Thursday, November 8, 2012

Finally Here! The Ruffled Diaper Bag :)







You've asked, I've listened!


Introducing Gathered & Sowns signature Ruffled Diaper Bag!


With the crazy popularity of my ruffle bag collection, I've had lots of requests for a ruffled diaper bag....and here it is!

Made in all the same fabrics and colors as my previous ruffle bag collection, the diaper bag offers you more room, more pockets, an adjustable strap (can wear across your body, a Mom must- have!) and, of course, more ruffles.

At 15x12x5, you can easily fit a can of sanitizing wipes (this is a big one shown in the pic below) and all of your baby nescessities. On the back of the bag, I included 2 large slip pockets, so Mom can easily drop and reach her phone, keys, wallet etc.

The strap adjusts from about 31 to about 51 inches, so you can carry it traditionally, over your shoulder, or you can slide it bigger to wear it cross body...aka hands free :)

And as with all of my products, you can get matching accessories for your new diaper bag. A wristlet, Bible cover, ruffle purse....you'll be so cute, organized and ruffley!


What do you think??? Do you know any Moms who would love this bag??? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
contact@gathered-sown.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

My New Friend

I just had to tell you all about my morning!

Linen Mustard Card Wallet - Wrist Strap - Credit Card Pouch
It's been so much fun. First of all, my second sale with @bellechic went live this morning. I had such a great experience with them last spring, so when they asked me if they could feature Gathered & Sown again, I jumped at the opportunity. Different items, but same wonderful team of people I'm working with. Please stop by...and of course, tell your friends, Wink!

Then I saw that my bible cover was featured on @faithful provisions. I'd never heard of this blog before (how not is beyond me!! They seem to be everywhere,lol!) but was introduced to Katie by BelleChic. Katie has a beautiful story about how God has been her source of provision. She didn't think she NEEDED it, but her eyes were opened. Why don't you watch HER tell the story, she does it far better than me!



I heart networking

This blog is FULL of great tips for being a good steward. Something I could certainly use some help with! This site has me covered in every way, from recipes, meal plans, couponing formulas, and tips galore. I even noticed they have devotionals. It's one stop shopping ;)


Then....

I made a new friend today! It's a funny story...

A couple of weeks ago, I was on etsy. I remembered that there was a local girl who made yarn, so I wanted to look her up. I searched Sheboygan on etsy (Did you know you could do that??? You can find people in your area that are on Etsy!) and some purses popped up.

 Needless to say, I was beyond intrigued, so I started clicking on her stuff.  Hello Carolina Stefano! Even her name is pretty :)

So cute, isn't it???
One of a Kind Carolina Stefano handmade purse, army print - Green.
Brown Suede Carolina Stefano handmade purse



One of a Kind Carolina Stefano handmade purse, army print - Green.
Even her hand is cute :)
I was smitten by her work, so I decided to send her a convo, telling her she wasn't alone....that there were actually two purse nerds in Sheboygan! 

She wrote back and we decided we had to meet. Today was the day, and guess what??? We're neighbors! How freaky is that???

I had such a great time! I brewed up some VIDA coffee and we started to chat. I loved hearing all about her back round, her dreams and her  past life as a purse making MACHINE in Brazil.  She was fascinating. We are going to get together again. We had so much in common, and we both feel there is so much we can learn from each other. So I just had to share her with you all.

So I'm doing a bit of a happy dance (to Peter Cetera...don't judge. I miss the 80's) after my whirlwind morning. How was your day???

Oh, and I just realized, I never found that girl who makes yarn. Welcome to the mind of a scatterbrained multi tasker!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Custom Diaper Bag

When someone goes out of their way for me, I love to go out of my way for them
Recently a friend of mine who lives in a land far, far away came to visit family in town. While she was here, she came to order YET ANOTHER Gathered & Sown bag. (I love repeat customers!!)

She noticed my leather and requested a custom leather bag..... and this is what we came up with!
She was looking for a new diaper bag. She came armed with specific dimensions and requested a metal zipper. Done and done :) She also needed easy pockets to reach her cell phone on the outside, so I added two super deep pockets on the front. Leather edged, of course, wink!

Another example of the goodness of the people I'm surrounded by??? See the zipper pull? My best friends Dad MADE those for me! He laser engraved leather scraps which I now use as zipper pulls on all my bags. A nice gift certificate for his favorite bakery is waiting delivery in my car right now :)

The back of the bag is solid leather, with an accent stripe through the middle. I used contrasting red thread to keep it a little sassy and unforgettable....

I rolled the handles. Verena proved to be worth her weight in gold on this step! Wondering who Verena is?? ??



I love how the metal zippers glide on the leather... thanks Zipit!

I used a couple more laser engraved pieces inside the bag. I don't want her to forget who made it, after all :) I kept the edges of this one raw, for a different look.

I also trimmed the inside pieces with leather. I like to add this detail to my leather collection.  

She's flying back to Texas with her new addition as I write this... and I'm enjoying the bounty of beautiful leather she brought me :D

Any ideas on what I should do next in leather??? What do you think of the collection so far????



Monday, July 30, 2012

My New, Industrial Sewing Machine!



So last week, without the slightest intention of buying anything, I walked into my favorite local sewing machine shop to get some advice from the resident sewing machine genius Darryl. He was able to answer all my questions, helping me come up with creative solutions to my sewing machines inability to sew through my 45 layers (ok, 8, but it looks like 45 when I'm trying to jam a needle through it!)  of leather.

As I'm getting ready to leave, I say, as a joke, "maybe I just need one of those big honkin' industrial sewing machines!"

Darryl's response "Really? Because I just so happen to have one here, and it's super clean, runs perfectly and is for sale!"

He took me to the VEEEEEERY back corner of the shop, and lo and behold...this beauty!
I instantly fell in love! I was imagining the ease of which this machine (with a switch like my dad's table saw) could burn through my leather bags!

I went home, and without any hesitation from my husband, decided to buy it. Not only did he not hesitate, he and my Dad both encouraged me to get it! I might have nerded out with glee at that point! The price was right, the need was there, (and I had already cleared a space for it in my room,hehe!)

 I went back to the shop this morning, and Darryl went step by step with me, over and over til I got it. Threading the machine, winding the bobbin, putting it in. He was so patient!!


I'm a visual learner, so I took some pics as he told me what to do. See, I'm somewhat smart now and then :)

Seriously, I took a shower before I left, I swear! That look on his face.... Either I stink, or he's bored to tears with me! I might actually being talking to myself here. Don't judge :)

Darrel is such a fount of knowledge. I wonder if that is a blessing to him, or a burden?  Likely after spending an hour with me, he finds it a burden! Lol!
But seriously, I love that I can call him anytime, and he knows EXACTLY how to tell me what I'm doing wrong. GREAT service!
 I'm just counting the hours, until 3:00 when my Dad and the hubster go to pick it up. I'll follow up with pics when I have some!

Does anyone else have a toy that they totally geek out about? Please tell me, I'd love to hear!



Friday, June 22, 2012

Nikon Camera Giveaway!

I don't ususally do this sort of thing, but this is a great giveaway! Click on the link below for your chance to win....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Two new bible cover colors!

Last week I introduced two new colors to my bible cover lineup....


Turquoise Circle with Red Dot Ruffle



 Brown Dot with Yellow Stripe Ruffle




I've got a few more exciting new colors and STYLES up my sleeve...so keep watching.

Not a ruffle person??? Keep watching ;) Tease. That's all I'm telling you!

Not much of a print person???? Keep watching.

Not a polka dot person??? Keep watchi...well you get it!

What else can I tell you... nothing, I'm a tease!

If you are interested in ordering a custom, sized to fit bible cover of your own, you can check out all of my current line in my etsy shop. Thanks for shopping!

Oh, and as a reward, if you read this all the way to the bottom, here is a little bible cover coupon code..only for use on bible covers, and only until this weekend! biblefreeship   that spells...free shipping!


Saturday, June 2, 2012

What's New (and Coming Soon)

I can't believe I have to have a coming soon attached to my whats new post! Believe it or not, I sold out of 65 of these bags before I could even list them in my etsy shop! I've been blown away with the response and the good reviews. Plus requests just keep coming :) 

So without further adieu...the spring/summer ruffle bag line up! 
(sorry, as of right now, they are all sold out.  But I am restocking as soon as possible...so I appreciate your patience <3 )
Tangerine Ruffle Bag
Watermelon Ruffle Bag
Smokey Grey Ruffle Bag
Peacock Ruffle Bag
Lime Ruffle Bag


















Crayon/Doodle Bags


Keep your little hands busy with our cute and popular Busy Hands Bag. Our cute fabric 
combinations will make your little one proud to carry it everywhere they go. On the outside, you will find two handles and tie ribbon closure. Open up the bag to reveal a work surface as well as storage for the included 4x6 memo pad and 5crayola crayons.
The bag is lined in fleece to give it body, so your little hands will have good surface to doodle on, even on their lap.Approx size opened is 7 ½ inches by 10 inches. Closed, it will be about 5 inches by 7 inches, with approx. 10 inch handles.




Yellow/ Grey Crayon Bag
Charcoal/Red Crayon Bag

Turquoise/Lime Crayon Bag
Striped/Blue Crayon Bag

 New Wristlet Colors

 When you only need the basics, you are all set to go with a wristlet. This 
popular bag works as a wallet, holding all of your nescessities, but giving you 
the option of pulling it out of your purse and using it as a purse on it's own. 
The clasp on the strap gives you the freedom to secure the wristlet wherever you 
need it. On your stroller, diaper bag, purse strap, belt loop, shopping cart, 
you name it!
Charcoal/Red Wristlet
Yellow Grey Wristlet
Striped/Blue Wristlet
Teal/Lime Wristlet


















Coming on the next post :

My number one best shop seller right now are my bible covers. I've been humbled by the  wonderful response. I'll be revealing some brand new colors on my next post. Talk to you soon!
Angie

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Been Quiet..but with good reason ;)

So I've been busy. And by busy, I don't just mean no time for coffee dates with my girlfriends. By busy, I mean, I'm down in my studio at least 6 hours every...single...day! Oh, except Sunday...it's family day ;)
It may look like a mess to you...but it's piles of progress to me :D


It's always a good sign when the piles move enough for me to see a surface!
Starting to look like an end product. But this is only one third of them...*sigh





I've been praying that God would allow me to use my purse business to help support my family. And when God's will lines up with yours....POW!
about 1/8th of the orders I am filling right now!

I pray every night before I fall asleep, reflecting on all He has done for me. I have to pause, take a minute from the craziness of filling orders and realize that God has blessed me RICHLY with the ability to do what I love, and help pay for my two daughters tuition at their AWESOME christian school!

I know I wouldn't be able to keep this pace up if it weren't for the grace of God, so when it gets crazy, I look up and am reminded of how I got here in the first place, and how wonderful it is to be here.

My hardworking. lovely staff...my serger and sewing machine <3

Next post (when I can spare a minute!) I'll show you some finished products. It feels so good to utter those words...finished products!

Thanks for checking in!
Angie



Saturday, May 12, 2012

HUGE sale on Gathered & Sown Items

In case you haven't heard, I am taking part in a boutique sale this weekend!
It's been a grueling two weeks preparing, but it has really paid off.

I've heard it's really hard to get in with BelleChic, so I wanted to make sure I did everything right :) It all happened so fast, I only had about 2 weeks to prepare. And when I saw they had over 48,000 followers on Facebook, I was excited for the opportunity!

In my 4 or so years of handbag making, I have never EVER attempted to finish a quantity a high as this:
60 wristlets
60 Crayon bags
50 Ruffle Bags
...and all the orders from etsy that keep on rolling in :)


 It's been a little chaotic....


My husband laughs...he thinks my studio is a MESS, but to me, it's organized chaos :)
Lots and lots and lots of straps. But aren't the colors so pretty?!?!
Each step required oodles of time, making such a high quantity, but I'm proud to say I didn't skimp at all. I couldn't bear to sacrifice quality in the details for the sake of getting done faster!


It's hard to sell online without great photos, so I called in the reinforcements: My friends Tim, Krissy and their curly haired beauty Eleanor. Krissy took the pictures, and poor Tim was in charge of handling the bags and chasing their two year old. Unfortunately for him, his wife has a sense of humor and took a  few behind the scenes pictures ;) And Eleanor was in love with all the dandelions everywhere, so Krissy got a shot between purses changes of me receiving one of her pretty little "flowers" Too cute!



They have a great camera, and eye for pictures and the ability to take pictures that I can't do by myself. Thanks guys, you made my day!  And you know we were on a time crunch, since I was in all the pictures. There is one thing you should know about me. I avoid the camera lens at all costs. But I trust Krissy :D

So if you get a minute, hop on over to BelleChic, my sale is live until Monday. This is the lowest you will EVER see my prices get. I worked out an agreement with them because of the amount of followers they have, and the amount of my products they feature.  I also want to  encourage you to follow them. I've been following them for a while and the shops and sales they feature are beautiful! I'm anxiously awaiting the beautiful smelling lotions I ordered this week...I know if they are featuring it, it must be a good shop, wink!




 Have a great day!
:) Angie