Wow - where have I been? Better question would be "where does my time go?" I have been so busy that I sometimes wondered how I did anything while I worked and commuted 5 days a week! It's not that I haven't been doing lots of sewing lately - in fact I have done tons! It's just that alot of my sewing has been special orders and requests for things other than the items I sell. This is not a bad thing mind you, it's just that it takes up my time and I don't get new items up on my etsy site.
Since I have been bad about making things for Cutsie Tootsie Designs in the past couple weeks, I decided to keep the momentum going and make something that means alot to me. I made Addie her first quilt! I know - she is already over a year old and I feel bad about that. But I do think she will like it nonetheless. And I want it to be a blankie that gets tattered, torn and taken everywhere. Of course, because I waited so long to make her something, she has already grown attached to her pink velour blankie that she shoves her face into every single night. This one may not be the replacement for that one, but I do hope she spends lots of nights curled up on the couch with Mommy and Daddy watching TV and cuddling her blankie that Grammy Mueller made! I love you Addie!
I have always loved purses that had a clasp on top. Reminds me of when I was little and my aunts used to carry "pocketbooks" that would clasp shut. I came upon a great website from the UK called "U Handbag" and she actually sells the purse frames as well as gives great tutorials on how to make them. I was intrigued so I decided to order a kit from her and try it. Well, let me tell you, I am hooked! They turn out soooo cute. I had some problems getting my order from "across the pond" and waited quite awhile to receive it. Never did receive the first order but the owner Lisa was kind enough to send me another package, which I received without a problem. Her tutorial gave instructions on how to take your own frame measurement and turn it into a clutch. After a first failed attempt at getting the size right for the frame I had, I tried again and I think I got it. I also found a company in the U.S. who sells purse frames so I am happy. Once I get my order from them I can make some cute little clutches to sell in my Etsy shop. The bigger one is 6" wide and is perfect to carry a cell phone, money, credit cards, lipstick, etc. Anything you need for a quick run or to carry to a wedding. The smaller size is more of a change purse size and very cute. I think I will also be ordering some larger frames to make more of a small purse size clutch. This company also sells the frames with holes for attaching a chain and actually making it a purse. So I'm excited to try something new for my etsy shop. Once I get my order and start sewing them up, I will let you know. Until then, take a look at how cute these things are!
It seems like every kiddie takealong I post is for the little girls in our lives. But what about all the little boys who would like a tote bag to carry their little cars and trucks in? This little bag is just as useful for them as it is for the little girls carrying their books and dolls in them. As you can see from the photo above, I made an adorable navy blue pin dot with red check lining for little 
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