I've been busy...kinda

Got the Weekender Tote done...finally!!  I was really stuck on not being able to figure out how to get the base attached.  Seems I'd somehow made the bag itself too short, so the base piece was too long.  Once I cut it down, it was a quick and simple fix.  Here are the pics...

This is what it looked like before I pushed the lining back inside the main bag (so you can see both).

And here is the finished product!  I haven't taken any measurements yet, but I think it's about 18 inches wide, 4 inches deep and 12 inches tall (or so).  It is definitely not an everyday bag, but I am really excited to use it for church and car shows where I need to take more stuff than my purse can comfortably hold.  The colors are brighter in person...we have massive sunshine today and it seems to have washed out my pic.

Here is my "almost finished" project...the "50's dress".  I purchased the pattern from Out of the Ashes a couple of years ago, and set it aside.  I've taken some shortcuts like not adding the ruffle around the yoke for fear of it looking too "little girly".  I think the biggest thing holding this dress back is the fabric.  It's just plain cotton/linen solid fabric.  This thing would look amazing in a polka dot print.

I had my heart set on making the sleeveless version, but chickened out because I could not understand the way they talked about using bias trim to line the armholes.

I sure hope it looks better on me than on the cheapy dress form!  It is not hemmed yet either...I bought synthetic horsehair trim for the hem, in hopes of giving it some shape.  We'll see....

And last, but most certainly not least, I have discovered that there are ladies out there making tunics out of Sis Boom's Jamie dress pattern.  I am thrilled!  I LOVE this dress, and just this morning asked Jennifer if there were plans to make a shirt/tunic based on the dress.  She pointed me to her Flickr group where I found a few pics and a blog link.  So, guess what I'm gonna use this Amy Butler fabric I've been hording for?  :)

Shirt will be the brown print, with the pink and white honeycomb for the waistband.  Yah!

Dresses

Oh yes, I almost forgot.  I wanted to share these two dress patterns that I LOVE. They are from Kay Whitt at Serendipity Studios. I have made several of Kay's items before.  I loved the skirt from the Sew Serendipity book (in fact, I have made 4 and have fabric for 2 more), but the tunic fit me horribly (luckily, it fits my daughter without a problem).  I am just too narrow in the shoulders to pull it off.  I am scared to buy either of these for the same issue.

While completely gorgeous, I worry that I am too narrow in the shoulders for this one.  Thoughts?

I cannot even tell you how much I love this dress.  I think Kay has been hearing me asking for a newer version of this vintage-style dress!  I will definitely be trying this one out.

Debbie's order

I just finished my latest order.  I never would have thought, 3 months ago, that I would be steadily sewing at the request of others (other than Hubby, of course).  Here is my latest order, 2 wallets and 2 loyalty card holders.

Here is the whole group.  I bought two different fabrics, then rotated using each as the main fabric and the lining.

This is a close up of the inside of the wallet.  It is a Heart Of Mary design (not my own).

And here is the loyalty card holder.  Also not my design...it is from the first day of Grosgrain's free pattern a day.


Totally off topic.  I keep seeing ladies talking about taking the summer and not wearing jeans.  I LOVE this idea, but I have two problems.  #1, I am very pear-shaped, and therefore I have a hard time getting skirts to fit, even if I make them myself.  I need some options.  And #2, what in the world do you wear with a skirt/dress for around the house?  I am a full-time housewife and mother to 2 kids, so it is not practical for me to wear heels all day (unless, of course, you know if something uber-comfortable and stylish).  Kitten heel?  Ballet flat?  Help!

Updates on the Pixie purse and the Weekender Tote

I have just started using Picasa, hopefully this will make taking and posting pics on here easier.

I got MIL's gifts done in plenty of time for Mother's Day, and they were a resounding hit!  But, I realized too late that I didn't take a pic of the wallet :(

Here is Pixie....

I have finished most of the Weekender Tote too.  Here are the pics so far...

This is one of my new labels (Yah!) that I sewed into the lining above the pocket.

Here is the outside shell.  Well, one side of it.  I have more of it done, but I am struggling to get the base (bottom) attached correctly.  Once that is done, I'll post a finished pic.

Etsy

I have just realized that I have neglected to post my Etsy site link here.  Duh!  I currently only have two items for sale, a bright wallet and a Bible cover.  I have just been too busy with gifts and in-person orders to make any inventory.

As promised....pictures!

Without further ado....pictures.

This is one of the shop aprons...finally done!  It is 8oz denim, fully self lined.  The pocket is also double thickness.  Everything is double top stitched.

 Here is a close-up of the pocket.  Very generously sized for the guys.

And a detail shot of the top stitching.

This is a sneak peek of my MIL's purse.  It's smaller than I thought it would be.  Guess that's why it is called the Pixie LOL.  It is reversible, so it's like having two purses.  For the eagle eyed, the blue floral and red you see below the purse is the start of the wallet.

And here are my choices for a wonderful Weekender Tote I found at Sew Spoiled.  I'll add a link once I figure out how to do that LOL.  I'm not sure when I'm gonna get to this, but hopefully soon as I'm going to use it for my car show bag.  It's going to be large...I can't find any finished dimensions, but the pattern pieces lead me to believe it will be about 19 inches wide, 10 or 12 inches tall and about 4.5 inches deep.  Oh yes, the fabric is from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern collection.  This is not my first AB fabric purchase, but I think it's my favorite.

I pray that the Lord blesses each of you today!

Quick break

Just taking a quick lunch break.  Seems like we've been going non-stop since last Friday.  We've had several days of lovely weather.  Today is the last day though.  I've got tons to do...pics to follow.

Finishing my 2 shop apron orders.  Told DH to let the guys know he'll take them to work Friday morning.  EEK!  I HAVE to finish them by tomorrow (just needs ironing, topstitching, and pockets attached).

Then I found an adorable purse pattern that would make use of my stash.  So now I'm making said purse and a wallet for MIL for Mother's Day.  So that leave Friday and Saturday for that (although I'm about half way through that project).

And for my finale, Mark's aunt ordered two wallets and two loyalty card holders.  That's for next week.  I'll post pics as I finish things.