How do you carry your Kindle?

I don't have a Kindle but if I did I would absolutely carry mind in one of these cushioned totes.  They are sized to fit a Kindle, or any electronic reader or small iPad, with a sleeve.  My art journal would fit perfectly.  Hmmmm, I may need one for myself.

The bottom carrier is for a boy so of course it needed a drawstring.  I can't decide which one is my favorite but I am leaning towards the pink tote with the grey chevron lining.  Oh ya', I almost forgot... they are also reversible.  Which one is your favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poppy Cat Sews, the craft show, and turning 40

Fabric cut and waiting to be turned into a "The Kam" tote bag. 

As I was heading into my studio today to sew... in my pajamas, hair not brushed, and barefoot, it dawned on me that I should be documenting this part of my life.  I recently turned 40 years old and I have been doing some reflecting on my life as it stands at this moment.

It can get lonely but I have my best employee with me every day.
 

I am were I want to be.

How often does that happen in someones life?  I always wanted to be an artist, have a career, and have a cozy family that is happy.  So I am thinking about my accomplishments - I have a masters degree in Social Work.  I worked successfully in the field but when I had babies I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom.  I had seen how cruel people can be and I wanted to protect my children and give them the best start that I knew how.

My Mom worked on the family farm but somehow managed to be standing behind the kitchen counter when I walked in the door from school.  She did her best to provide a loving environment and to let us know we were important in her life.  I want to give that gift to my girls and I feel like I am successful.  I admit, there are moments when I am the dreaded Helicopter Mom but that's okay.  At least I recognize it and back off.

My painting desk is a disaster.  Sewing supplies are spilling over.
 

I put off my dream of being an artist until now for many reasons.  Initially I was focused on my career, then I was focused on my little ones, and the dedication of being a military wife takes a lot of my energy.  I realized this year that I am ready to start my dream.  It is a delicate balance between caring for my family, holding back my fear of failure, and deciding how I define my success. 



A stack of tote bag handles cut out and waiting to be ironed.

An hour of ironing and they are ready to be sewn.

I think this morning was a success... in my pajamas with kids safely at school, a spouse on his way to work, and me ironing countless tote bag straps.  A few months ago I started an on-line store, Poppy Cat Sews.  It is a work in progress.  Last week I entered a few paintings in an art show, and I am currently preparing for my first craft show.  Being 40 years old is feeling good.

"The Viv" Library Tote

Meet "The Viv".  This is a new tote bag designed for a busy SAHM to stay organized and have it all in one tote.  My friend, Tab, is a SAHM to her 18 month old Vivi.  Tab's dilema was that she needed a bag that could carry everything for the day and go from the library to the beach.  Ya' did I mention that she just moved to Hawaii?  Tough dilema, huh? 

 

 

 

It just so happens that I have been designing a new tote that would allow it to be over stuffed with bulky heavy things but not be too large for everyday use.  When I go to the library with the girls my bag is frequently overflowing with books.  I thought that an adjustable flap would be just the thing.  It tucks into the bag when not in use but if you need a few extra inches to pile the stuff up, the flap comes out and ties closed.  If it falls over in the car, the books stay in the bag and don't slide under the seat.  Hmmm, if I had a dollar for every time that has happened to me. 

Tab also needed a toiletry bag to contain her lip gloss collection and keys.

The last addition was the diaper clutch.  It will hold a few diapers and a small package of wipes.  It is easy to find and you don't have to carry the entire tote bag around for a quick diaper change.  I hope "The Viv"  gets years of usage at the library and the beach.

Weekender Tote

Vera Bradley Weekender 

I have had my eye on the Vera Bradley Weekender bag for months.  I almost bought one several times but I didn't want to face my husband when I told him how much I paid and that I needed the matching accessories.   It also drives me crazy to purchase an item when I can probably make something similar.
We went on a weekend trip recently and I carried my old, snagged, sad, poopy brown duffel bag.  It was almost embarrassing to carry it to our nice hotel room.  I mean really, I am at the age now that when I travel and climb out of the car my bag is the best looking thing.  I should have a cute bag that distracts folks from the worn traveler.  I vowed that I would sew my own.  So, this weekend I dug through my scraps and sewed my very own custom designed Sherry Porter Weekender Tote... and accessories.

I love it and it was a fraction of the price of the Vera Bradley tote.  There are a few things I would change and that I learned along the way.  This is the first super-duper big, fleece lined, and zippered tote I have made.  Plus, I didn't follow a pattern. I made it up as I went along and decided on measurements based on the size of scraps I had available.  The interior is small black and white polka dot material and has a large pocket (that needs a snap but I forgot to put it in).  Zippers, arghhh!  After putting in all three zippers it dawned on me why I was not getting the clean finish stitch that I desired.  Oh well, next time.  I just won't let anyone who knows how to sew  look at my bag closely.  ha ha

The picture doesn't show the sizes of the accessory bags well.  The taller bag will hold my hairspray, flat iron, shampoo, and brushes.  This is just a fluke because I just pieced together scraps.  Thank goodness for small miracles.  The second bag is a little larger than a make-up bag. I need more products now to look good than I needed a few years ago. They are both lined with water resistant PUL so when my bronzer spills or shampoo lid leaks, they can easily be wiped clean.

Yea, I can't wait to go on a weekend vacation and see how my bags work.

Tote bags and Etsy

I have been happily busy in my art/sewing room.  Starting my Etsy store, Poppy Cat Sews, has been a long time coming but I just don't seem to be getting enough different items made for listing.  It's not that I haven't been productive.  I've finished several tote bags in the past couple of weeks and one is going to be listed and available very soon.  The rest, well, they already have a new home.  *smile*

I also plan on sewing and listing some fabric cuff bracelets.  Each one I make I end out keeping for myself.  (shame on me)  There are going to be some running wallet cuffs available in a week or so.  I made one at a friend's request and she really liked it.  They will fit around your wrist or ankle and have room to hold a military ID, keys, and some money.

Can you think of anything that you would like to see available?  I'd really like to know what people are interested in.

I made two of these.  One was an end of the year teacher gift and the other was purchased as a diaper bag.  I wouldn't mind having one of these myself.

This one went as an end of the year teacher's gift.

I bet the person who bought this one as a gift ends out keeping it for herself.  She is moving to Hawaii, how could she not keep it?

This tote was fun to make - the person who bought it got to help pick out the material and design it.

Finally, a tote to list on Etsy.  The orange, green, and brown paisley looks really cute with the pink leopard interior.

Tote Bags

Three new medium tote bags went to new homes for the holidays.  I haven't made a new purse for myself yet but I have plans for an awesome multi fabric hobo bag.  Someday...

This one was a diaper bag for a friend who is having her fourth baby. Congratulations Chelsey!  The lining it is green with turquoise polka dots.  So fun.

I will be using this fabric in something for myself.  Really, I will.

The model in the pic is my neighbor.  Isn't she beautiful?  She has such a sweet spirit too.

Even more bags

Here are some more bags for Ms. Effie's Summer Kitchen.  Now I just need to get them into the mail tomorrow.

I really like the different fabrics in this one.  The bottom is a suede/denim and the lining is fun blue polka dots.

Some more re-usable sandwich bags. There are fabric choices for boys and girls, children and adults.  There are even a few mismatched bags that are made from two different coordinating fabrics.  Those are my favorite.

Gene's cousin Cortnie was here for a visit and we made a purse together.  She had some left over material so I made her a zippered cosmetic bag and a re-usable snack bag.