Monday, June 20, 2011

What I've Been Up To

I feel like I haven't written a real post for aaaages. I had a week of giveaway posts and a week of sew-along posts (see the tab at the top for all the directions and the pattern), but no business-as-usual stuff. But Lola and I have been churning out quite a few projects (Lola is my beloved Janome, in case you didn't know). I'm going to lump some of them into one post for your viewing pleasure.

First up is a gathered clutch. I made this as part of a graduation gift, but it had a few...moments. I had the exact amount of fabric needed for the outside - that made me nervous as that's when I always mess up. Second, I had a difficult time getting the gathers to show up well - even in a photo close-up they kind of blend in.


I put a pink band across the front, but it was just kind of eh looking. I really didn't want to take it all apart, so I consulted with one of my design experts (a.k.a. Mom) and she said to do some sort of contrasting ruffle against the pink. And then I found that lovely white eyelet ruffle in my stash.


Sorry about that icky lighting. If I had more of this fabric I would have cut it so that more of the colored flower bits were visible (there's a lot more color on the back), but working with what I had this came out pretty stinkin' cute. The thank you note said "I love ruffles and pleats and pink - how did you know that?" So yay for perfect girlie gifts!

Now, I don't know where this trend started but one of the girls I make bags for (and her mom, and her sister, and a few of her friends) always request a separate cosmetic case with their bags. One of the girls recently had a baby and wanted a regular case, and then a giant one that she could stash baby stuff in. These work up so super quick it's unbelievable, and don't really take much fabric.


I like how even though the bottom corners are boxed the sides still come up straight instead of tapering down. It's not cut from a square - it's a simple pattern you can sketch out yourself for any size that you want.  My favorite thing about these 2 bags is how they nestle one right inside the other:


And finally--a few weeks ago one of my blogging buddies (Suze from Time Well Spent) asked if I'd make her a bag. She told me what design she liked, we kicked around some fabric choices (her style was easy to pinpoint from her blog) and we went from there. And last week I shipped this off to her:


This bag was a pleasure to make. I've never made it before in really bright fun prints - they've mostly been in more subtle tones - black and white, aqua, etc. So working with all this pink made me happy. And it all went together like a dream. Even the elastic pockets were easy (that probably has more to do with practice at this point, haha); and you all know how I feel about piping:


And I'm all for sunshine exploding when you open your bag (not literally, of course):


I also hemmed three dresses and three pairs of pants, but somehow I don't think you'll find those interesting.

I'm already behind on my quilt blocks for the quilt along (button in my sidebar), and I've got a quilt to put the binding on, but other than that I'm all caught up and ready to tackle my want-to-do list. Have a great Monday! I will personally spend it being aggravated at the season finale of The Killing.

Linking up here this week:

C.R.A.F.T. *** Craft-o-Maniac *** Homemaker on a Dime *** Ask Anna *** Sew Can Do *** Sumo's Sweet Stuff *** Skip to My Lou *** Sarahndipities *** Running with Glitter *** Today's Creative Blog *** Funky Polka Dot Giraffe *** Creative Itch *** Sugar Bee Crafts *** Pinkapotamus *** Someday Crafts *** Free Pretty Things for You *** Sew Much Ado *** Blue Cricket Design *** Tea Rose Home *** Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom *** Fireflies and Jellybeans *** Somewhat Simple *** The Shabby Nest *** While He Was Napping *** Iron Violet Designs *** Creation Corner *** Tatertots and Jello *** Be Different Act Normal *** To Sew With Love ***

27 comments:

  1. I love all your projects. They are adorable!
    Connie

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  2. You make beautiful bags - whether large or small. Thanks for sharing them. :)

    Cheers,
    Tracy Screaming Sardine

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  3. Love all of them!!! But that gathered clutch is way tooooo cute!!! You've been a busy busy bee:)!!! I'm waiting for your block:)
    xoxoxoxoxoxox
    Eleni
    p.s. I love that bag!!! And the piping!!! it's just wonderful Beth!!! I think it's just a natural thing for you!!

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  4. I love all those bags. I've tried to make a clutch a few times, but struggled each time. Seeing posts like these makes me want to keep trying though =)

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  5. Beautiful projects! Thanks for sharing such lovely ideas! You got a nice space here..
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    Sanghamitra.

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  6. Such great fabric choices. Love the neat tidy look of all these projects. Those boxy corners look hard to do!

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  7. your bags look very professional. nice job!

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  8. Oh my gosh I totally want the first purse. Looks like it may be time for another giveaway. :)

    Thank you for sharing at the Weekend Warrior Link Party.

    Anna
    www.askannamoseley.com

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  9. Oh my gosh how talented are you?! What a perfect graduation gift that would be - and even sweeter that it's handmade! :)

    -j
    sorelle in style

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  10. These are great, yay you!!
    Esther.

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  11. Great job! I just started following you and participated in your sew along. I LOVE that bag! Keep up the good work.

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  12. Isn't making pouches fun? I love that you can whip them up in half an hour or less. :) Love love your fabrics!

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  13. Love all those projects! Thanks for linking @'Sew Cute Tuesday'!

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  14. I wanted to stop by and let you know I received the Giveaway package today! Thanks so very much! It is GREAT considering I have a little boy AND a little girl! Have a wonderful day!

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  15. Such cute bags! Thanks for sharing! I'm visiting from Running with Glitter.. saw your link up there! Great job!

    Cheers!
    Lilli
    http://onestopbabygifts.blogspot.com

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  16. Salut Bethany, when was the last time I stopped by? Sooorrrieee... Anyway, I hope you're well and have a lovely first day of Summer. Those bags are all gorgeous and your design expert was right, the lace looks great. I definitely love the wash bag with the smaller cosmetic bag, great fabric and work! Have a great week, Love from London xo

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  17. These are all soo adorable! My favorite though is the little lacy one! So cute.. Hope you will share your beautiful creations with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/06/pink-hippo-party-34.html

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  18. came over from running with glitter. i like your tip about sketching a pattern for the zipper pouch so you can box the corners and still have straight sides. i'm going to try that next time.

    thanks for sharing!
    jamie

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  19. Very cute bags. U especially like the first clutch!

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  20. Cute bags! I found you through creation corner. We are practically neighbors! I live in Harford county, MD! :)

    AlwaysSewLove

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  21. All so cute!

    I am just reminding everyone about tonights link party that runs Friday evening through Mondays!
    I also have an ongoing give away link party now too.
    Hope to see you soon.
    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/
    come strut your stuff

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  22. I love the clutches. I wish I could sew!

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  23. The last one is my favorite! I would love for someone to make me one - wink wink!! Great job!

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  24. These are soo cute! Thanks for sharing them with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next week!

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  25. These are all great and I especially love that sunny, colorful purse!

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  26. well, well, well... you had been a very busy lady, haven't you? ^^) congratulations, Bethany, on making it to this week's featured projects at TSWL! We are sharing your project on our Facebook page. By the way, votation will start today! Grab our new featured button if you fancy so ^^)

    Have a lovely weekend!

    hugs,
    TSWL Ladies

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  27. Hi, Bethany! congratulations on making it to the final round of TSWL's Finest of June 2011. Votation will start on sunday. Feel free to spread the word ^^)

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