You know you've been sewing too long when...

I've spent the majority of today sewing. Clearly, I got a giganto-spool of white thread. I took the morning to cut many pieces, iron them and then get to work sewing all of them at once. Considering the lull I've been in (see previous few posts) this is a great step for me in the right direction. The dogs have been quiet, Mr. Gnome has been putting in some overtime at work - so I get to jam out to some music and have some quality time with my sewing machine.

New Listing and Question for YOU!

So, I was able to be crafty a LITTLE bit during the past week. So without further adieu I present the Spring Magnolias Tote:

 

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!

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.

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!