Flea Market Friday! I'm Pooped!

Well, I returned to the land of the living today.  With the kidney stone far behind (hopefully never to return), I succeeded in Flea Market Friday!  I spent the day shopping "vintage" style and also managed to sneak into my favorite fabric shop, where I picked up some fabulous yardage as well as a few fat quarters.  During my retro shopping, I focused on purses; so many variations.  While I did not buy any, I photographed a lot of them and will post these tomorrow.  I did purchase a vintage sewing pattern, a few books, and a 1937 McCall's catalogue.  This was my most expensive purchase.

This magazine style catalogue is so cool!  I wish you could see it in person! 

Check out this 1971 Simplicity pattern for bags and spats!  "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!"

Alright, I have got to hit the hay.  I am wiped out!  I will post pictures of the great bags I saw today, as well as some of the other great stuff I found!

Toodles for now.

Tutorial Posted at Craft Gossip!

Good news and bad news.  First, my Belt Buckle Purse Strap Tutorial was posted at Craft Gossip! Anne Weaver sent me the nicest email.  Her website is great and there is really great information there on all sorts of different crafts.  I hope that a lot of people make a bag using my tutorial.  If you are one of them, I want to see it!  It is really very easy...give it a try.

Okay, now for the bad news.  My cell phone case did not work out very well for me today.  Backstory:  I got the new HTC Droid phone a few days ago and I have been paranoid about breaking the camera or scratching the touch screen.  This is the reason I wanted to make a case for it.  My phone fits perfectly inside my new case butit  really isn't very practical.  I mean, I can't get it out quickly when it rings.  So, while the case protects my phone great, I'm going to have to come up with another design.  The first change I am going to try is simply use velcro for the closure instead of the button.  I've already cut out fabric for two new cases.  I've decided to use flannel instead of batting.  I think this will "de-bulk" the case.  Hopefully, I will finish these up tomorrow.

One last thing...did you notice Wonder Woman's makeover?  Anyone that has been on this blog journey since the beginning knows that WW is special to me.  I only recently changed my profile from her image.  I'm not sure what to make of her new look.  I'm going to have to ponder this new look for awhile before I make up my mind.  What do you think?

NYDailyNews.com

  Toodles for now!

Droid Cell Phone Case Complete!

Droid Cell Phone Case (front)

Backside

Well, I finished the case for my new cell phone tonight.  I found the tutorial for the case at Sew Mama Sew a few days ago.  I thought I was going to have to alter the measurements for my phone, but luckily, I didn't have to!  This is great because measuring/math is not my forte.  That sounds terrible for a sewist doesn't it?  I'm getting better, but I've been very guilty of "eyeballing" my measurements in the past.  I now pinkie swear I will no longer do this...Anyway, I'm pretty happy with my results.  My new "Droid" phone (I'm not sure what that means) fits inside perfectly.  I used a fabric from Tina Givens' Free Spirit line called Rachael  for the outside and decided on a pale pink flannel for the lining.  I thought this would be softer on the phone, which it is, but it also makes it a bit bulkier since there is also a layer of batting.  I will definately make more of these since they don't take a lot of fabric and it was a pretty quick project from beginning to end.  Maybe I'll change the closure on the next case I make.  Maybe velcro or a snap?  What do you think?

Just one more thing.  Awhile back I signed up to receive newletters and discounts from Simplicity, McCall's, Vogue, and Butterick.  I usually get two or three of their adds every day.  I got one from Vogue a few days ago and just opened it today.  In it I found their new collection.  In this collection is one gorgeous dress.  It is Vintage Vogue 1171. 

Vintage Vogue 1171

 

I also found what I am certain is the most awful dress I have ever seen.  Tell me what you think of this Mrs. Roper number, otherwise known as Vogue 1181.

Vogue 1181

Pretty terrible huh?  I don't have anymore words for this.

Toodles for now!

Knick Knacks, Rusty Lawnmowers and A Sweaty 40 Year Old, Ultra White (Now Sunburned) Lady. Is There Anything More Sexy?

Whew!  My first ever garage sale was a success!  I started setting up yesterday around 10:00 and made my first sale at about 10:15!  Although I made $127.75 total, I realize now that I could have been more successful had I started my sale earlier.  It was extremely hot and I think most "garage hunters" start and finish their hunts early, especially when the weather is super hot.  I have also learned that buyers are attracted to lawn mowers, plastic large outdoor play equipment, and bikes.  These items sold quickly.  Even though the heat was unbearable and my shoulders are now sunburned, I think I have the garage sale bug!  Except for the heat, doing this garage sale was pretty fun.  I met some really nice people, including Megan, a gal that bought a lot of my treasured cake decorating supplies, namely, my fondant and gumpaste cutters.  I sure hope she enjoys them as much as I did...I know whoever she makes the decorations for sure will!  I can't wait for my next sale!  Next time I will be more organized, start sooner in the day, and have more one dollar bills on hand for change!

I want to thank Dotty at Totally Tutorials for posting my Belt Buckle Purse Strap Tutorial.  This is my second tute and it was really fun to do.  If you have never been to Dotty's site, you should visit.  She posts all sorts of sewing how-tos as well many other crafts...even on blogging!

I'd also like to thank Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds for starting the Bloggerette Sorority!  I joined this group today and although I'm too late to participate in the "Rush," I can't wait to get involved in this sisterhood!  There are all sorts of different crafts represented by the blogging sisters.  I am sure I am going to learn a lot from these ladies and from being part of this community.  Check out the Sorority button.  Isn't is beautiful? 

Now, what should my next project be?  I am definately still looking for a design to cover my iTouch and new cell phone.  Anyone have a great pattern?  Send it my way.  I found a design at  Sew Mama Sew, but I'll have to change the dimensions to fit my gadgets...and you know, math really isn't my thing.

Sew Mama Sew

I've had a fantastic weekend!  I hope you all have as well!  Oh, and I am almost feeling back to normal after the kidney stone.  Thanks again for the "get well" wishes.  I have an appointment with my super sweet doc tomorrow and I know he'll be giving me the "all clear!"  (Fingers crossed)

Toodles!

Can One Have Too Many Purses?

As you know, I normally spend my Fridays shopping at flea markets, thrift stores, garage  and estate sales, as well as vintage outlets.  Today, however,  I was busy getting organized for my own garage sale!  Believe it or not, I have never had a garage sale!  I'm not sure I knew how involved it would be.  Every year my neighborhood has a "hood" sale on the same three days.  I have never participated before, but I decided to have a go this year after my next door neighbor told me she made $400 last year.  Can you believe that?  Even half that would be great for the new camera fund right?  I will keep you posted on well I do tomorrow.  I will also post any items that I don't sell tomorrow in case anyone is interested in cake decorating supplies, gumpaste cutters and molds, pans and stands, as well as vintage cake decorating books.  Sorry, I've just realized if I can clear out this stuff, I would have more room for fabric!!

 Simplicity

I stayed up late last night and finished the Simplicity Pleated Purse.  I am really happy with how it turned out.  I found the pattern pretty straightforward and fairly easy to follow, with the exception of the inside pocket.  Luckily, I learned how to do an inside zipper pocket when I made the black and gray purse just last week.  I actually used the zipper from the deconstructed skirt for this inside pocket.  I absolutely love the fabric and to think that the entire purse was made from the fabric of a $2.00 skirt I bought at Goodwill makes it even sweeter!  I will definately make this purse again, but maybe shorten it a bit.  As a vertically challenged person, this bag kind of hangs a bit low for me. 

Have a look at the photos and let me know what you think! 

Notice my Sew Loquacious tag?

Congratulations! It's A...

..A bouncing, well not bouncing, but JAGGED, knarly, sharp KIDNEY STONE!  This not so little bundle of pain was born yesterday around 10:00 am.  Luckily, I was in the hospital under the care of my super sweet doctor, Dr. Nguen when Kiddy decided to make its way down.  The doc was able to knock it into twins and scoop it away!  He is my new hero.  I am happy to say that I am home and doing just fine.  Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.

Needless to say, I am taking it easy for the next few days, so no ballroom dancing or running marathons, but I don't do those things anyway.  I've done quite a bit of lounging lately and frankley, it is getting boring.  Oh I would love to say "how grand it would be" to lounge about eating bon bons and watching soap operas, but really, it has been difficult.  That said,  I did my share of faffing, watching The Young and the Restless (I haven't a clue what's going on), web surfing, and eating creme filled donuts, until I decided to start on a new bag.  I made way to my sewing studio and came up with this project:

Simplicity bag 2685, the bag in the upper right corner.  I decided to use the fabric I got from one of my flea market trips.  In case you forgot, I scored some great fabrics several weeks ago from my local Goodwill Store.  I bought a few skirts and a linen dress.  I decided to use the summery fabric from one of the skirts.

Simplicity 2685

I deconstructed the skirt and managed to salvage a super cool hidden zipper as well as the fabric I'll be using for my bag.  I decided on yellow for the lining.  Sorry, my photos don't do justice...the fabric is really nice.  I cut out my pieces for the bag and lining, but I'll have to make a run to the fabric store to buy some interfacing before I can do much more.  Hopefully, I will get the rest of my supplies purchased tomorrow and complete the bag by the weekend.  I'll keep you posted!

During my websurfing today, I did come across a few great tutorials.  The first will actually help me with the bag I started today because it deals with pleats; specifically, a pleated purse, which is what my bag is.  I found this tute at Modest Maven.  Jodell posted some great photos of making the pleats.  This is wonderful and I wish I would have found her blog when I was making the Crafty skirt because I had never made pleats before.  I would have loved to have been able to SEE the pleating.  The purse Jodell made is also great.  Check it out.

Modest Maven Pleated Purse

Another tutorial I came across is at Deliberately Domestic.  Here, Monica wrote a tutorial on making a clutch style purse.  Her tutorial is great; she used a leather-like material for her purse, which is totally something I want to try.  Here is a picture of her clutch purse:

Deliberately Domestic Clutch Purse

Oh, I added a few photos of bags I have made to my Purses and Bags  page.  Have a look!  Have a great night!  Toodles for now!
Angela

Sew, You're Having a Kidney Stone?

Jupiter

I've been in labor for three days.  No, I'm not having another baby, but a KIDNEY STONE the size of JUPITER!  Well, this boulder is definately not going to pass on its own, so I will be having it professionally removed next week.  Aren't I lucky?  Actually, the pain is bearable most of the time as long as I stay on top of it with the pain medication.  So, although I can't go to work while on these meds, I have managed to complete a few sewing projects in between naps.  Let me know what you think (maybe not a good idea to sew and or handle sharp objects while medicated?).

Dana's box Bag

I made this box bag for my hairdresser and friend, Dana.  I bought the fabric months ago knowing that I would make something for her with it.  I came across the tutorial for the bag at Stacy Sews Diary of a Fabric Junkie.  The directions were fairly easy to follow.  I'm sure that I will be making many more of these bags in the future!

Simplicity 2617

I also finished another purse.  I followed the   Simplicity 2617 pattern, however I did not quilt my bag.  I think it turned out pretty nice...and I managed to insert an inside zipper in the lining...a first for me!!

Inside Zipper

Oh, my "big" daughter received the black and white skirt and pink tunic top yesterday.  Suprise!  She likes them and they both fit!  As a matter of fact, she is wearing the skirt now.  Yeah!

Alright, until next time, toodles!

Angela