Simply XSBaggage

What's going on in the shop?

Well, I had my last outdoor show a couple of weeks ago. And, I don't have another event on my calendar for a couple of weeks. So I've been spending my time sewing and getting ready for the fall/holiday shows that I'll be participating in, and which, by the way, will be here before I know it! Sometimes I feel like I'm always playing catch-up to get ready for the next 'thing'. Which not only includes 'making' but also being sure that I have enough supplies to get me through the next season. Keeping track of, and ordering in my supplies is a constant juggle. I've already started ordering some of the things I'll need to keep my production going through the Christmas season. Like this ginormous roll of interfacing:

That's 125 yards of interfacing. I feel sorry for the UPS man. He had to haul this and 2 giant boxes of pre-cut interfacing up my (approximately 20) front steps to deliver it to my front door. I felt like I should have at least offered him a protein bar or something.

Anyhoo, as usual, lots of sewing going on here.

And I unloaded all of the inventory from my van that I've been hauling around all summer, and brought it up to the studio so I could really figure out what 'holes' I needed to fill in my inventory. 

I like having it all hung up in my studio again. It's a feeling of accomplishment to see it all together. I made all of this!

I listed this new Bella Bag in the shop today:

I'm hoping to get more new items listed in the next few days.

Guess who learned to climb a tree?!

This is what happens when Isaac gets left with Grandma, aka Me!

Him: "Look Gwamma, I can climb twee!"

Me: "Good job, now, ummm, that's far enough."

Him: "I no have wings. I only have arms."

Him: "My Mommy is going to be SO happy!!!"

Umm, maybe 'happy' isn't quite the word for it...(sorry Lindsay.) 

{Disclaimer: He was actually only about 3 feet off the ground and I was standing under him the whole time he was in the tree. But he felt like such a 'big boy' and he was so proud of himself!} 

Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival 2009

I had a 'crabby' weekend. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Notice the pretty blue skies!

It looked like summer, but definitely felt like fall.

The festival was expanded this year, and stretched from Front Street all the way out to the Port Angeles City Pier. The crowd was massive on Saturday, and sales were brisk.

Sunday was a little quieter, but still a good sized crowd most of the day. 

This is inside the Community Crab Feed tent where about a dozen local restaurants serve their own versions of crab and seafood dishes. Also lots of wine, a beer garden, and live music.

Visitors come from all over the U.S. and Canada to get their fill of Dungeness Crab.

And you can't go away without a Crazy Crab Hat!

This booth always has a long line of customers! It's fun to see people (adults & kids) rockin' their Crazy Crab Hats!

Such a great weekend! But I'm oh-so-tired today. I'm taking today off and getting some rest, but I have my sewing schedule jam-packed for the next few weeks. 

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Fingerprint Friday

Over at Pampering Beki's blog, she does a feature every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday". Her idea is taken from a Steven Curtis Chapman song that goes like this:

I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god

She invites other bloggers to join in and give their interpretation of how they see God's fingerprints in their daily lives. 

I see God's fingerprints (and blessings) all over my daily life! For years I worked at a job that, I realized after the fact, was making me stressed out, miserable and sick. But I was thankful to have a job and I made a point every day, as I went into my workplace, of praying and thanking God for my job, and asking him how I could be a light shining for Him in that place. Some days were more difficult than others.

Then to make a long story short, He opened some doors for me, I listened for His prompting, and now I work from my cozy little home, where I can go for a walk on a Friday morning, happen upon an estate sale, and pick up some super fun vintage fabrics. Or, I can stay up in my little studio working in the early morning hours, listening to any kind of music I choose (usually lots of praise music!!) I work harder, and longer than I've ever worked in my life, but I absolutely love my job! And I know that I am extremely blessed to be able to say that.

And I know that God had a hand in it! 

So, where do you see the fingerprints of God in your life?

Sometimes I'll do custom orders

It's not very often that I have time to accept custom orders, but I recently worked on a couple for some special friends and customers and it was really fun! I had to special order the fabrics for a customer in Missouri that comes back to my online shop every year and orders multiple sets of Tote Bags, Handbags and matching accessories. One set was done in a Christmas themed fabric, and the other was a playful animal print. I love her taste in fabrics! Bright and whimsical! 

The Bella Tote Bag that you see in the bottom right-hand corner, in muted blue, ivory and terra cotta, was for a local customer. She's in my Creative Collective group and a hard-working teacher and artist. This will be perfect for hauling home papers for grading. I really love this print! It also comes in a terra cotta background and I bought that print as well. So look for new items in my shop soon made with those fabrics.

I'm busy working on some other new winter items that I hope to have listed in the shop by the end of the week. The weather has been sooo nice here this week that it's hard to stay focused on production!

For your funny bone

My girlfriend, Julie, sent me some new 'Maxine' cartoons today and I just had to share, because who can't use a good laugh now and then? It's good for you. So go ahead, laugh out loud!

Also, I've spent way too much a little time over on this site lately and I do laugh out loud every time. Keep checking back because they usually update it throughout the day. (Because we all need a time-waster - right?)

Hot Fall

Happy first day of Fall! It's hard to believe it's fall, though, as the day is heating up. The weatherman says it will get up to 77 degrees today. 

We've had such a fantastic summer here in the Pacific Northwest, that I'm sad to see it go, so I'll take these unusually warm fall days! They're perfect for hanging laundry on the clothesline, and taking fall hikes.

I did some {very} minimal fall decorating.

These little guys are on my kitchen table.

When my kids were young (and still at home) I would decorate the whole house with fall/halloween/Thanksgiving-themed decorations. Now I'm okay with just doing a very scaled down version. 

These sconces hang from the side of my cabinets, on either side of my kitchen sink. I bought them both at a yard sale for $1.00 for the pair. I picked up the little fruit, leaves, and flower picks at the Goodwill about $.75, and I change them out with the seasons:

And yes, I leave my white Christmas lights up all year. I just like the cozy light they create when all of the other kitchen lights are off.

Here's the view from the back of my little arched dining area, looking back out at the kitchen and living room:

I think I'm ready to sit down and have a Pumpkin Spice Latte now. (Maybe I should have it iced though.)

Happy First Day of Fall!

To go or not to go?

It's Saturday and I'm usually at the Sequim Open Aire Market, setting up my booth for the day, but I made the decision (after watching the weather report) to stay home and work in my studio. 

I'm always torn when making that decision. What if one of my customers comes looking for me there? Or, would I have had a more productive day there, or in my studio? 

The wind here in Port Angeles has been gusting up to 25 mph today, but was it that windy in Sequim? If so, it would have made for kind of a miserable day there, trying to keep my handbags and pouches from blowing everywhere. 

By making the decision not to go I was able to:

1. Spend time with my girlfriend and her granddaughter who I don't get to see enough.

2. Attend a fund-raising breakfast to benefit the local food bank.

3. Finish some new handbags for my winter line. (I'm showing you some sneak-peeks. What do you think?)

All in all, I'm happy with my decision, and the new handbags! 

(I'm thinking I might call these 'Twilight Moon'. What do you think, any ideas?)

Another Success!

I headed out to the Cutting Garden yesterday morning just before the sun was coming up. I was the first one to arrive, and the sights, smells and sounds were amazing! The farmhouse and grounds are surrounded by huge, plate-sized dahlias, incredibly fragrant roses, and what must be hundreds of different lush and bountiful blooms spilling from the flower beds.

Those few quiet moments were a wonderful way to start the busy day. Our Opulent Art Show was a great success! We enjoyed a brilliant day, talented artists, and a steady stream of guests.

I'm just a little tired today, so I'll end now with a few photos from the day.

And you can view the rest of them here, if you're interested.

The second annual Opulent Art Show!

Well here it is almost the middle of September already! I've been 'blog-absent' this summer, but only because it's been such a busy summer! Lots of traveling for shows and markets. And many, many hours of sewing in between. Trying to keep up production has been challenging at times, but as always, I'm just thankful that people are still buying my products. I appreciate each and every sale!

Most recently I've been helping to plan and organize the upcoming Opulent Art Show at The Cutting Garden in Sequim. It's this Saturday, Sept. 12th, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. I would highly encourage you to come out to Sequim and, if nothing else, just enjoy the gorgeous flowers (ohmygosh! the dahlias are fantastic right now!) and the music. 

I'll be there as will many other very talented artists, and I am humbled and thankful to be in their company. We had such a great time last year, and I'm looking forward to another beautiful, fun day!