their gifts (after the moms got their aprons). Each little munchkin got a chalkmat, made from the TaaDaa studios kit, and an accompanying bag from my pattern.

The result? It was one of those moments that crafters live for. Everybody LOVED the chalkmats and the bags were immediately put to use in shifting toys from one room to another. I even got a spontaneous "Thank you Callum's Mommy" following by a very strong leg-hug. You know the type.
We've since toted our bag and mat with us to church...a nice quiet activity.

bitty bag

I have this bag with a style I really like, it's from Target. And, I take this bag everywhere...the library, to work for my lunch (I'm a big eater), to the store for small shopping trips. Anyway, I started examining the bag and realized it was going to be really easy to make my own pattern and imitate the bag but with my own twist on it. So, I did that and used this scrumptious japanese fabric in a heavy-weight cotton to make a bag just right for my son. This propelled me into making them for other little people I know. I mean I made the pattern and all, I might as well make good use of it. Can't quite share the other bags just yet (or the things that might just be tucked inside).
But, I had to proudly display this simple little bag I made on my very own. The inside is shot cotton, which I need to discuss at great length another time (love it? hate it?) and, of course, the cat who seems to always be around when the camera strap emerges.

The Barter System

...is my new favorite way of doing business. Ok, not really business but crafting. If a friend ask if I will make them something rather than the usual "no you don't have to pay me. I'm happy to do it, you are my friend" rant. I say "Sure. As long as you make me something." I do say it doesn't have to be sewn, it can be anything: cookies, paper art, a mixed cd, it doesn't matter. Just spend a little time thinking of me and creating something. Spread this love that is the handmade.

I have found, so far, that the reaction is usually a mix of feeling a little intimidated and a little excited. The mind starts racing with project ideas and I can see it in their eyes, they have that crafting moment we all love when you just want to get started RIGHT NOW! Even if all you want to get started on is the shopping part. My deadline is always the same...whenever, it doesn't matter. I have a few of these little barters out there. And, recently one came home to roost. This wonderful handmade bag from my wonderful mama friend in Portland. She got it from Handmade Home and while she says she finds sewing daunting, it is impeccable. It has been used to tote groceries--real ones and my son's imaginary ones, bring books back from the library, and shlep bottles to daycare and back. It's a useful new friend. And, look at how lovely it drapes. Bring it on barter!

Purple and Rust

This bag is for me. It's not for any particular reason. The fabric is not scraped together from my stash, it was bought specifically for this purpose: a bag for me. I don't need a bag, I have bags. But, I needed to make this bag for me at this time. I just fell in love with this fabric and decided it was time that the machine was humming for something new for me.

The pattern is from Lotta's book, Simple Sewing. I found I had to made some modifications. First, it required lots of interfacing to give it some structure (the pattern doesn't call for any, which is crazy!). And, after my nesting blocks I had plenty of experience to make that happen! I also altered the front pocket so I didn't need twill tape. Instead, I used scraps sewn onto twill tape for the handles. I did also manage to make the bag with half yards rather than the yard it called for of both outer fabric and lining. The big front pocket allowed me to patch together scraps for the side underneath the pocket. I literally have one 1/2 inch by 3 inch scrap of fabric left. That would be the only thing frugal about this particular indulgence.

The bag is great. The front pocket fits the paper or a magazine or journal, a side pocket fits my water tin, inside pockets fit pens, phones, and keys leaving lots of room inside for everything else. My husband and I, realizing that we both need an occaisional break, have started taking 'nights' meaning one person on one night a week is free from any dishwashing, tidying, diaper stocking, laundering, or cleaning. So, on my night last week, I took this bag, put everything in its respective pocket, tucked the laptop in the bag and sat quietly in a coffee shop for a good 45 minutes drinking hot tea. Ah, bliss.

One of my discoveries was this: Spoonflower Print. You send them your fabric design, digitally, and they turn it into fabric for $18 a yard (quilting or upholstery weight). You can also choose to sell it through them. So many fun possibilities for really personalizing gifts. I know it is early but I can't help but think of Christmas! You can even get a swatch for $5 to see what it looks like. Here is one of the prints they sell, created by Tamptation.

I fell hard for bags this year...

This was another bag made for my sister for Christmas. From the pattern I'm obsessed with, it's a simple tote with just a bit of a gentle slope that makes it more all-purpose than a boxy grocery tote. The fabric is from Ikea, surprisingly.

edited to add: I accidentally posted this to an old date, so if it looks familiar that is why. he. he.

the farmers market bags

Ok, time for some of the top secret holiday gifts to see the light of day. My sister is almost always my favorite person to make gifts for. She is a great giver of handmade gifts as well and so I know that she will enjoy (and maybe even cherish) the 'character' in many of the handmade things I make for her. This year I aimed for making things as sustainable as possible. So, using the top of a yard sale cotton shower curtain and the stamps I had carved myself, I made these farmer's market bags.
They came out a little wonky because I used the grommets on the shower curtain as the loops for ribbon handles.

I should confess to really digging these bags myself, I might have to find another yard sale shower curtain so I can be styling at the farmer's market, too.