Sunday, October 20, 2024

It's Christmas Craft Market Time Again

I'll be participating as a vendor in three November 2024 craft markets.  I'm bringing many bags that I have been making this year and that need homes so they can be used and enjoyed.  Look for:



First up is the Parkdale Nifty Fifties Hall Christmas Market:

Saturday and Sunday November 2 & 3, 2024

10 AM  - 4 PM

Parkdale Nifty Fifties Hall

3512 5th Avenue NW Calgary


******

Next is the Silver Springs Craft Market

Saturday November 16, 2024

10 AM - 3 PM

5720 Silver Ridge Drive NW Calgary



*******

And finally, the Tangled Tree Christmas Craft Market 

Saturday November 23, 2024

10 AM - 4 PM

Rock Pointe Church

255024 Lockend Road, Bearspaw 



******

Here are just a few of the bags that I will have on hand ...



Above  - waistbags that can also be worn as crossbody bags (think Lulu Lemon).  
These ones are 9.75" x 6" x 2.25".
The exteriors are "upcycled", "born again" denim using old jeans.  Interiors are waterproof canvas.  There is an interior slip pocket. Zip around closure.

******


Above: a "slouchy" or "relaxed" messenger bag.  This is essentially a large sack that folds down at the top.  It's large enough to carry a laptop if it's opened out.  Back and side slip pockets, front zip pocket.  Interior card slot pocket. Exterior print is cotton canvas, black is poly canvas.  Interior is waterproof canvas. Closures are magnetic snaps.  

******



Above: I found Nemo!!!!  I made about one million of these super cute little fish zippy pouches.  I just love them!  These particular ones are made using cotton canvas that I had custom printed with a scale design I created myself.  I'm "tickled pink" with the result!  Inside is waterproof canvas.  The flat bottoms are about 6.5" x 3".  A perfect size for little treasures. There is a lobster claw hook under the tail so they can be clipped on to a backpack, etc.

******





Above three pix are front, back and side of a lovely shoulder bag.  I made this as a pattern test for the designer and at the moment, it's the only one I've made.  I will make at least one more - for me! - when I get some time.  At 10 5/8" x 4" x 5 3/4" it's not too big, not too small, but just right for carrying essentials.  Zip and slip (under the flap) exterior pockets and two slip interior pockets. Zip top closure. I'm planning one for myself as my "special outing" (i.e., dinner, concert, etc.) event bag.

******




I've made about one million of these zip pouch bags.  But these are the first I've made using custom printed fabric.  These are prints of my hubby's bird photos (he's a pretty serious birder).  He's probably got one million photos in his hard drive and I decided they need to escape.  I got the idea to create custom printed fabric for bags.  These are the first experimental prints and the quality turned out far better than I imagined.  Assuming folks like these ones and they sell, I will have more printed.  I had enough printed for 18 bags.  They are all different and, like this one, most feature the same bird species (that is one species to each bag but 18 different species), but a different shot on the front and back of the bag.  These start as an 11" x 14" piece of fabric on each side, but as the bottoms are boxed, they stand about 9" and are about 13" wide at the top with a bottom about 3" x 10".  Interior linings are waterproof canvas.

*******



Above: front and back of small crossbody bags.  These are great for those who want a small bag.  There is a nice slip pocket on one side and a zip pocket on the other.  Zip top closure that wraps around to the sides. There is a card slop pocket on the inside.  These ones are "upcycled" upholstery samples.  Interior linings are waterproof canvas.  Dimensions: 8.25" x 2.25" x 5". 

******



Above: front and back of a crossbody bag.  This is a very basic bag but a nice size for a not huge, but bigger bag.  Zip pocket front, double slip pocket on the back.  Interior slip and zip pockets.  Zip top closure.  Exterior is "upcycled or born again" denim and cotton canvas with embroidery, although I have several others that use "feature fabric" in place of the horse/canvas.  Interior is waterproof canvas.  Dimensions for this bag:  Width at bottom - 9", Width at top - 11.5", Height - 11.5", Depth - 3.5".

*******
Above: a group shot of some super cute little backpacks.  I think these would be perfect either as a kid's backpack or as a casual bag for an adult type person who needs to carry more than just the essentials.  These have a "rustic" vibe given the earthy colours and the heavy weight canvas exteriors.  Interior is waterproof canvas.  Slip front pocket and interior zip pocket.  Zip top closure (wraps around to the sides).  Dimensions: 8" x 10.25" x 4.5"

******


Above: this is a fusion of  tote and crossbody bag.  It is 10.5" x 2.5" x  13".  Exterior, zip and slip pockets. Interior slip pocket.  The exterior print is cotton canvas, the navy is poly waterproof canvas.  Interior lining is waterproof canvas.  Zip top closure.

******




Above: More "Under the Sea".  These are whale shark pencil cases.  I adore them.  These are cotton batik exterior and cotton lining.  Not much else to say except they fit regulation sized pencils/pens, etc.  Lobster claw clip for hanging on a backpack, etc.

******


Above: More waistbags/crossbody bags.  The bottom ones are the same dimensions as the denim ones at the beginning of the post.  The smaller ones are 7.75" x 5" x 2".  All are black canvas embroidered exteriors and waterproof canvas interiors.  Zip pocket on the back exterior and a mesh slip pocket inside.  

******


Above: this is the same bag as the eagle above, but exterior is embroidered cotton canvas.  I have many of these and they are all different embroidery designs.

******

Above: more "Under the Sea".  These are Blue Whale pencil cases.  Exteriors are "upcycled or born again" denim.  Interiors are quilt cotton.  There is a lobster claw clip under the tail for easy hanging on backpacks, etc.  I just can't help myself - I love the fishy things.

******








Above: Front and back sling bags.  The front flap hides a slip pocket, which contains a slip pocket!  :)  There is a padded device pocket and a zip pocket in the main interior.  Zip pocket on the front and back exterior.  The strap can be hooked to either side so can be slung over right or left side.  These ones are waxed canvas and waterproof canvas exteriors and waterproof canvas interiors.  I will have vinyl and print canvas available as well.
Dimensions: 8" x 17" x 2.5"








Above:  Another style of sling bag - front and back.  Exterior zip pockets on front and back, card slot pocket inside.  The strap can be hooked to either side so can be slung over right or left side. Exterior is cotton canvas, interior lining is quilting cotton because I was able to get it as a smaller scale of the same typewriter print.  I have 5 or 6 of these bags - they are all different - different prints and most have  a feature embroidery design on them.
Dimensions: 11" x 9" x 3"

Well - that should give you a hint of what I'll be bringing to the shows.  Look for:



If you're in Calgary, drop in and say Hi!

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Calgary Christmas Craft Markets Coming Up!

I am always sewing, but rarely posting!  However, I'm going to be in a couple of craft markets this fall so posting pix here of items that I will be selling. I will add as I make more and/or get organized to take more pix of things already made.  Also - will post more detail about where/when as it is nailed down.



Front and Back of the "Wayfarer Sling" (8" x 17" x 2 1/2")



Front and Back of the "Retro Sling" (7" x 14" x 3")



Wayfarer and Retro side by side - Retro is a bit narrower/shorter, but also a bit deeper.


Blue Whale pencil cases - I love these!


Whale Shark pencil cases - I love these too!


"Louis Waistbag"  - these are like the Lulu Lemon bags I see being worn everywhere!  There are two sizes.  The small one was nabbed by a friend.  When I make another one, I'll put them up side by side for size comparison.

"Open Wide Pouch"  (They stand about 7" - 8" tall and about 10" at the bottom and about 13" across the top - the bottom is boxed so it will stand up as per pix).  I make them with canvas exterior and embroider fun designs.  Lining is light weight waterproof canvas so wipeable.  This was a friend's request so is personalized.  Market ones will not be personalized - obviously.  :)


More to come....

Thursday, May 4, 2023

May the 4th Be With You

 

"Long Live Rock"

This is the most recent T-shirt quilt that I've made - back in Jan 2023.  My client loved it.  He had a significant collection of T-shirts from the many rock concerts he has attended over the years. 

I know this blog/website has been neglected for well over a year.  I have good intentions to get to it, just no follow through.  I hope to have a bit of time in the near future to spend on getting it updated.  I usually keep my Facebook page reasonably current so you can always check there for my latest makes.  

However, the main purpose of this post is to announce that I will not longer be accepting commissions for T-shirt/memory quilts.  I will complete the ones I have committed to making, but will accept no more.  

I want to thank all my past customers for placing their trust in me to help them with their projects (long-arm quilting their quilts and making T-shirt/memory quilts).  It's been fun and an honour.  



Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Quilt Give Away

I have, or at least had, over 40 quilts piling up on my "quilt storage bed".  I decided it's time to start re-homing them.  I'd sell them, but it's difficult to sell quilts for what they are worth in terms of time, skill, materials, etc.  Most people don't understand that the materials alone can mount into the hundreds of dollars for one quilt.  


Also, I'm lazy.  I have no interest in selling on line.  I don't want to deal with mailing, fraudulent claims of non-delivery or damage, etc.  So... I am giving them away.  But not to just anyone.  I have many special friends and family members that I consider "quilt worthy" and it has always been my intention to give each of them a quilt.  So as I see them, which is challenging in these COVID Times, I have been asking if they would like to choose a quilt to take home with them.  So far, I've given six away....  


Joe's niece, Marie, and her fiancé, Stuart, asked for Tropical Galaxy.  


Michelle and Mike liked Flock.


Alyssa got two.  Hounds-tooth for herself and Everyday Magic for her daughter, Leah.



My Bro-in Law, Karl, asked for the Viking quilt when I was making it several years ago.  So I gave it to him.


This is one of my really early quilts.  I called it Time Machine (it's an alarm clock - get it? :) ).  I gave it to sister and bro-in-law - Carol and Dan.

I need to get the sisters and bro-in-laws to "model" their quilts.  Next trip to Kelowna that will happen (if I remember!).














More Bags!

 Yes - it's a new hobby - bag making....

I made several for friends as hostess gifts, for my daughter-in-law as a b-day gift and for my neighbour as a commission.


******



Phone Pouches (a Spencer Ogg pattern) for three freinds.



And matching tote bags (Pelican Tote by Bagstock patterns).  Fronts and Backs.  I did some embroidery on all fronts and backs.








The tops of all of them are like this (above) - I added the zipper.  The pattern just has a snap closure like the one I made for DIL (below).  All the bags have a zip pocket and a double slip pocket inside as below.







********

My neigbhour liked the "Hope Handbag" (Mrs. H patterns) that I made for the Bag of the Month Club earlier in the year and asked if I'd make her one, but with this fabric.