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. 

Photos from Last Night

It just occurred to me that all I had to do was take the memory thingie out of the camera and plug it into the computer, like I always do! Don't need a battery for that. All I can say is it took a while to make those five bags and I was tired!!!

Zippy Pouches

I know there are six pouches in this photo, but I couldn't resist including the one I made the day before! These are just adorable and big enough for make up, school supplies, sewing supplies, just about anything!

Today I will be finishing some projects already in the works and getting ready for Elizabeth and her gang this weekend. Possibly Michala and another sewing day on Saturday. Kevin has already mentioned making his world famous enchiladas as well. (That should bring everyone home!) 

Fabulous Fun New Totes and More!

Brenna with some of the totes and messenger bags.

Another weekend packed full of crazy sewing and discovering a totally awesome new store! Brenna wanted to come home to do a few things, renew her driver's license (she's 21!), do her taxes, work on her Spanish homework with Michala, and maybe to see Mom. Well, she did get to see me! 
Michala also got here Friday after stopping at Sam's and a couple of other places and we got right to work finishing two bags. We made plans to go to Champaign early Saturday morning to check out The I.D.E.A. Store. Wow! If you are into re-using materials for art, you MUST check this place out! We spent close to an hour in the first half of the first isle. There is everything from laundry detergent lids and candy wrappers to maps and mat board. We found frames that Kevin repainted already, ribbon, books, thread, storage boxes, and much, much more! This place takes donations and puts a price on just about anything you can think of bringing in. We walked out with some really great ideas and four bags of stuff. All for about $30!!! Now, this little excursion did cut into our sewing time. We had about four hours left.  Aghhhh!

We have an order for a pink and zebra print bag and make-up zipper pouch. Michala and I seem to work really well together but for some reason, we each started doing the other's "job". Talk about being out of whack. (What exactly is "whack"?) Anyway, we get through it, excited about the trims we choose and once again, fall totally in love with each new bag! We finish two pink and zebra bags for our customer to choose from. Michala and Brenna are off to shower and get ready to meet their friends for the evening and I am left to put together the little zipper pouch. 

Beautiful button and trim

These buttons look like large gems! The pink trim is really pretty.

Check out a close up of buttons and trims!

LOVE the pink!

And the little zippy pouch is the cutest thing ever!

I had so much fun with this little pouch I had to make another. And several more are on the way! All of the seams are totally hidden so the inside looks as fabulous as the outside!

Adorable!

I would love to chat some more but I am so excited about the fabrics that are just waiting to be cut and sewn into some other fab bags and zippy pouches! 

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!

My First Unknown Follower and a Flat Top Trunk

I am super excited! I have my first follower that is not related in some way! This means someone actually is interested in what I have to say!!! Wow. That means more responsibility too. Thank you Reddy, you made my week!

After cleaning the trunk of layers of dirt and grime.

Sometimes its the little things that get people so excited. Michala, who lives in Sullivan, Illinois with her wonderful husband Evan took us to an almost impossible to find art studio owned and operated by John McDevitt.  The Yellow Dog Studio is located in an old shoe factory. Honestly, the building looks deserted but it is worth the effort to go there. John uses reclaimed wood and other materials to create incredible pieces of art. While we were there, John showed us the area his supplies are stored. Michala immediately spied an old trunk and just had to ask about it. That trunk was pretty rough! After making arrangements to pick up a shelf and the trunk later that day we were on our way.

Just a little sweet talking and convincing it would be a great project, Kevin and I brought the trunk home and he went right to work. Cleaning, scrubbing, wiping, sanding, cleaning some more and it's ready for paint. 


I researched these trunks a little. This one had a tray inside and was secured with a lock and leather straps and handles. All of these things are missing now but I think that just adds to the mystery of who used it. Where did they travel to? ?id they use it to move across the country? Was it used as their wardrobe? And many more questions.


The Flat Top Trunk was manufactured from 1870 - 1920. There were some rare examples of this style starting in the 1850s and 1860s. They were mass marketed starting around 1880. This one is canvas covered which was very common. The hardware seems to be common as well. I can just imagine my ancestors traveling to Illinois with a trunk like this! Probably held all their clothes and linens, maybe even their entire household belongings! Today, most of us couldn't put a quarter of our wardrobes in this.

Finished!

I'm not sure where Michala and Evan will put this but I do know it's up to her to finish the inside! If they wanted to, I think they could find someone in the Arthur area to make and install some leather for them. 

Side view

I don't know though, it looks pretty good like this and I don't see them getting on a train or even a stagecoach any time soon!

International Harvester Scout Pedal Car

I have this pedal car, made by International Harvester, and would like some information about it. It was purchased new in 1962 or 1963 from an International Harvester dealer in Danville, Illinois. A toy pedal tractor was purchased at the same time but that is long gone. I have searched the internet for something similar but cannot find a thing. Any information would be helpful!