I love explaining myself

I love explaining myself.  I must.  Why else would I wait so long to post? Why else would I sew a few purses together in a mad rush?  I don't know. Does inspiration hit me all of sudden?  I day dream about what to sew together.  Sometimes Vera Bradley is in my daydreams.  She looks a lot like Jacob Marley.  But she always critiques my stitches.  Which makes me critique hers when I am out and about. Lo and behold, her stitches aren't perfect - nor are mine.  Then I want to reach out and say to the lady with that bag.  " I could've hooked you up much cheaper." Which, see, then I can explain myself again!  Circle of life baby.

Had a brush with infamy this week.  Two people were in line at the local Chipoltle - each had an edition of my purse.  No one told me if they compared stitches, but I am thinking they didn't.  Neither one of them like explaining themselves and they like me - so they extolled my sewing virtures.  I was just glad to hear they were both carrying one of my bags 3 months later!

Have put together a bag you will see that I totally copied from *mixieblue*.  Had to add those star things so I don't have to pay her infringement penalties.  She doesn't make and sell the bags anymore, but I continually hear there is a need for them so today, I created one and it looks decent.  I need a label.  I just can't committ.  Anyway . . .this may be my fortune. Or at least Christmas money.

Take care, let  me know if you need a new fall bag. I am all in on that one!

Bridal Party Purses

Oh my friends, the summer is drawing to close. Aren't we all a little sad? Not me really. I love the fall! Dark colors look best on me and hide dirt. I don't have to water the plants as much, although many of them get moved inside for the winter. I don't have to wear 4 layers of clothing in the basement while sewing because the air conditioner is on. Oh yeah, this is a sewing blog! So let me fill you in.

I made 6 purses for a friend to give as gifts to her bridal party. Her bridesmaid/matron dresses are eggplant. I found a lovely print - from I believe Anna Maria Horner - and was also able to find many "co-ordinating" fabrics not even from her line! So each one is truly unique! I made two different styles. One a long strapped carry all and one a small wristlet. Let's face it, some ladies will never - ever - ever use a wristlet. They just don't know when would be a good time, or will forget about it because, when would they use it? Anyway, the over the shoulder strap one is for the "functional gift only" friend. It might be a tiny bit fancy and fun, but, still usable. We all know that girl. Darnit.

Back to the wristlet.

It is a pattern from Amy Butler. It is the third pattern from her that I have endeavored to complete, and the third time I have felt unfulfilled. I always feel like it is just shy enough away from the picture to look tacky. I think this time though, the wristlet still looked really nice, but the functional purse looks better. That was the let down, I only did the functional one out of guilt, then it looked better. Oh well, live and learn.

I also recently purchased an Anna Maria Horner pattern I am nervous to undertake. I REALLY like the  possible finished product.   So I bought some cheapie fabric from a large chain that I liked, but wasn't married too, so if I mess up the pattern I won't be overly disappointed and only out a few dollars. I have seen this purse created at a couple different stores Sew To Speak and Quilt Beginnings and it is LOVELY. Point here, if insecure about your capabilities, start cheap, practice and pawn off on family if it doesn't work out. What family member is going to tell you the item looks like he77? Not one you were speaking to anyway. There are reasons you speak to favorite family members!

Can not recall if I told everyone I made myself a wrap around skirt. The work itself was fine. I was actually impressed with my self to tell the truth.  I don't do many pieces of clothing.  But a girl without a definitive waist ought not be sporting a wrap around skirt. Why they make the pattern sizes that high is beyond me. To me, that implies it will look appropriate on a person of the larger sizes. Then again, they make bikinis in my size too. I wouldn't buy one and I wouldn't wear one. Enough said?

So, hopefully with the onset of the fall, I will be sewing more. Sharing more, selling more. Oh I dream.

Til the next time, enjoy the change in seasons!

Presentation

So, I haven't been stagnent since my last post. I have accomplished much and that is part of the reason I haven't been able to post anything. I have pictures of samples of what I have been doing that I am posting after the blogging. But I cannot for the life of me figure out how to take these damn pictures. My stuff doesn't look near as fab as it does in person. Because let me TELL YOU this stuff looks good. Any suggestions on how to photograph things? someone said a white background. I tried that. I don't think it's the wrinkles that make it look . . . well like I pulled it out from under the bed. I don't know what kind of light to use, if I should use the flash etc. When I study other blogs like annamariehorner.blogspot.com Her photos are amazing. Are her kids taking these? There is another blog called angrychicken (not sure if it's wordpress or blogspot without actually going to the site) that has fab pictures. I am thinking I am the only semi creative person I know of that doesn't have an iota of photographic capability.

I have made lots of cupcake skirts recently. At least we know the world of little misses are lookin good out there! I also made a cupcake skirt for my girlfriends sister's bacholarette party out of Cleveland Browns fabric. I am going to try and post some of the photos of her siter IN the skirt b/c it came out way better than anticipated. On my friends behalf what a great idea!

You will also see a tote bag I made for my favorite 17 year old for her birthday. Found this fabric at sewtospeak.blogspot.com in clintonville, oh. My fave 17 yr.old is a life guard, teaches swim lessons and coaches swimming. I used the pattern that I made the bright pink peacock purse (SOLD IT!!:))out of. But didn't pleat it as suggested. See what you can do with one simple pattern?? All the things you can make? The lining fabric is actually "lamenated" so will wick the moisture from her goggles etc. For her teeny tiny bikini I made a seperate bag. I think I could have made it smaller even, as she is 17 and lovely. But, perhaps she will be able to use the tote for a long time!

I was fortunate enough to work with some Japanese Linen that I could/would never have bought for myself. ($$$) I love this purse. I am so thankful that the planned project did not work out for my mom. She didn't even make me pay for it!! AND I have enough to make myself a purse and her too! Not matching, for heaven's sake, but similar with AWESOME fabric.

I did make myself a wraparound skirt two weeks ago. (Really in nonvacation time was a week ago.) I am hesitant to wear it though as wearing homemade and carrying homemade are two different things. And I don't think if I do receive a compliment I will be able to pass it off as Anthropologie. Know what I mean?

Next time, I am going to show you my pergola with the new seat cushions I made from painters drop cloth. Saved me hundreds!!!

In parting, I need to leave this quote I found. I think it speaks volumes and am truly suprised that Erma Bombeck said it only b/c it is more emo than I feel she did regularly.

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

Don't you agree!? LET FREEDOM RING.

Productivity

So, I promised some additional things on the blog this week. Oh, I didn't forget, I am just nervous about showing what else I do. Why??? Because it isn't perfect. I mean come on, with the blog even the goverment can laugh at me!! It came out okay, I do sorta like it, it will be fine where it sits under the pergola. It won't be all I pictured it being. You know, I thought a magizine would for sure hear about it and be at my house for a photo shoot before I had time to get it done. Well, it's fine and don't rush to the magazine isle to see it.

The word fine. Who else hates it? It defines nothing. Totally noncommital. That's why I am not in love with this project. It is fine, it will do. But no guest will notice it, they will just sit on it and at some point even I will forget it is at my disposal. I'll probably buy a duplicate.

But the next thing I have to show you is a purse I am crazy in love with!! (It is way better than FINE!). Serious. I can picture this purse in a dozen fabrics, with all kinds of handles and all kinds of cities! Sisters, I love this purse. I think this is the feeling Vera Bradley had right before she went B.I.G.

Was fortunate to sell some really cute skirts this week and am tickled pink about that!! It was the "cupcake" skirt. Figured out how to finish the waist band so it looks way more professional and the feeling of accomplishment that goes with that is incredible. Love this skirt. Would almost be willing to "donate" one to every girl child born at Riverside on a Friday. I also received a book from my dearest auntie this week that is going to change the way I promote myself and make you actually enjoy my blog. I can't out her, but everyone of you are going to be thankful she hooked me up!

So please leave a comment on this site for me so I know if anyone is reading this. Also, it will also let me know if the purse is horrid. I don't want to misrepresent myself.

Cheers.
Ivena

That Amy Butler I promised. And a comment or two.

Hello Friends.

I spoke in the last post about an Amy Butler purse pattern I had picked up; what I didn't tell about was this incredible fabric I picked up at Sew To Speak. I didn't ruin the surprise after all did I??


Isn't it awesome? I had to buy the pattern because I didn't have one that was large enough to encompass the awesome motif! Now, a couple comments about the pattern.

A. Little hard to follow, lots of parts to piece together with very similar names. I think it could be dumbed down so it went quicker and less frustrating. This is just me. Others might think this pattern was a walk in the park. But I have a penchant for the PDF patterns I buy off etsy.com that comes with lots of pictures and super easy instructions.

B. Does anyone know why she likes sew-in batting. Lord, that was hell.

Okay done. Hope you enjoy the final product. Feel free to make a comment or two. This blog is supposed to be interactive.

By the way, hopefully soon, I will be showing a couple other tricks I have up my sleeve. That's right kiddo, I am not a one trick pony!

Desire to be perfect.

Hello all. It occurred to me this evening as I was putting together an apron, and taking it apart, that we all want everything we do to be perfect. I had a small slope in my hem on this apron, so took out 44 inches of hem and redid it. It was about 2 inches long of slope increased from the baseline MAYBE 1/4 inch. Was this overkill?? HELL YES. So now, there are holes where the old hem was and I spent 40 minutes picking out loose threads. That was when it occurred to me, who in the world would have noticed that slope? Well, I would have. But that is because I look for imperfections in what I do. You know what that leads me to do? Under price what I do and devalue my time. (Devalue MIGHT not be a word, but I like it!)

Anyway, I think most people who "craft" do this. Yesterday I was looking through a BHG mag and an advertisment had a sewn coushin and I could see how the fabric was angled wrong on one corner. WHO CARES?? Did the overall room still look incredible? YES it did. Did the aforementioned apron still look adorable with the slope?? I am going with yes. But I spent 40 minutes fixing a little imperfection.

I think Van Gough started with all mistakes. Certainly upon first seeing his art people did not think "wow, that's incredible". But I beat myself up over tiny mis-stiches.

So the point to all of this? For the people who say " I could never do that". I REALLY think you are wrong. I think the fear of not being perfect in our creations truly holds us all back. Sloppy is one thing, but a small imperfection only you can see or some OCD freak like myself would see is another.

So now, if you see my stuff in person, and it looks sloppy, let me know. But if you see it and you tell me that looks great, FOR NOW ON I am just going to say thank you with a smile and not point out to you where the mistake is!

I am posting a few things I completed this week and hope you enjoy them. Next week look for a couple more cupcake skirts and I picked up a new to me Amy Butler purse pattern and a SUPER KICKA$$ fabric from Sew To Speak this week. It is killing to do the other stuff I have to complete first.

Take Care. And really, why not try something new?

Wow, first blog.

Okay, so I am starting a blog so everyone (who wants to, I know EVERYONE won't want to) can view the things I spend my time in the basement creating, copying and forcing on a vast majority of people I know.

I guess I should start with some information about myself for those that don't know me but are interested in starting.

I am a sorta full time mom (I mean, yeah my boys live with me, yeah I take care of them, yeah I love them to bits, but lets face it, they aren't reading this so what do they care ;) anyway. I do the wife thing too when I can fit it in. Ask him, that's about the truth of it. I also clock in as a critical care nurse 36 hours a week. So, when I am not caught up in the aforementioned, I go to my basement and I sew. And this is what this blog is about. My sewing. I do get easily sidetracked so I won't guarantee anything . . .

I have been able to sew curtains, pillows and a little mending for a few years now. About two years ago I decided to try a purse. You know, something the rest of the world that I DIDN'T KNOW could judge. Come on, if it's in my house, what ARE people going to say?? Anyway, I have gotten much better and much braver. I can do aprons, little girl skirts, large purses, even sectional slipcovers. I can sew leatherish handles onto purses by hand (no easy feat trust me) and last week I "created" my own pattern.

I love sewing. I love people ohhing and ahhing over my things - although most of it is stuff from patterns. I sewed it!! The sense of accomplishment is abundant. The whole 9 yards is rewarding. That is unless I have sat there taking one purse apart 3 times and still can not figure out what those instructions intend for me do. I love seeing and touching what other people have created! I mean, holding something hand crafted and thinking to yourself "where did that idea come from?" can mesmerize me. Doesn't it you? Then, don't you think to yourself, "how would I do that?"

So, even if you don't enjoy the writing, I hope you enjoy the photos!! I am up for sharing ideas, constructive criticism and your funny stories! I am so looking forward to this journey!

Enjoy!
Ivena (long i long v long e - na)