Piecing, sewing, wrapping...

Just a little peek.  I was a busy bee over the weekend, wrapping and stringing up some mail treats which will be sent out, well, all over the world really.  I had soooo much fun putting these together.  I feel like a crafting Santa.

There are also new purses in the works.  I love going into my fabric stash and pulling together color stories, reminds me of the days when I was a working gal in the apparel design world.  If you haven't yet discovered this (maybe I was the only one who hadn't), school auctions are a great way to get your name and your product out in the public eye.  I originally donated a purse to Emma's school's auction as a bit of an afterthought, but, wow, I quickly realized how many people you reach (people with generously deep pockets who may be tipsy, but I like to think this doesn't cloud their taste level...wink wink).  I'm currently working on 3 other donations.  After that, I am thinking of putting a a few bags up for sale on Etsy.  I also finished up my beloved bermuda bag's first facelift phase, but I will wait for sun to snap pics and share that with you.  Seems I have some preppy soulmates out there, I love it!  Molly reminded me of how much fun it was to slap those wooden handles together to close them, remember that?

I will end my post with a helpful tip for all you busy crafting moms.  When your daughter starts campaigning for you to make a "quilt" for her stuffies, do what I did and you will be considered a genius among the 7 year old set.

1. Let said 7 year old choose a piece of polar fleece from your stash.
2. With a rather serious, careful look, cut aforementioned polar fleece carefully down one side.
3. Cut down second side.
4. Cut down third side.
5. Cut down fourth side.
3. Voila!  Hand over aforementioned "quilt" to said 7 year old with a big hug and kiss and pat yourself on the back!

Comments

[Amy]

That is so funny (RE: quilts for stuffies) My daughter (2 years) falls in love with pieces of soft fabric and calls them quilts. It is good that 7 year olds still "fall" for that trick as well. :-)

[molly]

I have followed your exact instructions before for emma who wanted me to knit a blanket for her babydoll! A piece of fleece...snip, snip, snip, snip...I've even washed that sad little square a fabric a few times and thought how clever I am! ha!
Emma is sitting on my lap and has told me all the different flowers and hearts from above that she likes...she's such a sucker for pink and pretty things!
I CAN'T WAIT to see your bermuda bag makeover...I'm seriously considering one for my bag because the inside of the fabric is some plastic waterproof stuff that is kind of grossing me out when I stick my hand in there to grab my yarn....can't wait to see your designs.

[the painted pear]

That is too funny, cause that is exactly what I did! Except she wanted it for herself, which is much larger than her beloved stuffies.

[autum]

I am cutting out strips for the patchwork purse today too. I know what you mean about putting the colors together. I am having a great time and had to make myself stop cutting strips and start sewing. It is so nice to have a project that allows you to use those small pieces of fabric left over from other projects but looks so nice. It is keeping me out of the fabric store. (at least for a while)

[Samantha]

Wow - you have been busy. Is the fabric for your purse the same as your banner?

Love the idea about "making" a blanket!

[Michelle]

Your mail treats look beautiful. I'm loving the cloth buttons.

[Toni]

If those photos are any indication of the surprise you said you wanted to send me, then I am going to be one happy girl!! Such a productive weekend!!! Wonderful.

[beki]

My daughter seems to want one of everything I make. That means I make a lot of empty promises. Now that I've found uses for my scraps I have to fight her for them! She hoards then for her "fashion" game. Much to her delight, some of the next projects on my list are for her.

I can't want to see your new purses!

[Jackie]

I love your patchwork purses and the flowers you made.

Joel always pinching scaps of my fabric and making beds for his toy animals. In fact he touches everything in my craft room. It drives me crazy.

[makewrite]

I love your wrapping. The hearts and flowers are just beautiful.

I went to school in the USA for six months in around 1981, and I remember how badly I wanted a bermuda bag! I can't recall if I ever got one though. Maybe you're going to re-start the trend! :-)

[Stephanie]

those goodies look awfully pretty.

so excited about your patchwork bags!

[rose]

Those flowers are so pretty! Good luck with the shop!

[Adriana]

Wow, you have been busy! Those flowers look really pretty and I just adore how you "make quilts" for your daughter... She'll have a good laugh in a few years time when she reads this post :-)

Keep up the good work!

[manda]

Everything looks so gorgeous! I wish I was better at wrapping things - I think it's a British thing - we suck at wrapping, we really do!
I can't wait to see your bag makeover!

[~Vicki]

If this is any indication of the goodness that comes from one computer-free day then I'm on it!!

[Jo]

Looks like the bar has been raised pretty high for those overseas packages.... I'm glad you gave a sneak peak!

[Kristen]

hey blair,
so tomorrow is the big day. it's in my planner and everything. i am finally shipping out that bad boy to you. i hope you like everything. it was a lot of fun.
let me know when it has gotten to you. isn't it great that we live so close? this means packages won't take so long!
xo,
kristen

[joanna]

Uh, hello? I take blogging break for 2 weeks, and look at all you've accomplished! Can't keep up with you!!! I'm sure your packages will be received with glee. They are so adorable. Can't wait to see your bags.

[sofia]

So cuuuuuuute !!! Can't wait to see them !!!

[Julia]

Ha!! Great quilt. I'm excited about bags! You're a wonderful bag maker.

[eireann]

I like the blue-and-red flower up there. :)

[Belinda]

I've been watching your lovely flower pins turn up all over my favourite blogs. I would love to learn how to make them, was the item from one of your japanese books?