Good Morning, Good Evening and Good Night

What a wild ride the past few weeks have been. I hope everyone had a safe and happy christmas spent with the people whom they hold dear.

As a special gift to my readers, and because it's snowing outside, because I get a snow day from work tomorrow, because it's the end of the year, because I'm going to be an aunt again and just because I love ya - Use coupon code snowday2010 to receive 15% off your TOTAL PURCHASE at iggard.etsy.com . Yes, you may share this code with your friends. Hurry -- this deal is only good until December 30th!!!!

So what did santa bring you? I'm currently cuddled up in the most comfy, warm and soft sherpa blanket I've ever laid my grubby little hands on. I firmly believe it is cursed - as once I am within its grasp, I can not leave...

I'd ask one of you to come save me but I am entirely too cozy with my happycat and sherpa blanket to ever, ever want to move.

Look for pictures of a brand new baby quilt, just for baby Mary, coming soon.

Ways to buy Handmade

Here are some awesome websites to buy handmade goods.

Artfire  As per the site: "we currently provide a home for handmade goods, fine art, vintage, designed items, supplies and media. ArtFire was built as a marketplace for artisans by artisans to celebrate the unique individuality of artists and crafters around the globe. ArtFire is the fee-free e-commerce solution for all artists looking to sell their wares online."
One of my favorite items

Etsy is, of course, the staple of handmade goods in the U.S.
My favorite store (me...silly!)

Folksy is a sort of British-etsy. It's just as adorable and jam-packed with handmade goods.
One of my favorite items.

iCraft is a Canadian based website which offers handmade goods. I haven't had the time to peruse this website. Feel free to do so at your leisure.

Made It Myself is another site very much like etsy.com. It is still in "beta" stage.
My favorite item (oh someone please buy this for me!)

Shop away!

A rainy sunday

 It's a rainy, grey Sunday here in southeastern Pennsylvania. Today, I have a job interview in Allentown. The very odd weather has literally rained on all of my plans for today. I was going to straighten my (freakishly) long hair with a little curl at the end, wear a nice white turtleneck with a bright blue chunky necklace and some grey pinstripe pants. Well... seeing as today is an absurd 50 degrees, a turt0l0-+999+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Pardon that interruption folks. That would be the musings of a happycat trying to invade my personal space and block my view from the monitor so I show her, and only her, attention this morning. Back on topic!

A turtleneck seems too warm for this type of weather. Additionally, anyone who straightens their hair understands the futility of doing so when humid and/or raining. I may go against convention, though, and wear the turtleneck after all. I am almost always cold...

So, on to the topic you're all actually here to read about: Crimson Phoenix Designs. We sold a few more bags over the past week. I'm going to take a wild guess here and say it is because Christmas is only 13 days away.  Hey, only a guess. One of the sales was a double: lime damask wallet and tote. I really loved that set and felt it was one of the best I've produced in a few months. The pockets turned out perfectly spaced from the bottom, the heavyweight interfacing was perfectly placed so that there were no lumps or bumps that needed to be slowly worked out and the zipper pouch had nice, small squared corners so your belongings would fit without looking like they were jammed into the thing. The only thing I wish I had accomplished on that piece was this: I can't figure out how people get zippers to not stick at the beginning. Perhaps it is the brand of zippers I am buying but they always always always stick at the beginning when they are first opened. It happens in all of my pieces unless I make a zip pocket that gets sewn around the beginning and a fake beginning is formed. Can anyone give me advice on this? I tried putting a bit of clear wax over that part of the zipper and it seemed to help but I know that will not last forever.

I haven't been as productive over the past few days for various reasons, including working late, a cookie bake with family (tried a recipe from thekatherly and it was awesome), getting Christmas presents/tree together, being interrupted by the very demanding happycat and an overall sense of burned-out-ed-ness that has been plaguing me for a few weeks now. That said, does anyone have any suggestions or requests for new bags they would like to see? I am particularly fond of this website for fabric choices: www.hawthornethreads.com  They have a great selection and none of those annoying prints we all hate. I'm considering making more teardrop (rounded bottom) bags. What else would you like to see?

I am also getting very tired of the layout of this blog. It is quite yellow and I'm just not feeling it anymore. Look for a blog change coming soon.

I hope all of you out there have a very happy Sunday and enjoy your last day off before the drudge of the work week begins.

Repurposing

I've spent the evening cutting, seam ripping and deconstructing items for multiple uses (ok... maybe with a little wine in the mix. it was a hard day in my small sandbox). That said, I don't have too terribly much to say about tonight's goings-on.





I was given this fantastic poly blend soft-as-suede skirt by a friend. She even had the tags still on! The material was beautiful... just perhaps not in a skirt-form. This picture is washed out and unevenly exposed due to the nature of my cell phone camera but you can just begin to glimpse how nice this fabric will look as a bag. It will yield at least three bags out of one long skirt. One of these bags is going to be a tall, skinny bag perfect for holding books and bottles of water. Another is going to be short and fat and positively adorable. The last will be more of a large-tote style. If I feel adventurous on a snow day,  I believe I will bat and quilt it. Wouldn't it look positively splendid as a quilted large tote?









I also began working on a small quilt for my sister. She's due at the end of this month and I figured I had put off the inevitable long enough. I finished the piecing together of the top of the quilt. I now need to run to the store to find a suitable flannel for the sides and back of the piece. It's mainly peach and green with splashes of pink. A true blue lover, myself, it feels awkward without any blue in it. Feedback on this piece would be awesomely appreciated.

It's terribly cold in this area so I'm going to go snuggle by my Mr. Gnome and have myself a nice sleep. And to all, a good night!

Time's really flying

You know, it doesn't matter how fast my little fingers work - time is as swift an enemy as any. With all the other obligations upon me, I can only manage to finish one bag a night... and that is only if I get to dedicate the entire after-work time to bag making. Often times I have other obligations with friends, family or other work affairs that I can simply not finish a bag. This frustrates me so. I very badly would like to create more, as it is my passion, but I can not due to the constraints of a working life. *ahem*

Alright, enough whining and on with the display!!

Please enjoy pictures of my newest creations, below.

Holiday trees and snowflakes in red as well as a Holiday lime damask!

Oh what fun it is to sew all of these fun totes!

See my etsy shop to learn more about these festive little gifts.

Two new bags!

I am pleased to announce the completion of two new bags this evening.
One bag is a custom creation for AnneB. This is the bag which uses the beautiful poppy lane fabric I just received in stock. This bag features a complete zip top, 6 internal pockets and 3 pen pockets.

 

 

The next bag was made quite quickly when I had nothing better to do. I didn't have the intentions of making this new bag but... it just happened. I'm quite pleased with the results. See for yourself :)

In other (kind of sad) news! I realized, tonight, that I cannot continue to make zip top bags unless I charge at least $50.00 a piece. Let me break down my costs for you.

One yard of interfacing is $3. I used a whopping 3.75 yards of interfacing on the red poppy bag. How, you ask? I have NO IDEA. The outside requires a stiffer interfacing, and the bottom a double dose of interfacing. Then there's the internal fabric, all the pockets, the zip top and the handles. This price equals $11.25.

Then, there's the fabric. The poppy and chandelier fabric is $8.00 per yard. Because of the width and directional printing of the fabric, I had to use about 1.25 yard of external fabric. Because of the pockets, I had to use about 1.5 yards of the internal fabric. This is equal to 2.75 yards, or $22.00.

Each of the zippers cost about $2, so $4 total.

Not including the 8 hours I spent washing and pressing the fabric, measuring, cutting, applying interfacing and meticulous sewing of the bag - the cost of materials alone is $37.25.
This fact is a bit shocking to me. I did not realize that I was spending this much on my bags. Because I buy fabric here and there and have a stock of zippers, key clasps and other goodies, I just did not realize how much money I truly was spending. My overall goal is to make a fantastic product at an affordable price. However, even if I undercharge at $2/hr, the price for this bag is $53.25. It is so hard for me to believe.

For the time being, I believe I will be sticking to my open-top totes which feature either a button, magnetic snap or no closure. It cuts at least 3 hours off the bag itself because I am not yet proficient in the zip top and even if I were, it would probably add at least 1 hour to the bag production. If you would like a zip-top bag, I'd be more than happy to make one for you but it will take a considerably longer amount of time and it will cost a great deal more. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. If I could... I'd make them all for free.


<3 Until next time....

So Exciting!

Wahoo! We got another custom order! Also, the brand new website is up and running, due in part to a largely sleepless weekend and an obsessive desire to get it in display-order. There are still bits and pieces that need to be completed but on the whole, it's more than presentable.
Please visit my new website here: www.crimsonphoenixdesigns.com

Beth picked up her custom made mushroom bag (see bag here or here) yesterday and has already said "Everything fits perfect in my new mushroom purse! Thanks so much!"  It was hard to part with the lil'shroomer, but it had to be done. It's the only way I can afford to make more bags for all of you. So, on to bigger and better things.

All fabric for the new custom commissioned bag has been purchased, fastened and laundered. It sits eagerly awaiting to be trimmed at my sewing desk. The sad part about its lonely wait is that I won't be playing with it tonight. It's my mental health night, of sorts -- Girls Night! This fabric, by the way, is one of the most lovely fabrics I have ever purchased. Mr. gnome himself even approves... which says a lot since he is rarely interested in the goings-on of my fabric. Here is a grainy iphone picture of the sheer size of these poppies. It's perfect for a bag!


This custom-commissioned bag is for geebee's mother (geebees.etsy.com). Concurrently, geebee' s little one just turned 6 months today so I would like to extend my warmest half-birthday wishes to the squidgey.

<3 horray for squidge!

A gleeful morning

Merry Saturday to all, and to all a good morn'!!


Terribly sorry for the semi-holiday sound, but it is a fantastic morning over here in the CPD household. A "Christmas wreath" candle was purchased last night, lit this morning and smells delightfully cheery. However, that is not the bulk of the happy-maker. The snufflings of the squishface-happycat which sits next to me a-chewing on her toes is also comforting; not wholely as comforting as making a sale... but it will suffice on these chilly mornings.

Ah, for the love of happycat

The bulk of the happy-maker is this: We had a sale last night! One of Tot's Totes in Tweed with matching black buttons was purchased by an individual in Massachusetts. It was lovingly packaged and shipped out first thing this morning. Nothing like a sale to get those creative motivations up-n-at-'em on an early Saturday morning.

That's that... I'm going to get crafting. Happy day to all!

Lovin the Mushroom Print

Take a look at this adorable mushroom-print bag, which was made by custom request. It boasts 3 pockets and two pen pockets. It features a button closure and embellished straps. Take note: new, happy, non-cell phone pictures for you to browse at your leisure! Please leave your feedback, input or other noteworthy comments!

Now is the time for that custom order! This style of bag starts at $18.

Why hello, again...

It feels like forever since I've posted anything. That is quite possibly because I have been sick for three whole weeks. I even *dun dun dun* had to take a few days off work in order to sleep my steroid-and-antibiotic-laden sickness away. I do feel that the medicine is helping and that I'm on the path to mending.
What does this mean for you? GOOD NEWS!

As I keep posting, and then taking back, I WILL be working on new creations. I just received some awesome Christmas themed fabric as well as some adorable dots-and-umbrellas that will make you swoon.





I  am also now taking custom orders for the holidays. Please contact me if you would like to place a custom handbag or wallet order.

What's all the hubbub?

Well!
I suppose you'd like to know who I am and what this deal is all about, right?

Firstly, my name is Kate, and I'm a craft-a-holic! I love many, many different crafts.

Currently I am trying to focus my creative energies on sewing handbags which help to keep people organized. This has mainly come from my love of pockets - and the lack of pockets in many purses and bags. Many of my bags are made in the style of a tote. These totes are then lined on the inside with at least 5 pockets and 2 pen pockets. Of course, they can vary from as little as 2 pockets to a zipper pocket to... whatever you want, really. That's the beauty of a custom-made bag -- it fits YOU! My bags are also equipped with a key clip to keep your pesky keys from getting lost in the bottom of your purse.... c'mon... it's happened to all of us.

I've also recently started creating bags which utilize a recessed zipper. While not as small and cute as one of Tot's Totes (yes, that is what I affectionately call my organizer-totes), it is just as organization-friendly and keeps all of your belongings securely zippered into place. However, the cost on these types of handbags goes up due to the increased labor and materials cost.

Please check out my my etsy store to see some of the products I have for sale.

A few previously sold items (pardon the mobile phone quality photos):

Custom Purse

Inside of custom purse

Custom Matching Tote and Wallet

I also very much enjoy crocheting, knitting, paper crafts and polymer clay goodies. (No, this is not an all-inclusive list)

My only problem with my craft obsession? Trying to find the time to do what I love while still working full time. My official occupation, in the eyes of Uncle Sam, is working in Psychiatric Rehabilitation. The field, while rewarding, is also very demanding. Thusly, time for my beloved crafts is few and far between. However, with the winter months approaching, less to do in the garden and far less time to do outside activities, I suspect that my craft time will grow significantly.

Look for future posts on crafts, home and garden, budgeting, scheduling and all kinds of house-and-home-and-craft topics. Thanks for following my blog!

Post Number One!

Hello all and welcome to my blog!
Thanks for stopping by. As you can see, I have just begun to work in the bloggosphere so check back often for updates.  Please be sure to check out "my etsy" and thanks again!