I'd like to share this tote with you... as it's not only my travel bag, shopping bag, and purse for my trip to Salt Lake City tomorrow for Sewing Summit 2013, but it will also be my next sewing pattern.  This won't be ready to be released for a few weeks, as it hasn't even been written yet - so don't start looking for it!  And if you think of a name... let me know!  I've been calling it the Novella Tote, because of the fabric collection I used here, but another suggestion I had and liked was Nouvelle Chic.  Do you have a name for this trendy looking tote?

Fabric:  Finnelopy in Indigo, Novella Collection by Valori Wells for Free Spirit Fabrics.

A good size tote, complete with adjustable carrying straps with buckles, a zipper opening, purse feet on a sturdy base, and several pocket options.  I used By Annie's Soft and Stable in the exterior and the soft, thick sides stand up on their own.

Here is my first version. I've been carrying it all summer, and although I love it - it was too floppy for me, the base was too wide, and it needed a zipper opening for travel.  It makes a good shopping tote though and I like to carry my packages in it to the post office.  I fixed all of these issues in the blue version and I'm very happy with the result.  This weekend at Sewing Summit will be the test!

Fabric: Ty Pennington, home decor weight cotton.

Watch for more like this in a few weeks time as I always make up a few of each bag with different fabrics for inspiration.

Thank you for looking!!

 

This is copied from my Newsletter that I sent earlier today, so if you have already read it, please disregard.  I just wanted to make sure the word was OUT!!

Source: The Graphics Fairy

Now shipping INTERNATIONAL OVERSEAS!!  

Thank you so much for the great response and feedback on my new products. It's very gratifying to know that my little idea was so well received! 

And because of all of the requests.... I now have International shipping rates on my website.

I can't wait to see how many countries I will ship to.  Just since announcing this earlier today, I have had orders from Netherlands, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Australia, & Brazil!  Very Cool!!

The Fine Print:
** Please note - Packages are shipped by Canada Post Air, and NOT tracked. If you would like tracking, please let me know as this is only available in certain countries and is at a much higher rate.
** Shipping standard is 6-10 business days, but please allow up to 14 business days in remote areas. Sometimes there are delays at customs and this is out of my control. Sometimes there are import taxes and duties, and this is also out of my control!
** As always, if I overcharge your shipping by more than $1.00, I will refund the difference.
** Packages lost in mail will not be replace or refunded.

I have always thought my bags were missing that little something extra. They didn't have that focal point, that professionalism, that oomph! So, I set about to design something that will give my bags (and yours) just that. I've made up something we can all use, either on the front/back, or exterior/interior of our bags, totes, purses, clutches, or even wallets. Get that designer bag look on a bag custom made for yourself with my metal bag labels & matching zipper pulls.

The Boyd St. Bowling Bag with Metal Label

Source: Carry Hers By Natalie

These are finished in shiny nickel, they are nice and thick and of superb quality. The word "handmade" is engraved, and not filled with black, because I don't consider that to be the main focus here. The main focus is still YOUR gorgeous bag, with a shiny focal point that just completes it and gives it that luxurious look while bragging, with subtlety, that you made it yourself. OH, and with a matching zipper pull... baboom!!


These are my trial versions or 'first runs' of these products and I've got a few more designs and finishes that I'd like to try out soon if they sell well.  It's a long process designing and ordering and waiting, and waiting so I need to make sure these are going to be a hit before I go any further. What if it's just me that thinks they are cool, cool, cool?!  It's can't be just me ;)  Let me know what kind of finishes you are looking for: antique brass?

The Boyd St. Bowling Bag

The Necessary Clutch Wallet with Metal Label and Zipper Pull

How to attach the metal labels:
Use in the lining or on exterior of your bag, on the back or front of your clutch, wallet or purse. These attach with two metal prongs & a washer. Simply mark holes in washer & cut holes with a seam ripper.(Smaller holes are better than too large.) Use FrayStop on holes. Place label onto interfaced fabric exterior or lining, and fold the prongs over the back washer. (Placing fleece or felt over prongs first, and then placing the washer, is recommended so that you get a tight fit.  Glue on the back of the label is optional, but a great idea.)



How To attach the zipper pulls:  Simply clip onto existing zipper tab or clip off tab with cutting pliers or metal snips and hook right onto the zipper slider.  (Make sure the included hook will fit in your slider hole before clipping off your existing tab. Adding a jump ring is optional.)

The Quarter Note Clutch with Large Flip Lock and Metal Bag Label

 

Exciting day!  I get to share a new sewing pattern with you, and this one is great because it only takes 2 fat quarters to make up, so it's a perfect stash buster. Two fat quarters... hmm... I guess you know where the name "The Quarter Note Clutch" came from now.  I chose that because it sounds so much better than "Quarter Horse Clutch", hee hee.


I designed this pattern after I got some nice fat, shiny purse locks in my shop. These are lovely big babies, and they would be best on a nice chunky bag - BUT - I wanted to give you a nice pattern with them, with a quick project that gives instant reward!  Plus, I always need a clutch and I tend to design bags for what I'm needing for myself at a particular time.


A bit about the clutch:
The Quarter Note Clutch is a surprisingly fast little bag to make up, with a very classy reward. The large flip lock lends some serious style!  (Can be made up with your choice of lock, small turn lock or even a button.)


This pattern would be perfect for bridal clutches, evening bags or a quick to make gift! Use 2 fat quarters of quilting cotton or try it with heavy satin, jacquard, linen, or your choice of fabric (note that not all of these fabrics will do well with fusible interfacing so adjust your interfacing as needed). Includes instructions for one internal slip pocket, perfect for your phone.  NOTE: A sewing machine with a free arm is recommended for this project.


MATERIALS & TOOLS:



This pattern is suitable for an intermediate to advanced sewer. The patterns pieces are full size, and include seam allowances.  Pattern instructions are provided in both imperial and metric measurements.

The finished size is approximately:  Length: 10.5” (27 cm) across top, and Height: 5.5” (14 cm)

All of my sewing friends will have to be patient with this one.  When you have an 8 year old son, life is more about finding nerf bullets, watching hockey, and hearing about Minecraft worlds, than it is about sewing gorgeous bags and quilts. My life needs to fit nicely around and in between the above mentioned activities and part of that is knowing that it's my job to make an awesome cake, perfect for the "trend" of the year. Minecraft of course! If you know who Steve is, and have heard about Ender Dragons, and diamond pick-axes... please read on, otherwise - thank you for sticking with me!

A Minecraft Cake complete with Steve, a dog, pig, a creeper and trees.

My son's birthday cake would NOT have happened without his talented and industrious Auntie Shelley - SHE made all of the fondant figures for the cake and I only had the task of cake and icing. I made the cake at my house, she made the figures. We met at the Laser Quest party, and she assembled while the kids and big man-kids had a blast playing laser tag. I have to say, I've never seen a group of kids so excited about a cake before! It was CAKE SUCCESS and a VERY happy birthday boy!!  Ahem, I only wish I took better photos.

A Minecraft Cake complete with Steve, a dog, pig, a creeper and trees.

This was too easy.  I made two square chocolate cakes and trimmed off the rounded edges.  I sliced one straight down the center and pulled it apart to leave an opening in the middle.  I cut 1/4 off of the other, and 2/3 of the piece that was cut off was put between the two halves of the first cake. The large piece of the second cake was set on top (a bit saggy, but oh well!) and the small 1/3rd cut off was set up in the corner for the candle.


I froze the cake so it would be easy to ice, and put a thin layer of light green "crumb coat" on top. (I cheated and used a can of Duncan Hines pre-made whipped icing, that I tinted with food colouring.) I put this in the freezer after so it would be easier to add the "grass" after.

A cute little Minecraft Pig!

To make the river and grass, I added blue and green to the same icing in two different bowls and chilled them for a bit so they would be firmer to work with. Using my cupcake piping bag and a couple different tips, I first put the river on and then started in with the grass. I didn't have a proper cake board, so I ended up icing right on the tray. I've never iced like this before and there were a few "oops!" but it was fun anyway! No this is probably not the right way to ice a cake, BUT gee I don't make cakes, I SEW!!!!

Shelley said making the fondant figures was SO FUN!!  She loved playing with the icing colours and making the shapes.  Since our boys are 8, our play doh days have been almost non-existent, so I think it may have been fun for her to do some creating of her own again.