a bag and some clutches

So you're probably thinking, "doesn't this girl have a life?

More bags, really?
The answer: no probably not. I mean there are things that
I really should be doing, but those are the un-fun things.

Laundry being at the top of my "should be doing but not wanting

to do them" list. (It's funny, that one always wins.)

I've had these vintage purse handles hanging around for a couple of

months now and I'm so glad I held onto them. They are just fun.

And these clutches while very simple in design, scream flirty...

maybe. (it sounded good anyway).

Oh, and aren't my model's feet just the cutest?! I love her

shiny red flats. I may need to snag me a pair.

Everyone needs a smashed ruffle tote

I'm officially a lover of bags. I love making, designing,

sporting and, stuffing them! My husband just rolls his

eyes now when he sees me donning a new bag...he also

usually mutters something about " this makes a million

and one" something sarcastic, semi true, and a little over

exaggerated. Lucky for him these bags are not for me.

I already made one for myself in yellow.....

that makes a million and two!

Lunch bag part 1 "Drawstring tote"

Today my kids forgot their lunches. So lucky me I got to

take them some food.

lucky for them I was in a super sewing mood!

Behold, "the drawstring lunch tote!"

I've been inspired lately by the cute Japanese lunch bags.

it's fun right?!

I'd like to say that I was able to take them

amazing lunches in these fun bags but alas, sigh....I didn't.

I did manage to finish them before they got home

though. Yessss, Score!

To make this tote you'll need:

* 1/4 yd fabric for the outside (I used corduroy)

* 1/4 yd coordinating fabric for the lining

* 1/8 yd fabric for straps

* natural twill tape or ribbon for drawstring

* 1 large safety pin

Follow the instructions on the pictures.

If my nonsensical wording doesn't make sense just email

me and I'll try to clarify.

Now I'm gonna warn you now, there are a lot of pictures.

So. many. pictures.

Okay, with right sides together, slip the lining over

the main body of the tote.

And don't you worry about those hungry

kids of mine....they just had to eat from an

old ugly bag that's all.

for camilla's happy birthday

I actually love this bag. It's been floating around
my cluttered brain for awhile, but it turned out
better than I thought it would. Don't be surprised
if you see more of these on this here blog.

I think I like yellow.

husband's jeans turned girly (this one's for you Aubrey)

My husband has a giant stack of hole riddled grubby jeans

that have tormented me for I don't know how long. So on

Friday I rolled up my sleeves and made a bag (surprise surprise).

DH teases that this bag brings the total to 1 million.

I think he's exaggerating.

and since I had nothing better to do I took tons of pictures

so I could produce a tutorial. If you have questions because

of my spastic directions just email me.

So you'll need the following:

a pair of ratty jeans or some cute Amy Butler fabric

(or whatever you want. This is your bag)

canvas (I used some old canvas curtains)

Coordinating fabric for the lining

1 biggish button

interfacing

Okay now do this:

Cut 2 of these

I pieced the straps because I couldn't get a long enough

piece. Just stitch along the short end and press the seam

open.

Make ruffles by using a loose basting stitch down the

center of each strip and gather by pulling a single thread.

Stitch ruffles and pocket.

Do the same with the lining. Now we're going to square

the corners. Pinch your corners like so:

now pin ém.

Stitch across the line.

Now Stitch!

Fold the loopy thing to make a sort of triangle in the

center. Stitch in place. Also, sew your button onto the

outside of your bag.

Stuff your lining into your bag, baste your straps and

loopy thing in their proper areas. Make sure your straps

are even and your closure will hold the button right.

Now for the exciting part. Stitch around the top of your

cute bag....aaaand your done!

I hung mine on my pantry door so that I could see it.....a lot.

I really like this one.

re-usable lunch bag

I've gotten to the point that I hate throwing things

away. My two oldest are in school and school lunch

is a ridiculous 2.95 (did I also mention that I'm cheap?).

So I've started making re-usable lunch sacks. I love them!

I basically used a paper lunch sack as a guide, but I wanted

to branch out and try something with handles. I've seen

people use laminated cotton, but honestly, I'd prefer just

using cotton lined with canvas. I have two reasons for this.

1. Cotton and canvas are more affordable (cheap like me!)

2. I can throw the bags in the wash no problem. While the

other can only be wiped down. Yogurt smeared bag bad.

Throwing yogurt smeared bag in washing machine good.

The fun thing about sewing these bags is I can be creative

and functional at the same time. I love functional stuff to

also be pretty. It makes me smile and my husband laugh.

sheet bag

This bag used to be a sheet. It's true! In fact, I

slept in it as a kid. I'll tell you a secret..............

I love old fashioned retro stuff! It makes me

happy. The sheets that I massacred....vintage.

Lovely, lovely vintage.

The bag? Easy. Sew two rectangles together, square

the corners, add a ruffle or two, and some handles

and ta-da! A bag is born. If there's any interest, I

would love to do a more detailed tute. But some of

you are probably already thinking I'm crazy for

cutting up a sheet to make a bag.

You're probably right!