A little something for me

After last week's custom order craziness, I decided to make myself a little something yesterday. I whipped up this cute little needle book.  It fits in the palm of my hand and keeps all my embroidery needles nice and organized.  I have quite a thing for patchwork, too.  I find it really relaxing and fun to go at it freestyle.... just dig through the scrap stash 'till something catches my eye and start sewing things together.  

I Heart Custom Orders

1. Custom Sling Bag, 2. More custom jewelry rolls, 3. More custom jewelry rolls, 4. Custom Jewelry Rolls, 5. Mondo custom seat bag, 6. custom top tube tote

So, this is what I've been up to this week!  I have been glued to my sewing machine all week long.  I still have a couple more custom orders to work on, but I am taking the weekend off. Hooray!  I really do love custom work, though.  It's always fun to see what my customers will come up with.  The jewelry rolls are all for brides. (Congrats Nicole and Amanda!)  The seat bag looks normal, but it is actually much bigger than my normal ones.  I had a customer who just needed to carry more stuff, so....  The top tube tote was for a gal who has the cutest cruiser ever!  And, the sling bag... It looks so simple, yet that was one heck of a challenge.  I'm really diggin' it and sorta thinking of making one for myself.

Way To Go Jason!!!!!

In a very manly sprint, Jason won the State Criterium Championship in his category this morning.  I'm so proud.   Congratulations!!!

(Sadly, I have no photo... )

Just popping in...

Where the heck did this week go?!  I can't believe today is Friday!  I've been pretty buried in my sewing room I guess.  I took in lots of custom orders this week so I've been busy working on getting those together, and will still be working on them next week.  I treated myself to a pair of really nice dress maker's shears, and I had no idea what I was missing.... I just thought I had good scissors.  What else?  Jason's shirt came in from Rat Trap Press and he loves it!  Those folks are so nice; they sent me a shirt, too (one of their crank set designs)!  How cool was that?  I also ordered some vintage buttons that I hope will be in soon.  

Oh, how I love buttons!

Crafty Bike Stuff on Etsy

As of now, there's no cycling specific category on etsy.  However, I've been told by admin that they'll look into adding a section for cycling in the subcategory of sports (in the toys category)... yeah we'll still be buried, but it's a something, right?  Anyway, until then, I thought I'd highlight some of the many fabulous cycling related items on etsy.  For starters....

"The Badger" by rattrappress

This is one for the hardcore cycling fans.  Rattrappress is making one in orange for my husband who NEEDED this the moment he saw it.  Check out their shop for other cycling inspired designs.

Need to add a little cute to your cruiser?  CityStreamers makes the most fun streamers for your bike ever!  They just slip right over your grips... easy.  Who says streamers are just for kids' bikes?

How cool is this?!  Laura from Tangerine Treehouse makes these custom head badges that are just amazing!  If you can make a line drawing of it, she can turn it into a beautiful head badge.  And, if you're like me and can't draw, for a very small fee she can turn your idea into a drawing!

While putting this post together I spoke with (ok, well convo'd) all of these sellers and they are all really great folks.  I hope you will go check them all out and show your support for us cyclists on etsy.  I hope to make this a pretty regular feature here, so stay tuned... or go ride!

Diving back in

After much whining about it this morning, I dove right back into my sewing.  I really wasn't ready for the vacation to be over (it was fabulous, btw), but after I got my belly-aching over with I had pretty darn productive day.  

When I really need to sew a lot of stuff, I dedicate one day to cutting and prepping.  So, today was that day.  Now I have all ready to sew: 4 jewelry rolls (for a bride), 2 bicycle seat bags, and 4 top tube totes to match.  That bit of red and pink striped fabric is some super duper cheap knit that I picked up today at Hancocks.  I've been thinking about trying to make something fun with knits, and at like a dollar a yard, I couldn't pass that up.  I'm thinking of this really cute sleep set from BurdaStyle.  I just love that site!  I haven't tried making any of their projects yet, but I love seeing everyone else's projects.  I really do think I'll try this one.  

Oh, and more great crafty news... my application for the licensing program at Sublime Stitching was accepted!!!  Yay!  Once I get my shop all caught back up, guess what's next?  Keep your eyes peeled!  

I'm gonna leave you tonight with one more beach photo... this is one of my very favorites.

And.. We're Back!