polkadotbug

Zippers!

I did it.  I conquered my fear of sewing in a zipper.

Our aunt was here for Thanksgiving (hi Jeanne!) and requested one of my tote bags, but with a zipper.  I have to admit that I did panic a bit.  I’ve been admiring and fearing them since I started sewing last year. 

I did my internet research and found a few zipper tutorials to work off of. Like here and here and here.

Then I went to the store and bought an enormous zipper.  I ended up buying a coat zipper.  I didn’t realize that until afterwards, but that’s ok.  It does its job well on a bag too.

Not too bad for my first shot.  The one thing that I couldn’t do was the top stitch.  My mighty strong Singer can’t go through both the quilted lining and the zipper.  Maybe I’ll get a stronger machine some day…

Jeanne made some good fabric choices too,from Amy Butlers Daisy Chain line. 

I was so excited that I did it that I just had to try a few little bags.  It’s cake!

Please don’t mind the wrinkles. :)  I didn’t add interfacing to the larger one so it’s quite a flopper.  It definitely makes a difference to just add a lightweight interfacing. 

On a different subject, Andrew and I are getting very excited for the trip we’re planning.  It looks like we’ll be sitting on the beach for a week on Cape Cod in July.  SWEET!!  This will be our first little family trip and I can’t wait. 

It feels so good just thinking about a beach after the past week of frigid temps.  We had to miss Andrew’s company party on Friday night.  He left work at 4:30 and didn’t get home until 7 – it’s normally a 20 minute commute.  There was no way we were getting back in the car and heading back downtown.  I had already driven the kids to Grams (in a white-out) for a sleepover to prepare for our evening out.  Kinda disappointing, but we did go out to dinner close to home.  That was followed by a movie on the couch and a night of uninterrupted sleep.  

It was a treat.  At the same time, it’s so sad going to bed and walking past the empty bedrooms.  That’s just the emotional person that I am.  We’ve never even had a babysitter outside of family.  I get laughed at a lot about that.  Call me a dork it you’d like.  Yes Caren, I am expecting a comment from you on that one.

Pretty Ruffles

Ah yes! I am still alive. I cannot even begin to understand how time goes so quickly.   I feel like I am constantly rushing around and yet still nothing gets done. 

I caved in and bought Sandi Henderson’s ruffle pants pattern.  They are so cute.  I made a fall orange/green pair (Sandi Henderson’s fabric too) and a corduroy pair. 

These were done a few weeks ago when it was sunny and beautiful out.  Now is rainy and cold.  We were supposed to have our village Halloween parade today but that’s not happening now.  Darn weather.

Next are my two favorite new bags.  They are already gone though.  I sold them to Chique Boutique, the very first boutique that my items will be sold at!  Nuts.  Thanks Devon!  She purchased some bags, bonnets, bibs, checkbook covers, and bows. 

Sorry about the second picture.  Andrew didn’t feel like getting his camera out that night and working magic on my bag so I had to use the standard old camera.  Andrew, you should’ve known I’d call you on that.  It’s amazing how much nicer my things look with a really good camera! 

Ok, that’s it for now.  We are going to a little Halloween party at my aunt’s house today.  Molly is a little rambunctious. 

Time to Get Serious

I have been up to some sewing lately.  Turns out I have myself signed up for the Buffalo Indie Market on September 14^th.  I figure I better start cranking some stuff out now so I don’t have to pull any all-nighters when it gets closer.  Not only that, but another local crafter contacted me about sharing a booth with her at the Quaker Arts Festival.  The only bad (and scary) part about it is that it’s the weekend after the Indie Market!  AHH!!!  Not real sure I can make enough in time. 

My new crafty friend Shannon makes the most adorable baby items and we have very similar tastes.  I think we’ll have an awesome booth and I am so excited to make a new friend!  We’re gonna have a ton of fun.  She just started up a blog as well, so check out Babypeas.

Besides the Buffalo Bonnets, I have started making a few bags.  Most are my usual quilt lined bags in some of my favorite fabrics.  To spice it up a bit I tried a new style – the drawstring bag.

Of course I didn’t come up with it on my own.  I never do - I always seem to need a visual.  I saw something similar when spending one of my many many hours paging through all the amazing things on Flickr.   I think it’s adorable! 

Do you like the light up flowers in the background?!  I saw them at our nursery when I was spending loads of money on new plants for our garden.  They were too cute, so I had to spend some money on fake flowers as well.

 

On another note, there’s another fabulous giveaway!  This one is from Kaytiebugs and it’s for a Double Ruffle Femme Skirt.  I love it!  Check it out. 

Is it genetic? I’m not so sure.

This is the first Heather Bailey Pop Garden purse.  Same style as usual and same addiction to Heather Bailey fabric.  The difference is that I did not make this bag myself.  My 17 year old niece wanted to make a bag as a gift for a friend.  This is how she wanted me to say that it went-

on friday my niece and I had a fabulous day together. we had breakfast, played with babies, made a sweet bag, walked up to lunch, played with babies... ate pizza.... played with babies... etc. (eat, play, eat, play)

my niece kt is the COOLEST person in the whole world. she is smart, talented, beautiful and likes to eat. all those fantabulous qualities make her very very special. * you can continue with other great adjectives that make kt awesome*

I am glad I got to spend quality time with my favorite niece. we bonded and had a blast.

I hope some near time in the future we can have more laughs and fun!

There Katie, I said it (or copied and pasted it).  I will not elaborate on which parts are true or not.   Katie sewed the outer fabric and lining and one handle.  I put the rest of the bag together.  I guess it was a good start, but I am afraid to say that I don’t think I lit any crafty flame inside of her.  I can only hope!  :)  Honestly I think she has more fun mocking me and my attempts at craftiness.   Notice how the blurb above doesn’t say much about the sewing!!

The bag turned out very cute.  Excellent choice of fabric anyway! 

I definitely got the crafty gene from my mom but my sister did not.  I am not sure how that works.  Molly is super crafty right now after spending so much time with me.  I am curious to see if the desire will stick as she grows.  Either that or she’ll try her damnedest to be different than me.  Sad.

A Visit and a Bag

This has to be quick because I have to get packed for our trip to Boston.  This is also the second time I am writing this because the first time Typepad shut me down and I lost my post.  "BLAH," says Tina.  I am both nervous and excited about the trip.  I am nervous to leave the girls and go on an airplane.  Flying scares the you know what out of me.  I am very excited though to get back to Boston where Andrew and I had our very first real apartment and jobs, and to see old friends that we haven't seen in a while.

Anyways, I had the pleasure of going to meet Josie (and her lovely family) yesterday.  It was great getting to meet and chat in person.  This pic is of a stack of adorable fabric pieces that were part of the basket of goodies she made for me.  Don't you love the strawberry?!  She has a great tutorial for them on her blog.  Too cute!  There were also some yummy snap peas that I snacked on driving home, and some veggies for the garden.  I couldn't get a pic of them because Andrew ran right out and planted them when I got home.  Thank you for welcoming me into your home and everything else Josie!  I look forward to seeing each other more often and crafting together. 

This is the most recent bag I made. It was made for one of Andrew's co-workers.  She picked this fabric out herself and I love it.  It turned out very nicely.  I used an old vintage button for the closure.  Gotta get me some more of them!  I hope she likes it. 

Time to pack!

Still Chuggin Along

This is one of the newest bags I have made.  It's amazing how just the fabric alone can make just about any bag look so nice.  I really enjoy this one.  Too bad I have to bring it to the Market.  Maybe no one will buy it and I can keep it for myself!

 

Another new one and a new style I tried.  I like it too, but not as much as the first.  I think I just prefer the bigger bags.  How great are the sunflowers?  They are from Molly and Andrew.  Almost every time they go to Wegmans they come back with flowers for me!  I know, not only does he buy me flowers, but he also does the majority of the grocery shopping!  And, did I mention how great he cooks?  I have it made.  Seriously.

Ok, just a short post today.  I have a long list of things to get done that isn't getting much shorter.  It is also early in the morning and Abby is next to me throwing toys on the computer.  I just wanted to get it out there that I am getting a couple things done!  Today I have my two girls and my sister Angela's 3 year old son too.  Mom (aka nanny) is on a 2 week vacation so we have to take turns staying home from work and watching the kids. Yikes!  I am so thankful for mom!  I just wish she would get home soon.  :)  I don't think I will be getting much done today...

 

Four Quilted Bags

The race is on for the next Indie Market.  I am starting to produce as many sewn items as one can prepare in a very brief period of time.  Of course that's in between bottles, crying, tantrums, and anything else you can expect (and not expect) from an 8 month old and 4 year old.  Sigh...

Here you can see the start of my bag train.  These are my new favorites, with their quilted linings.  I sure hope the train can get longer by next weekend!  I also have plans for reversible dresses, reversible pants, more bonnets, bibs, tutus....blah blah blah..... Enough complaining already.   Just get to work! 

My problem is that I am not organized enough.  I have stacks of wonderful fabric everywhere that I want to turn into something, but it will never happen by next weekend.  I also have ideas of all these things I want to make which also will not happen in time.  Lists!!  I need to make lists.  I have heard this from more than one person (hi Julia!!), but I just can't seem to find the time to make a list.  :)  Or I just feel better when my disorganized thoughts are bouncing all over inside of my crazy head.  It's just what I am used to.  It will all come together somehow and I will hopefully have a nice display of some of my creations for the market.

Right now my tired body is going to get some much needed rest.