Day of the Dead bag

I realize I haven't posted in a few days and want to give you a little sneak peek of the spring line.
I really love this bag, I think it's the bright happy colors. It was snowing the day I was cutting out the bags so it helped me feel a little warmer inside. The lining was purchased separately and I feel like it was the perfect match. Most of the time I pick the lining after the bag is made and I hit the big score with this one. I have posted the bag in the shop if you are interested. Remember all White Cottage Design creations are stitched one at a time and I do not mass produce, so if it's calling your name you better nab it up. Feel free to comment, I want to hear from you!!

Pay it Forward

Yippee! I have my three comments and am ready to let the games begin.
Thanks to.....
Tiffany @ blask designs
Jodi @ the creative jar
Zenzhetty @ flickr

Go check out these amazing talented women, I am very excited that I will be creating something special for each of them. I'll be in contact when the goodies are ready to go, now go spread the goodness.

My Favorite Room

This is my favorite room in the house. When we first moved in we had to use this room as our bedroom. The main bedroom was not usable at the time, so we just threw the bed in there and had to put things on hold while we fixed up the real bedroom. This room would be considered the front parlor, it has 2 pocket doors. One set opens to the foyer (our TV room) and the other set opens to the dining room. The room was painted an off white with a hideous light fixture, the only saving grace was the hardwood floors and the huge front window.

Well the room is painted, curtains and shades made and I made a slipcover for the thrift store sofa. The slipcover took me over a month to complete. Our old sofa which was fairly new was not a good fit for the house it was big and more of a southwestern feel to it. But mostly big! So I found this sofa with horrid fabric but could see that it was the perfect size and shape. I think I paid $75 for it. The white (I know WHITE!) fabric is a canvas that may be washed and bleached as needed. The end tables are also a thrift store find. I really really want to paint them white, what do you think? Or maybe a robins egg blue? Any suggestions on this project would be appreciated. I still need art and odds and ends but overall I'm happy. Oh I do have a couple of thrifted chairs to show later. One of which has fell into a battle with Boris. I'll save for another post.

If you didn't comment yesterday go read previous post and comment if you want to play!!! Still have a place for one more.

Pay it Forward

As I was flickr browsing yesterday I came across Tiffany from "sew you think" and read her pay it forward topic posted in "I made it myself. This is so fun! Here's the deal....sometime in the next 365 days Tiffany will be sending me a surprise (and oh how I love surprises). Then in return I will send a surprise to the first three people to comment on this post, who will promise to pay it forward as well. Okay time for all you lurkers to come out and play!!

Isn't this Exciting!

The rules? You will get something handmade from me, maybe not anytime soon, but sometime with in the next 365 days. If you decide to participate, you must do the same on your blog, and make something for the first three people who comment to your PIF post.You never know what you will get....

Thanks Tiffany, go check out her blog blask kids.

Boo boo Bag

I wanted to show the Boo-boo bag I made for my daughters friend. The bag is inspired from Sew Mama Sew rice heat therapy bag tutorial. The Boo-boo bag includes a vanilla scented rice bag for heat, a mint scented buckwheat bag for the freezer, a lavender scented eye pillow and a cool bag to store it all in. The rice and buckwheat has a removable cover so you may remove for the microwave or freezer. I made several for Christmas gifts and they are wonderful! Just the ticket to get you feeling better and looking stylish at the same time.

I am still working on the Babushka messenger bag and it is going to be soooo cute. I hope by posting this I will get into gear to finish it. I really want to keep it but alas it will be posted in the shop.

Spring inspiration

We had our first CRAFT:a creative community meeting yesterday and it was a blast. It was so nice to see old friends and meet some new soon to be friends. Well the first spring show is scheduled the first Sunday in March and I really need to get my butt in gear. I purchased some cute Russian nesting dolls fabric (remember the $40 spool of thread?) and made a new bag. But the fabric has inspired me to do something else. Go take a look at the "New" picture album and let me know what you think. Real art is not my forte, so please be kind. Not that I think this is real art but you know what I mean, I prefer fabric and thread. I think she will be on a messenger bag of some sort . I am also working on a full apron, not the half apron I usually do. I have found a great pattern (I know, I'm breaking down and will "try" to use one), and will see how it works. The pattern may be found at www.montessoribyhand.blogspot.com if you care to peek. I contacted her and have permission to sell goods using her patterns. I don't know if you realize how nice that is most goods made from patterns may not be sold. But as long as she gets the kudos she is cool with it. And by now you know about the Boo boo bags that will be available for spring. Of course I will have the usual suspects...handbags, wristlets, aprons, comp book covers, kid art books, water bottle holders.