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?