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Author: Kathy

January 9, 2024
Kathy
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Happy 2024!!

Posted in Peeking Behind the Easel, and Peeking Behind the Seam

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!! The 4th quarter of 2023 flew by way too fast and here we are – 2024!!

What’s happening around here: I am working a little slower as I watch a little grandchild most days. I am sewing and painting during nap time, in the evenings and weekends. But still rocking & rolling with new bags & paintings sitting on my worktable waiting to to photographed and listed. Custom orders being completed. New painting started on my easel, and new bags being cut out and ready to be sewn. These are exciting days!! 🙂

I hope to do better on social media: Instagram, Pinterest, and of course this blog. 🙂

I am also working on setting up a shop on Shopify! I will keep both Etsy shops but this new shop will combine both my art and my sewing all in one place. I enjoy Etsy & it will continue for now to be a great place to sell my bags & art. But I am looking forward to having everything in one place, and having the freedom to experiment with new ideas, as well as lessen the stress of Etsy’s algorithm demands.

So let’s lift our coffee cups to the new year – may it be peaceful, productive and oh so fun!!

November 13, 2023
Kathy
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Old Tree Still Standing

Posted in Art Work, and Peeking Behind the Easel

I took a photo of this old broken sycamore tree about 4 years ago because it caught my attention. Still standing, making a statement amongst the newer trees as an ode to the past.

I used the photo as a reference for a painting: A portrait of an old tree

We were walking along the same path a few days ago and came across the same old tree – still standing 4 years later!

Surrounded by even more young trees. It’s a bit shorter and missing most of it’s white sycamore bark.

A big hole in the lower part of the stump has created a tunnel of sorts for wildlife to use. And a bit of faded bark still on the trunk as well. I wonder how many more years it will continue to stand it’s ground.

November 6, 2023
Kathy
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Macaron Circle Handbag

Posted in Fresh From My Sewing Machine, and Peeking Behind the Seam

This adorable macaron circle bag is fresh off my sewing machine! I found this adorable fabric a while ago and set it aside because thought it would make a fun bag in a circle shape. At the time I had seen circle bags but they weren’t what I had in mind. Then one of my favorite bag maker pattern designers – Oro Rosa Patterns – released this fun pattern. I haven’t had time to make this bag until recently. And here it is!

The fabric is so adorable with pink, coral, green and brown macarons on a grey blue background. It is a cotton canvas that I found at JoAnne’s Fabrics. My 1st thought when I saw this fabric was a circle bag would be so cute and fun. It’s fun to see my idea come to life.

I paired the macaron fabric with a fun coral faux leather vinyl. I decided on rainbow hardware to make the bag fun and colorful. I had a fun circle smiley face zipper pull to add to the maracon circle theme – who doesn’t smile when they see a macaron!!

Of course I had to add polka dot fabric for the inside for lots more circle fun 🙂 There is a large zipper pocket as well as a slip pocket on the other side of the bag inside.

The bag measurements are 10 x 10 x 3.5 inches. The outer pockets on front and back of the bag are 7 x 6 inches – perfect for easy access to your phone and keys. The crossbody strap is removable and measures 46 inches. While it’s not adjustable, it is a good length for crossbody as well as a long shoulder carry.

This one-of-a-kind bag is perfect for your favorite macaron lover. It’s even on sale in time for Cyber & Christmas sales on my Etsy shop!.

November 1, 2023
Kathy
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Santa Tote Bag

Posted in Fresh From My Sewing Machine

Just in time for Christmas season!

I finished this adorable one-of-a-kind Christmas tote bag over the weekend! This is one of my own designs and I haven’t made one in a few years. I changed up the belt from cloth to faux leather to give it a realistic Santa look. I like it better now. I changed from sherpa to a wide 3 inches of faux fur. I think the fur trim takes the bag to the next level.

The belt and buckle are faux leather, as is the base of the bag. Red velour velvet and faux white fur just like Santa’s suit. 14.5 inches height, 12 inches wide at the base and 5.5 inches depth – a great size for work, school, carrying presents, and everyday fun.

Inside is lined with “Marry Christmas” and snowflakes in white on a bright green background. A large zipper pocket, and 4 5 inch elastic pockets as well.

The black straps are sewn into the bottom of the bag and all the way up the sides make the bag sturdy and helps prevent sagging in the bottom of the bag. Hidden inside is foam interfacing to give the bag strength and a touch of cushioning for you and your items. The foam also keeps the bags shape, even when it gets squished.

This great Santa Suit Tote will last you for years to come. You can find it here: SibStudio