Apple Mango Smoothie

So behind, so behind.
I feel like no matter what I do, I keep lagging behind. One would think that the spring (and summery) feel of recent weeks would make one more productive -- but it's been just the opposite. I've had family gatherings, friend obligations, feelings of tiredness and sub-par productivity drive.

Buh-rand new bag!

Well howdy hello how-do-you-do?!

I'm in a perked up mood because I successfully tore apart my machine and put it back together and am happy to report I got her all fixed up! I was able to finish the custom commissioned mushroom bag and it will be to its destination by Friday evening. How amazing a snow day can be for one's spirit and determination. It has been my day of happiness and hope.

Enough words, on with the bag!

Of course it would!

Well, the storm has hit my area. I'll shorten the "storm" to: the forecasts were wrong and it's snowing lots and lots. k.

this is, in no way, what the thread should look like
just in case you were wondering

After my two hour commute to work, hour stay, subsequent closing and over hour drive back I decided to unwind by working on that awesome soft feathery wonderfulness that is the custom commissioned mushroom zip top tote (quite a mouthful right?). I pin and tuck and get everything together. I sew one side of a zipper with no problems at all. Then, all of a sudden, my machine jams and I can't get the fabric out of the machine. It is literally pinned into the machine, the needle won't move up or down and I'm scared to death of ripping this wonderful fabric. I eventually get it out (in tact!) and open up the bobbin case to see what the deal is. After removing large quantities of thread that became tangled during the mush, I tried sewing on a scrap piece of fabric. Same thing happened. I took apart the whole bobbin-dealies and got rid of all fuzzies, pieces of tiny thread and anything else that could have possibly made its way into the case. I adjusted tension and tried different thread... and I can't fix it. I just can't fix it.

I am heartbroken.

I wanted to finish this bag tonight so I could send pictures to its commissioner. I wanted to continue to sew a nice raindrop pleated bag. Not tonight, my friends. I will be scouring for answers related to how to get my beloved machine unstuck.


Suggestions, anyone?

Please, in the meantime, share with me your recent projects...

New Year, New Products!

Hello my long lost followers!
I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. With the holidays, my sister's baby, trying to adjust to going back to work on a daily basis after having so many days off and some of those other cogs life throws in one's wheel - I'm finally getting back into crafty-mode. I've received several requests from my website (http://www.crimsonphoenixdesigns.com/) that I am positively THRILLED about.

I know money is tight after the holidays so any new bag I make I will personally calculate a price for. If you order more than one bag, you will receive a discount. I am also offering first-class shipping. This does not get to you as quickly as priority mail but I know some of you see the $5 shipping and have second thoughts. Just let me know if you'd like first-class shipping and I will get you a quote. I shipped a bag to Canada the other day for a mere $2.02!!!

What would you like to see, fellow bag-lovers? Please let me know. I can't make bags without you.


------Warning: Personal stories below. If you're interested in products-only information, this is where your ride stops. Please be careful exiting the tramcar.------


Mr. Gnome and I have had our bouts with the difficulties of life over the past few weeks. Everything from work woes to getting stranded after believing we just had a wonderful evening... it has been trying.

We have been saving money so we can buy a home, rather than rent the one we are in now. We would love nothing more than a nice, victorian-esque or old stone farmhouse on a little plot of land to call our own. (My love of creating doesn't end with fabric - I love gardening and planting and all kinds of get-down-and-dirty-outside hobbies). I also have this desire for a goat. And an alpaca. And a llama. And a horse. Ok maybe that's going too far for now but you can see my point. I aspire to have more than a small home with a tiny backyard which only has room for one flat of flowers and a couple of tomato plants. I want to try my hand at corn and pumpkins. I want to have the opportunity to have a goat, even if I don't believe my life will truly ever be ready for it. I just want something to call my own. (and, universe, a fireplace would be great. kthx.)

We also have similar cars, but different years and styles. We have since found that as soon as something goes wrong with one of our cars, the other will break within 6 months. We've had flat tires, broken windshields, a broken sunroof, several windows that will not go (or stay) up (some of these are still not fixed), an ignition in need of replacement and that's not the last of it. Yes, all, this has been within the past 6 or so months. We would love to just get different cars but a car payment is one of the last things we need right now... and with our cars needing so much work, we couldn't get a different car as an even trade. And the last time one of the cars broke down, we just got done meeting our realtor for the first time and were feeling super good even though we found out our dream home has gone from "available" to "pending"... til we got out to the parking lot and my car wouldn't start. I'm not a person that is super spiritual or into all the happenings of the universe, but I know a sign when I see one. And I believe that's a sign. Of what, I'm not sure... or maybe it's a test... to see how much I can handle... to keep me grounded and my head out of the clouds (clouds? you're unclear of what I mean? please see paragraph above this one. llamas? yeah there you go.)

I have been having some medical issues as well; issues which I will not delve into for the whole world to see, but just know they have not been minor scrapes and bruises. And an internal organ which I have not-so-lovingly named "Vlad."

These issues, along with several more I am not yet ready to share with the world, have been making me feel quite overwhelmed and in need of a mental vacation. As much as I try to be a nice, easygoing person, I am at heart a wound-up worrywort of the largest proportions. I also like to make lists and have plans and these issues.... well they have thrown lots of cogs in my wheels and almost stopped them from moving altogether. It seems there have been issues for me every few days and sometimes I simply can not handle all of these things at once.


So now that you have an understanding of my last month or so, I'd like to apologize for my lack of crafts and posts and new items. Sometimes, you need to be in a good spot in your life (or day) to feel that creative juice flowing and, followers... it hasn't been flowing. No amount of yummy Kona coffee I ingest has been making it warm up and thaw out. It has been frozen solid in my rigid, stressed out body for several weeks and for that I apologize. However, my snow day today has been (I believe) the start of my inspriation to get back behind that sewing machine. I hope to get some new products out to all of you very soon. I need to sew. I need my hobbies. I need an outlet for my hostility, my anger, my love and all things in between (Mr. Gnome can't take much more of any of those things!)

So, please, if you would like to see something, do not hesitate to make special requests. Happycat will gladly field your requests and give them to me in the order in which they came... or she will print them and sleep happily on the paper... either way, I will find them.

I wish you all the happiest of Fridays and a fantastical weekend.

All my love,

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.

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!

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.