I want to go to the parade this year!

Every year, actually, but our ballots for the tickets didn't get through. There was a year when we managed to go to 3 shows with tickets given by friends, 2 at the grandstand and 1 at the Esplanade. It's different when you watch everything live. We'll go to the Fullerton Bridge if we don't get tickets. At least we'll catch the fireworks and some of the water events.

This is DD's latest clutch. It's replaced the green felt one which is probably the shortest-lived clutch though DD claims she'll use it still. This one was made from Jane Lee's design. There are 2 small pockets under the flap with the text at the side of the original bag - 'Live Our Dreams' and 'Designed by Jane Lee'. I didn't have red or white velcro but DD was OK with green velcro.

DS saw this and wanted the top half of the butterfly for his. We'll see.

Have a blessed day!

Afternote....DS' laptop sleeve.

When is a pouch a laptop sleeve and when is it a clutch?

Hmm, is this it?

Once in a while I get rather precise requirements for a customized item. Choosing the exterior fabric's fine with me, even the lining too. The design is fine with me too, provided I can make it. It's the dimensions that I have a concern with. Thing is, I sew on a wing and prayer. If you've been reading my blog, you'd have realized that I only have two templates for the stuff I sew. Two cardboard templates that I use to trace out the fabric before cutting. All others are by mathematical calculations and estimations. I do thank God that I have very understanding customers!

So, what I'm trying to disclaim is this. While I'll try hard to achieve what you desire, I'd err on the side of caution and make it a bit larger. There are dependencies on the materials, sometimes, that some fabrics have more 'give' than others or extra padding/interfacing is needed etc. 

This was a drawstring tote for a customer's instamax camera. This camera's all the rage now with it's Polaroid-like features. I hope it fits 'cos I tried to follow the dimensions requested for. I don't know 'cos I don't have an instamax camera and anyway, I've already mailed this out. Dear customer, maybe you can send me a pic and I can put it in the gallery? *grin*
Oh, I wonder if you've realised that it's reversible...LOL!

Have a blessed evening!

Big prints

I normally shy away from big floral prints but this Kono Sanae canvas was so pretty that I made a large tote out of it. Added a large patch pocket almost as big as one side and secured it with a chocolate metal snap. This large patch covers a smaller patch pocket so that it's more accessible without having to lower the strap to get at things. Another panel of pockets inside as usual. Fully lined with calico but not interfaced since it's canvas.

Have a blessed day!

Here doggy, doggy

What sort of pencil case do you use?
I've made flat zippered ones (ranging from 8" to 11" long), toblerone-type ones, lunchbag types, snap button types and the rollover/foldover types, even boxy ones and a cylinder. Some have a few compartments, some have many zips. Some are plain while others have lace or embroidery. There are so many variables.

This is a flat zippered one made from doggy print oxford paired with linen. Fully lined with calico and interfaced with thin batting. Heart zip for closure. Added a patch pocket.

United nations

Before I go fabric shopping again, I decided to do a quick stock take of what fabrics I have on hand. I buy in bulk to get the deep discounts but this has led to a huge mess inventory of odd-shaped pieces of fabric. I didn't know how much fabric I had but I decided to make a flat patchwork tote out of unique squares (4.5cm x 4.5cm).

112 squares later I decided to stop even though I have more fabric still that I didn't cut squares from. LOL! Fabrics were from Japan, Korea, US, Australia and I don't know where. Used the final gifted cotton webbing for this tote. Plain for the patchwork and printed cherries for the linen / cherry side. Included a patch pocket from cherry fabric as well as a cut-out zip compartment which has a pocket inside as well as a pen slip. DD chose the bear zipper pull. It's cute and double-sided so you get the bear front on both sides. And it's solid metal so it's heavier than usual.
Have a blessed day!

ps: I wonder how much fabric I really have...hmmmm.....
pps: sorry for the washed out look. Don't know why the pics are like that, maybe 'cos of the hazy overcast sky? The colours are much richer than they look :-)
ppps: I just realised that I put the same patchwork side in the pic though I took both sides. LOL! Maybe I'll retake and give you richer colours, ah?