New Little Bags

This year for Lili's 9th birthday party, I decided made some cute little wristlets for the girls/guests to take home with them...a special little goodie bag!  They turned out so great and were so fun to make! 

I hand embroidered each girls initials one day while kiddos were in school.  That maybe took 2 hours to get all 9 of them done.  I then cut the outer fabric and the lining to size and ironed on the interfacing so they were a bit more sturdy.  Once I had them all cut out and ready, I spent the Saturday before the party just sewing.  Each bag took about 20 minutes to sew together...not bad and I think they were a big hit!!

They are just the perfect size for each girly to carry some money, gift card, and their library card (oh so important!).

I was so bummed I forgot to take a picture of all of them in the basket before we handed them out to the girls but it got a little crazy...you know how 9 yr. old's are!

You want one too?  The perfect stocking stuffer!!  Email me!

My Bags!!!

I haven't talked about my bags for awhile.  I got a bit burned out near the end of the school year.  I did get my mojo back but it was right before we were off to FL.

Carl did make a trip back home to get our beloved cat and some stuff to stay here awhile but there was no way I could have him pack up my sewing machine, my entire stash (along with the scraps that provide endless projects), my threads,  my fusible interfacing, etc, etc, etc.  Remember, I have to take back what I bring down...our van is only so big and I think the kiddos might complain a bit having to carrying bolts of fabric on their laps.   

But...I miss my machine.  I miss my stash.  I really miss making great bags. 

I did bring a few with me.  I have realized that I use my bags a lot.  I love that!

So here is what I have with me...

My purse...very beachy fabric and I didn't even know that I would be down here all summer. 

My Lipstick bag with misc. other "mommy" things.  This one goes back and forth between all the other bags.

The project bag...always bring a project.  My momma taught me well!!

The very important Beach bag!!!

and the other important bag...The kids' wii bag!

I couldn't make it without them and it makes me happy to know that I am using something I made.

I am inspired!!!!
I have gotten some ideas for all things "beachy".  It has to do with the million (almost literally) Dollar stores and beach towels...a dollar for a towel, sometimes 2.

I may have to find a new machine.  Maybe someone will rent me a machine for the next 3 1/2 weeks...hmmmm!

I also got sea shells on the brain...I see some shell projects coming too!  No sewing required there...just a glue gun though...the kiddos wouldn't mind carrying that!

More FLorida fun pics to come


Life's is a.lovely...at the beach!

Latest projects...latest fun!

I have finally gotten back behind my sewing machine.  It's been awhile.  With all the medical stuff going on last year and me getting used to some meds (hate, hate, hate...did I mention hate?!), it's been hard.  I haven't lost my desire though...just sometimes my drive is non-existent.  It does feel so good though when I get to sit down and just escape behind my machine.

So here is some of the latest stuff!

A Bella Bag for a friend...love the way this turned out!!!

An Izzy Bag!  This time I wanted to show off the liner fabric on the outside too...love this fabric!

A Carol Ann Bag!  This is my version of the messenger bag...such a great bag.  This was made for another friend...she wanted bold and bright...we did that!

With some extra fabric I threw together this scarf that's lined with fleece and has a pocket to hold your MP3!  Perfect for walks in the cold!

The newest creation...The Kaete Bag!  A small messenger bag for anyone but perfect for girls!

In the works...the black is the softest cord fabric I could find!

My stash...love my stash!!

Click on the link to check out my etsy.com site for more stuff for sale!

A.Lovely

Happy Friday to Fam and Friends!  XOXO

Slow Going!

There's not too much stuff on my etsy.com site right now...I kindof took December off to hang with family and finish gifts I had started for them but put off once I got busy w/ A.Lovely.  
I think this year I am going to do the fam gifts first and then work on work stuff.  I mean I do love my family more and should make them a much bigger priority than last minute, right?

Isn't it crazy what we do?!!!  

I thought I would do a year in review of my FAVORITE bags!!!  These bags were all so fun and most were bought by friends so they never even made it onto my site.  I have so much fun making them but then to see my friends' reaction...it's so great!  

My top 10!!

1. The Maggie Bag

 

2. The sm. Chloe Bag

  

3. The Bella Bag

  

4. The Carol Ann messenger bag!  

This is the bag made for my Mom (and named after her too!)

 

5. The lg. Chloe Bag

 

6. another Maggie Bag!

 

7. another Bella Bag that I love...added side ties!

 

8. The Kat Bag...designed by me and great gift for girls!

 

9. The Chloe Bag w/ a bit funkier fabric...it's fun!

 

and lastly...

10. The Izzy Bag! 

 

I can't wait to see how this year unfolds and what new bags I can come up with!

 

Projects!!! I Love projects!

I really do love having a project to work on.  I always seem to have at least 1 going but more often than not, 2 or 3.  Of course this time of year brings it out in me...I am a bit late with some things I have wanted to get done but they will get there and the world will keep spinning whether I do or not.  

I hope like some of you, I have an affinity for mindless TV...you know, Survivor, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, Dirty Jobs, etc, etc,...you know, TV that doesn't make my life any better it just helps me escape for an hour or so.  My husband doesn't quite get it but he has his own escapes (computer stuff) and we leave each other be.  While I watch these said shows, my hands can't be still.  I have to work on something.  So there are benefits from this mindlessness...I get some pretty great stuff created!  Gifts galore!  So Fun!  


Here are some of the fun stuff I have been working on lately...

These...
Izzy bags (small makeup bags)...so fun to do because they are quick as can be to make!

and these...

So I can make bunches of these... Margarite pins to hang on anything you want!  I pin them on my bags...so cute!

I also get a lot of my orders finished during these times...I just finished this great bag!  It's a small messenger bag for a young girl...I think it turned out perfect!

 

I also completed another Chloe bag that will soon be for sale on my Etsy page...

and these are what I am working on today...

A few more Izzy bags...my kiddos choice for teacher gifts!  

Sometimes I get a bit stressed about the things/projects I still need to do but then I remind myself that another project is a good thing!  It means the world is definitely still spinning and I really like that!  

 

Long time...no posting! Sorry!

So it's been a while since I have posted anything...sorry fam and friends!  I have a big Holiday Bazaar next week that I have been busy sewing like crazy for...it's fun but a bit overwhelming!  The kids have been very patient with me thank goodness.  Here is a sneak at some of the new stuff...


A new messenger bag...The Carol Bag (named after Mom)!  This is a very fun and very functional bag for everyday!

The new Maggie Bag...so cute!    

Another Maggie Bag!  The Maggie Bag is the first bag I designed completely myself!  Yeah me!

A smal Bella Bag!

A redesigned Bella Bag w/ side ties!

A Chloe Bag in the works!

And lastly my newest design that is also in the works...The Eliza Bag!

(more to come on that later!) 


So that is why I have not been posting!  The fabrics are all great...I so love what I do! 


Have an "A.Lovely" Day!

It's the little things...

Some of my little things that make me happy...

A great fabric scrap basket full of amazing fabric!

Playing with those little pieces of fabric scraps to see what I can create!

A lovely bag that turns out perfect for my lovely mom!  I am thrilled you are so happy with it Mom!

Whoever said a piano was for playing...its just so perfect to set all my great stuff on!!

These are the some little things that make my life happy!  What little things make you happy?