I love this diaper bag....I loved it from the first second I made it for my sister in law but now that I tweaked it a couple of inches here and there I adore it even more. I have made SO many this summer that it still astonishes me- it is hands down the item that has been the most ordered lately.

I had several beautiful ones made that I took pictures of but when my 15 month old was having a melt down that even surprised me, I had the genius idea to hand him my camera to appease him (I was picking my parents up at the airport so he was in his car seat). I received the camera back in one piece (surprisingly) and it DID calm him down (like I said, genius) but I discovered the next day that my sacred memory card had vanished- poof. My bright idea not so bright after all! All record of my diaper bag sweatshop vanished with the memory card :(.

One of these was made for my sister in law's friend who is expecting her baby I think sometime in August (congratulations!!). She is a graphic designer and had a beautiful website that I was able to pull inspiration from to pick her fabric. The top bag was made for my cousin's wife "M"- who I'm just crazy about and is super adorable!! She has three kids too (I am pretty sure she had 3 kids in 3 years so you know she needs a decent diaper bag!!!) and she has an awesome sense of style so I was super flattered that I was able to make her one.

As always, I can customize the inside pockets just for you although with this bag the outside pockets are so extensive you may not need many more! I actually made one a while back with an inside thermal pocket to keep the baby's bottles warm or the sippy cup cold (this costs more FYI) which I thought was a great idea- thanks "A"!!

Diaper bags cost $65

The Patti Ann Purse

Mmmmmmm- my sister, I love that girl so much. Through thick and thin she is always my closest friend. Her birthday came and went in July and of course, I wasn't completely done with her gift. I finally sent this one to her this afternoon. I can only hope that she is not sick of getting purses for every occasion!! She is 4 years younger than me, much more composed ;) and is the kindest person on the face of the earth. She lives far away from me and there are certain days that my stomach hurts because I'm missing my nephew's life. The Lord knows I would smother him if I lived near him!!!

My nephew is now a toddler and my sister no longer needs a diaper bag so I brought the size down a bit from what she is used to. She wasn't too concerned with lots of outside pockets and her only request was that it zipped shut- so toddler nephew could be kept out of her stuff ;). There are two tiny pockets on each end of the bag to shove her keys in if she needs to grab them quickly.

Since my sis knows me well- being smothered in paint most of my waking moments- I knew she would be adventurous enough to handle me adding my hand painted fabric to her bag. I snuck it in on the tiny end pockets and I had glorious time working it in her scheme. I hope she remembers how crazy I am about her every time she uses it!!

Patti, I love you so much sweetheart- if I was half the person you are then I would be satisfied!! You are an angel. xoxo-

Holly

The Patti Ann Purse is $48.....if you would flatter me enough to ask me to hand paint fabric for you as well it would be an additional $8.

I don't have much time to type- we are on a short vacation once again before school starts but alas....this time my sewing machine came with me. I'm just too behind to have a "real" vacation (although honestly I would miss it) and my parents are here so they are spending lots of time with the kids and me being occupied for a bit will hopefully give them better quality time together.

I recently went through an apron obsession after the kid's Aunt D. made them the CUTEST aprons for Christmas and the kids went ga ga over them. Ultimately, I made an apron dress (see the photos on the right side of the blog for the front of the dress.....I will post the back of it soon) and I plan to make many more for my daughter because they are easy, adjustable and gorgeous! In the meantime- watching her make cookies with me in something as precious as this is just as satisfying!!!

I can make them in every size and the great thing about the strap is that it can move from one end to the other- making it completely adjustable for a perfect fit.

More apron posts to come soon.......even something for the little guys!!

An apron like this costs $30

The Yvette New York sling

Ok- so I have been an awful blogger lately.....I was adding it up and I think I've made close to 40 items since I blogged last. I was already behind on my posts so now I'll be lucky to get a quarter of them up ;)!!

Yvette ( http://yvette-unedited.blogspot.com/) is one of those people that has a plethora of ideas. I remember the first time I heard of Yvette was when Autumn (http://mommyista.blogspot.com/) was out to lunch with her and Yvette had an awesome idea about camera bags (will post about those next) so Autumn texted me about it. I thought it was fantastic and from then on the good advice has kept coming and I cannot get enough of it!! So this is "our" newest creation and I was so excited about it when it was done that I couldn't wait to get her reaction.

Yvette is up with her children and husband in New York for a month and she wanted a bag that would fit her trip perfectly. She wanted a Summer sling but wanted outside pockets so when she was on the subway she could reach for things easily. She also needed it to snap close. These sound like super easy requests but on the Sling both of them took some figuring out. I didn't want to lose the integrity of the slings gorgeous shape so I basically mimicked the front panel (pleats included) and made two spacious outside pockets on the front. The only problem was that the pockets were pretty large and I was worried she would lose her phone in such a big pocket. My solution was to make a little, hidden cell phone pocket inside the outside pocket (tongue twister). See the picture of the inside where the little grey pocket is peeking out.

The inside of the bag is also lined with pockets for Yvette's needs. Please remember that when I make a custom item I LOVE to make pockets that fit your "stuff" perfectly! As far as the snap, it was easy peasy- I just had to make another pleat in the band and I love how it turned out.

If I ever have time to make something for myself THIS is what I am making next. Seriously love, love, love it.

Yvette- as always, thank you for being so terrific! I miss you up in NY! xoxo

The Yvette New York sling is $55.

The Kristin Clutch

So I met this girl, Kristin, at a local Girls Nite Out event for my girlfriend's chiropractic office (see http://www.aprilechiropractic.com/ for those of you who live in the area and need a chiropractor!!). Kristin makes freaking adorable headbands and I was totally eyeing them down because I wanted one for my daughter. I bought a really cute pink, striped one. It is so cute and well made and my daughter loves it.......the only problem being is that she insists on putting it on herself and she wears it like a sweatband-not a headband- and lest I want her to look like Richard Simmons we get in a fight about how she is supposed to wear it. I actually win this one the majority of the time- surprise! It is always worth the fight because it really is precious on her!! Thanks again Kristin!

So Kristin called me after the event and I loved talking to her. Come to find out she lives in my neighborhood and we could see each other's houses across the golf course- too funny! She had amazing ideas and really wanted a wristlet/wallet/clutch mix that would fit her wallet, keys and phone but still be easy to carry with her. The greatest part is that she adores color and gave me free reign to mix what I felt suited her. That is always music to my ears and seriously- how pretty is this clutch???

I made the clutch interfaced with really tough Peltex- this stuff is tough to sew but it's so sturdy and will protect her things well. It zips close and has a little handle to sling over your wrist. It is not as small as a wallet but definitely not as big as a purse.

The best part about this order is the crazy way that I delivered it to her. She was going on a trip early the next morning and I was just dying to have her use it while she was gone so I told her I would leave it in her mailbox. It was late when I finished it so in my pajamas, after a long night of sewing, well after midnight, I drove over to her house and left it in her mailbox. Wrapped in tissue. Totally unprofessional. It made me feel really strange being in a minivan after midnight with no shoes on, leaving homemade goods in mailboxes!

Better yet, I schlep my husband and kids to the local Publix first thing in the morning because I simply must beat out all of the other weekend couponers and who do I see walking around carrying her brand new clutch?? You gotta love that. Needless to say, Kristin is a gorgeous girl who looks like she walked out of a magazine and that clutch looked damn good at 9am at Publix on her!!!

I promise if you order one I will not drop it off the same way!

Kristin- it has been a pleasure! Thank you!!

These cost $40

Preview for "V"!!

I don't have much time to write tonight.......our recent vacation to the beach was wonderful beyond words but I am BEHIND on everything else in my life. There is nothing like taking time out to be with my sweet husband and kids though. It hit me that I am a much better Mommy on vacation solely because I don't expect them to pick up after themselves so much. I'm attempting to bring that "laid back vacation Mommy" back to our house for a few days but after one crazy-mopping-bonanza I realize that she is slipping away from me quickly!!

On to "V"s purse! She wanted her Natasha tote a little bit smaller so I took about half an inch off all of the way around and added a button closure. We were discussing color schemes and fabric and she was drawn to black and white. I know there are some gorgeous black and white damasks out there so that got me excited to incorporate and then she looked at me and said

" With fuchsia!!" and my heart skipped a beat. There is nothing like twisting the usual with a little bit of unexpected! More shocking to me- it was a color combination that I had not used before and had not even thought of. That doesn't happen that often!!!

The cherry on top of this order was that she ordered a matching make up bag to go along with it and that always makes me drool a little. Get ready for my wallets that I am working on and should be offering soon!

I'm secretly hoping that "V" hates this purse and the next time you see me I will be walking around wearing it!! In the meantime- "V", it was a pleasure getting to work with you and I really do hope you adore your purse as much as I do!!

The Natasha Tote is $45

My Make-up wristlet bags are $18 but $15 if you order along with a purse

A Natasha Tote for super cute "F"!!

So, "charms" on my bags are all my current rage right now (see the charm hanging off the above purse on your right). I love the braids- I love adding beads- I love making your purses more individual- love it all.

So imagine my excitement when I was asked to surprise a friend of "A.M."s with a custom purse along with a peace sign charm! The girl loves peace signs and I was hooked. I have just made random design charms so far- actually making "something" or a sign that is indicative of the purse owners personality?!....LOVE IT!!!

The best thing about this order was that I got to catch a quick glimpse of "A.M."'s friend before I made it, her name is "F". She is adorable and has tons of her own style!! I got so excited about making this for her because I could see that she was a little adventurous- which I am too so I always love that!

I was so happy with how it turned out- and was thrilled to find out later that "F" loved it as well.

"A.M." has ordered lots of purses and dresses for her niece from me and she makes drop dead, drool over yourself jewelry so needless to say she is insanely creative. She also has a generous heart and puts TONS of thought into the gifts that she buys. She is such a kind soul and I totally look up to her, respect her and love to eat up her ideas that she gives me!

As always, thanks for the order "A.M." and I hope you enjoy your special purse "F"!!!!

Natasha Totes are $45 and to add a charm is an additional $7.