My Passion - bags & totes

Sewing has always been my passion and I'm getting more and more custom orders.  Mostly bags, totes and wallets.  I love creating them, even if I'm just modifying a pattern I purchased.

There are so many different styles and each client has their individual likes and dislikes they want to add - the best part of a custom bag.  It suits what you need, the colors or print you want.

Here are some different versions of the same bag, one of my favorites.  This pattern is called the Sophia Beach bag.

Like I said, this is one of my favorite patterns because it can be customized for so much.  This one in particular if from a gal that received one of my other bags for her birthday, loved it so much and ordered this one for her mom's birthday.  Her mom was just starting out in yoga, so I made her a matching yoga towel to go with it.

If you click on the picture, you can get a better picture of the embroidery design.  I used the same fabric for the embroidery applique as was used for the bag.  Mom loved her new yoga bag :)

And what's so cool about this bag, is the beach towel "holder" straps.  It works on each side.  Lots of room inside for other things.

Plus the other side has a large pocket with magnetic closure to put in your phone or keys, or anything you don't want to dig for.

Zip pocket inside for cash or anything you want secure.

An addition - holder inside for a water bottle (yoga bag)

And one of my favorites - giraffe print with bright kiwi green lining.  Love the print with a splash of bright for lining.  My girlfriend ordered this one for her daughter who just joined dance class.  And of course, I added a matching hand towel with personalization.  Makes it extra special :)  

So, what do you think?  Very cool right?  The Sophia Beach bag is so versatile and is from Swoon Patterns.  I plan on doing a lot more of these for the upcoming summer.  If you want to custom order one of your own, email me or go Dreamscape Studio Facebook page and message me.  We can come up with a design you will love to take to the beach, yoga class or dance studio.

Thanks for stopping by.  More styles of bags & totes coming up, see you tomorrow!!

Tropical Toucan

Hey everyone ~ happy hump day!

First day of spring was yesterday and I woke up to a huge black cloud over us, blowing like crazy and rain, bits of snow....... and then the afternoon was beautiful blue skies and a little wind.  Sure hope it starts to get warmer and no more snow!! I am so ready for summer :)

Today I want to share another tote bag that I did for a friend.  Actually, she custom ordered it for her friend and only asked for it to have a toucan and a little tropical-like.  Perfect! Right up my alley!

 I absolutely love this decor weight fabric and it was a perfect match for the embroidery design. 

A little closer of the toucan detail....such a fun design to create!

A little grassy trim that was on the selvage edge from the main piece of the tote that I cut off.  Rather than throw away, I thought it would be a great trim for the design.

And a quick view of the inside -












This is one of my favorites I think so far.  And they are getting very popular.  I think this is the 7th or 8th one my girlfriend has ordered for a gift!!!   Thanks Tracy <3

I'm off to finish another project for our stock - a distressed aviator jacket for a little man.  It is very cute.  And one more picture for the road........................

Totally suitable for the summertime I would say :)

Thanks for dropping by friends.............

YES, I have returned!!

Yes, I have returned!  It has been way too long and lots has been happening.  Without getting into all the details, let's just say, there has been family issues, tragedies, losses, health issues, employment changes.......and I think that is it LOL.  Not all bad; in fact, some really good changes and more to come. 

So, did you see my new profile picture?  That's my new logo.  Still need to get my banner done for my blog, but need my son's help for that.  I love it, especially the colors.  I had new business cards done, bio cards, sewing labels and still working on more stuff.  This is my year to succeed!  I'm going to make it happen - taking my "business" a lot more serious and treat it like an actual business per se. I've been doing some advertising, trying to update FB more often, and I now have a friend on board with me too, who is very talented :)  Together we will make it grow because we both want to succeed.

We just finished prepping for the Woman's Fair.  It was yesterday at the Capri Centre Mall and over 500 women went through.  There were lots of vendors, door prizes and gift baskets.  We put in two gift baskets:

The Eye of the Tiger tote has been really popular and is so eye-catching.  So we decided to do this with the tiger theme in the accessories as well. 



Back showing accessories



Front showing embroidery



The Made for a Princess basket is sooo cute ~ the 3 pc halter dress with matching hat and panties is awesome in orange batik and textured! Again, the items in this basket are all made in a princess theme for a little girl.

I am hoping they sold lots of tickets! We would love to know who won too! ETA: Just found out that we raised over $500 with tickets being sold by donation.  How cool is that!

You can also check out my Facebook pages for more photos of the latest products I have been working on. There are lots of new and more new to come so be sure to LIKE my page.  There really isn't enough time in a day to do all we want to get done, all our new ideas :) Need a holiday away to just create - that would be so awesome!

I will be adding dates of upcoming events that we are going to be at as well, so you can drop by and visit us. I will also try and update my blog more frequently - would like to get to daily again but we will see :) For now, it is one day at a time.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you continue to stick with us. We have so much new ideas that we will be sharing with you.  You can sign up for updates with your email address (on the side bar) or follow us on Facebook (link on side bar). I will always post new photos of new products we have done, as well as prizes/coupons :) So go ahead, sign up so you don't miss out!!

Last year was rough, but this year is going to be phenomenal! We are totally excited on what's to come!!

Zebra Eyes revealed

I have been wanting to share this with you since I posted the sneak peek a while ago.  I lent it to my girlfriend who wanted to show it to some gals at work.  I got it back from her and then lost my camera, then had no internet, so now I going to share it today - finally!

I've said in the past that I am loving embroidery.  I am addicted big time - just as much as sewing.  Being able to personalize with embroidery now for the special person or the embroidery to match the fabric - it's easy now.

This was a design that I got and I knew what I wanted to do with it immediately and where the fabric was that I needed to get.  So I went to Linda's Quilt Shoppe, got the fabric and went to work on this tote bag.

 

Here is the front of it.  Fairly plain so I added the rust/coffee color to help "pop" the color from the fabric.

 

I also added some pockets to both sides of the inside of the tote, since it didn't call for any.  Pockets are important to me and I think most gals like to have them. Right?

I used the main fabric for the pockets and kept the rust/coffee color for the inside.

Here is the top closure.  I love the idea of  having the zipper flat like this.  Some of my friends were teasing me that it wasn't finished because the zipper was still hanging out.  This way though, the zipper extends past the tote top and doesn't curl at the ends being in the side seams.  Here is another view:

 

You can see how the ends of the zipper were finished.  A piece of  fabric holds on to each end.  

I hope you liked my Zebra eyes tote.  I have a few more ideas that I will be trying to do as well.  Do you all know who Maxine and friends is? The crabby old lady that always has something sarcastic to say?  I love her and will be sharing some designs with her and her friends as well.  Plus my quilt blocks that I am working on are coming along great so need to show you those too.

Stop back again soon and hope your weekend is creative.  So far, mine is :)

Fire Orange tote

I just wanted to let you know that I hadn't forgotten about you.  I am rearranging my craft room AGAIN!  I have lots of projects that I will be working on and needed to get everything cleaned up and organized before I get started.  Just feels so much better:)

Today I wanted to show you a tote that a friend of mine ordered for a friend of hers for her birthday. That was a mouthful.  Warning though, it is very bright. Her friend fell in love with the tropical one I did and said she had to have one.  Wasn't that a nice gift? OK, so put on your sunglasses and check this out!

 The front of the tote with the passport pocket embroidered.

 

A closeup of the embroidery.  I used chocolate brown leather for the straps and the bottom to add a richness and a little bit more durabiliy.

The back showing the large pocket and the rust orange travel strap.

 

The side view.  This shows the cell phone pocket which is my addition and the smaller pocket on the bottom which cinches tight.  Perfect for a water bottle.

Sorry they are blurry.  But you can see the closeup of the cell phone pocket and my logo on the lower pocket.  

 

This pocket is on the other side. These are her initials in the monogram.  I used leather cording for this as well.

 

A quick look inside - you can see the key FOB I made to match.

And the other side of the inside with the pocket.

Wendee chose the fabrics and where each one was to be used.  She also chose the monogramming and the Escape embroidery on the passport pocket. One of the advantages of custom design - you choose it all.  I just put it together:)  She loves tropical colors and prints just like I do and was taking this tote with her on her cruise. She should be getting back soon by the way and can't wait to see a picture of her with her tote on the big ship!

I can't wait to do some of these up as diaper bags.  The embroidery ideas I have and the fabrics to choose from are endless.

So that is it for today. Hope you enjoyed see this tote.  Like I said at the beginning, I am going to be starting all my projects for May Days right away.  Both papercrafting and sewing so I hope you will come back and check them all out.  

I also will be loading my Etsy store very shortly and will let you know when I do that too.

Enjoy your day and hope the sun is shining like it is here.

Keep in Touch

 Hey friends,  got my computer back late yesterday afternoon and didn't get it set up til late.  So that should take care of everything.  Crossing my fingers. 

Today I wanted to share with you another of the "black cat" cards.  Fairly simple.  A little bit of stickles in the center of the flowers using the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder from Stampin' Up!  Layered on Kiwi Kiss with Whisper White.

Ok, so remember my Hibiscus tote I showed you.  Another girlfriend of mine ordered two of them.  I had these fabrics in my collection and actually was going to make myself one.  Once she saw them, she loved them so much and ordered two.  Great minds think alike:) 

 

They are exactly the same except on is blue handle and the other is brown. I'm going to go get me some more of these fabrics before they are gone.  I still love them and want one for me:)  The Texture Magic is the product used on the bottom brown panel. So much fun to use.

  

So that's it for today.  I hope you will pop back tomorrow.  I have LOTS to share and now that I have my computer, I should be getting back to normal postings.  Yeah - and thank you all for your patience.

Off to do some more for the craft fair.  Isn't it funny when your prepping for these events, orders start coming in?

Have a good one:)

   

TGIF!!!

Yeah, it's Friday.  This week went really fast for me, but I love Fridays.  The beginning of the weekend. I plan to get tons done this weekend since the weather isn't going to stay sunny.  Rain means head to the craft room :)

I have been busy sewing again (or still).  I was asked to make some projects for the quilt shoppe's new store opening in early November.  Remember my favorite "textured" pattern the Hibiscus tote?  Well here is another version that Tina helped pick the fabrics for.  I love the oriental feel of this fabric and the shimmer on these pieces is beautiful.

The side view with beads and ribbon drawstring.

The inside view:

The fabric is much richer in person but here is a close up of the fabrics used. Check out the shimmer.

This are on display at Linda's Quilt Shoppe now and then will be moved to the new location when it opens. And there is a SALE on this weekend while the bosses are away.

Thanks for stopping by.  I need to get on my Christmas cards now.  I made my list up last night and I have a long way to go.  Hopefully this weekend I can get a ton done in between my projects.

Enjoy your weekend   

Hibiscus meets Texture Magic

Today I want to share with you a new pattern and product. Isn't it gorgeous!! I love it and the fabric is definitely one of my favorite tropical prints. It is a drawstring bag with beads on the ribbons as accents. Here is the inside.

Next time I will add some pockets. It is pretty roomy inside but pockets are always a great addition. This is also the small version. The bottom is what I especially wanted you to notice. It is done using a product called Texture Magic. You sew it on the wrong side of the fabric you want to texture, and use steam to make it shrink down and it will form this really cool effect. Take a look at this.

Neat huh? This is the before and after below;

and here is the comparison close up of the two fabrics:

I love the result and will be definitely doing some more of these. The Texture Magic isn't cheap though. So you really have to plan on what you are making with the piece before you start cutting. I got this bag and an infants outfit with the piece I had. It shrinks 30% down from original size. You stitch any pattern you like or just stipple. I did diamond shapes that were an inch apart on this bag. It was a quick bag to sew up too. The "texture" took the longest.  Both the Texture Magic and pattern I got here.

Will be definitely doing some of these up for the craft fair and a few more for me and my daughter and maybe some gifts:)

Thanks for dropping in ..........really appreciate it. Hope you come back tomorrow. Some My Digital Studio stuff to share with you.