WIP Thursday - MORE Last Minute Stuff

My final craft show of the year is this Saturday, and I'm running both my embroidery machines to try to stock up after having a great last show! I originally wasn't going to make any more peeker hoods, but then I got in a few requests for Kpop Demon Hunter characters, and then suddenly I was in the groove! I have 20 hoods to attach to the towels before the show, and 3 of them are for orders. Hopefully they bring in some interest and I can also clear out the older ones!  I'd love to get down to just one tote of towels...and have an excuse to make new ones with my towel stash!

 

20 hoods there - waiting for final trimming and then attaching!

Stitch Paisley Whisper Crossbody with Recessed Zipper Add On - ChrisW Designs Pattern Test

The newest pattern from ChrisW Designs is the Whisper Crossbody bag, and it's so fun! There is also an extra add on pack that gives you a recessed zipper and some fun corner accents. The main pattern has a flap that secures both the back phone pocket and the top, but I need a zipper closure for total security!  You could add on the flap to the zipper version, but I think it looks really nice even without it.

My new couch makes for a nice background!

WIP Tuesday - Don't Panic

Less than one week until my big show, and I've got PLENTY of time to do all the things, right?? Well, maybe not. I guess I need to figure out what is going to be the highest priority and go with that. First up will be packaging all the doodles (after they are all stuffed/sewn or trimmed), then I need to add buttons to the cowls and tags for them, stitch out more hand towels and blankets, and attach the 6 or so hoods I stitched out this summer to towels...plus I should stitch up more notebook covers and maybe sew up some crayon rolls or Moondance notepad holders....all in the next 3 nights after work. I can do it...right? (stop laughing at my optimism, please!!)

I think there are about 67 in that bag...

Bulldog Summit Sling

This fun Summit Sling was made with a customer provided fabric, with their school's mascot! I'm not sure where they had it printed, but the quality was good and the fabric was a canvas that gave it a little more structure. 

This sling bag has a great shape!

WIP Thursday - November Is HERE!

Time to queue the holiday panic mode, somehow it's already November! I'm trying to get everything ready for the craft shows I signed up for, plus add some new stuff to the boutique, and let's not forget Thanksgiving! I'm pretty on track for the blanket goal, but that is tying up the machine so my doodles, notebooks, and wall art are not getting restocked yet. I'm hoping that by stitching up a few more blankets, I can clear the space to set up the spare machine, but it will probably require me to stitch up more than my planned 40... I really need to work on organizing and de-stashing after my last show this year!

The unicorn is fluffy!

WIP Tuesday - Recovery!

Surgery was a success, and recovery is going well, but I need to make sure I don't overdo it! I almost don't look like I was used as a punching bag since the bruises are nearly gone. I also have the embroidery machine back from the shop, and while I was warned that she's getting close to the end, she's still running! I will probably be doing some sales at the end of the year to go toward a new machine, so fingers crossed she doesn't give up before then!

Decaf is never an option for me...

Witches Globetrot Travel Sling - Pattern Testing ChrisW Designs

I decided to sneak in one last pattern testing before taking my (forced) break, and this was such a fast and fun bag to make! If you are looking for a quick and handy little bag, perfect for travel or a quick trip out, I suggest the Globetrot Travel Sling from ChrisW Designs! 

Just a little bag!

WIP Friday - Time For a Break!

I only have a few open orders, and once those are done, I can focus on recovery and then restocking! I'm even planning on taking my embroidery machine in for a spa visit while I'm recovering, and then she's going to get a workout! I want to stitch up at least 40 blankets, and I need to restock my doodles and notebook covers since I have them at the boutique year round and my back-stock is getting low. I'm really hoping for fast recovery, I have too much I want to get done and too little time...I might even clear space for my backup embroidery machine and get that running too, then it will really feel like an industrial factory.

One of the few blankets I've stitched up recently. Need to do so many more!

Space Symbols Daily Drift Crossbody- ChrisW Designs Pattern Testing

There have been a lot of similar shaped patterns lately, but I always love making a bag from ChrisW Designs because I feel like she really steps you through everything and the instructions are amazing! She also has a video, if you like watching to see how someone makes the bag. The Daily Drift Crossbody is a cute mid sized bag, with some great pockets and the lining is a PERFECT fit! No saggy lining or 'extra' in there, it looks so sharp!

Trying some different photo locations, the new couch is nice and neutral, but not perfect lighting....

WIP Wednesday - October Incoming!

I can tell when it's getting close to October, suddenly I have an influx of orders on Etsy for pony ears, costume wings, and other random bows. It usually picks up speed at the end of September and goes for the first few weeks of October, but this year I'm going to have to disappoint any last minute costumers since I need to put Etsy on vacation at the start of October. That should give me enough time to send out all the orders that are open before I'm out of commission, hopefully! It's been a hectic few weeks -- I try to have backup supplies but this time when I went to grab a new box of bobbins, I realized they sent me the wrong ones! Also, my embroidery machine totally deserves a spa day after this!

Can I interest you in a few pony ears?

Truth is Out There Celine Tote Bag - Knitorious Fabric Strike

I don't know about you, but circle bags are a little intimidating to me. With patience, many staples, and some seam ripping, I can make them work, but it's not my favorite shape to make. That being said, the bagmaker panels from Knitorious Fabric are super fun and cute, so I was willing to attempt it. Fortunately for me, I realized I don't HAVE to make it a circle! With a little bit of planning and some patchwork sewing, I was able to turn it into a fun tote bag, the Celine from Swoon!

The inside of my light box looks a little like a spaceship, so I decided to embrace it.

Puppy Crystaline Pencil Pouch - The Styled Magnolia Pattern Testing

I told you I couldn't resist all the fun tests! The new Crystaline Pencil Pouch from The Styled Magnolia was at least a quick project -- I spent more time finding materials than actually sewing!

Sorry for the glare, the new light box is much brighter, but the diffuser is not as good

Dread Pirate Mariposa Organizing Pouch - The Styled Magnolia Pattern Testing

It seems like the test patterns all came right after one another, and they were all so fun that I couldn't resist signing up for them! The Mariposa Organizing Pouch from The Styled Magnolia is a fun little organizer with a lot of options! 

Dread Pirate Roberts, now in pouch form!

WIP August - Overwhelmed and Running Out of Time!

And now August is almost over! Where did the month go??  I was busy the entire month, between school starting, day job getting even busier, lots of pattern testing, and trying to prepare for the next craft show in 2 weeks -- there wasn't mental space to update the blog like I wanted to! Maybe I'll finally have time to update in October, when I'm limited on what I can do...I might finally get everything prepped to auto publish since I have about 2 years of purses and sewing still left to share!

Are you as obsessed with Wednesday as I am?? New blanket!

Magical Cadence Mini Pouch - Pattern Testing for The Styled Magnolia

Sometimes you want a super fast and cute little pattern, and the Cadence Mini Pouch totally meets those requirements! I raided my scrap bin to make mine, which means that the inside actually has 2 fabrics, and my interfacing scraps were put to use too!

Big in pictures, small in real life!

WIP Wednesday - And Now It's Almost September.

How is it over halfway through August?? I've been planning on posting new stuff pretty much every day and then the next thing I know, another week has flown by! I am trying to get as much done as possible since I have 2 shows in less than a month on back to back weekends (small and HUGE), then a major surgery, and hopefully recovered enough for a Christmas show in November!

A few orders and fun stitching! Trying to do 2 random things per day, on average. 

WIP Thursday - The End (of July) Is Here!

It's the last day of July, and that means tomorrow is August, and then next week will be Christmas! Ok, maybe not that fast, but it's going to feel like it! I'll be having a major surgery in October, so that means I'm going to lose at least 4-6 weeks of my busiest crafting times, and probably should limit my commitments so I can focus on healing. But I think I'll probably get a bit bored if I'm not constantly crafting and sewing...or maybe I'll finally catch up on my sleep?

A custom wallet order, haven't had one for a while!

Golden Arches Roll Top Backpack - Knitorious Fabric Promotion

The Foodie round at Knitorious Fabric is in full swing, and this time I got a fun canvas MD Sack bagmaker set to promote! The Bagmaker sets are a fat half yard of fabric, with accents and other fun pieces included in the designs and some even have circle or other shapes designed in for easy placement! Depending on the bag, one roll might not be enough for the lining, so I combined mine with the burger silky nylon coordinate. 

That's a mini happy meal box, not a giant backpack!

WIP Tuesday - Slow Down, Summer!

This summer is FLYING by and I would really like to have some time to enjoy it before it's suddenly Christmas...or at least more time to prepare before Christmas gets here! I've been working on a few things to restock the boutique and I WILL get them there this week...probably. I also committed to another event in September, our local Chili festival, which is a 3 day event and highly attended! I really want to try making some actual bags to sell at shows this fall, maybe the water bottle bags and some of the stylish bum bags! Just need more spare time...

I kind of love these! Now up on etsy and soon at the boutique!

Tula Pink Floral Boxed Bliss Handbag - ChrisW Designs (Pattern Testing)

I admit, when I saw the preview pics for this bag, I thought it was just another huge tote bag, but I was so wrong! Instead it's an adorable little handbag with a TON of pockets! The Boxed Bliss Handbag from ChrisW Designs is the latest pattern release, and Christine has gone back to her super pocket bags! 

I used photo magic to make the handles stand up, which I'm not great at, so don't look too close LOL

WIP Tuesday - July, Already??

Every time I've thought "I should go update the blog" I somehow get sidetracked. I still have a bunch of fun finishes to share from previous years, so even though I haven't had as many orders and projects lately, I still have lots more posts to write up! I just have so many other things calling for my attention, like orders, fun projects, family, dogs, and sleep! Plus I need to start working on inventory, but so far I have no fall/winter shows confirmed yet, and I might need a medical procedure that will have me limited in my lifting and carrying...

Just some craft show pics from last year, to motivate myself!

WIP Thursday - Back In the Groove

I didn't even realize that I have been unusually tired lately, other than taking several hour naps after work almost every day. Fortunately, my doctor caught it and now that they are on the way to fixing me, I'm finally getting caught back up on orders and starting to have the energy to work on inventory for the boutique and fall shows! I'm always open to suggestions for things to make, and love to hear what is popular now in terms of kid shows, fandom, and items I can make!

I have a bunch of supplies to make the fun stuffed keychains, guess I should do more!

My Neighbor Serendipity Hip - ChrisW Designs Update

It has been forever since I made the adorable Serendipity Hip Crossbody Bag from ChrisW designs, so when she decided to update the pattern, I jumped at the chance to make a new one! The update includes all the square pieces as printable pattern pieces -- not just measurements, an improvement to the instructions, and a new video! 

This bag is so fun!

WIP Friday - Almost June!

I survived the graduation, and realized that May is pretty much OVER! I am not ready for June and being almost halfway through the year...guess I need to get working on stock for the fall shows! I just have a few wallets on the list so far, but I'd love to make a bunch of the clear tote bags, the water bottle bags, and maybe some little cross body bags...all in my spare time!

That's PLENTY of room, right?

Lou SW Blossoms Regina Phalanges Traveler Tote - Knitorious Fabric and Sincerely Jenn Patterns

Have you ever seen a fabric and just thought "WOW!!"? This Lou SW panel and coordinating fabric from Knitorious Fabrics totally blew my mind! It's almost TOO fancy for what I usually sew, so I had to find the perfect bag to show it off!

Outdoor pic since it's green again!

WIP Wednesday - Summer is Coming!

I have less than 2 weeks until a child graduates from high school...and I am NOT ready! I'll be taking vacation next week, to get everything ready and to spend time with the family, so I might just drop out of sight for a few days. The Etsy shop will be going on vacation starting Monday (as long as I remember to do that!) so I have one less thing to think about, but I'll still be working on the open orders! I'm hoping to squeeze in some time to organize my sewing studio, along with the rest of the house, but we'll see how I do on time management. 

Started stitching up some hand towels, need to rinse off the stabilizer I use that looks like plastic!

This is the May - Floral Wars Peregrina Backpack

Every year around my birthday, I try to do some 'selfish' sewing and try new patterns or make myself a new thing to replace something that is wearing out. Back in 2022 (yes, I'm THAT far behind on sharing), I made the Peregrina Crosspack with some gorgeous lavender Floral Wars fabric from Knitorious Fabrics! Then I had to wait for a perfect May the Fourth (be with you) to share it, but somehow I missed it again!

On this print, R2 is my favorite!

WIP Friday - May!

May snuck up on me! I have so much to do that is not craft related, and only a few weeks to do it! Add in the allergies and end of school year stuff, and my time is premium right now. At least I managed to list up a stack of fabric for destashing this week...now just a few hundred more to take pics and try to sell! I have no fear that I will run out of fabric any time soon, and clearing these out will help me to actually get to the ones I really like. Maybe even start using them more?

A lovely stack of fabric

Pastel Goth Bow Fanny Bag (Zor-Elle)

Sometimes I want to make a super cute, fun, and quick bag, and the Bow Fanny Bag from Zor-Elle meets those requirements!

It keeps the shape, even hanging!

WIP Tuesday - April Speeding By

And just like that, we are almost through April! I have just over a month until my middle child's high school graduation (and party), so the time is FLYING! I feel like I've fallen into a time vortex where it goes from 5 pm to midnight when I blink, and somehow I have done nothing. I really need to get back my motivation and focus, especially with a few upcoming shows!

New wall art. Might be going up in my house...or might end up at a craft show.

A Plethora of Slip and Zip Wallets - ChrisW Designs (Pattern Testing)

Really, these wallets deserve their own posts, but there's only so many pictures you can take of a wallet! The latest patterns from ChrisW Designs are 3 sizes of Slip and Zip wallets, and while they share the same name, they are not just scaled versions of the same wallet! Each one has unique features, and they all come together pretty fast. You can now buy them separate, to get just the size you want!

All 3 together, to get an idea of size

WIP Wednesday - Spring (Again)

I feel like I can take a little tiny break, all the orders are on track, the boutique has been restocked, and I only have one pattern to test this week! Definitely time to work on destashing more of my extra fabric and organizing the sewing studio! Or I could catch up on some sleep...or do some deep cleaning...

The tip of the destash iceberg...

Mermaid Damask Coronado Crossbody - The Styled Magnolia (Pattern Testing)

I was fortunate to test the new Coronado Crossbody purse pattern from The Styled Magnolia, and after a bunch of raw edge wallets, clear projects, and other simple projects, it was a nice change! 

I think she's dreaming of all the places this purse could go!

WIP Wednesday - April SNOW showers

If April showers bring May flowers, do April snow showers bring May skiers? It was a bit odd to wake up to snow, but not that uncommon for Colorado in April...I've even seen snow in May. We should be getting close to real spring soon, which means I should be spending time in the yard clearing out the dead stuff and maybe even planting flowers! I like the wilderness look, but there is a point where 'wilderness' crosses into 'neglected'...and we're getting close! Since I'm not swamped with orders, I can finally do yard work without feeling like I'm getting behind on important stuff. 

All the recent stuffies! Just need tagged and dropped off at the Sweet Radiance Boutique

WIP Thursday - End of March

I need to stop deciding to blog more, every time I do, life goes sideways and I lose an entire week! And somehow March is almost finished as well... The good news is that I am all caught up on the pattern testing that came in at once, and only have one open order! I'm still working on restocking things for the Sweet Radiance Boutique, hoping to take a trip down soon to drop off new blankets, stuffed animals, and notebooks! I might even switch out some purses on display, to keep it interesting. I'm also getting the spring cleaning urge to deep clean and organize my sewing studio, which I might actually be able to do this year since I don't have a ton of orders making me feel guilty for taking time to work on other things...

FINALLY getting the pieces glued into the tins...and I have matching finger puppets! Now to make more...

Squish Mabel (Swoon)

I don't often make little bags, but this one turned out super cute! This was one of my earlier vinyl purses, and it helped me get over my sewing vinyl intimidation! The Mabel from Swoon is a fast little free pattern

All the fun and colorful animals!

WIP Tuesday - Time to Get Focused

I like having a bunch of orders because I need deadlines and a tiny bit of stress to keep me productive and on track! I only have a few orders right now, which means that in my mind I have PLENTY of time to finish everything...which leads to rushing at the last minute to get orders out and finish up tests. I also want the orders to be interesting...yes, I can make a NCW wallet in just a few days (or hours if I'm in a crunch), but after making over 100 of them, they just aren't that exciting. I'm actually kind of glad I'm down to my last few scraps of the map fabric I use for them, and I can't get any more unless I get lucky in a b/s/t group...although I want to start offering the plague doctor version, to use up that stash of fabric, but that's a little different at least.  

Latest NCW order - NOT a map one!

Clear Character Aneira Pouch - The Styled Magnolia Pattern Testing

I've really enjoyed having a little extra space in my schedule where I can fit in more pattern testing and fabric promotion, especially if it's pushing me out of my comfort zone to use some of my stash! I love how the clear vinyl looks, but for the longest time there were barely any good patterns to use it. The Styled Magnolia is really knocking it out of the park with all their new patterns lately, and the Aneira Pouch is another cute and fast one that can be made with either clear vinyl or regular vinyl! 

I should have put something inside, to make the characters really pop...

WIP Tuesday - Snowy and Cold to Balmy and Beautiful!

I really shouldn't be surprised that February is a bipolar month - cold and full of snow for a few days, then nice and gorgeous the next few days! I'm ready for winter to be over, and only have nice days, but then we hit the 'too hot to move' summer... I do love curling up on the couch with a soft blanket, my dogs, and a book, but I pretty much do that year round. It's just in the winter that the dogs come in covered in snow and try to snuggle with me and those are usually some cold and wet paws and faces! If I'm sewing when they come back inside, they like to run to the sewing room, still wet and cold, and sit on my bare feet. Or, they come in covered in mud and tracking paw prints all over. Thanks, guys. 

My nap buddies

Supernatural Sawyer Satchel Bag - Knitorious Fabric and Cloudsplitter Designs

Messenger bags are one of the most basic style of bags I make, but I still buy different patterns to get the features I want. For the amazing fabric from Knitorious Fabric, I knew I wanted something with straps, or 'manly' looking, not just a basic bag. I found the Sawyer Satchel and it had everything I wanted: cool accent straps, pockets, more pockets, a zipper to close it, and good sized! 

Just hanging out on a ledge

Villainous Coffee Quinn Wallet - RLR Pattern Testing

It seems like wallets are the popular patterns coming out right now, and I got the chance to test another new pattern, the Quinn Wallet from RLR Patterns. 

The only orchids blooming right now, my Lego ones.

WIP Thursday - Piling Up

 I don't think it's gotten THAT much busier, but it seems like the work is starting to pile up! Or maybe it is just the mental load of all that I want to do, plus the pattern testing and fabric promos coming in right after each other! Either way, I'm grateful for a long weekend and time to relax and catch up on things.  Or just read for 3 days straight...which I have been known to do. 

The newly released Quinn Wallet, I'll be blogging it soon!

WIP Thursday - Keeping on Track

In some ways, I'm a little sad that things aren't as hectic "can't catch up" busy as usual, but in other ways, it's kind of nice to have enough time to do the extra projects and take a breather every now and then! I have only 2 orders on the table right now, plus some fabric coming in this week to promote. I might finally get around to some deep cleaning of the craft room! I keep talking about it, and then somehow another week flies by without me doing a destash or organizing...

Random dice tray I threw on the machine for fun

Flappy Duncan Messenger Sling - Snow Willow Designs Fabric and Sincerely Jen Patterns

The lesson I learned with this project was, 'don't give me an excessive amount of time to prepare' because I will STILL procrastinate until the last minute. I've had the String Theory Funky Bunch 2: Electric Boogaloo fabric since last year, and it took me forever to settle on a pattern, then even longer to cut out all the pieces! Once I started sewing, it wasn't too bad (except for midnight sewing where I was THISCLOSE to attaching the gusset upside-down!) and I'm really glad it's finished! 

I'm pretending the wrinkles add character, which is the justification I give for not ironing my clothes...

WIP Monday - Speeding Through January

It shouldn't surprise me that we are almost through January and that 2025 is already flying by! I think I've been getting things done, but it doesn't feel like it... We've hit that weird time of the year when it's all snowy/cold and nobody wants to do anything. Or maybe that's just me. Naps sound amazing and all I want to do is snuggle on the couch with my dogs and read books. It's a bit of a struggle to make myself sew and restock my inventory!

A few orders going out today!

Trek Edgy Essence Wallet - ChrisW Designs Pattern Testing

I love a quick sew, and ChrisW has hit it out of the park with another fun and fast wallet! Someday I will get out my Scan N Cut for these, which I'm sure will speed up the process about 100%, but for now, hand cutting doesn't take that long and still works! The Edgy Essence Wallet is a prettier raw edge style, with fun swoopy details.

A simple wallet, with a fun finish

and you open it up, BAM! Card slots galore!

WIP Thursday - New Year, Time to Update the Lists!

The end of last year got a bit...hectic, so I didn't update my blog for a while! I need to make new plans for the new year, but I'm sure a lot of them will be recycled ones from last year. I really hope to get a bunch of destashing and organizing done in 2025, plus take in more orders! Last year they slowed down a bit, which was actually a good thing because I had a bunch of other things going on with the family that needed more attention. This year I want to work on building the business back up, and maybe offering more ready to ship things like smaller wallets and simple purses, while still making the more complex and fun ones! 

New blanket design!

Berserk Carter Messenger Bag - Knitorious Fabric and Swoon Patterns

I got to play with some of the new fabric from Knitorious that is open for preorder for just a few more days! The Anime round has a bunch of fun designs, and so many bases!  I haven't watched Berserk, but according to my local experts, this fabric is pretty great. This was my first time using nylon repel, but I can definitely see myself using it again! It was a little slippery, but the thicker backing on it meant that I could skip one layer of interfacing and save a little time. I decided that this fabric needed a bold design to show it off, and found the Carter Messenger from Swoon!

I played around with my photo editor to try to get a better background than my new lightbox