Oh, What to do Now!

I think I have created a monster. Yes, that is me. Being off work (forced retirement) has it's advantages and disadvantages. The best for me is being able to make jewelry, gem trees and sew whenever I want. Now you are probably wondering what is the disadvantage about that....well one of the obvious is less money to buy the supplies needed to make all those wonderful things and the other is that I am terribly disorganized and tend to work on my little projects and not my special orders. I'm also accumulating things faster than I am selling them.

The one new thing is my purses. I've made three now and learned something new on each one, so none of them are of a standard I would sell, but maybe the next one, hence the accumulation. I also have way too many ideas for projects that I just can't get to and have found myself working on several all in the same day and not finishing any of them. Okay, I finished a purse yesterday but I have gem trees to make and still don't have all of them finished.

When I was working I was able to focus on what was important (like special orders) get those completed and then work on my little projects. Now I get up in the morning and feel that I have all the time in the world (no job to go to) and sometimes just putter the day away doing my little projects. LOL, I think I need to focus. Maybe start a list each morning of those things I really need to accomplish (like laundry today and gem trees) and tackle those first and then if I have time left over, work on my other projects.

If you have any ideas, please let me know, other than go back to work that is.

BTW, my March newsletter is out and in it is a coupon to purchase my book "Gem Tree Sculptures" for $10.00 vs. $17.99. This offer is only good until 4/1/10, so sign up today (right hand column) and I'll send you the newsletter with the coupon in it.

Small Spring Time Tote

The other day as I was scanning reading blogs I came across one that was a tutorial for making a fat quarter purse. Well I just had to try and I needed a new Spring bag...don't we all. Mine isn't exactly like hers since I didn't use her tutorial and winged it instead, but turned out pretty good for my first try. You can find the tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew blog.

Of course since I'm a bling bling girl I had to add the pins, which you can remove and put on other purses. Since they are just tie tack backs, I may have to make my own. These were purchased at Joanne Fabric.

What I would change is the bottom, I wanted a contrasting darker color which looks good, but I think next time I'll make it come up the sides a bit more so you can see it. Also, I would add a pocket on the inside and one on the outside in a solid color as the print is pretty busy. The loops for the handles I would make a little bit shorter and I would top stitch around the top of the bag before adding my magnetic closure. Not much just little things to make it more usable. I like the size as it is about 11" across and down....now that I think of it, it is just about the right size for my little net book computer. Too bad I didn't put some quilt batting inside and it could do double duty.

If you like bags or creating bags you might like this one for a tote bag that also uses a fat quarter.

Have a good Friday!

Featured Artist - Pretty Purse Designs

I was in the mood for something that would remind me that it is Spring. These great purses and accessories can be found on the 1000 Markets site and are created by a wonderful artist from Pretty Purse Designs. I love the cupcake purse and the floral key fob. Her prices are great. For a purse expect to pay around $38.00 and the gadget case is $12.00. I know I will need the gadget case.

Check out Pretty Purse Designs and find your favs.
Happy Thursday!