~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[mphalens]

mphalens- I am "really" going up to RockHill to take stuff to my DS at winthrop U...but if I am going to be that close...

So I am going to Mary Joes AND IKEA....'cause I need to? Also there is a store in Gastonia that sells thread and interfacing and stuff, about 10 minuets away. And DS said that there is a Disney store in one of the malls. So I might "need" to to hit that up also. I only hope I have enought time! Cause it is going to take at least 40 to 60 min out of my day to get the stuff to DS. If he is up, and IF he gets the list of stuff he left home....which is the "real" reason for the trip.

Or so I told my DH...heheheh.

OH, and is there any places near Charlotte that has discount ribbon/trim/notions? I will need to find stuff for the local High School show, we are doing FAME in 6+ weeks, and have 37 kids x 6 costumes...I only need some stuff to fix the things the kids come up with. Like elastic to make legging out of sweaters from the thrift store. And some hair scrunchies. And a bunch of white zippers and white buttons so I can dye them the colors I want, plastic ones.

lol - well, let's see, there is a regular Disney Store in the Carolina Place Mall (off of 485) 2nd floor on the same end as JCPenney. There is also a Disney Store Outlet at Concord Mills Mall (exit 49 off of 77 . . .just a couple of exits further north than Ikea). If you go into Concord Mills through The Children's Place store the Disney Store is just across the hall

Hmm - discount ribbon/trim/notions - I can't think of any place . . . my "go-to" for that sort of stuff is RYCO Trim back home in Rhode Island so I'm no help there I'd love to know where the thread/interfacing place is in Gastonia though!

just have to share.....look what we got today

most is gone, but was pretty to look at....supposed to get more tonight and tomorrow....Megan is hoping for no school Tuesday too!

Tried to comment on these in Judy's TR - they're Gorgeous!!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

This sound like a fabulous appliqué. Can't wait to see.

I have been finishing some cleaning and figuring out how to put a pocket on easy fits

You and Marianne are the Easy Fit queens... I am positive you'll be able to figure it out.

This is just off the hook an fab! I love it!,!!

Welcome! And thank you... That is still one of my favorite bags (actually, they are all my favorites)

Can't wait to see your new creation!

Me neither... Can't wait to be done with it... DD seems to think her mom can do the impossible...

Oh, Good! I have lots, and lots more! If you need anything else I think you have my phone # so call and I will mail you what ever you need...also I am going over to Mary Joes in Gastonia, N.C. tomorrow...if there is anything you need there let me know. You have my email? it is the same ido....at aol.

You have NO idea how happy I am that you can/might use some of the stuff I sent.... I found more! And I can NOT wait to see more of your great stuff, I am in AWE of everything you do!

It didn't work the way I was thinking it would... but I am not done yet - I have your box sitting on the counter, and it's the first one I always go through, because you've sent me some of the most unique items.

Hope Mr Rocket is behaving himself! You saw the craziness I got into today . . . (I had three projects going at once - laundry, house cleaning, and reorganization of sewing area . . . sewing area won)

Mr. Rocket was good (for the most part)...

Loved your bed pic last night, I rofled until I went to bed.

Now don't tell me that! I absolutely CANNOT go to Mary Jo's tomorrow yet now I want to so I could meet you!

I wanna go too...

And I agree - I'm constantly finding myself in awe of what D~ can do with fabric and a sewing machine!

C'mon now, you're making me blush.

mphalens- I am "really" going up to RockHill to take stuff to my DS at winthrop U...but if I am going to be that close...

So I am going to Mary Joes AND IKEA....'cause I need to? Also there is a store in Gastonia that sells thread and interfacing and stuff, about 10 minuets away. And DS said that there is a Disney store in one of the malls. So I might "need" to to hit that up also. I only hope I have enought time! Cause it is going to take at least 40 to 60 min out of my day to get the stuff to DS. If he is up, and IF he gets the list of stuff he left home....which is the "real" reason for the trip.

Or so I told my DH...heheheh.

OH, and is there any places near Charlotte that has discount ribbon/trim/notions? I will need to find stuff for the local High School show, we are doing FAME in 6+ weeks, and have 37 kids x 6 costumes...I only need some stuff to fix the things the kids come up with. Like elastic to make legging out of sweaters from the thrift store. And some hair scrunchies. And a bunch of white zippers and white buttons so I can dye them the colors I want, plastic ones.

Still jealous... wanna go too...

just have to share.....look what we got today

most is gone, but was pretty to look at....supposed to get more tonight and tomorrow....Megan is hoping for no school Tuesday too!

Absolutely gorgeous! We usually have 3 feet of snow by now, and normally our house is completely drifted in... This year we barely have a dusting - and a lot of it melted yesterday. It has been such a strange year.

WOW! Love your travel organizer! And the Mickey bag and Figment bags too!

DH took a look at my laptop today and was able to fix it. I've been without my laptop since early November. Great to have it back.

Thanks! Glad to have your laptop back too. I am hoping DH fixes ours, so I can have it with on our trip... So far, it's still sitting here.

I'm back from my marathon trip and happy to report that I did complete the half. You would LOVE the medal! Now my friend & I are trying to decide if we do the DL half on Labor Day to get the Coast to Coast medal. I won't try to do another half without training like I did this one. I thought it would kill me around mile 11 but I couldn't give up at that point.

I booked a bounceback trip for May for my birthday with just my youngest at ASMovies. So I should start thinking about what I can make. We are hoping to get a Dalmation room so maybe I should making something do go with that. She loves dogs and I've always wanted to make her a strip skirt with Disney dogs but not sure if I have the time to do that.

Can not wait to see your Up bag!

WTG on completing the half - that is amazing! I have never been able to run... I've never had the lung capacity it takes, and I have really bad knees.

And congrats on the bounceback! A dalmation outfit would be adorable!

lol - well, let's see, there is a regular Disney Store in the Carolina Place Mall (off of 485) 2nd floor on the same end as JCPenney. There is also a Disney Store Outlet at Concord Mills Mall (exit 49 off of 77 . . .just a couple of exits further north than Ikea). If you go into Concord Mills through The Children's Place store the Disney Store is just across the hall

Hmm - discount ribbon/trim/notions - I can't think of any place . . . my "go-to" for that sort of stuff is RYCO Trim back home in Rhode Island so I'm no help there I'd love to know where the thread/interfacing place is in Gastonia though!

D~ still wants to go...

Well, I did nothing yesterday, except work on Allison's applique... It was true insanity. Just the applique alone took me 14 hours... I am almost done with it - I just have a few more things to add. I counted 44 seperate pieces (ACK!)... But I just have to say that dd loves it so far - I haven't let her see any of the bag, she knows a couple of the fabrics I am using, and I did let her see the applique before I started satin stitching it. I think it will turn out pretty well. I am hoping to sit down at my sewing machine after work today and hammer out the last little bit of it - then I have to make my bias trim and assemble the bag. I think I can work on it for an hour or so tomorrow morning (before I start my bag order) and get it finished up, provided I can get everything done this evening that I'd like to.

I think I have come to the conclusion that I will never make another bag like the ones I make for my girls, just because I want to keep them OOAK, and they are kind of special because I designed them around their likes and personalities. Besides there is just no way I could justify the price I would have to charge for a 14+ hour applique.

I have all the fabric cut out for Alli's zip wallet, so that's ready to go when I finish the bag order. I also plan to finish her pirate skirt this week, and work on the applique for my Donald sweatshirt (which I am kind of excited about)..., I am a bit nervous about appliqueing that sweatshirt - because of the way it's constructed, there is no way I can take out the side seams - so it's might be a bit rough to do. That would take care of 3 things off of my list fairly quickly. I am debating about starting my smaller TS bag this weekend, as well.... Andrea - I just noticed yesterday, I am running low on that TS fabric. And you were worried that it wouldn't get used.

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

we got another 1" overnight and more is coming....looks like Megan might get her wish of no school tomorrow and maybe wed too!


wow 44 pieces.....I bet there's some balloons in that!

 

[mphalens]

Mr. Rocket was good (for the most part)...

Loved your bed pic last night, I rofled until I went to bed.




I wanna go too...



C'mon now, you're making me blush.



Still jealous... wanna go too...



D~ still wants to go...

Well, I did nothing yesterday, except work on Allison's applique... It was true insanity. Just the applique alone took me 14 hours... I am almost done with it - I just have a few more things to add. I counted 44 seperate pieces (ACK!)... But I just have to say that dd loves it so far - I haven't let her see any of the bag, she knows a couple of the fabrics I am using, and I did let her see the applique before I started satin stitching it. I think it will turn out pretty well. I am hoping to sit down at my sewing machine after work today and hammer out the last little bit of it - then I have to make my bias trim and assemble the bag. I think I can work on it for an hour or so tomorrow morning (before I start my bag order) and get it finished up, provided I can get everything done this evening that I'd like to.

I think I have come to the conclusion that I will never make another bag like the ones I make for my girls, just because I want to keep them OOAK, and they are kind of special because I designed them around their likes and personalities. Besides there is just no way I could justify the price I would have to charge for a 14+ hour applique.

I have all the fabric cut out for Alli's zip wallet, so that's ready to go when I finish the bag order. I also plan to finish her pirate skirt this week, and work on the applique for my Donald sweatshirt (which I am kind of excited about)..., I am a bit nervous about appliqueing that sweatshirt - because of the way it's constructed, there is no way I can take out the side seams - so it's might be a bit rough to do. That would take care of 3 things off of my list fairly quickly. I am debating about starting my smaller TS bag this weekend, as well.... Andrea - I just noticed yesterday, I am running low on that TS fabric. And you were worried that it wouldn't get used.

D~

Glad I could provide some comic relief for your marathon applique session yesterday DH is very impressed with my sewing area's transformation, so I didn't get in trouble (AND I had the bed completely cleaned up by 9:30pm!!!

I can mail your pixie dust package this morning!!!

Okay - must sign off - I have a lot to get done in the hour before we leave for our homeschool co-op!!!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Sorry I haven't been around in a couple of days, I have been such a bad friend.

I just adore your new orginizer and the zip wallet is very nice. I so want one.

As for the photopass (hope I am not to late in putting in my two cents) I did this with a friend and her sister last may. I was the one who got the CD in the mail and it worked out great. I thought it would be a pain in the butt, but it worked out nicely for us and I felt better spending less money. I really want to do the Photopass if I go in March but I don't want to spend all that money if he ends up not wanting any pictures.

 

[solana131]

Well hey, at least you don't have much to do before your trip. Afterall, whats a few little measly sewing projects? You will have lots of time to sit around an twiddle your thumbs

 

[idofabric]

Wow...12 hours in the car, up and back...4 stops. $$$ spent!

Mary Jo's was great! I totally overwhelmed the nice young lady I took for her first trip up there. She doesn't have a drivers liscen, is 27yo, and today on the way home she said " Thats it! I AM going to go get my liscen asap!, and I think I will be driving a lot..."

I didn't get a ton of stuff there, just a few yards of cottons, and 14 yards of a micro suede to re-upholster my couch as it was $8 there and $20 in town!

But we did get over to the thread place in Gastonia.. it was so cheap! I got 14 yards of heavy interfacing for purses @ $1.40 a yard! And 500 yard spools are $2.25...1000 yard are $4!! I told them that D's Mr. Rocket only likes Guterman thread, and they said they have stuff like Guterman...The back room was giant machines that roll different size spools. It is about 10 min west of Mary Jo's....Long Creek Mills, and they have a web site... is it ok I post this????

Any way I did take pics of stuff, the building is small, and stuffed to the roof with thread, craft stuff and RIBBON! And great products for machine applique/embrodiery like the water and heat souldable stuff, and ..... just stuff!

The Poly thread is like the Floriani thread. I got 5 spools to try out. But have no idea when I will use them, if you all want to know how they do still, I will let you know! Won't be for a while I get to go and work with a HS class on draping and pattern drafting for a few days this week.

Anyway, it was a fun, but very exhausting day! Any store with that many thousands of bolts of cotton is overwhelming to choice from...I was a very, very good girl. Thats my story, if DH asks!!!

Like I said I do have photos of the thread place, but on my cell, and I have no idea how to post them, or if I could on this site as I took pics of thread/cost...
mphalens- it could be worth a trip for you! and it is a good excuse to go there and see how much $$ you could save..., of course, you will need to stop at Mary Jo's on the way home to make it even more cost effective...maybe you can get everyones cell # and then take photos of what they want, and shop for us all!

 

[DMGeurts]

Glad I could provide some comic relief for your marathon applique session yesterday DH is very impressed with my sewing area's transformation, so I didn't get in trouble (AND I had the bed completely cleaned up by 9:30pm!!!

I can mail your pixie dust package this morning!!!

Or not... ROFL... It's OK - I forgot too.

Okay - must sign off - I have a lot to get done in the hour before we leave for our homeschool co-op!!!

HOpe you had fun.

Sorry I haven't been around in a couple of days, I have been such a bad friend.

No worries... I've been checking your PTR - so I knew you were still alive n' kicking.

I just adore your new orginizer and the zip wallet is very nice. I so want one.

Thanks... I am still not sure about the travel organizer... Definately doing it differently next time, if there is a next time.

As for the photopass (hope I am not to late in putting in my two cents) I did this with a friend and her sister last may. I was the one who got the CD in the mail and it worked out great. I thought it would be a pain in the butt, but it worked out nicely for us and I felt better spending less money. I really want to do the Photopass if I go in March but I don't want to spend all that money if he ends up not wanting any pictures.

I am still so undecided about PP... I really need to sit down, yet again, and figure out exactly what I need for $$ for this trip, then I will decide if I want to do a share, or not. I guess, my biggest issue is that strangers will have our pictures on CD... as I type that out, I am thinking, well, I am going to post them in a TR anyways - so a bunch of strangers will have our PP pictures. I asked DH and he just shrugged me off, he is so tired of hearing about this trip...

Well hey, at least you don't have much to do before your trip. Afterall, whats a few little measly sewing projects? You will have lots of time to sit around an twiddle your thumbs

No... I don't have much to do before our trip at all. My thumbs are raw from all the twiddling I am doing these days.

Wow...12 hours in the car, up and back...4 stops. $$$ spent!

ACK!!!! That's a lot of car time today...

Mary Jo's was great! I totally overwhelmed the nice young lady I took for her first trip up there. She doesn't have a drivers liscen, is 27yo, and today on the way home she said " Thats it! I AM going to go get my liscen asap!, and I think I will be driving a lot..."

LOL I would love to go to Mary Jo's one day - if only to say I've been there.

I didn't get a ton of stuff there, just a few yards of cottons, and 14 yards of a micro suede to re-upholster my couch as it was $8 there and $20 in town!

Wow, that is a huge price difference!

But we did get over to the thread place in Gastonia.. it was so cheap! I got 14 yards of heavy interfacing for purses @ $1.40 a yard! And 500 yard spools are $2.25...1000 yard are $4!! I told them that D's Mr. Rocket only likes Guterman thread, and they said they have stuff like Guterman...The back room was giant machines that roll different size spools. It is about 10 min west of Mary Jo's....Long Creek Mills, and they have a web site... is it ok I post this????

Yes, I think you can post this info... I would like to try a spool in Mr. Rocket... When I was doing the Up bag applique, I snuck in a spool of Gutermann's 100% Cotton (Mr Rocket insists on Gutermann 100% POLY) and I just kept telling him not to look at the thread spool as I was happily sewing away... I was almost done (after an hour of using this thread)... then he discovered it said cotton on the side - he was not a happy man.

Any way I did take pics of stuff, the building is small, and stuffed to the roof with thread, craft stuff and RIBBON! And great products for machine applique/embrodiery like the water and heat souldable stuff, and ..... just stuff!

This sounds like a great place for a field trip...

I know.... Let's not do a weekend - lets take a whole summer off, and caravan across the country going to every quilting shop we can... We can do it motorhome style... a big sewing room on wheels... take turns driving... This could work ladies! And then Lisa could scrapbook our adventure in real time. That would make an exceptional TR.

The Poly thread is like the Floriani thread. I got 5 spools to try out. But have no idea when I will use them, if you all want to know how they do still, I will let you know! Won't be for a while I get to go and work with a HS class on draping and pattern drafting for a few days this week.

Don't forget to let us know... I am anxious to hear.

Anyway, it was a fun, but very exhausting day! Any store with that many thousands of bolts of cotton is overwhelming to choice from...I was a very, very good girl. Thats my story, if DH asks!!!

Just tell DH about all those bolts of fabric you could have come home with - but you didn't - you were very good Athene!

Like I said I do have photos of the thread place, but on my cell, and I have no idea how to post them, or if I could on this site as I took pics of thread/cost...
mphalens- it could be worth a trip for you! and it is a good excuse to go there and see how much $$ you could save..., of course, you will need to stop at Mary Jo's on the way home to make it even more cost effective...maybe you can get everyones cell # and then take photos of what they want, and shop for us all!

Marianne is very good at that... too good...

Up! bag update... It's done... Will post pictures as soon as it's light enough to take them.

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

Yes, I think you can post this info... I would like to try a spool in Mr. Rocket... When I was doing the Up bag applique, I snuck in a spool of Gutermann's 100% Cotton (Mr Rocket insists on Gutermann 100% POLY) and I just kept telling him not to look at the thread spool as I was happily sewing away... I was almost done (after an hour of using this thread)... then he discovered it said cotton on the side - he was not a happy man.




This sounds like a great place for a field trip...

I know.... Let's not do a weekend - lets take a whole summer off, and caravan across the country going to every quilting shop we can... We can do it motorhome style... a big sewing room on wheels... take turns driving... This could work ladies! And then Lisa could scrapbook our adventure in real time. That would make an exceptional TR.



Up! bag update... It's done... Will post pictures as soon as it's light enough to take them.

D~

think next time you use cotton thread....just mark it out and write in poly...Mr. Rocket isn't that smart is he

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!! sounds fun! except I'm not driving....motorhome is too big for me....I hated driving Jim's pick-up truck....I can be the snack maker too!

that would definately make an interesting TR....I think we might get into a lot of trouble though

oh, making us wait another day to see the UP bag....you are such a tease

 

[karebear23]

Wow...12 hours in the car, up and back...4 stops. $$$ spent!

Totally Jealous that you go to do that shopping today!
I really need to order some thread. I remember someone else had said they liked the thread from there...can't remember if it was here on the DIS or from an embroidery forum.

I want to go to Mary Jo's....if I could only get DH to let me go!

I know.... Let's not do a weekend - lets take a whole summer off, and caravan across the country going to every quilting shop we can... We can do it motorhome style... a big sewing room on wheels... take turns driving... This could work ladies! And then Lisa could scrapbook our adventure in real time. That would make an exceptional TR.
Just tell DH about all those bolts of fabric you could have come home with - but you didn't - you were very good Athene!


Marianne is very good at that... too good...

Up! bag update... It's done... Will post pictures as soon as it's light enough to take them.

D~

Sounds good to me! I'm all about a roadtrip!
I'm excitied to see the "Up" bag!

I was trying to finish up my order....but I ran out of ribbon. I knew I was forgetting something when I went to Joann's yesterday. So guess where I'm going in the morning! Oh well at least I'm going to bed halfway early!

 

[cogero]

.

I know.... Let's not do a weekend - lets take a whole summer off, and caravan across the country going to every quilting shop we can... We can do it motorhome style... a big sewing room on wheels... take turns driving... This could work ladies! And then Lisa could scrapbook our adventure in real time. That would make an exceptional TR.


Marianne is very good at that... too good...

Up! bag update... It's done... Will post pictures as soon as it's light enough to take them.

D~

That sounds like a fabulous trip.

I can't wait to see the bag later.

 

[DMGeurts]

think next time you use cotton thread....just mark it out and write in poly...Mr. Rocket isn't that smart is he

Excellent idea Lisa... No, I don't think Mr. Rocket is that smart... It might just work!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!! sounds fun! except I'm not driving....motorhome is too big for me....I hated driving Jim's pick-up truck....I can be the snack maker too!

We will definately need a snack maker... we can compromise.

that would definately make an interesting TR....I think we might get into a lot of trouble though

I think that's the point.

oh, making us wait another day to see the UP bag....you are such a tease

I know... soooo sorry - I've learned not to take pictures when it's dark outside and expect them to turn out good.

Totally Jealous that you go to do that shopping today!
I really need to order some thread. I remember someone else had said they liked the thread from there...can't remember if it was here on the DIS or from an embroidery forum.

I know, I was just looking at all my thread yesterday and I am very nearly out of some of my main colors. Hopefully JA's has a sale on Gutermann's soon.

Sounds good to me! I'm all about a roadtrip!
I'm excitied to see the "Up" bag!

It would be such a fun trip!

I was trying to finish up my order....but I ran out of ribbon. I knew I was forgetting something when I went to Joann's yesterday. So guess where I'm going in the morning! Oh well at least I'm going to bed halfway early!

ACK!!! Can't wait to see what you are making!!!

That sounds like a fabulous trip.

I can't wait to see the bag later.

I will be posting the bag in a bit - it's not even light here yet.

I will be starting on another bag order today... This one should be fun - I love the fabrics in it.

D~

 

[idofabric]

I will try and remember to try the thread today...but when I go over to the High School and work with the home ec/fashion design class and then work with a couple of the theater classes,(and we are doing FAME...) it drains my energy, and brains cells!

Now, about that field trip....I think we need a caravan. Or an 18 wheeler. Think about it...we could fit bunk beds in the middle, the back/near the cab would be storage for stuff we buy/supplies we need to work on projects. As we open the doors at the end we can have sewing tables/machines and so on...that way we can open the end and get natural light! And the BEST part....WDW has a Campground!!! so we park the 18 wheeler at Wilderness Campground, and we could decorate it with lots of lights and stuff, like some of the campers do for holidays. I'm in!

Back to real life- I do have a timeshare. For years I've taken crowds of the kids friends to WDW or Williamsburg or places.... I see no reason not to get a week, or long week for those of us that need to sew and shop. The only problem with the Char. NC area is that the only resort I can trade into is the Great Wolf Lodge, which sounds great, but is very, very costly in points. And I have the points, but if we could find something else then I would use RCI to trade into that. I really mean this ladies. I think 2, 2 bedrooms would work...and they have rec. areas. Just to give you all something to think of. I am always able to get into Orlando....and they do have some big JoAnns down there...and there is a store south of WDW that I have got some WDW fabric from the resorts/park...Just a thought

Still waiting for the UP bag! Isn't it light yet? This is worse then Christmas morning!!! I feel like I am 10 again!

And anyone near W.Virginia, stop in Fancy Gap at the fabric store there...they get Wrights trims super cheap. Different things all the time. Didn't have the time to go yesterday, that is another 2 hours up the road from Char....and would have taken 5+ hours to get home from, and THAT is most of a drive to WDW, which I would rather do!!!

 

[miprender]

Still waiting for a picture

I know.... Let's not do a weekend - lets take a whole summer off, and caravan across the country going to every quilting shop we can... We can do it motorhome style... a big sewing room on wheels... take turns driving... This could work ladies! And then Lisa could scrapbook our adventure in real time. That would make an exceptional TR.

D~

Sounds like a wonderful time but I would need to save up some $$$$ so I can buy all this wonderful fabric

<-----resting after all our shopping and sewing

 

[dianemom2]

...and there is a store south of WDW that I have got some WDW fabric from the resorts/park...Just a thought

What store is south of WDW where you got fabric? We'll be headed through Orlando over the summer, on my way to the inlaws and I'd love to stop there.

Ok D, I am waiting to see the UP bag!!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

I know you all have been anxiously waiting for me to finish this bag.

I want to start off by saying, there are no balloons on this bag. I know what you are thinking... What! NO Balloons??? But it's true. When I first went fabric hunting for this bag, I was looking specifically for balloon fabric - I looked online, I looked in stores, I looked on Ebay, I looked everywhere. I did find a few balloon prints, but really nothing that spoke to me. That's when I decided that maybe balloon fabric wasn't the way to go for this bag. I figured I would work them into my applique.

The fabric I ended up using, I found in this teeny tiny fabric shop about 20 miles from here... Getting tired of searching and finding the same fabrics in store after store, this fabric shop was a last ditich effort. I must say, this fabric didn't jump out at me - it was kind of "meh" - but it was better than anything I had seen so far, so I payed the inflated boutique shop price for just barely enough to make the bag. It wasn't until I got home and found the fabric for the pockets that it really pulled all the elements of the bag together and I got excited about what I was going to do.

As for the applique.... which turned into a 17 hour applique (start to finish)... I know Allison really wanted Dug on her bag... I tried so hard, but in the end - I just couldn't wrap my mind around his fur, and how Dug just wouldn't fit into the theming of the rest of the bag. It wasn't until Saturday morning, when I asked Allison to help me choose an applique, I explained my dillema, and in the end - we went with Russell. Not just any Russell, but the most difficult Russell you could think of. It was so difficult, that just the prospect of adding balloons just made me ill... It took me almost 2 hours just to draw out each piece of the applique, and almost 3 hours to piece it together... But in the end - I am super happy with the result, and I just love the bag!

Front:

Applique close-up:

We did a few fun details:

And it was Allison's idea to use buttons as Russell's badges - that was my biggest hang up with doing Russell in the first place, was how in the world was I going to applique all those badges? The buttons turned out to be the perfect solution - which took me long enough as it was. I love how the buttons and the beads give the whole applique a 3D effect.

Under the flap:

Inside the box pleat:

Looking down into the bag:

The pocket fabric, which I think pulled this whole bag together - I just it!

My only disappointment with this entire bag, is that I didn't realize the Patience's needle was slightly bent when I was doing the zipper top stitiching - it wasn't until I was completely done installing the zipper that I noticed my sitching looks like a drunk sailor did it. Oh well, normally I would rip it all out and redo it, but I just couldn't make myself do that, so it will have to look wacky.

Inside that pocket:

And one of theoutside side pockets:

D~

 

[Corrine 1973]

I love the Up bag!!!!

I can see what you mean about that applique, there is so many small pieces.

It came together perfectly, I love the fabric.

Your trip is getting so close.

 

[mommy2mrb]

WOW! its adorable! love the button's and little extra details! it does make the bag!

 

[cogero]

the up bag is absolutely fabulous. Totally in love with it.

 

[mphalens]

LOVE IT!!!!! Fabulous fabulous fabulous!!!!