photo on bottom right courtesy of jenn lim

A small collection of these shiny new change purses will be coming along with me to Bazaar Bizarre next Sunday. I thought I’d give them a little taste of the outside world so that a sudden introduction to the public won’t be so jarring for them come showtime!

These pouches are a slightly upsized version of my previous Dollface Coin Purses, coming in at about 1/4″ wider across the middle and a 1/2″ deeper.

All pouches are reinforced with a stiff backing (interfacing) for structure and durability and contain a layer of fleece for added cushiness and shape. See the details for yourself in the Etsy shop!

• Kisslock Frame Pouch - Bright Buds
• Kisslock Frame Pouch - Ms. Bitch
• Kisslock Frame Pouch - Floating Water Lotus

The gray pouch with pink floral applique, which has a 100% wool exterior, is not yet listed.

Last week was a good one, incredibly productive! It felt so good to mark off 12 Little Lugs finished for the show. This is one of them, the Little Lug - Floating Water Lotus edition!

photo by jenn lim

Now there’s a matching handbag to the Kisslock Frame Pouch that’s already in the shop. Woohoo! Thanks to Mrs. Lim for suggesting I make these matchies in time for the show.

I snapped some photos along the way, including one of Mrs. Lim helping me cut fabrics for the Lugs! She’s been a great help, coming over once a week lately to help me cut, cut and cut!

This week, it’s on to the Big Lugs and finishing up a batch of 20 kisslock frame pouches that the girls help me cut fabrics for over the weekend (more on that later).

Next week, more pillows and neck warmers. Pillows and neck warmers! With a short break of course for some turkey and quality time with the family. I can’t wait to see the goldens again too. It’s been too long! Depending how far along I am by then, my momma may find herself doing some last-minute thread snipping and tagging for the show while she’s up here. Poor momma! Mwah ha ha ha haaaaa…

Step 1) Make a tiara of twigs and leaves

Step 2) Don a pair of wings

Step 3) Surround yourself with faux bois throw pillows and flutter about with glee!

It’s official. I’ve been branching out (get it ha ha) and making the accessories part of “thoughtfully designed handbags and accessories” come to life, as seen first by the small collection of neck warmers, wool felt brooches and now…throw pillows!

I love a room with interesting and colorful cushions, and all the interior design experts on TV these days are saying how throw pillows are the perfect way to instantly spruce up a room on a budget. These pillow covers are easily removable with a hidden lapped zipper that stretch all the way across the bottom seat of the pillow cover, making them quick to swap out (though why you would EVER want to do that I just don’t know) or to simply take off to spot clean should you or a guest manage to accidentally *gasp* soil the fabric.

The floral appliques are made of 100% wool felt and topped with buttons for added color and dimension. These will be available at my booth (#24, baby!) at the Bazaar Bizarre SF Holiday Show this coming 11/30/08 at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park!

With 18 days to go before the San Francisco Bazaar Bizarre Winter 2008 show, I’m feeling the pressure and quality time with my Janome has never been better. Last week we put together a collection of Miss Priss Totes (2nd from the right in the photo below), and this week we’ll have done up a number of Little Lugs in new fabrics (middle batch).

Also on the list are more neck warmers and some new wool felt brooches to go with them. Jimmy seems to enjoy the brooches — so versatile! — so they’re sure to be a winner. =}

Now time to study the Craft Fair Production Schedule and figure out what more work needs to be done. Off I go! Well first, a PB&J + coffee to fill my belly. Mmm that sounds good.

This new tote bag design is inspired by the Miss Priss Wristlet collection, originally released at the Renegade Craft Fair earlier this year in July.

Miss Priss Wristlets won’t make a reappearance at the Bazaar Bizarre SF Holiday Show, but the Miss Priss Tote will more than take their place! Better suited for the colder months ahead I think, the Miss Priss Tote will be large enough to hold your purse essentials PLUS your winter essentials.

I don’t want to give too much away about Miss Priss Tote’s bells and whistles, especially since she’s still in development, but suffice it to say she’s got some. Oh yes, she’s got some alright. =P

I was really happy to finally deliver this Big Lug - Earthy Faux Patchwork Edition to Connie a few days ago, and even happier to get her note back proclaiming her love for her new bag!

Connie’s Lug had a couple of special add-ons, including a small front zip pocket:

…and a large center divider to separate work from personal items:

I haven’t been doing custom work lately simply because of the extra time involved, but Connie’s been such an awesome, long-time repeat customer now and was willing to wait for as long as it took me to deliver the bag…so I was happy to be able to work it in.

Too bad the photos are a little grainy. I didn’t realize that Jimmy’s D90 was on a high ISO setting and just picked it up and snapped away the whole session entirely clueless. Hmph. I knew I shoulda put the thing on Auto! Live and learn, live and learn.

They’re unisex bags really, but definitely suited for men. Especially considering that they were co-designed by the husband Jimmy, for two very special fellas: our Masters of Wedding Centerpieces Roberto and John, who are seen here politely showing off their new gifts.

This was a really fun project for Jimmy and me because, even though it took us forever to complete, it was a joint handmade venture that we hoped would show our appreciation to John and Roberto just that much more. We made them in different sizes and colors so they wouldn’t be too matchy matchy.

I sketched out the bags on a whiteboard based on Jimmy’s very specific descriptions and requirements (things like “it should hold one of those medium-sized Mead spiral notebooks” and “there has to be a pocket for cell phones and a zipper pocket for wallets” and “nothing too complicated, just simple and functional”). I even had him bust out the measuring tape and give me exact dimensions.

Then, we went shopping in my fabric stash and he chose every element from the selection I gave him, from the sunbrella exterior and cordura nylon lining, to the color and widths of the velcro, straps and bias tape, not to mention the type of hardware (metal vs. plastic)!

Jimmy’s been lobbying for me to make one for him. Hm…maybe after the holidays!

Jimmy noticed a spike in the number of product views and hearts at my Etsy shop yesterday and found that one of my Big Lugs had gotten a spot (3rd row, center) in an article on oversized bags called Gift Ideas: Big Bag, Big Statement! YEA!

We were both totally psyched to have the Big Lug be in the collection of 21 big bags featured in the article, and it definitely gave me an extra energy boost as I was sewing new stuff up yesterday. Many thanks to Etsy blog writer TeenAngster for that!