Bag of the Week 48

Santa Tote Bag with Tutorial

Kick off the holiday season right with a bag that will make you the envy of all of the other elves in town.  I designed this bag last year as a teacher gift, and made one for myself, too.  It is such a fun bag to carry while I do my Christmas shopping.  I used coat weight wool for the outer fabric but this would be fantastic in a quilted red satin. The belt is grossgrain ribbon, the buckle appliqued lame and the trim a hand knit I-cord.

I've written a tutorial that outlines all of the steps in constructing this bag so you can whip one up for yourself or someone special on your gift list. 

Sharing this project on Get Your Craft On! over at Today's Creative Blog.  Check out the inspiration!

Update on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 10:23PM by Julie Bowersett

Love it!  This post was picked up by craftgossip.com as one of their featured projects for today.  What a nice early Christmas present for me!  Check them out.

Update on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 2:36PM by Julie Bowersett

Also featured on Sassy Sites' Christmas with Fabric.  Make sure you take a look at her other "Christams with" features.  There are some darling projects on this site.

Custom Stamps at Expressionery

A short while back I posted about the custom stamp I ordered from Experssionery.  Well, TODAY ONLY they are offering some of their stamps (and other products, too) for 55% off.  The stamps included in the sale are the Expressionery brand stamps only but there are several very cute ones that would be appropriate for labeling handmade items from your studio or the kitchen.  The sale ends at midnight tonight so get moving.

Silver Spider Ornament and Giveaway

Today marks the begining of a month of tutorials and giveaways and I am sharing one of my very favorite ornaments that I have made over the years.  I first learned about this spider ornament when my mom made some for our church bazaar when I was in elementary school.  I have made these spiders as little gifts over the years.  The story behind them is charming.

You can find the tutorial on making these little creatures in my Tutorial section (see link on the right side of the page).  They make a lovely little hostess gift for holiday parties and take very little time to complete.

I will be sending this spider to some lucky reader later this week.  Simply leave me a comment on this post and I will randomly pick a winner on Wednesday morning from all comments.  Comments must be received by no later than 6 a.m. EST on Wednesday morning.  Comments are moderated, so don't be alarmed if your comment doesn't immediately appear, as I have to review it first.

Be sure to check back next Sunday for the next ornament and giveaway, but don't stay away all week; there will be lots of other posts and projects later this week.  And check out all of the project ideas over at Today's Creative Blog on Get Your Craft On!

Update on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:13AM by Julie Bowersett

Congratulations to Kristen (who will be making some of these ornaments with her 8 year old).  I drew her name this morning as the winner of the spider ornament.  Thanks to everyone who visited and left a comment.

Bag of the Week 47

Flapper Bag

This is another lovely embroidery design by Evy Hawkins of A Bit of Stitch, one of her Flapper Girls.  This bag was stitched from silver dupioni silk using Vogue pattern #9893 to match a jacket and dress I made for a friend.  The top is trimmed with eyelash fringe and a button closure with frog, and a tassel hangs from the bottom point.  It measures about 9”.

A quick post this week as I have so many other things on my plate at the moment!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Another 50 Best Sewing Blogs List

From Guide to Art Schools

I awoke the other morning to find a very nice email in my inbox letting me know that my blog had been chosen as one of 50 Best Sewing Blogs by Guide to Art Schools website.  I was duly pleased to discover that I was also one of their top 5 favorites and feel honored to be in very good company along with two of my personal favorite blogs, The Rusty Bobbin and Sew Chic.  Not only am I pleased and honored to be included on such a list but I love the opportunity a list like this provides for finding blogs I had never before seen.  I am working my way through the list right now and I hope you will take the time to do the same.