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!

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

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!

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

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

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

Busy Week, Surprise Gift :)

Whoa!!!!

I've have been so busy this week. I am literally overflowing with purse parts. It will be worth it in the end, but I am currently in sweat shop mode down here...ask my friend Amy, she's been sweating it up with me, she'll tell you it is no exaggeration!

But it's all good things. Without huge workloads like this, my hobby wouldn't be a job. But my job is also my hobby, which makes me love going to work :) Do you get that??? God has blessed my little business beyond belief, and 3 months ago, I would have never dreamed I would be where I am now.

When I get a little breathing room, I'll try to post some pics of the sweat shop in action. But not today....I'm on my way out the door to take advantage of my awesome Granny, who has graciously offered to help me get some sewing done today. Since I got her help, I have a little spring in my step, so hopefully the rest of my day will be EXTRA productive now!

So you may be asking why I'm blogging when I have so much work to do.

Good question!

But there is a good reason. I have to brag on my friend Tonya a little bit :)

She is a perfect example of one of those people that God sends into your life, and with little or no warning, you realize down the road that they have been strategically placed there to bring you tons (and in this case...TONS) of blessing! A little background....

Tonya read the post I did about my Mom earlier this year, and asked if she could use it on her blog, Love of Family and Home. I agreed. I had no idea how many doors God would open from this one simple post. A post, that if you remember, I almost didn't publish!

Fast forward to now, and I consider Tonya a good friend. I've never met her, but we talk online all the time. I share her successes, she shares mine. I'm proud when I see her being blessed in some way, and she does things like this:

She designates and entire VLOG to my business. How awesome is that!?!?!

Take a minute to see what she had to say....now that I've wiped my tears from the first time I watched it, I'm ready to share it :D




Thanks Tonya!! You are the best!!!!

I'll check back soon, but in the meantime Have a great week!
Angie