WIP Thursday - Vacation Time!

I started my vacation on Monday, and I'm trying to catch up on all the things that were waiting for me to have 'free time'. So far that means working on the last orders, cleaning up the disaster that is the house and the craft studio, and throwing fun things on the embroidery machine as I sew. I set a goal of stitching up a blanket a day to try to work through the stash of blankets, plus getting my craft studio at least a little more organized...

One of the 'for fun' blankets I stitched up, still available!

Golden Girls Denver Backpack (Swoon) and Matching Wallet (NCW - Emmaline Bags)

This Golden Girls inspired print from Backstitch Fabrics is pretty amazing. I love the snarky quotes and pretty colors, plus the cartoony style really captures the characters!

Pastels can be vibrant!

WIP Wednesday - Countdown to Christmas

We are only 11 days out from Christmas, and I am NOT ready! This is probably the closest to ready I've been in years, but that's just because I was behind in October already and didn't take in a bunch of new orders. I think everything should arrive in time (fingers crossed), but I really need to work on getting more pics of the rest of the inventory and hopefully keep clearing it out!

Other than the wrinkle, this turned out cute!

WIP Wednesday - I Survived!

I made it through the final show and while it was a good show, I still have SO MUCH left over! I'm running a sale in my FB group to try to find good homes for more of it (and get some storage space back). I forgot how much time it takes to get pictures and list everything, so I haven't even had a chance to start working on the orders again...but tonight should be back at it! If I can get all 4 of the orders finished (not counting the etsy one that just came in) before the middle of December, I won't know what to do with myself. Maybe I'll finally organize/clean the craft studio...or my house... or catch up on sleep....

One of the bigger lanterns, still available!

WIP Monday - Less Than One Week To Go!

 It seems like it was just yesterday that I was thinking I had plenty of time to prepare for the next show...and now it's less than a week away! I have a GIANT list of things I need to finish up this week, good thing I'm on vacation! I have a stack of towel hoods that need assembled into hooded towels, a pile of blankets ready to be embroidered, doodle dolls that need stuffed, sewed shut and packaged, the flat doodle dolls that need cut out and packaged, plus anything else I can squeeze in! Looks like a good time to make sure all my machines are oiled with new needles! 

Just a small sample of the many things I'm prepping!

Wizardry Color The One With MMK - Longshore Custom Fabric/Sincerely Jen

I really enjoy the challenge of picking a perfect pattern to go with the strike fabric that arrives at my house. This gorgeous Wizardry Color fabric is running for preorder at Longshore Custom Fabric, and I needed to find something that took a fat half (or less) of fabric AND would really show it off!  This is the canvas version, so it has a little more thickness and is more sturdy than the usual woven I work with. The pattern I ended up going with is "The One With More Me Know" from Sincerely Jen, and it was originally an exclusive created to go with a fun box of curated fabric and supplies from More Me Know! I still haven't made it with the original supplies, but after seeing how fast and fun it is, I will be making it again!

Somewhat structured, stood up nicely!

WIP Wednesday - Can We Panic Yet?

We have a month and 2 weeks until Christmas, so I think it's a perfect time to start panicking! Er, I mean focusing on getting everything done and not totally freaking out that we are already in week 2 of November...

Just need the time to do a bunch more of the adorable stockings and blankets!

WIP Monday - Farewell October, We Barely Knew You

I'm not sure how it's already the last day of October, but I am definitely not ready for November! I really need to bust out orders, but I also need to prep some stuff for the last craft show, which is the Friday after Thanksgiving. I'm obviously wasting too much time on things like eating and sleeping!

A new embroidered blanket I did last night.

WIP Thursday - Still Feels Super Busy

I think this is probably the fewest orders I've had at this time of year for several years...mainly because I haven't finalized a bunch of invoices yet. I feel like this time last year I was MUCH faster at getting orders out, and I was also doing a ton of vax card holder orders daily. Those (thankfully) slowed down, but this year it was pony ears...faster to stitch, but require a little more work to finish. 

Ready to go together!

8 Bit Lizard King Tuesday Tote - Snow Willow Designs (Knotted Thread Patterns)

One of the other projects I made for the latest round of fabric promotion for Snow Willow Designs was this super cute (and fast!) Tuesday Tote from Knotted Thread Design! The Mini Lizard King vinyl is such a fun pattern that I wanted to really show it off!

Technically the back, but it really shows off the fun vinyl

Plaid H2O to Go (Lind's Handmade Designs)

No matter what fabric I use, the H2O To Go From Lind's Handmade Designs looks great! Compared to some of the bags and purses I've made, this plaid is pretty subdued. The colors are even prettier in person, and all my favorites! I saw the fabric advertised online and then went on a hunt to find a shop selling it. I did eventually find a quilt shop that was carrying it (and not sold out), so I grabbed a yard! I really should have bought more, but that's my 'go-to' amount for fabrics that have no purpose...

Standing shot for a different angle

WIP Tuesday - Low Key Panic Time

Now that it's October, I really need to focus on knocking everything off my list and figuring out priorities for the handmade market on November 25-26. Plus I have a few people waiting to place orders, so I want to get them on the list and then I can see how much sleep I won't be getting...Once I make it past the shipping cutoff for Halloween costumes, I should be able to focus on more than stitching pony ears and wings again, which will be very nice!  I'm not complaining (much) but I do miss actually sewing up complicated things!

One of the many waves of orders I've been trying to ship out ASAP!

8 Bit Lizard King Key Fob Wallet - Snow Willow Designs and SEWGNAR

On top of testing new patterns, I've also had some fun new fabrics to sew up! This vinyl is from Snow Willow Designs, and was very easy to work with! I need some fast projects, So I went with the Key Fob Wallet from SEWGNAR. 

Getting Godzilla on the front was a little tricky since I'd never made it before...

WIP - I've Lost All Track of Time And Exist In a Void

I'm pretty sure it's still September, but I could be wrong... somehow this month FLEW by and while I'm slowly getting things finished, it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything. I think the Etsy orders are to blame...I've been making pony ears and puppy wings like a maniac, and it's not done yet! I've already finished up almost 50 orders, and still have another 18 or so to go, plus a few custom purse orders that have been patiently waiting for me to have energy and focus to work on. I can stitch and glue the pony ears half asleep, but I'm not going to risk my custom fabrics to tired cutting! 

Last weekend's work...

Pattern Testing - Phoenix Purse from ChrisW Designs

It's been a while since I had the opportunity to test a new pattern, so I jumped at making this bag! Unfortunately, I was still recovering from being sick, so I didn't quite meet the deadline...but the purse is finally done and the pattern is already released!  The Phoenix is a super stylish handbag, with both exterior and interior pockets, shoulder straps, and a cross-body strap (that I left off). 

I found a new spot to take pics, for a different look!

WIP Monday - Still Alive!

Somehow I STILL haven't fully recovered, at least not to the point where I can stay up until midnight working on orders, and still be up in time to get a kid to school and make it to work... so I'm not breezing through orders like I want to. The good news is that I don't have a huge list of paid invoices/orders, but I do want to get through them because they all need to go out! 

Trying a new product, magnetic bookmarks!

WIP Thursday - Feeling Better!

Start of school means time to bring home ALL the colds and viruses, so we are in semi-quarantine stages in the house, which also means I don't go into my sewing studio to protect the fabric! I'm finally on the mend, so that means I can get back to sewing (finally) and try to get caught up on orders so I can take new ones. The Etsy orders are starting to roll in, so I need to keep on top of those, plus start planning my orders for the end of the year, which will be here before I'm ready!

First time making it with a green lining!

Zentangle Minifacto (Chris W Designs)

Sometimes I run across a fabric that I fall in love with and can't resist. This one is NOT my usual style/colors but it's so fun that I bought an entire bolt! Now I need to find more projects to make with the fun fabric...but for now, this Minifacto from ChrisW Designs looks amazing in it!

I am still trying to find a good place to get daylight pics!

WIP Thursday - The Almost Calm Before The Storm

Next week school starts back up, and instead of this week being relaxing, it's been super busy and flying by! I keep meaning to take a few more orders, but somehow that hasn't happened yet...my list is getting much smaller tho, so it's time! Otherwise, I'll actually have time to play with my collection, which leads to mostly aimlessly petting the pretties and not actually making anything... 

A few things on the table this week, Etsy orders keep dribbling in!

Sewing Mice - The Classy Pincushion (Sewn Ideas)

 Sometimes I see a 'looking for testers' post on Face Book and I jump on it! This time I got to test the adorable Classy Pincushion from Sewn Ideas. 

Props for size reference (does it help?)

WIP Tuesday - Another Month Flew By!

July always seems to start out slow, then pick up speed until it's suddenly over! I was able to make some good progress on my UFO project, the Bella II just needs some grommets installed (that I need to order) and then it will be totally done! I decided to squeeze in some selfish sewing for my birthday last week, and I'm almost finished with my new backpack.

This and that for Etsy orders...

Geo Minifacto (ChrisW Designs)

Not everything I make is character inspired, sometimes I get requests for pretty fabrics! I fell in love with the Geos from Blended Thread Fabrics, and on this Minifacto from ChrisW designs, they look AMAZING!

Space, in purse form.

WIP Monday - Back At It!

I took a 'mini' vacation for the last 2 weeks, with minimal sewing and gave myself permission to relax and enjoy having family visiting. Now it's time to get back to the list! I did squeeze in a few little things here and there (can't totally stop crafting and sewing it seems!), but now I need to finish up some orders so I can take in new ones! 

This purse has a LOT of structure.

Princess Bride Sadie Expandable Bag (Swoon)

Every so often I get to sneak in a fun sew for myself, like this Sadie purse from Swoon using fabric from my all time favorite movie! I grew up watching Princess Bride whenever I could, and I can probably quote the entire move (ok, not 'probably', I CAN.)

Wesley/Dread Pirate Roberts is front and center!

WIP Thursday - UFO Challenge

Since July is my birthday month, I decided it's a great time to squeeze in some fun sewing! I am mostly on schedule for orders, so taking a day or 3 to finish up some of the projects that I've had patiently waiting for me to finish is a great idea. Right now there is a challenge over in the ChrisW Designs FB group to sew up a UFO, pattern you bought and never made, or some fabric that has been collected. It does need to use a ChrisW pattern, but she has so many awesome patterns, for all skill levels, so it's a fun challenge for everyone to join!  I'll be working on finishing up this Bella II that I started many years ago... and then if I have time, the Factotum that was started ONLY 3 (or 4?) years ago. I'm working at home now, so I don't need an amazing work tote, so if I ever finish it, I'll be listing it up on Etsy. 

This WILL be the year I finally finish the purse!

Cute Bow bag and embroidered tote bag from the weekend!

Animal Villagers H2O to Go Sling (Linds Handmade Designs)

The H2O To Go bag is quickly becoming a favorite! This fun Animal Crossing fabric from Backstitch was perfect to feature on the zipper pocket, both inside and out!

I love using webbing for straps, so much faster than all the cutting and ironing!

WIP Thursday - End of June

There goes another month! Wasn't last week May?? My plan to organize and destash this month never got very far...maybe next month! I did start a new product for Etsy and fall craft shows, fun plant stakes! I need to get some pretty pictures and decide how I want to list them up (each saying and color options, one color option with all the sayings? sets?) and then see if they are actually popular or just something I end up making for a few days and then never touch again...

I have a few more that just need cut out, and then I'll start doing them in several color options!

Snacks Speedwell Sling Bag (Blue Calla)

 This Speedwell Sling from Blue Calla turned out super cute, too! 

"Watch me whip!"

WIP Monday - (More Than) Halfway through June

I recently added a few new things to my schedule for the kids, so I now have even LESS time to sew than usual! Somehow I'm still making my way through the list, but I need to make sure I stay focused when I am able to squeeze in time to sew! The good news is that I'm using my time away from home to work on my yarn stash, so I'll have more mini scarves (cowls) ready to go for the fall!  Maybe if I work through my chunky yarn stash I'll start working on either amigurumi or hats...both use the smaller yarn, but I need patterns that I can easily pick up and set down.

Chunky yarn works up so fast!

Cacti Charlotte City Tote (Swoon) Wizardry, Stitchery, & Crafts

Another fun project I squeezed in last week was the Charlotte City Tote from Swoon. I used the cotton canvas that will be releasing today from Wizardry, Stitchery, and Crafts, and all the other amazing stuff they sell!  This is such a bright and cheery bag, kind of out of my comfort zone (not usually a lot of pink in my makes) but it turned out even better than I hoped!

Sides unclipped, but not pushed out

Sides clipped in

Beetlejuice H2O to Go (Lind's Handmade Design) Wizardry, Stitchery, and Crafts

Now that I'm getting caught up on orders, I can squeeze in fun projects! For the H2O to Go Sling, I got to try out the new canvas and water resistant canvas (WRC) coming soon to Wizardry, Stitchery, and Crafts. I used the cotton canvas for the outside, and the water resistant for the lining, and both inside my pockets.  

A fun print with pops of bright color!

Funky Bunch Gunther Hobo (Sincerely Jen) Snow Willow Designs Fabric

Maybe trying a new pattern on strike fabric is asking for trouble, but there are some designers that I feel pretty confident the pattern will come together smoothly, so it's worth the risk! I've never made the Gunther Hobo bag from Sincerely Jen before, but it is so perfect for showcasing a fun print like this fabric from Snow Willow Designs! Bonus, it came together pretty quick!

I took it outside to try to capture the grey background and vibrant colors

Funky Bunch Zara Accordion Wallet (RLR Creations) Snow Willow Designs Fabric

The Zara Double Zip Mini Accordion Wallet pattern JUST released and I admit that I was super intrigued by it, so I looked for an excuse to try it out. Fortunately I needed to make a project with the awesome strike fabric from Snow Willow Designs, so I was able to squeeze it in!

Getting the grey to show up required playing with different lighted areas. Also, I think my model needs a name.

WIP Monday - June!

Another month, time for more orders! I'm actually getting caught up and while the list isn't much shorter, it mainly has quick projects. If I focus, I can bust out a Necessary Clutch Wallet in one evening...but if I'm not focused, they can take me about a week. I did prep interfacing for the next 3, so that will help to speed them up a little!

Embroidery is from String Theory Fabric Art, matches the fabric!

Magical Newspaper Speedwell Sling Bag (Blue Calla)

I am always amazed by how the Speedwell from Blue Calla turns out! There are many pieces to it, but that really lets me customize every piece of the sling bag. The woven panels from Backstitch fabrics are usually the perfect size to feature on the front flap, and there is a lot of hardware on this bag, which is perfect for adding fun touches!

This panel was the perfect size!

Diva Heidi Clutch (Swoon) - Longshore Custom Fabrics

 I had a little bit of this fabric left over, so I decided to try a new (to me) pattern. The Heidi by Swoon is a free pattern and super quick!  The nice part is that the top flap is cut separate, so it is easy to make sure that the fabric is 'right side' up! There's only one day left to preorder this fun fabric from Longshore Custom Fabrics! 

The fabric is much crisper than it looks in the pictures, there's just a LOT going on!

Diva Clematis Clutch (Blue Calla Designs) - Longshore Custom Fabrics

The great part about being selected to sew up strikes for different groups is seeing all the fun fabrics in person! The Diva collection from Longshore Custom Fabrics is so awesome! I used the small version of the Pose Covers, and it is TINY! It's so perfect for little things, like this Clematis Clutch from Blue Calla.

I felt like the fabric was pretty classy and needed some fancy projects!

WIP Thursday - Super Productive!

I think that this week was probably my most productive one in a LONG time! I was able to finish up a project every day so far! Granted, they were small/simple ones, but that still counts!  I did rivets and a Clematis on Monday, a teeny backpack (and a nap) on Tuesday, and a Heidi clutch on Wednesday. Tonight I could try to keep the streak up and do a NCW...or take a break. I'm hoping to get a bunch done over the Memorial Day weekend, but I don't know what I would do if I was ever totally caught up! 

A 'large' teeny backpack, using the fun fabric from Longshore Custom Fabrics!

626 H2O to Go Sling (Lind's Handmade Designs)

Sometimes I buy adorable things and then justify it as a 'photo prop'...and this little Nuimo Stitch was too cute to resist! I feel like he makes a great model for the H2O To Go sling!

Hmm, who's this handsome fellow?

WIP Thursday - Ready for the Weekend

Actually, I was ready for the weekend after about 4 hours into Monday...good thing that it's almost time for another weekend! I have a bunch of stuff I need to get finished, but right now I'm working on an Annette purse. Lately I've been doing a LOT of little items/simple orders, so switching my mind to making something with more features/pieces took a little extra time. I'm finally back in the swing of it, so the rest should (hopefully) go much faster! I have several strike projects waiting for me, so it's time to kick it into high gear!

This is going to be awesome!

Wonderful Women Kelley Wallet (Teresa Lucio Designs)

I love this Wonder Woman inspired fabric from Backstitch that celebrates all the women!  The Kelley Wallet from Teresa Lucio Designs was a fast and fun sew, and it turned out pretty wonderful!

All the women!

I Made A Box.

Sometimes I get requests and think, sure, why not...like this fun Pokémon fabric box. It's not very exciting, but it IS pretty neat!

Even has a handle!

Ghibli set - Ultimate Art Organizer, Zip Mask Case, Greta Wristlet, And More!

This order featured 2 versions of the same fabric, used on a few different projects! Unfortunately the group that ran the fabric is no longer open, but I still have a little more in my stash. The mask cases and wristlet were pretty fast projects, but the Ultimate Art Organizer from Sew Sweetness was a lot more work. Not difficult, just fiddly. 

All one order, so much fun stuff!

WIP Wednesday - Warm Weather Time

It's not quite summer yet, but someone needs to make sure the weather knows that! If we are already getting temps in the 'hot' range, I think this might be a good summer to have a pool...or break out the squirt guns. Maybe I'll finally try to crochet some 'reusable water balloons' that I've been thinking about doing for the past 10 years.  Probably not.  But at least I'm getting the list knocked down so maybe I'll have time for some fun projects this year!

Getting ready to cut out the next order!

Ghostbusters Glow Magnolia Wallet (The Styled Magnolia) - Wizardry, Stitchery and Crafts Promo

Sometimes (Usually) I get promo stuff and can use it in any way I want, like this glow in the dark vinyl and zipper set from Wizardry, Stitchery, and Crafts. My original idea was to use it for some sort of Goonies inspired project, but when I got it, the zombie brain pattern of the vinyl  inspired me more toward something undead....like zombies or ghosts!

The rainbow effect is so fun! 

Tried to get a picture to make the white pop, but my camera washed out the patch a little

WIP Wednesday - May the 4th Be With You!

 I was exposed to Star Wars pretty much from birth - considering my parents saw A New Hope on their first date, there was no escaping it for me! Not that I wanted to... I've done many SW related costumes - Princess Leia with the hair buns, a Tie Pilot, biker scout, original Jedi, plus my oldest was an Ewok... We also have a LOT of Star Wars Legos around the house and so many other fun things. I really wanted to make a new bag to share today, but time got away from me so instead I threw a fun Starry Wars on the embroidery machine! I am planning on working on a Star Wars wallet tonight, so that totally works for my project for this year. I just need to make something bigger soon since I kinda brought home a baby Ewok and Wookiee to be new models (totally not because I just wanted them) and they are waiting for their chance to shine!

Tried to get a good pic, but my camera either washed it out, or didn't pick up all the great thread colors

WIP Friday - Farewell to April!

How did another month fly by so fast?? I don't really know what happened this month (thanks, allergies) but now it's time for the end of school year frantic times! The oldest will be returning from college soon, the younger ones will have all the end of year events, and so many birthday next month!  

The zombie brains glow in the dark vinyl is from Wizardry, Stitchery, and Crafts

It's so fun!