Simply XSBaggage

Busy week, mini shop update

My goodness, it's been a busy week! We were out of town for Mother's Day weekend and got home Monday night. I've been trying to catch up on 'stuff' ever since. Sundays and Mondays are our usual days off, and I use them as the days that I get my laundry, housework, and grocery shopping done. 

Since we got home late Monday night, there was no time for that.

I am lucky to work from home, but I try very hard to keep a regular work schedule, and not be distracted by household things. It's one of the hardest challenges of working from home. Instead, I work on catching up in the evenings, after I've 'closed down' the shop. 

Anyways, here it is, Friday evening and I'm finally getting a mini shop update done. I have been crazy for Chevron prints the last few months! I can't seem to get enough of them. I want them in every colorway!

Do you love Chevrons too? If you do, you might want to take a look at my shop. I've been filling it with Chevron goodies!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all are enjoying a day with loved ones. My hubby and I are travelling to visit both of our Moms. They've never met, so we're taking them out for a nice brunch together. I'm really excited to spend time and visit with both of them.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Puyallup Farmer's Market in Pioneer Park

I love having a booth at the Puyallup Farmer's Market. This season got off to a slow start, with a couple of weekends of rainy/windy weather, but the last couple of weekends have been great. I'm always telling people what a nice farmer's market it is. Not only a huge variety of farms, food and flowers, but also a plethora of talented artists selling their work.

Live music on the stage, most weekends.

Add that to the fact that it takes place in beautiful Pioneer Park, and it truly is a wonderful place to spend the whole day. 

The Rhododendrons have been budding and blooming the last couple of weekends, adding to the park's beauty. Let me show you:

It looks like we'll have another beautiful day on Saturday. I expect lots of people to be out shopping for unique, handmade Mother's Day gifts at the market. Market hours are 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Saturday Shop Update + A Discount

First off, I want to show you a Custom Order that I recently finished for a bride. She contacted me about making something special to give to her Bridesmaids. After a few conversations about what she had in mind, this is what we came up with:

Nine pretty Chevron Wristlets. I used a sweet multi-colored pennant print for the lining. 

Okay, on to the Shop Update and Discount! (Who doesn't love a good Discount Code?!)

I made a few new Phone Wallets, and they're in the shop now.

So - I remembered today that Mother's Day is coming up May 12th and I think it's a good time to offer a 15% Discount for my readers. Shop for Mom, or shop for yourself, or shop for both you and your Momma! The Discount Code will be good until 6:00 p.m. Pacific tomorrow evening. 

Here's the details:

Discount Code: MOMSDAY (use it in the 'Coupon Code' box at checkout)

Good on all purchases in my Etsy shop from now until 6:00 p.m. Pacific, Sunday April 21, 2013.

Easy, Small DIY Easter Basket

With no more kids in the house, there are no Easter eggs to hide, no Easter Baskets to fill.

But, I can't let the holiday go by without doing a little something for my husband and sister. I wanted to keep it 'low budget', so I looked around the house for what I could use as baskets, and remembered I had these cute little baskets that I'd saved from produce I'd purchased last summer at the Puyallup Farmer's Market. 

They were perfect for what I needed! I cut a couple of lengths of ribbon to tie around each, to dress them up. Brown for my husband, and a pretty lavender for my sister.

 

              

They're already looking cute! I gathered up some shredded filler that was left over from Christmas. It looks like grass, doesn't it? 

 I bought just a small amount of Easter candy. I had coupons that I was able to use, so my total cost for making both of these little Easter gifts was only a couple of dollars.

I hope you have a blessed Easter!

Today Is Your Day!

You're off to great places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!
    -Dr.Seuss

Friday Shop Update

Do you ever find yourself fumbling for your ringing cell phone when you're out shopping? I do, or, I did! By the time I wiggle it out of my pocket, or dig it from the bottom of my handbag, I've missed the call. Dang it!!

Did you know that most of the products in my shop were designed by me because it was something that I needed? Yep. Necessity is the mother of invention.

That brings me to my Phone Wallets. I started selling them last November, and they've been a hit. You know what though? I am so cheap thrifty, that I hadn't taken one out of my inventory to use myself. (I know, I said I'm thrifty - not smart).

I was in Port Angeles a few weeks ago visiting, and my girlfriend, Julie, was using one of the first ones that I made, and telling me it's all she uses now when she goes out. That's when I had my 'ah-ha' moment. Why was I not using a Phone Wallet?! 

As soon as I got home I pulled this one out of my inventory. I've been using it ever since, and love it! So useful!!

I've been adding more color and pattern selections to my shop so there are lots of choices. I've made one change to the original design. I started adding a swivel clip + d-ring to the wrist strap. Perfect for attaching to your handbag, stroller or backpack.

Here are some that I added to my shop today:

They're all here, if you'd like to see the full selection. 

The outer pocket is for your phone, and the zippered compartment is perfect for a little wallet, and a lipstick. That's pretty much all I need when I head out shopping!

Crossing Off The List

I had a wonderful, fun trip back to my hometown, Port Angeles, last week. I was able to spend time with family and friends that I don't see often enough. It also served as a much needed break from work. Don't get me wrong - I love that I get to sew and design for a living. But once in a while, my brain needs a rest. And girl time!

 

That's me in the middle, with my girlfriends, Nancy and Julie.

 

I could have put my online shop in 'Vacation Mode', where it's closed to new orders. But I chose not to, as I always want my products to be available to my customers. The consequence of that is that orders get a little backed up for the 4 days that I was gone. 

I'm getting caught up this week. Cutting, sewing, wrapping and packaging orders. 

It feels great to be back in the shop, crossing off my long list of orders, and shipping them out to customers! 

Sometimes a break from the normal routine is a great way to get motivated and creative!

A Custom Laptop Handbag

Hello, and Happy Valentine's Day! I'm on my way to visit friends and family today, but I wanted to show you a recent custom order that I finished. I thought it turned out so darn cute!

There's a top zippered compartment for the Laptop, front zippered pocket for cords, writing pads, wallet, or whatever else you need to carry along. And a back slip pocket that's secured with a bit of velcro.

One long, adjustable strap for cross body wear, and short handles as well.

Cute + Function = Perfection

It's on it's way to a (hopefully!) :) happy customer!

And I'm on my way with a little road trip + weekend getaway. Have a safe and fun weekend friends!

Making a Fabric Heart Garland

With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought I'd dress up our fireplace mantle a little. I left some of our Christmas decorations out when we took our Christmas tree down, and created a white winter theme with the glittery trees and white twinkle lights.

I just wanted to add a little pink and red, so I pulled out some fabric scraps from my massive stash. 

I cut a simple paper heart to use as a pattern. I cut two of each fabric, for front and back.

I had pink satin ribbon on hand for 'stringing' between each heart.

I just put the ribbon between the two matching fabric hearts, and stitched around the edge of the heart, being sure to catch the ribbon. I used about 12 hearts (times two, because I made a front and back for each heart.)

I first hung it across the front of the fireplace.

And later decided I liked it wrapped around our 'Winter' wreath on the mantle.

This little project didn't cost me anything, and took about 15 minutes to complete. That's my kind of project: cheap and easy!!

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