My newest bag ~ Pack a Tote

I've been working on a new style of bag.  Its lightweight, it can be machine washed & dried.  this bag may not look like it but it expands to a roomy tote bag.  I like these bags to take camping, I find a little space in my suit case and put it in and when we are there I can use them to tote things to the beach or on a hike.  Take them to a farmers market to put all your treasures, and if it gets a little soiled just toss it in the washer & drier and its fresh and clean again.  OK here they are:

So, this is what I've been up to lately. 
Going out to dinner tonight, Chinese food I think.  I just hate to go out because its sooooooooo  hot.

Mousepad Giveaway ~ does your mouse need a new place to rest?

This cute mousepad could be yours.

Go check out my shops at Etsy & or Artfire, then come back here and leave a link or the title of the item you like in the comments section & email me (kathisewnsew@att.net) your email address (I will only use it to contact the winner so that I can get the mailing address to send the mousepad).  No purchase necessary to enter.  Giveaway ends July 31 2010. 

~ Its like a cloud ~

I've been busy with a new bag.  I think its so pretty,  Its soft & puffy, femine, light, easily packable, its roomier than it looks.  This bag will come with a couple of reversable pouches wince it has no pockets, I call these little pouches removable pockets.  I have finished 3 and going to have a couple more before I put up pics.  These purses remind me of pretty colorful clouds.  I will hopefully be able to put some pics up by the first of next week.

What a beautiful summer evening.  Go enjoy.

Just enjoying my day.

Its so nice out today, theres a nice breeze, its not to hot, and housework is almost done.  Think I will go make a purse, I'm thinking summery, big flowers, maybe some ruffles maybe not.
I'm trying to get rid of most of my beading supplies, I just don't have room for everything I like.  To my friends & fam if you would like some for a project or 2 leave me a comment with colors you like and whether it be a necklace, bracelet etc. (thats so I know what kind of clasp or closure) and I will put together a little goody bag for you.
Have a Great Day......

What would you do?

Every once in a while something I make doesn't come out the way  I would like it to.  Ususally I give it away or stuff it in a drawer. So I've been thinking, most of the time there just fine they just have something that makes it less than perfect. Such as these:

These 2 mousepads are fine except the fabric isn't lying flat like I like it, it has a wavy effect.  I put them on my desk, and although they work just as well I just don't want to sell them like that.  One of the things I was thinking was doing a  pay it forward type of thing.  What I'm wondering about this is will people get them and think what a horrible seamstress I am, when all it is is a mistake.  Here is a bit of a side angle, maybe the waves are a bit visible this way.

I'm not sure what to do yet, but I will contemplate this a bit longer.
I thought I would show what else I'm working on now.  I needed a dress to wear to my nephew's wedding this summer, so I am going to make it.  Its not finished, but here is how it is at this point.

And here is a close up of the pretty fabric.

So, I think that will be nice for a beach wedding.  Looking forward to it.
Looks like its going to be a hot one today so, stay cool.

Yay......

I made another sale.  I sold this mousepad a couple days ago.

Its on it way to New York.  These mouse pads work so well, I sure hope she likes it. 

Fathers Day

I thought I would share what I'm going to do for my hubby for fathers day.  I'm going to make these cake balls with chocolate (since he loves anything chocolate).  I think we will BBQ steaks.  I'm looking for a salad recipe he might like I will post it here when I find it.  I think I will get the kids to help clean his truck inside and out.  A cd mix of some of his faves.

I listed my new mouse pads yesterday, check them out if you get a chance.

Mousepads ~ does your mouse need a new place to rest? ~ Mouse pads

Ive been busy sewing lately.  I'm making mouse pads  with a Christmas theme.  I'm going to list them as either a single one or you can buy 2 and same some $ and you can pick which 2 you want, you can keep one for yourself and give one away, or keep them both for yourself so you can have a little change at your desk.  this first one I'll call little Christmas angel:

This one is sweet candy canes:

I hand sew on a non~slip backing.  These mousepads are thin, but when you set it down to use it you know it wont move until you pick it up and move it.  they can be handwashed when they need to freshened up.

They make great gifts and they can be rolled up and tucked into a Christmas stocking.  Put a splash of you at your desk with a new mousepad.  Here are some other ones I've been working on:

I am going to start listing these on etsy next week.

Ok fam, I know you stop by from time to time.  How bout when you do you say hi in my comment section.  I like it when it happens, it always makes me smile.  If you would like you can leave a comment about one of the purses I made that was gifted or bought that you have.  I will post a picture of that purse with your comment.  It would be fun to see the purses, bags, wristlets etc. that I have sold over this last year.  I'm working on new pics of the purses I'm going to start on Artfire.  I should start putting listing up today or tomorrow at the latest.
I've listed one of my wristlets on Ebay ~ summer flip flops wristlet at a much lower price than my etsy shop price, this is because I started selling my purses on ebay a little bit over a year ago.  so if you like this wristlet the time is now, it won't get any lower.

summer sandals wristlet









I started using twitter  a little while ago.  I've tried using it a bit, but I just don't get it yet.  I will keep trying, I wont give up. It seems to work for others.
http://twitter.com/kathisewnsew

Frosting to die for ............. yummmmmmmmmm

This is the most amazing frosting I have ever had.  If you love chocolate the way I do then this is a must have recipe, and the best part is .................... no not low calorie (I'm sure its full of calories) the best part is that it is so easy to make. I found this recipe at allrecipes .  I used it on my daughters birthday cake a few days ago, and it was amazing.  So, today I used it on sugar cookies:

Its just like a dollup of fudge on a crisp sugar cookie.  It is amazing! 
I am getting ready to list some of my purses on Artfire again.  Not all of them, just one page worth (my favorites).  This will happen sometime this coming week.  I'm hoping it will make my Artfire studio look nicer and much easier to navigate, page 1 will be purses, page 2 will be beading supplies, and page 3 & 4 will be my beaded jewelry. I'm working on taking new and better pics before I list the purses.  I'm having a clearance sale at my artfire studio right now, 33% off all beaded jewelry and supplies.  That will end when I start listing my purses this coming week. 
If anyone tries the recipe let me know what you think.

~ Disillusioned ~

I'm making changes in my Artfire studio and my Etsy shop .  I'm making changes because I have become disillusioned with artfire.  Until about a month ago I loved artfire, I thought I would make it there.  Now I just don't want to be there.  I am selling off all my beaded jewelry at clearance prices so that I can concentrate on my purses, bags, and things that are sewn.  I feel so scattered lately, I have projects going, housework that needs to be done, broke down cars.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not quitting this, I'm just trying to get focused on my main goal with selling my handmade items.  Designing, making and selling my purses is my main goal.  I'm lucky I have the full support of my husband.  So for now my Artfire studio is going to be my beaded jewelry and all the excess beading supplies clearance place.  My plan at this moment is to be done with all the beading and beaded jewelry thing by the middle of  September of this year.  My Etsy shop will be my purses, bags, hand sewn items such as mouse pads, and some of my favorite pieces of beaded jewelry I have made. 

Fun Summer Flip Flops

This is my newest wristlet, it still needs some work.  I need to make the handle, a purse charm, hand sew the lining closed.  I like this one alot, it feels so summery.  

Market Bags, Reusable Grocery Tote, Fabric Shopping Bags

I have never seen one of these flowers in this yummy butter yellow color, I love these colors together, yellow & pink, so very spring.  I found this lovely flower on saturday morning on the banister waiting for me to see it.  I've had this plant 2 or 3 years and this is the first time its bloomed since I've had it.


Here is something I made for myself, its a market bag, grocery tote, reusable grocery bag.  I made it using a pretty ladybug and flowers cotton fabric, I love the ladybugs.  I wanted to make some purses with this fabric, but I'm not going to be able to because on the edge of the fabric it said License is required for any use beyond individual consumption.  That makes me a bit nervous so I will only make things for myself or gifts for friends & family with this fabric.  So, lucky for me I love the ladybugs, I made me this grocery tote, I'll make a few mousepads one for me and a couple to pass out for gifts when needed, and maybe to line a purse for myself.  It will not go to waste.

So I'll use it this weekend when I go shopping, that will be the true test to see if I made it strong enough for groceries.  I took alot of pictures while making it so if it turns out to be a good market bag I'll put up instructions to make them.
Heres a sneak peek at what I'm working on now:

Cute summer flip flop sandals will make a cute little charmer wristlet. Time to get ready summer is around the corner.

Purses Bags Totes and Beaded Jewelry All on Sale at my Artfire Studio

I am having a mothers day sale this weekend ( now till the end of 5-9-2010 pacific time) at my Artfire studio. 
BONUS: extra 5% off to the first customer (extra 5% off will be credited back to you).  Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mothers Day to all the moms.

Happy Mothers Day Mom, I Love You.

How About my Pool of Flowers Purse

Its coming along, when I get going on a new bag sometimes my day gets away from me, so I'll keep this brief so I can get to the housework that awaits me.

some pleating on the lining and the outside body of the purse.

fitting pieces together to make sure they fit.

The part I dislike the most.... putting this bottom piece in, I always get poked alot.

And this is where I stop sewing for the day ...

Its starting to look like a purse. 

Starting ~ Turquoise Floral Purse ~ Summer is on its way

Isn't this so pretty.  I've had this bag cut out but didn't quite have a vision until now.  It reminds me of a beautiful swimming pool with lovely flowers floating on the top.  Summertime, I think that will be in the name for this bag when its finished.

I am going to have an adjustable strap on this purse.  This will be my first adjustable strap on a purse, and if it comes out right, I will do more.  I know that I like adjustable shoulder straps.

This is the lining for this purse, and it will have 1 inside pocket that I trimmed with turquoise satin ribbon. 
Did you notice the pink ribbon mousepad that I sold ... well, it turns out its being added in a basket to be raffled at a relay for life, I was so thrilled to be included.  I hope the winner likes it. 
Back to work.  Its such a beautiful day that I would rather do some sewing, but no work is waiting.

Ruffled and Bows Purse ~ Triple Smiling Ruffles

The red and gray purse That I'm in the process of transforming is coming along nicely.  I've sewn on the third ruffle and I've  restitched the first and second row.  I need to restitch the last row and I'll be ready to list it in my etsy shop .

I finally finished my newest purse I call it ruffled and bows purse, it is soft cream ultra suede and its lined and accented with a pretty brick orange cotton poly blend.

This is my ruffled and bows purse in the beginning. 
Here it is waiting for that one special person:

small cream ultra suede purse ruffled and bows.

Small Cream Ultra Suede Purse Ruffled and Bows.small cream ultra suede purse ruffled and bows