What a selection!

My youngest daughter was looking at my inventory the other day and after a few minutes she said " Man, you sure do have a great selection of coin purses!". I looked over at her and she had lined them up like you see in this photo. So I told her to grab the camera and take a pic. She is right! Often I get so caught up in sewing and listing that I don't realize how many I do have at any given time! Thanks sweetie!!

Oriental Fabrics are so IN!

I was not going to venture into the Oriental/Asian fabrics due to the fact that there seems to be a flood of them of Etsy. But then I came across some that I personally just love. This is one of them. Ginkgo Fall Leaves- I just love the way each leave has gold accents- gorgeous. So I did go ahead and purchase a very small amount of 3 different oriental fabrics. So keep watching my Etsy shop for more beautiful new oriental items!!!

Car trash bag quilted John Deere

I have had several requests in the past several months for John Deere car trash bags. I was in North Carolina this past weekend and was finally able to buy 3 different patterns. I never know how much to get, so I played it conservative and only bought enough for about 8 bags. I may end up selling them all or I may end up using John Deere fabric as lining.. haha!!!

Thoughts on Etsy Treasury

I have recently spent alot more time in the Etsy treasury. It is fun to look and leave comments. I myself have never been able to snag one. I have tried to no avail. So I have resigned to the fact that my computer may not be quick enough to handle getting one. I have noticed that for the most part the same people are able to get them. What are your thoughts on the treasury? I would really like to hear from you about this promotion tool. Also what is interesting are the buy and replace treasuries. I will admit that I have done these recently since I am in the process of buying gifts and presents for up coming Birthdays. So why not kill two birds with one stone right? I realize this is a sore subject with alot of fellow etsians, so I don't want to open any can of worms but once again what do you think of B & R's? I would be so interested in hearing all comments positive or negative. Thanks!!!

New format treasury- gave it a try!!!

I like some aspects of the new treasury- the best part was that I actually got one!!!LOL Never been able to before. I featured my competitors in very good spirit!!! I really admire them all!! So if you get a few moments come take a look!!!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=157

Nice long weekend break!

Well after the long weekend due to Memorial Day holiday, we got back into town last night. We went to the lake and it was plenty HOT to swim. I actually did get a little sun. We all needed a break, since the girls are now offically on summer time!!! I am going to try to get into my garden this week and finish what I started over 3 weeks ago. Then hopefully I will sit down and make a list of serious goals for the summer in my Etsy shop. First being to try to create this purse that has been floating around in my head for about a month. I need to sit down and draw it out. This is a flaw in my sewing. I usually kinda just start cutting. Teehee!!! I will do it right this time.

Extra work of bat quilting my handbags

Ever since I started this little business of making handbags and accessories I have been questioning the extra work ( and money) it takes me to buy then put the quilt batting in all my items. It adds so much extra time plus it does terrible things to my sew machine. The batting fibers get all inside my machine so I have two clean my machine every few days. Working with the thickness also is very tricky adding to it that I often use heavy weight interfacing in addition to batting to give more structure. So the big question is -Why do I do it? I could do what all the other bag makers do and just use interfacing. Just for fun I made myself a zipper pouch like all the others- man- that was fast, easy and alot cheaper!!! But did I like it as much? No- not even close- it felt and looked basic. Now don't get me wrong- I think some of my competitors are awesome!!! I am the only one on Etsy that does bat quilting of all my things, that I know of. But getting my uniqueness of my bags out there has been so difficult. Can't tell from a pic, can't get it across in my descriptions- only my customers know once they get their orders.
Will I stop doing it? NO!!! Because it goes back to what I always keep telling myself- I have to like and believe in my work!!! Please give me your thoughts and Thanks in advance!!!

Simple Rose

On Mother's Day we were all getting ready to go out for an early Lunch. I prefer to eat my biggest meal then. So we were about to leave and my husband say " I will be right back". Well, my daughters and I are thinking where is he going now. He does this often- usually he doesn't even tell us when he leaves. About 10 minutes later he came in caring this beautiful rose!!!

I guess I'll keep him for now LOL!!!!

Tagged again!

Well I was tagged again by Amanda at Polyclarific and Artisian Jewelry. I of course could easily list 7 more facts and wierdo stuff about me since I have so many odd tendancies. But I won't go there just yet!! teehee.
I think today I am off to run errands (Target, Petsmart etc). I have been very bad since I started this handbag business about keeping the house a home. Don't get me wrong I have never been that idealitic wife and mother. I have always just done enough to get by- but this time I have let things slide so once again I am going to try to get organized. If I plan my day better then maybe I get still get all the things done I have to do and still do the things I want!!! Off to drop girls at school then to stores!

Which fabrics to buy?

I must say some of the hardest decisions I make is which fabrics to buy. What I like is often very different then what will sell. I find picking out fabrics so much easier when I have my daughters with me. Yesterday I went to a local quilting shop by myself, mainly looking for clip hooks. But they were having a 25% off sale- oh no!!! Well, I actually was very good and only bought 4 new fabrics. I think they all will be great but boy, do I have a hard time !!! I also don't buy large quanities because I maybe so wrong about what people will like. I tend to see how it goes. I guess that might be good since I try to create OOAK things. Now what to make is my next decision for today.