Sweetwater's Love Zipper Bag...

Sweetwater Love Zipper Bag - Brynwood Needleworks Version - Front

Another special Birthday next weekend, so I'm busy making a collection of projects to mail. This one is made from the "Love Zipper Bag" pattern from Sweetwater. It was super simple to make, and I love the way it turned out.

Sweetwater Love Zipper Bag - Brynwood Needleworks Version - Back

I'm told that the recipient loves the colors purple and "acid green". Well, I have lots of greens in my inventory, but not "acid green".

I did have these feminine purple roses which reminded me of the vintage wallpaper in my childhood bedroom. (The color in my room was red, but the design was the same.) I think this meets the "purple" criteria - and fulfills my preference for "girly", too.

Sweetwater Love Zipper Bag - Brynwood Needleworks Version - Label

Sweetwater's original design called for a special "Love" label, but I had this one for a tote pattern and decided to use it here instead.

I have a Sweetwater "Label Crew Membership", so I get a new pattern each month. Each month's pattern comes complete with a label used in that design and a personalized label for signing my work. It's a great value and the labels are always fun to receive.

***As I write this, I realize that I forgot to put any label in this one! I'll be adding that personalized, iron on label to the inside of one of the pockets as soon as I finish writing this. (face palm)

Sweetwater Love Zipper Bag - Brynwood Needleworks Version - Zipper Pulls

I completed the bag (except for the label!) by adding the zipper pulls to the zippers. The top one is the "Handmade" pull that I purchase from Janelle McKay at Emmaline Bags in Canada. They're high quality and Janelle ships them fast from "up north". My orders take no time at all to arrive here in south Florida.

The second pull is a sun charm I've had in my supplies, waiting for the perfect project. It has a moon on the reverse. It was a fun addition to this piece.

I'll finish the rest of my projects for the Birthday girl today and then they'll be ready to mail away to the Birthday Girl.

And Then I Hit A Wall...

This wallet was three-quarters finished and then...I hit the wall. The combination of fabric, stabilizer and multiple layers were causing Miss Ellie and my Crescendo some major grief. It's giving me a major headache. 

I worked on it for most of the day yesterday. I changed denim needles, I changed presser feet, and I didn't even say naughty words, but so far the wallet is winning and it's still unfinished. 

I'm going to take another run at it this morning before moving on to another fabric (already cut out) that won't be as contrary as this one apparently is. I'm not giving up either. I'll locate a heavy duty, industrial machine and beat this beauty into submission.

What's on your agenda for today?

Something a bit less trying, I hope.

The Key To A Perfect Weekend...

I chose "Lilac Hill" fabrics (Brannock and Patek for Moda) for my latest wallet. I made this one yesterday as a gift for a friend who loves the color purple.    You know how I love lilacs. They remind me of Wisconsin and my childhood.  I've been saving this line for a quilt, but decided it was just right for this gift. (And I have plenty left over to make more just like it if I want to. Bonus!)

I used a coordinating Lilac Hill purple for the interior. Then, I used the lilac print  to line the zipper pocket and inside the outer pockets (behind the credit card slots).

One of the things I enjoyed was the challenge of learning how to align the fabrics prior  to cutting so that the flap print matches up with the print on the outside of the wallet.  I made special templates to help me line up the prints, and it seems to be working.
I'm ready to make more, but first I have jammies and a table runner on my list. So, there are no more wallets until those projects are finished!

Last night was the Christmas concert for the Jazz Ambassadors. I don't sit in front, but I'm pretty close. As long as I can see my husband while he plays, I'm a happy girl. The concert was fun.   A day of sewing and an evening watching Handsome make music. All in all, a perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Princess And The Diva Quilt...

Another clutch wallet finished yesterday. 

I've called this clutch "The Princess".

It has a turnlock closure and a happy red, polka dot interior.

There's a Brynwood label inside and a "handcrafted" charm on the 

zipper pull. This is the fifth wallet I've completed, and I have three

more already cut out and waiting for me to work on them. But first...

This quilt is a Christmas gift, and I have to bind it now that

it's back from the long-arm. I'll be doing this first thing today.

I like the quilting design she chose. A simple, all-over flower.

I think the finished quilt is going to be a big hit for the recipient.

Of course, I can't tell you who will receive it.  That's a surprise!

Wet Noses...

  I made another wallet yesterday. I'm calling this one "Wet Noses". Retrievers front and center, featuring a  Golden Retriever and a black Labrador on the flap. What a lucky fabric find.

Inside a soft gray for the credit card slots, pockets and dividers.

I completed this wallet with riveted sides and a very special puppy charm.    I have a small number of these charms left over from the trade shows  where I used to display Brynwood sampler designs and patterns. You may remember that Bryn was the name of my very first yellow Lab, which led to Brynwood Needleworks' name. At one time, I gave these little charms (suspended from pretty silk ribbons) as gifts with purchase. I only have a few left, but felt it needed to be on the zipper pull here.
This one is a gift for someone very special. Luckily, she doesn't visit my blog unless I give her a heads-up, which I definitely will not by doing for this one! I don't want her to have any clue to what her gift will be this year.

You've Waited All Weekend...

I can finally show you what I've been working on. These are my first set of wallets. I'm having so much fun with these that I have to remind myself I actually have other Christmas gifts I need to make, too! They're like chocolates! Delicious!

This one is fully completed, while the others are waiting for me to assemble the

inside components...and the Mary Engelbreit one is waiting for its hardware to

 arrive. I'm using a turn lock on that one instead of magnetic closures like these.

The interior features two sets of credit card holders, two pockets, three

compartments and a zippered pocket. I have a few on my gift list, but

I know that I'll be offering these in my Etsy shop after the holidays.

I can already see that I'm going to be cutting into some of the fabrics

I had previously considered "permanent stash", which is a great thing!

If you sew and would like to try your hand at making your own, the

pattern is the brainchild of Janelle MacKay, the creative mind behind

Emmaline Sewing Patterns and Purse Supplies. 

(The name above is a link.) 

This particular piece is called the "Necessary Clutch Wallet". 

(also a link.)

Don't fret. If you don't sew, I'm going to making a LOT of them to list

and sell. I'm sure I'll choose a fabric choice that you're going to want.

(wink)