More Bags & Totes

It's that time of year again- holiday shopping will be upon us soon! Last night I went through my giant stashes of fabric in preparation for a month of sewing. Every year it amazes me how much fabric I accumulate.

Between summer flea markets and donations from friends, I have a nice variety of vintage and new- prints and wovens. So- production begins. I might not list much in my Etsy shop- it's a very time consuming process to photo, edit, etc. I will add a few things weekly though.

I'll post my holiday show schedule next post. Off to the studio!

Cheers!

Not My Usual Vintage Vibe

I don't usually buy new fabric, but I wanted a variety of bags for upcoming shows and events. I adore these new prints. This first one is by a European designer- it's a home dec weight, and the color combo is awesome! The bright yellow interior is the perfect compliment for this messenger-style bag- new in my shop.

This giant bird print is a heavy upholstery weight fabric- this giant tote was designed to accommodate the scale of the print. I designed it with an adjustable strap to fit any figure. Quite possible the perfect tote! New in my shop- with 2 other colorways available in a few days.

I sold out of the other 2 colorways fast and had to re-order. This colorway goes perfect with jeans- cobalt and butter on a tan background.

Lastly, I couldn't resist this little print. I bought one of those sample packs at my local fabric shop- J Ellen's House of Fabric- and had to buy a yard of this coordinating fabric. I really like the contrast of the modern print with the vintage lace & linen- also new in my shop.

That's all for now. These bags are new in my Etsy shop if interested.

Holiday Show Info...

I've been so busy "making things" lately I haven't had a chance to blog. The holiday season is a busy one for crafters that make a living (or try to) from their work. I'm doing 4 local Cleveland craft shows this holiday season. Below is a list with links to their sites for more specific info.

1. My first event is a small holiday show at Hyland Software. My sister works there and tipped me off, then Cleveland Handmade started spreading the word. It's called the Hyland Holiday Vendor Expo- Tues. 11/30 from 11am- 2pm. They are at 28500 Clemens Rd. in Westlake.

2. The 11th annual TerraVista show is nearest and dearest to my heart. This will be my 6th (or 7th?) year there and I have made many dear friends there over the years. I'm proud to be among such talent. Plan to stay awhile and mingle- there's so much to see! The show is 12/3- 12/5 at 1400 E. 30th. For more info click here.

3. Bazaar Bizarre- 12/11 & 12/12 at 1301 West 78th Street. More info here. I've never done this show but have always heard great things about it.

4. Last Minute Market sponsored by Cleveland Handmade. This show was such a success last year that even in a Cleveland snow storm people came out to SHOP!! Sat. 12/18 at the Screw Factory 13000 Athens Ave. in Lakewood. More info here.

So that's why I haven't been blogging. If you're not in the Cleveland area I will still be adding a lot of new things to my Etsy shop over the next several weeks.

Well- back to the studio!

artful birds

This beautiful "artful birds" mosaic was created by one of my favorite artists Rebecca Sower. I've been following her blog and creative endeavors for a few years- so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered my linen bird bag in her mosaic. rebecca sower's weblog is an inspiring must read. If you love vintage textiles and details then you'll love her work. You can see the entire mosaic here with artist's info.

Thanks Rebecca!

Avacado Baby

While She Dreams... featured my Bird Bag in her blog post I Wish...Avacado Baby. Such a pretty blog (LOVE the banner!) with great shopping & crafty finds.

I like the idea of her series "i wish...a series of things i really really want". Thanks A.J.! I'm thinking of doing a similar series of my inspirations.

Off to sew! Have a great Thursday!

Granny's Mid-Century Modern

I've always loved the mid-century modern leaf motif. It seemed a perfect fit for using all the old quilts & vintage prints. Kind of a fun contrast between old & new, past & present.

They're machine appliqued on linen with a hidden magnet closure. These 2 bags are new in my Etsy shop....

I hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

Little Vintage Patchwork Bags

I think I might be obsessed with vintage quilts. I have so many of these vintage quilt squares I have to start using them. I blogged about these last month- I started making them to stock up for summer shows.....

Each one has a different front and back pattern, with cotton crochet lace trim, a hidden magnet closure, and a vintage button.

I use mine as a camera bag- or when I only need to carry a few things.

My niece uses hers to carry little toys around- for only $12 you can get a few.

I listed a few here, here, here, and here in my Etsy shop.

I'll be back Fri. with my birdhouses.

...In Progress- Vintage Quilt Squares

I have this thing for vintage quilts. I love the feedsack prints and the 40's prints. I love the simplicity of the quilt patterns and the utilitarianism of old quilts. I always buy unfinished quilt tops and squares when I can. My mother is an incredible quilter- I don't have the patience.

So I just started making these little Vintage Quilt Bags. Great for little girls or a camera bag, each is made from 2 different quilt squares, cotton lace, and a vintage button. Each has a magnet closure.

I'm making these for summer shows, so I'm not sure if these will make it to my Etsy shop- (but email me if interested!) They will be in the $20 range.....

Here's a few pillows in progress made from- yes- vintage quilt pieces. I hope to have these done tonight. I have piles and piles of these quilt squares....

...and a few more of the house patterns. This is a little lace "picket fence" series I'm working on. I can't seem to get away from the house motif. More next week. I'm off to watch the original "Freaky Friday" with my family.

Have a great evening!

What Inspired Me Last Week...

After last week's Plain Dealer article, people were asking me where I get my inspiration. Truth be told, I didn't really know. So I sat in my tiny little studio and looked around. That was it! It's these things I surround myself with....

These things I collect and gather- stacked, put in jars, drawers, tins, wrapped on spools, tacked to walls...These things I find in my travels- fleamarkets, dumpsters, estate sales, auctions......unique, unusual, antique, tattered, unwanted.... I collect fabric, tattered quilts, buttons, millinery, antique lace , antique porcelain dolls, doll parts, doll eyes, kokeshi, vintage glass beads, watch parts, tiny corked vials, French ephemera, vintage wallpaper, ventriloquist dolls (ok- so I only have one), birds' nests, shells, river stones, vintage sequins, beads, more beads.....

This is just a little glimpse of my studio...the shelf above my sewing machine. This batch of ribbon & lace has been my most recent inspiration. I love the whimsy and graphic images. But I get bored easily- so after a few more linen bags with these ribbons, I'm dipping into my stash of wool crewel remnants. More on that in my next post.

Vintage Retro Barkcloth

New in my Etsy shop....I just finished this bag made from my very last bits of this awesome barkcloth print. It's an old Waverly print, very unique. I was always drawn to the geometric print.

It's accented with a removable pin, made from an antique chenille millinery flower. (I've been hoarding these flowers & decided it was time to use some!)

The pin can also be worn on a jacket or lapel.....

You can find it for sale here.

Have a great weekend!

Matryoshka Love!

I just found this Etsy Treasury list last night featuring my Matryoshka Linen Bag. Curated by Cronopia6, this is a happy collection of all things Matryoshka. You can see the entire list here.

(Etsy Treasuries are a themed group of items chosen and artfully arranged by a fellow Etsy member. There are a limited number of live treasuries at a time- so it is a honor to be included in a Treasury list!)

Thank you Cronopia6!

Last Minute Market- Cleveland Handmade

Here's a sneak peak at a series of new bags I'm working on. I'll have several at this weekend's Last Minute Market. This second year event just got wonderful press in the Plain Dealer Style section. Come out & join over 80 artists and shop for those one-of-kind gifts.

In this new series of bags I'm using these great linen polka dot prints with vintage button detail. All one-of-a-kind.

I'm also using these great ribbons and antique lace- this one is pink Little Red Riding Hood...

This one has deer, mushrooms, and squirrels, with a little ladybug button.....

....and more Little Red Riding Hood with glass ladybugs.

Hope to see my friends Saturday!

"Every woman should have a purse of her own". Part IV

My favorite quote by Susan B. Anthony.

More bags in store- a sneak peak at what I'll be taking to the TerraVista show this weekend. If you can't make the show I listed a few new bags in my Etsy shop.

Not my usual vintage vibe, but I love this black and yellow fabric. I appliqued a little yellow bird on the front. SOLD

This vintage tapestry has an antique skeleton key closure and a linen interior. SOLD.

Like a cool breeze...this woven coral fabric has antique lace & button accents. Find it here. SOLD

Another "new" fabric- cool botanical silhouette leaves & flowers. Find it here.

Barkcloth reproduction- great red tropical print. Find it here.

Well- back to the studio. I'll try to post more tomorrow...

More Bags in Store- Vintage Fabric Totes

I just listed some new totes in my Etsy shop- all vintage fabric and all one-of-a-kind. They each have a divided pocket inside. Carry your books, gym clothes, marketing, etc. in style.

Big cabbage roses and birds are paired with a vintage toile interior. Find it here.

My favorite barkcloth- retro trees in shades of green and lime. SOLD

Pretty tote with a feminine touch. Find it here.

Shabby barkloth leaf tote with linen interior.

Giant coral vintage linen tote. Find it here.

"Every woman should have a purse of her own". Part III

My favorite quote- Susan B. Anthony.

More bags for upcoming shows....a sneak peak....

I'm using a lot of linen, barkcloth, bird images, Matryoshka images, vintage lace.....

These probably won't make it to my Etsy shop so please email if interested in purchasing.

These are all one-of-a-kind , and each vary slightly depending on lace, linen color etc.

The interior fabric is an awesome Matryoshka print.

More tomorrow- I'm off to sew!

"Every woman should have a purse of her own." Part I

I've always loved that Susan B. Anthony quote.

I'll be giving you a sneak peak at the bags I'm showing at my 2 upcoming shows. These probably won't make it to my Etsy shop (hopefully they'll all sell!)

If you see some thing you want email me for details. This linen bag is one of my favorites with a vintage hanky.....

....and "my beloved" in Spanish, with vintage lace & button detail.

These 2 coral bags are made from high end home dec remnants. One-of-a-kind with ceramic buttons and vintage lace detail.

Great for summer.....

More vintage lace & high end fabrics....

More in a day or so.....

1/2 off Sale On All RobinsEggBlue Bags!

My sale is still going on in my Etsy shop.  ALL bags are 1/2 off through this week.  Mention this post for a free gift.

1/2 Off Sale On All RobinsEggBlue Bags!

Yes my friends- it's true!  All my bags & purses in my shop are 1/2 off! Wow! One week only- so don't wait- I'm making room for new designs.

All one-of-a-kind- made from vintage linen, barkcloth, lace, applique.....