Planning a Fall Bag (or Bags)...

No sewing happening here this weekend, I did a lot of shopping and some cleaning and just didn't have the motivation left over to start a new project.  But, I have been thinking about what to do next - a fall bag!  Fall is my favorite season to plan for new clothes and bags - plus, I haven't made myself a purse in ages!  Here are some patterns I'm thinking about, I may even make them both:

The Linda Bag - I love the size of this bag, and I've seen them made up by other sewers and just love it.  But, do I need a giant bag?  I don't know...

The Slouch Bag - This looks to be the perfect size and would be great to show off a cool print.



The Pleated Bag - another cute bag that looks to be just the right size.



Here are some fabrics that I like:



Outside Oslo by Jessica Jones

Heirloom Home Decor by Joel Dewberry

Swoon by Melissa Averinos

Wednesday

Hello there!  I have been sewing up a storm lately!  Above you can see all of the items I have made for the party I'm planning - not shown some earrings I made previously.  I'm going back and forth about including them at the party, since my friend and co-hostess makes jewelry.  But, these are different than what she makes and there are only a few pairs, so I will probably include them.

I finished up the set of notebook covers I was planning - each in a different colorway of Darla by Tanya Whalen.  Love this fabric and love the pattern!

I've also made up a few more key fobs.  I had a hard time with these, attaching the hardware can be tricky, but these one's came out ok.

Here are a couple of sets of magnets that I whipped together - super cute!

And lastly, two large pouches.  These are so cute and they hold a bunch!  Both are lined in black and white polka dots.

Things I Love...on Pinterest

I have been spending massive amounts of time Pinning!  Here are some of my latest finds...

~Here~

~Here~

~Here~

Living the Dream...dianapantz

***Where I work, we have an expression - that we are all "living the dream."  Well, there are a few lucky women out there who are really living the dream - making a living out of creating, designing and sewing.  It's not as easy as some might think and it takes a lot of work and dedication.  But, I love to follow along with these women through their blogs or their shops and dream about selling my own items, at least to subsidize my income a bit.  Anyway, in order to spotlight some of those women, I'm going to start a Living the Dream series.  If you know of someone I should check out, please comment or send me an email!***

Today's spotlight is on Diana, who writes her blog, dianapantz, as well as runs an etsy shop of the same name.  Diana's blog is the first one I have ever sponsored and she was kind enough to have her boyfriend make my sponsorship button for me!  Diana also agreed to write a little something about herself for me to share with you, so read on!

hey everybody!
my name is diana and i blog over here.  i write about being vegan in the midwest, riding my bike most places and sharing my journey of turning my hobby in a career.

~Source~

i sell farmers market totes, pouches, winer wear and photography. i also sell bow ties and :babypantz: for the hip kids in your life. you can see my work here.

~Source~

i started my blog in 2007, mostly posting scrapbooking pages and daily thoughts. i didn't have any followers [except for my mother!] and had no concept of blogging ;)

i started my etsy in 2008 ; selling my photos. after two and a half years of only selling a few items [i thought you just posted a few items and you got big and famous ;)], i decided last summer that i was ready to try my hand at selling full-time.



~Source~

this past spring, i started thinking of ways to build my brand. i taught myself how to sew and started creating my market totes. it has been really fun to watch my sales and my skills grow over the past half-year.

this past spring, i started thinking of ways to build my brand. i taught myself how to sew and started creating my market totes. it has been really fun to watch my sales and my skills grow over the past half-year.

my main goal is to be 100% dependent on my business by this time next year.

the support i have found from readers, friends and fellow bloggers has been really awesome. i have learned so much this year and am really excited to see what happens from here!

thanks for reading!

Don't forget to follow Diana at her blog and to check out her shop as well :)

Yum!

Even though it's August, it still feels like fall is in the air - it's been cooler here, the back to school stuff is in stores and I have been in the mood to bake!  I saw this recipe for Banana Bread on Anita's blog and I had to make it.  It's super simple and I bet you have all the ingredients on hand (I did!).  And, it's delicious!!!  As usual, everything tastes better in Pyrex, so if you have a loaf pan, put it to good use :)

Notebook Cover

I have 4 words to describe this pattern by Keyka Lou Patterns - cute, simple and totally awesome!  I bought 3 of the smaller size Moleskin Cahier notebooks and whipped this up in an afternoon.  The exterior fabric is Darla by Tanya Whalen and the interior is a red pin-dot from Joann's. 

I'm happy to note that my slip-stitching and top stitching have been improving with each project!  I hope to make 2 more of these this week, both in different colorways of the Darla fabric.  :)

Things I Love....on Pinterest

Happy Monday, Folks!  Here is a little eye candy to start your day :)

Here

Here

Here

This Weekend

Good morning!  Hope you all are enjoying your weekend as much as I am...it's been a busy one and today will be busy too, but that's ok with me!  

I made a Target run on Friday and picked up this adorable notebook.  And, I couldn't resist the folder, isn't it the cutest?!

Did a little sewing in the afternoon - this is a larger size zipper pouch made up in Darla fabric that I have been hoarding :)  I picked up some Moleskin notebooks so I could make this pattern, I think I'm going to use my Darla for these as well.

On Saturday I went to Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA to meet a friend of mine for brunch.  We sat at this little outdoor patio and had Bloody Mary's and Eggs Benedict...yum!

And we did some shopping - at Urban Outfitters I picked up these Matryoska Doll measuring spoons.  Too cute!  I'm off to do a little sewing, hope your weekend is good :)

Already?!

I picked up this magazine last weekend....

Here are some of my favorite projects from it - not planning on starting any of these until at least November though!!!

Wednesday

I got some much needed Katie-time (aka free time to sew/bake/do fun stuff all by myself!  I need it to function!!) yesterday and I put it to good use.  First up - I made 2 key fobs.  I need to get more of the multi-colored dot fabric, I love it and I'm almost out!

Then I was in the mood to bake something.  I had this recipe for S'Mores Cookie Bars on my mind since seeing it on the Chef In Training blog I recently found.  After a quick trip to the store, I put it together.  Yum!! 

Then it was Red Sox and wine for the remainder of the night :) 



I Love Basic Wallets

Yes, another one!!!  I can't stop sewing these!  I promise the next sewn item I show here will be something different.  I swear!

Things I Love..on Etsy

Right here

Right here

Right here

Buttons

Hello there!  So, I recently decided to sponsor a few blogs - it seems to be a great way to get your blog or shop out there for people to see.  I contacted Diana of dianapantz and let her know my interest in sponsoring, but that I didn't know how to create a button....she was kind enough to have her boyfriend, Blake, make one for me - check it out!

Isn't it cute!!!  Anyway, in the meantime, I had been searching for some tutorials so that I could learn to make my own.  Buttons seem like something that would be fun to keep changing up.  I used this tutorial from {just.lovely.things} to create the button below.  I used this tutorial to create the code so that it will link to my blog.  What do you think??

Since I was so excited that I made my own button, I contacted another blogger about sponsoring - check out Apple Blue right here :)