Better late than never... I finally have the bags listed

Well I finally have my bags listed on etsy and will see if they sell... ever ;) I think they'd be great for Christmas, birthdays, or just because. :)

Just click the banner above or the etsy shop logo on the side bar to go there.

Wish me luck!

Also while I won't be adding lots at a time I do love doing custom orders so please feel free to contact me if you'd like something done. I do those too!

Falalala....Lala Bags almost ready

Seriously it seems like I've been working on these 3 bags forever... I started them & then got busy with the kids, decorating & shopping for Christmas, and basically life. However I have been working on them little bits at a time. Here's a quick peek at the 3 bags I'm going to list & try to sell on etsy. I'm excited about trying it & we'll see how it goes. They aren't quite finished yet, but the applique's are all done. I hope to upload a listing Sunday Dec. 11 in the evening at some point. 

 The colors/fabrics are my own creations - not trying to exactly replicate any 1 Lalaloopsy doll out there. A fun & 100% unique bag for any little girl. :) See this post for the first Lalaloopsy bag I created!

Also as the eyes & bows are buttons hand sewn on I would have to recommend for 3 & over or under CONSTANT Adult supervision. I have put them on as tight & strong as I can, but you never know what a little one is going to do. 

My husband has informed me that I HAVE to make one for our 1year old daughter to carry her Lalaloopsy dolls & books in. "Don't worry dear, I'm on it!" ;)

sneak peak of something new

Just a quick little peak at one of the new projects I've started this week. I just love this vintage paper-doll fabric from Timeless Treasures. 

I have several more sewing projects that I have been working on for some friends & family members little ones & need to finish them up before I share them with you. But I'm excited about them - each one seems to fit their personality and favorite toys so well.

A pleated tote bag

One of my oldest & dearest friends had her birthday last week. I've known for a while that I wanted to make her something for it. It was just a matter of deciding what. Well a few weeks ago I came across this great fabric at a fabric store - Pat Bravo's Hyperreal Garden collection for Art Gallery fabrics and I knew I wanted to use it. 

I also had some great Joel Dewberry fabric to use for the contrasting parts. 

After doing a search on Pinterest I found a really nice little tutorial for a Pleated Tote (or beach bag) from the blog Thimble Things I Make & Do - you can find it by clicking the name. :) Thanks so much for sharing your idea and writing directions! 

I made a few mistakes that I hope not to repeat again, but I hope that she'll appreciate the labor of love that this simple little tote was, I had previously never pleated fabric or used interfacing so those were learning experience. 

I did add a double pocket to the inside of the bag for cell phone/keys/lip gloss... in the tutorial she had an option for a zippered pouch but I like this a bit better - since I almost always leave those open. 

I can't wait to do my next one now! 

Super Bags for Super Boys

My boys are OBSESSED with superheros! OBSESSED! So of course they wanted to be superhero's for Halloween. I wish I could have convinced them to be something cute or unique... or at least coordinate... but nope, not this year.

Dominic was adamant that he be the Green Lantern and Vincent insisted on being Batman. Not even Batman & Robin for mom. ;) But I did decide after watching them collect various items and tote them around in plastic shopping bags that I could at least make them some treat bags for Halloween. As I posted before when I made the Lalaloopsy bag - the Batman bag was my first ever. I don't have a pattern or even really measurements, I just start cutting & sewing. It seems to work because each one seems to get better... in my opinion anyway.

After I mentioned to some friends that I was doing these for my superhero's a good friend asked if I would make some for her 2 boys that are also dressing up as superhero's too. I was happy to, I am so pleased with how they've turned out. What do you think of them?

My boys love theirs & will be taking them to the EIU Homecoming Parade tomorrow to collect candy in. Dominic has taken his to school everyday this week instead of a book bag. I'm just thrilled that he's so happy with something that I made him!

 Perfect for taking along your favorite superhero book (Superhero ABC's)

*the action figures/masks are only props ;)

I've decided that once I am caught up on a few more projects for my family I'm going to make more of these to put up on Etsy. Stay tuned!

I think these are perfect to include with a book or toy like I have done above.

Bag Lady... Lalaloopsy style

I have always loved a good handbag or purse and apparently that is carrying over into my children. My boys love to put their treasures & stuff into backpacks, shopping bags, baggies... anything and then carry it all over the house. Gabby loves her little baby toy purses too. So when I couldn't find anything fun for Halloween treat bags I decided to make the kids theirs to coordinate with their costumes. I made Vincent (2.5yrs) a batman bag & it was a HUGE hit with him.

So the other day when I went to the store to pick up a present for a sweet little girl down the street and got a Lalaloopsy set, I decided to make a detour to the fabric section to make her a bag to go with it. Have you seen Lalaloopsy dolls & the mini ones? They are so cute... or should I say "sew cute" since they are made to look hand sewn sort of - with buttons for eyes & stitched mouths. I just love how funky & fun they are but still pretty cute. This is the result... 

I have heard from a few mama's that they would like to buy something like this. I think that I am going to try to make up a few & open an etsy shop & see how it goes. What do you think?

I have to finish Dominic's Green Lantern bag now and do Gabby's that will be some sort of butterfly bag to match her costume which I still need to finish up too... I'll of course post about them all :)

As a side note... this Lala toy was a huge hit with Gabby (who is 1) and we just might have to see if Santa can put one under the tree for her (or me!).