polkadotbug

Zippers!

I did it.  I conquered my fear of sewing in a zipper.

Our aunt was here for Thanksgiving (hi Jeanne!) and requested one of my tote bags, but with a zipper.  I have to admit that I did panic a bit.  I’ve been admiring and fearing them since I started sewing last year. 

I did my internet research and found a few zipper tutorials to work off of. Like here and here and here.

Then I went to the store and bought an enormous zipper.  I ended up buying a coat zipper.  I didn’t realize that until afterwards, but that’s ok.  It does its job well on a bag too.

Not too bad for my first shot.  The one thing that I couldn’t do was the top stitch.  My mighty strong Singer can’t go through both the quilted lining and the zipper.  Maybe I’ll get a stronger machine some day…

Jeanne made some good fabric choices too,from Amy Butlers Daisy Chain line. 

I was so excited that I did it that I just had to try a few little bags.  It’s cake!

Please don’t mind the wrinkles. :)  I didn’t add interfacing to the larger one so it’s quite a flopper.  It definitely makes a difference to just add a lightweight interfacing. 

On a different subject, Andrew and I are getting very excited for the trip we’re planning.  It looks like we’ll be sitting on the beach for a week on Cape Cod in July.  SWEET!!  This will be our first little family trip and I can’t wait. 

It feels so good just thinking about a beach after the past week of frigid temps.  We had to miss Andrew’s company party on Friday night.  He left work at 4:30 and didn’t get home until 7 – it’s normally a 20 minute commute.  There was no way we were getting back in the car and heading back downtown.  I had already driven the kids to Grams (in a white-out) for a sleepover to prepare for our evening out.  Kinda disappointing, but we did go out to dinner close to home.  That was followed by a movie on the couch and a night of uninterrupted sleep.  

It was a treat.  At the same time, it’s so sad going to bed and walking past the empty bedrooms.  That’s just the emotional person that I am.  We’ve never even had a babysitter outside of family.  I get laughed at a lot about that.  Call me a dork it you’d like.  Yes Caren, I am expecting a comment from you on that one.

Time to Get Serious

I have been up to some sewing lately.  Turns out I have myself signed up for the Buffalo Indie Market on September 14^th.  I figure I better start cranking some stuff out now so I don’t have to pull any all-nighters when it gets closer.  Not only that, but another local crafter contacted me about sharing a booth with her at the Quaker Arts Festival.  The only bad (and scary) part about it is that it’s the weekend after the Indie Market!  AHH!!!  Not real sure I can make enough in time. 

My new crafty friend Shannon makes the most adorable baby items and we have very similar tastes.  I think we’ll have an awesome booth and I am so excited to make a new friend!  We’re gonna have a ton of fun.  She just started up a blog as well, so check out Babypeas.

Besides the Buffalo Bonnets, I have started making a few bags.  Most are my usual quilt lined bags in some of my favorite fabrics.  To spice it up a bit I tried a new style – the drawstring bag.

Of course I didn’t come up with it on my own.  I never do - I always seem to need a visual.  I saw something similar when spending one of my many many hours paging through all the amazing things on Flickr.   I think it’s adorable! 

Do you like the light up flowers in the background?!  I saw them at our nursery when I was spending loads of money on new plants for our garden.  They were too cute, so I had to spend some money on fake flowers as well.

 

On another note, there’s another fabulous giveaway!  This one is from Kaytiebugs and it’s for a Double Ruffle Femme Skirt.  I love it!  Check it out. 

Still Chuggin Along

This is one of the newest bags I have made.  It's amazing how just the fabric alone can make just about any bag look so nice.  I really enjoy this one.  Too bad I have to bring it to the Market.  Maybe no one will buy it and I can keep it for myself!

 

Another new one and a new style I tried.  I like it too, but not as much as the first.  I think I just prefer the bigger bags.  How great are the sunflowers?  They are from Molly and Andrew.  Almost every time they go to Wegmans they come back with flowers for me!  I know, not only does he buy me flowers, but he also does the majority of the grocery shopping!  And, did I mention how great he cooks?  I have it made.  Seriously.

Ok, just a short post today.  I have a long list of things to get done that isn't getting much shorter.  It is also early in the morning and Abby is next to me throwing toys on the computer.  I just wanted to get it out there that I am getting a couple things done!  Today I have my two girls and my sister Angela's 3 year old son too.  Mom (aka nanny) is on a 2 week vacation so we have to take turns staying home from work and watching the kids. Yikes!  I am so thankful for mom!  I just wish she would get home soon.  :)  I don't think I will be getting much done today...

 

Four Quilted Bags

The race is on for the next Indie Market.  I am starting to produce as many sewn items as one can prepare in a very brief period of time.  Of course that's in between bottles, crying, tantrums, and anything else you can expect (and not expect) from an 8 month old and 4 year old.  Sigh...

Here you can see the start of my bag train.  These are my new favorites, with their quilted linings.  I sure hope the train can get longer by next weekend!  I also have plans for reversible dresses, reversible pants, more bonnets, bibs, tutus....blah blah blah..... Enough complaining already.   Just get to work! 

My problem is that I am not organized enough.  I have stacks of wonderful fabric everywhere that I want to turn into something, but it will never happen by next weekend.  I also have ideas of all these things I want to make which also will not happen in time.  Lists!!  I need to make lists.  I have heard this from more than one person (hi Julia!!), but I just can't seem to find the time to make a list.  :)  Or I just feel better when my disorganized thoughts are bouncing all over inside of my crazy head.  It's just what I am used to.  It will all come together somehow and I will hopefully have a nice display of some of my creations for the market.

Right now my tired body is going to get some much needed rest.