As I’m sure you’ve noticed I tend to do many different types of crafts. It seems that I go in spurts…sometimes I’m really into quilts…sometimes jewelry…well, lately it has been bags. I have three new bags to show you today that I am very excited about! (all three are quite different as well!)

The first bag is my ‘Batik Saddle Bag Purse’. I’m sure you can see in the picture why it’s called a saddle bag purse. The bag ‘hangs’ over the handle like a saddle bag might. I used some gorgeous batik fabrics for the exterior of the bag, a beautiful hand-dyed purple fabric for the pocket lining, and commercially printed brown and beige fabric for the inside of the bag.

I embellished the bag with a fabulous mixture of hand-dyed fibers and sparkly fibers…mostly in purples and browns. The bag is bound with a black printed commercial fabric.

Measurements:

Circular Wooden Handle: 6” diameter

Overall Bag: approximately 12.25” (w) x 16.25” (h)

Pockets (2): approximately 11.5” (w) x 12” (d)

The next bag I made I am calling my Coneflower Bag – Large. I have made a few other bags similar to this one: Patchwork Poppies, Butterfly Batiks and a few other’s that have sold already. I love the pattern and I love that I don’t have to cut up gorgeous fabric…I can use larger pieces to show off just how beautiful the fabric is.

I purchased the fabric for the exterior of this bag from fabricalacarte on etsy. The beautiful floral print is called Free Spirit Fabrics - 'Prairie Gothic' - Coneflower in Dusky and the dotted fabric on the edge of the bag is called Free Spirit Fabrics - 'Prairie Gothic' - Dots in Sky. They go together just beautifully. The entire exterior of the bag is quilted.

I lined the interior of the bag with a gorgeous fabric that I hand-dyed blue. Two pockets, one using the Coneflower in Dusky and one using Dots in the Sky are also on the interior of this bag. I added a button closure to this bag.

Measurements:

Bag: 17” (w) x 13” (h) x 3.75” (d)

Handles (2): 19.5”

Pockets: 1 (Coneflower in Dusky): 4.5” (w) x 6.25” (h)

2 (Dots in the Sky): 8.125” (w) x 6” (h)

The last bag I’m going to share with you is a slightly modified version of one I previously talked about…Flower Power Purse is a fabulous bag! It’s large and fits comfortably on your shoulder (I kept the first one I made!).

It is a more detailed bag than you can usually find in my shop with darts and pleats but I really think it’s worth it…they add a lot to the bag.

I used a fabulous quality home decor fabric for the exterior of the bag and a vintage-looking yellow printed cotton for the interior of the bag. I also added one pocket to the interior that is split into two sections: one measuring approximately 2.5” x 5” and the other measuring approximately 5.75” x 5”. A button closure keeps this bag closed on the top.

Measurements:

Bag Body: Approximately 23” (w) x 10” (h) x 4” (d)

Handle: Approximately 25”

Happy Saturday everyone!  It’s time again for TREASURY SATURDAY!  The beginning of the week started out a little slow for treasuries but definitely picked up these last couple of days!  I unfortunately had some bad timing…hopefully better next week :)  ENJOY

  The first treasury I’m going to show off is one from that70sShoppe that was named ‘Stars’.  My mother-in-law’s Kaddywampus Star was featured in this treasury. 

 

 

 

 

The next one is  from AlltheNumbers

and was called ‘the ears of my ears are opened’.  My Springtime Wonder Quilt was featured among other fabulous artist of etsy. 

 

 

 

 

 

Also felt the need to post what Kiki commented on as well: 

i thank You God for this amazing day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today, and this i the sun’s birthday;this is the birth day of life and love and wings:and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)

(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened) e.e. cummings

   BrenniesQuilts put together this stunning treasury called ‘Blue – Try a little Blue’ and she featured my ‘Where’s the Point – Firework’s Quilt’. 

 

 

 

 

 

A close friend of mine recently had a baby so this treasury was to welcome Ayla into the world.  TheApple put it together and featured my ‘Spring Flowers – Toile and Solids Quilt’. 

 

 

 

 

dchstudio featured my Purple Paisley Wristlet in her Treasury called ‘C honors’. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fellow Quiltsy Team member kimbuktu featured my Teal Beauty Wristlet in this stunning treasury called Pretty Potluck.  What a great name!

 

 

 

 

 

SFOQuilter featured my Where’s the Point – Fireworks Quilt in this fabulous ‘A Diamond in the Rough Treasury. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fabulous VickiDiane from VickiDianeDesigns put me in another one of her fabulous ‘exposed’ treasuries.  This time I chose my Grape Juice Chunky Bracelet, an item from theApple to EXPOSE…I received quite a lot of ‘exposure’ from this treasury as always!  What fun!

 

 

OriginalsbyLauren put together this beautiful treasury called ‘Go Green’.  She chose to feature a wall hanging made by my mother-in-law, Reflecting Waters.  She found some really gorgeous items to feature in this particular treasury.

 

 

 

 

The last treasury for Treasury Saturday was put together by WarmnFuzzies who I actually introduced you to not too long ago!   She chose to feature my Quilted Flower Clutch among many other beautiful floral choices in ‘Germinating Seeds’. 

I am happy to introduce you to a fellow team etsyBABY member today... Janae of ClaireandJanae. She makes some fabulous things and I hope you enjoy meeting the artist behind the craft!

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.When did you first start creating things?
I have always liked to make things but I didn't start making baby things until I was pregnant with my daughter Danielle. I got a job at a quilt shop and my mom really helped me pretend I knew what I was doing. I studied art for a few years in College.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?
In college I got really in to photography and sculpture. I was on a study abroad and discovered I loved it. Then later I had a job at a quilt shop and the first week they asked me to make an example blanket. I had never made a quilt before. My mom and my 17 year old brother helped me (he already knew how to quilt.) I dove in head first to sewing and two and a half years later I still love it.

How did you come up with your shop name?
I wanted something like fuzzy wuzzy or cuddle elephant or silly made up words that didn't make much sense. I also wanted it to say baby. Then I decided to use Claire because it is my daughter's middle name and my sister's name. My name is ALWAYS spelled wrong so it is in my shop name but not my official brand name. My sister is an attorney and she loves talking about different ideas and what I need to do legally. Baby Claire and I spend all day making things and she has her own sewing machine (one of those kid ones) and a pile of fabric she shows me all the time. Since we are in it together I used our names together- it was last minute.

Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?
I actually just recently opened claireandmedesigns.etsy.com which is a design shop. It has lots of rude and nice cards and photos I've taken.

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?
I have a really simple screenprinting kit and I want to start doing that. And how to really use Adobe illustrator because I'm not very good at it. I have always wanted to learn how to blow glass and make vases. Someday....

How did you hear about Etsy?
I heard about it from another sister, who sells hair pins. She had a few ideas about things we could buy her for Christmas and showed me the site. We started talking and I started my shop.

Any words of advice to others?
My only advice is to keep really good records. If you don't know how get a computer program to help you. And to remember that if you aren't having fun, don't torture yourself. Make your shop pay for itself or your husband will wonder where the heck all your money is going.

How will the new law by CPSIA affect you and your shop?
Since most of my items are a few of a kind, I will have to either switch to making just one of each item or not carry lots of things. The onesies will really take a hit. I will probably have to raise prices since it will take so much more time to get each item ready if they are one of a kind. I am really glad they put off some of the CPSIA things and I am waiting to see if they will change it so I can keep making things.


If you take a look at Janae's shop announcement you will see that etsy has become a family thing!
claireandmedesigns.etsy.com- my other site with Cards and Photography
shelleanne.etsy.com - my sister Rachelle's site with great hair things.
magnoliapottery.etsy.com- Pottery from my sister in law Brooke.

Thanks for stopping by my blog to read about another fabulous fellow etsian!

Are you heading on a trip or just have a lot to do in the next few days, but you want to make sure to keep your blog posts recent?  There is a way!  SCHEDULE them!  Here’s a quick how to on how to time your blog posts so you can still have a life! (this is a tutorial for those that use blogger)

First step:  Choose the blog you wish to write an article for and click on ‘NEW POST’ as indicated in the picture above.

Second:  Click on the button ‘Post Options’Third:  A box will appear with the option Post date and time on the right side.  Change the date and time to that in which you wish your blog article to be posted.     

Fourth:  Make sure you hit your ‘SAVE NOW’ button after you alter the date and time.  This will ensure that you are posting at the desired time.

Last:  Now it’s time to write your blog!  It can be for ANY time!  Get crackin’!

 Karma actually made this quilt a few years before Cedi was even born!  I fell in love with it (who wouldn’t) and told her that I wanted it for my first baby.  Well, Karma listened.  At my baby shower for Cedi, much to my delight and surprise, I opened up the package from Karma and found this fabulous quilt!  I had forgotten about it.  I’m so happy with it…I just love the pattern, color combination, and the cute frog scenes.  Cedi also loves it!  She cuddles up with it in her bed every single night.  This is a gift she will cherish for many years to come and hopefully so will her kids someday :)    

You can see Karma’s work that is for sale in my etsy shop by going to:  Off Kilter Frog Baby Quilt AND True Lover’s Knot. 

I was in Washington DC this past weekend for a close friend of mine's wedding. While I was there my husband and I discovered a fabulous shop filled with all homemade items!

It was a great space. As I walked in and looked around I knew that I would love everything I saw. One of my favorites were these great ceramic bowls and dishes that were made to look as if they had been 'buttoned up'. So stylish. I also found myself a great collection of one-of-a-kind beads that you will sure to see on some of my bags soon! These were just a few of the fabulous items I found. So...if you're ever in Silver Spring, MD, during a trip to DC make sure you check out pyramid atlantic community art store...you will NOT be disappointed!

ps... I also had a FABULOUS time at the wedding!

It's here again...Treasury Saturday! But I'm not...I actually wrote this post up on Thursday so I apologize if I miss a few treasuries while I am away in D.C...

Either you are like I was a few months ago and have never heard of an ACEO or you may be like I am now and are OBSESSED with ACEO's!

SO...what is an ACEO anyway?

ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. It measures 2.5" x 3.5". They are becoming popular collector and trading items. You can collect them and trade them just like you used to do with baseball cards or garbage pail kid cards!

One of my favorite things about the ACEO is that there is only ONE rule...it has to measure 2.5" x 3.5"...it doesn't matter what you put on it...what medium you use...anything. Just that it measures 2.5" x 3.5". That leaves your imagination to go wild and possibilities are endless! It also is great because you can collect them and show them off to others. It can be an inexpensive way to collect some of your favorite artists' work.



I'm going to start out by showing you the ACEO's I have for sale in my shop:

I knew I was missing a red S!  Now the mystery is solved!

 

It was hiding in my picture folder…I have no idea why I didn’t add this in the first place…but here it is:  the Red ‘s’ from ForFabricsSake! …just looked back at my initial post and I had my little summary about ForFabricsSake…just no picture…hmmmm…

 

NOW see if you can unscramble the red word:

 

In Red: S N A G H I S

Unscrambled:

I wasn’t elligible to participate in the May Daze fun but I thought I would sort of anyway! I decided to go hunting for the letters and see what I could find!

I’m going to start in alphabetical order…first stop: AndrusGardensArt – Her shop is filled with Original Garden and Nature Inspired Textile Art. She uses her own hand painted and sunprinted fabrics, various other fabrics and fibers, paints, and more. "

Found it! She had the Green A!

Next shop: AndrusGardensQuilts the sister store to AndrusGardensArts where you can find: Great Gift Ideas!! Garden inspired Notebook Covers, Note Cards, Art Quilt Pins, Bookmarks, Bowls, Patterns and more.

Found it! Now I have a Green L!

Bonbonsandmore is up next!

From her shop announcement: Please look at my handmade items....quilts, crocheted washcloths, and much, much more! I'm always trying something new!
As you'll see, I am a "Scrappy" quilter, which means I love to make a quilt with as many different fabrics in it as possible. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Found it! Bonbons had the Red A!

Onto the next shop! BrennieQuilts

Directly from her shop announcement:

Quilts make very special gifts - ones that will continue from year to year! And ones that are remembered always! Quilts are lasting gifts - cherished for a lifetime!
Enjoy your shopping today! May be that one special thing you are looking for will be here! Please visit often for new listings. Great affordable gifts! There's something for everyone!

Found it! Now I have the Yellow A!

Who’s next? Ahhh….CacheCreekQuilts!

I found the Orange C!

CorrCreations is up next!

To learn more about Corr and her creations visit her blog:
http://haveyouseenmydragon.blogspot.com

Corr had the blue E!

CyndesPlace is up next!

I found a purple I in her shop!

Next up: DebiDesigns!

I found a Green B in this fabulous quilted teddy bear listing!

Onto the next shop! DownHomeDesigns!

And DownHomeDesigns was hiding an Orange B!

Let’s see…who’s next? Ah yes, downthestreet…how fitting!

I may have found a few supplies I want to buy before I found her letter…oops :)

And…I have a yellow B!

So…I’m still just in the D’s but I have to say that I am really enjoying looking through my fellow teammates shops!

Time to check out what DragonflyStitches has!…wow! Never noticed you were from Idaho before!

and I found the green E along with a few destash pieces of fabric I want…

Onto the next stop: FabricsandQuilts…I really hope I don’t find anything I MUST buy here! lol!

Yeah! I found a Purple T!

Moving on to FabricsnQuilts:

and now I found the orange L!

This is way more addicting that I thought! But fun!

ForFabricsSake is next on the list! You’ll find unique, premium quality hand-painted fabric created in a smoke-free home, and commercially printed fabrics that she no longer needs in this shop!

ForQuiltsSake is up next on the list!

YEAH! I found a Purple Q!

Day three for me and the May Daze Letter hunt! Starting the night with HomemadeHaven…

A red G has been found!

Now onto JenSport!

Jen was hiding the red H!

I’m heading over to kimbuktu’s shop now!

She was hiding the yellow K!

Who’s next…oh yes, it’s me! KimsCraftyApple! It shouldn’t take me too long to find the letter!

Yup…I was hiding the Red I!

KristinsQuilts shop is up next!

Yellow I has been found!

Time to search through LagunaLane’s Shop!

The orange K has been found!

LoveBugStudios was hiding a Blue I!

Let’s see if I can find which letter MagPieKnits is hiding…

FOUND IT! It was a Green L! (Isn’t that bag fabulous!?!?!?!?!!!!!)

NeedleLove2 was hiding a purple L!

I found a blue M in OriginalsByLauren’s store!

Moving on to the P’s…PamelasQuilts…here I come!

She was hiding a red N!

QuiltDream was hiding a green O!

The Orange O was hiding in QuiltingFrenzy’s Shop!

Next shop is my aunt-in-law: QuiltsbyBarb!

She was hiding the blue R in this fabulous mystery quilt!

I found the green R at QuiltSewPieceful’s Shop!

RainbowDreamBabies has a Red S hidden!

I found a blue T in theduchesscollection’s store!

I knew it would happen…I get so absorbed at looking at the great items I forget to look for the letter. I got though all of UniquelyNancy’s items and hadn’t seen the letter…so I started over again…

She was hiding a Green G!

I found a yellow T in warmnfuzzies shop!

And now, last but definately not least…time to find the letter in Whimbrella’s shop!

And the last letter was the purple U!

Now let’s see what we have…can you unscramble them? I’ll post the answers later!

in Purple: U I T Q L

Unscrambled:

in Yellow: T A B K I

Unscrambled:

in Blue: T R M E I

Unscrambled:

In Red: S N A G H I

Unscrambled:

In Green: G R O A L B E L

Unscrambled:

In Orange: O C B L K

Unscrambled:

Some great feedback the team has received from this fabulous event!

Hi there,
It was alot fun participating in your contest. I learned alot about the art of quilting. It's really amazing. Thank you for the experience.
*********
Hi!!
I had so much fun playing and looking your shops and yes, I found all answers!! I'm so happy, because I adore things you guys do:)
*************
...so much fun, thanks!!
And after this contest is over, I have to join your group, I love the work you all do! :)

*************

I am addicted - I think I have yellow and purple done without completing them - but I will