Simply Fabulous Totes

Several of our bags

Once again,more absolutely fabulous totes have emerged from the makeshift sewing room studio set up on my dining room table. Michala came over Friday after school and we started by looking through fabrics and tearing a sample book apart. Well, Kevin took the books apart and Michala removed all the paper on the backs of the fabrics. I did laundry because Elizabeth and her friends came home for the weekend. Elizabeth still brings her entire wardrobe home because she doesn't like to pay for laundry. Or do it. Not much else was accomplished Friday night, Michala was really tired and fell asleep, Kevin went to bed early and I watched a movie. Absolutely no creative forces were to be found! Saturday morning though, look out! Kevin made a good, filling breakfast while Michala and I started thinking. First of all, we needed to add a pocket and key fob to an existing bag. The result would have made a good You Tube video. After arguing about the pocket, I realized we were thinking of two totally different options. Finally I gave up and Michala did her thing. she was having trouble turning it, she really doesn't like the turning part so that's usually my job, which I did. Since we only had a few pieces of the fabric left, this pocket needed to be right the first time. Well...this was Michala's first attempt. After a few more discussions, and cuts, and stitches, and turning, and cutting, we finally got it! How can something so simple be so difficult? Michala keeps saying I over think things, but she doesn't think things through. Somehow we work it out!

This ended up in the garbage.

With that one finally worked out and lunch, thanks Kevin, creating the next bag begins. That yellow seems to go with everything! I already have a lining ready so we pick the outer fabric and get started. Somehow in the middle of all of this, we go out to the garage to dig through a bag that I acquired at The Needle & I, thanks Kathy! We found a few good things and set them aside. Well, as we are cutting the bag out, Michala remembers some trim we found! She grabs it and decides how great it will make this bag. Another favorite! I think you all will agree...

I love this one!

A pocket and key thingie!

Now to make a zippy pouch or two in the same fabrics. 


In the middle of all the madness, we design another bag! Focus girls, focus! This one is pink, green, and black. Too cute for words. A little different design but I think you will love it as well. The lining is green and there is a fun line of sequins on the front and back. I made a little Zippy Pouch in the pink and green and the whole thing is just too fun for words.

Pink and green bag with matching Zippy Pouch

I don't think I posted the red, white, and blue bags. These would make fun totes to carry books, or just take along shopping!

Love these big buttons!

Fun buttons!!!

Michala found some beautiful big buttons that actually smell like crayons. Don't worry, that smell will probably go away. Don't you remember getting your school supplies and the smell of a new box of crayons? And a grey and yellow bag with a cool button...

Watch for the Nook Book Covers. For all of you eReader fans out there, here's a sneak preview. There will be several of these, all one of a kind, in fun, bright colors and patterns. 

Sewing Marathon

Michala and I made plans for an entire day of President's Day stitching. By coming up the day before, we thought we could get an early start with a few hours of bag making. There are just too many stops between Sullivan and Rantoul though, a President's Day Sale in Tuscola at the outlet mall, Hancock Fabrics, which is open on Sunday, and whatever else! After dragging out all the great fabrics and talking about what to make first, we decided on a few coasters since they were already cut out. 


Before we really get into the big stuff, the bags, Michala and I make a few more coasters as Kevin cooks breakfast. Next is a run to the store for coffee creamer and a toothbrush because Michala brought make-up and not much else! We are off and sewing, mind you there simply was no time to shower or even run a brush though the hair. The decision was made to NOT take pictures of each other during this awesomely fun, creative day. Easiest decision of the day!


Starting Sunday evening, we got a few sets of coasters finished. These are great projects to work on as we caught up on family, friends and church. So one thing led to another, and another, and another until we had a pile of coaster made! With bags of ribbon, button jars  and tins from grandmothers past, and new buttons because they are so great, we had tons of fun making the wraps for each set of coasters! The fun part of these is that there will never be two of the same. We make them out of scraps or new fabrics and back them with something matching or not. The result is so cute we can hardly part with any of them! All are available for purchase. I am still working out the PayPal, Etsy, online store thing but until then, send me a message and we will work it out. These are some of the coasters we made during this President's Day holiday.

Black with red, pink, and white crooked stitching wrapped with ribbon and topped with  some hearts.

Quilted with shiny turquoise thread and wrapped with ribbon.

Such a cute ribbon around brown and green reversible coasters.

Cute pattern on the opposite side!

Black and white plaid quilted with red. Really nice!

These are so fun with a red back!

Black back with a gem of a button! Classy.

Love the pink!

Memories of teaching someone to sew! Love the black and yellow!

All are for sale at $12.00 plus shipping. If you want something in other colors, please contact me and we will see what we can do! Remember to give us some room for creative expression, it's way more fun that way!


Do you know how great it is to have a husband that cooks? So much more time for sewing and other projects. All I did was prepare a couple of bologna sandwiches for lunch and Kevin took care of breakfast and dinner. A little bit, or a lot really, of cleanup after each meal and back to the machines! Thinking we could make three tote bags, we had a lot of work ahead. Thankfully Michala was up for thinking and measuring and some cutting. We each have things we like to do and things we don't. Lucky for us we don't like or dislike the same things! Rotary cutter, scissors, seam rippers, needles, bobbins, iron, interfacing, wow! Hard to keep track of it all! And that ridiculous little piece of paper with the measurements on it, where does it keep going? In the end, we finished three totes, each one too cute to sell! Oh, how does this happen? Check them out...

Beautiful blue paisley with brown accent.

This beautiful button is awesome and the trim is fabulous!

Close up of the fabric and trim.

A matching tote for your little girl!

Love it! soft greys with yellowish gold.

A little decorative stitching at the top.

Same fabric, a little different!

Love, Love, LOVE it!

If only we could keep them!

These tote bags are great for many different things. They will carry your books, files, clothes for an overnight, baby stuff, groceries, whatever you can think of! Most will cost you only $45.00. The blue and brown tote shown today has a magnetic closure and runs $55.00 and a little bit for shipping. Remember, these totes are truly one of a kind bags! 


This week, I will be cutting out several more and starting on some pool or beach bags. You will want to snatch these up as soon as you see them because as you now know, they are ALL originals!