New Handbag

Here is a custom order handbag that I've been working on. I really like the peacock with the cool feathers. I used a linen for the front with Amy Butler fabrics for the feathers, the peacock body is a woolen felt. The applique is my on design and was a lot of fun to create. Of course as always I get nervous doing custom orders. I always worry that it isn't what they had in mind. It's so much easier selling things already made. Do any of you feel the same or is it just me?

I have been featured on my peeps Jodi Reeves blog The Creative Jar, it's her 1000th blog post so hop over and say hi and congratulations.

I have a lot of ideas in my head right now and hope to share more with you soon.

Owl bag done!

Here is the finished owl bag. A lot is going on with this bag...hand painted, applique, free motion stitching, vintage buttons, WOW! I love it! I hope the customer likes it, it's a gift for her sister.
I really really want to make one for myself now.
It is so funny how we creators never seem to create for ourselves, always for others.
People that know I sew assume I have made all these awesome handmade things in my home...not so.
Most of the handmade items in my home are from other creators and that is just fine with me:)
One day, yes one day I will have all the time in the world to create just for me. I just hope I can still see well enough to thread the sewing machine.

More goodies coming so check back, enjoy your week end!

Hand painted Owl Bag

Here is a WIP involving paints, an owl and some free motion stitching. So far so good....I still am a little uncomfortable painting and always think I've ruined it as soon as I start painting. Then the free motion stitching is a whole other story. I know with time and practice it'll get better. But it does have that wonky style, don't you think? Part of the charm? Actually I am having fun but wish the stitches were a little more consistent.....any tips?

I know once it all goes together no one will notice the stitching. It's funny I'm always telling a friend of mine don't worry about the stitches, it's your style. I guess this may be my style as well???

I'll post more when the bag is complete. You can see the back and interior fabrics that will be used for the lining in the overall picture. I want to do a beaded handle for this one, it's just telling me that right now.

Yet another new handbag style....

As promised here is the other new handbag style....what do you think? I haven't named her yet but am thinking of continuing with the Tennessee theme, maybe the "Memphis Bag"? It's sort of funky and hip, just like the Memphis scene. Especially the patchwork one.I used Michael Miller's Bohemian patchwork, Michael Miller's Groovey, and the patchwork is Erin Michael ZA ZA. Put it over your shoulder grab some lipsmacking barbecue and then settle in for some grooving blues. My kind of day!

I am feeling the pressure of upcoming events as I am extremely low in inventory. I guess that's what happens when production is shut down for a few months. But it's also satisfying in a whacked sort of way. When I first started selling my goods (less than a year ago) and looked at all the inventory it was scary. What if I did not sell anything? What would I do with all this stuff? Well that's the least of my worries now. The only thing fully stocked is handbags, I have been in a bag making mood lately. But need to move on.

I have considered tweaking my shop to fewer items and narrow my focus. However I like to try new ideas and offer a selection to my shoppers. So I'm sure I'll always have a mish mosh of this and that. Being a one woman show does take it's toll at times though. I work best under pressure and it will all come out in the end.

The last two pictures are of two more Vandie bags, I used a Japanese Alice in Wonderland and Tula Pink Flutterby prints.

Hope some of you will make it to the show this week end and check out the new stuff. If you do and decide to purchase a new bag "Vandie" or "Memphis"? tell me you saw them on my blog and get $5.00 off the bag! Hey that will pay for the gas to get there....

Ooops forgot to mention new bags are in the shop for those out of towners.
Memphis bag willpost tomorrow.

New Bag Design

Here is the new handbag style. It's something that I worked on for awhile, I know it looks simple enough but it took me awhile to get it just right. After doing 5 of these babes the bias is looking much better. not that it was terrible before. But the process is much smoother and less time consuming then at first.

Now I am on to some comp book covers. They are fun and easy, I need a brain break before I start another "new" project. I do have another handbag style coming soon. It's actually a draft from the new Vandie bag that didn't work out. I wanted a bag with a pleated top and I think this is the one!

Hopefully more aprons are on the way as well! Lots of ideas in my head that need to be created!

If you are in the East Nashville area next Sunday Sept 7th stop by the Lipstick Lounge on Woodland for the CRAFT event and say HI. You will be able to see the new Vandie bag as well as the new Sweet Tweets.

For those not in the area I am listing in my etsy shop as well.

The Price of Creating

As you all know I had an event in beautiful Bell Buckle Tennessee this past weekend, and as always I do an after show follow up post. I must say Bell Buckle Tennessee is beautiful and a very scenic drive after you leave I24. I was listening to some Irish tunes and felt like I was driving through the country side in Ireland. The citizens of Bell Buckle are just as pleasant, unbelievable nice. I realize I have been in the city too long, don't get me wrong we have nice people here in Nashville but overall we aren't completely trusting of strangers. The nicest lady I met was my first sale and her name is Martha. Martha is a rare soul that will steal your heart before you know it. She is a giving person that would give the shirt off her back. (Without going into a lot of details let me tell you she offered me her car to drive back to Nashville saying I trust you and know you will return it, as I had some car problems). I love Martha!

The other highlight and I do mean highlight was meeting a flickr friend in person. After months of email communication I finally met Stitchin Sista! She is just as sweet as I imagined. I enjoyed the brief time I spent with her and her daughter. Stitchin Sista is an extremely talented creator that creates the most awesome wallets, bags and she quilts....I really want to pick her brains for tips. Go check her out!

The other positive outcome of the RC Cola/Moon Pie event was my friend Jodi was selected by Webb School to return to Bell Buckle in October. This is huge! Jodi's shemics were a hit, she finally had an audience that appreciates her talent. Recently Jodi had taken a different direction with her art and was questioning her decision and she deserved/needed the affirmation. i've been telling her all along....but will she listen to me? NO! I takes total strangers in Bell Buckle Tennessee to get her to see it. Yep Jodi had a ROCK STAR day and I'm so happy for her.
You Go Girl!

Before I started writing this post I had to go back and read my "Crafter's Conversations"post.
I did not have a good event. It was the worst event financially I have ever done. I keep telling myself I broke even, but I'm not so sure. The bad news that I really don't want to talk about is the fact that my car is still in Bell Buckle, under the watchful eye of Martha. Here is the short version of the story. When I left Nashville it was dark and I had my lights on. When I arrived in Bell Buckle it was light....I forgot to turn my lights off, the battery died. Normally this would be a matter of getting a jump and be on my way, but I drive a very ahead of its time 1991 525I BMW. The problem with this car is when the battery dies the car doesn't allow you to open the doors, hood or anything. After messing with the car for a couple of hours my husband called it quits and said we will go back. So that's another 100 round trip of gas besides the first two trips.

As beautiful and nice as Bell Buckle was I think the event was more of a flea market type of event. Even Stitchin Sista said we were out of place. I did have more people than ever touch and comment about my creations but only sold one handbag, several kids books, a tissue holder, comp book covers and two of my new art pieces. I passed out a ton of cards and let people know where to find me. So we'll see....

The Price of Creating
Booth fee $135 (however this was split)
Gas $100 (remember I had an extra trip)
Sales $140
Taxes $14

Meeting Stitchin Sista priceless
Meeting Martha priceless
Jodi acceptance into Webb School priceless
Beautiful drive priceless

Thank you Stitchin Sista and Martha and congratulations Jodi, you all made the event worth it.
I'd do it all again for you....

The handpainted owl bag

If you have been reading the blog you may remember the play date post. My very talented artist friend Jodi Reeves came over and "encouraged" me to do a hand painted handbag. I have been wanting to do some other type medium and branch out a little. So what the heck I'll give it a shot. I do okay with sketching but putting down paint is another story....it's harder than it looks.

Recently Jodi did a post about her bags and comparing styles said she was "Green Acres" and I was "Manhattan". Well if that is the case my art is "refrigerator art" and she is "gallery art". I feared my bag would just sit there until a family member took pity and asked to purchase it. However I finished the bag Friday night before the show (didn't take a picture) and sold it Saturday!!! WOW never in a million years would I have thought. The even stranger thing is the customer paid me more than the asking price, was I being "PUNKED"?

Knowing I didn't even take a picture my friend Michelle aka Wicked Moxie came to the rescue with her camera. Note always take pictures of your creations!! So here is my first hand painted with first attempt at free motion machine stitching handbag. I did enjoy doing it and plan to do more, so keep checking back.

First Spring Show

Hello to all, so sorry for the delay in between posts. As most of you know I have been busy creating for the first show of the year with very little computer time. But the creating certainly paid off with one of the best shows ever! The best part was meeting several wonderful ladies that knew my work and had visited the blog. Ann and Betty if you're reading this yes I'm talking about you, you guys really made my day. The Nashville bag is a big hit and will be a large part of Spring/Summer events, yep more to come. The weather was also a plus bringing the community out to visit, it was a mini festival.

I'm happy that I can now share a secret, I have been in collaboration with my good friend Jodi Reeves of The Creative Jar and together we have created Par Deux Meres hand painted handbags for you. We are in the baby stages right now but already sold our first bag "The Woman bag". We are currently working on our site but let me assure you that more is to come. We will have more Par Deux Meres bags at the April 6th CRAFT event in East Nashville. You must see these works of art in person, so come out and take a peek and say "hi".

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!!

Mama's got a new bag

I wanted to share this new bag I created last week. I really do like the size as I am more of a bigger bag kind of girl. I wish I could do a one strap on this bag instead of the two. I have tried one strap with this design but the center will fold in and it messes up the shape. My favorite part is the center panel with the Russian nesting dolls, too cute! I do have more of this fabric and am listening very closely to what it wants to be turned into??? I'm so sure it will be a bag, but not sure of what kind?? I have been wanting to try a messenger bag, this very well may be the inspiration.