My home work station and personal sweat shop

Our dining room/kitchen has been TAKEN OVER by Pursewna!

(My little work station)

I thought I'd give my blog readers an inside look at the personal sweat shop that our dining room has become... this picture was actually taken a couple weeks ago so it looks pretty neat & tidy.  At this point because I'm working hard to get ready for the upcoming Holiday Boutique (November 21st!!) purses are quickly over-taking the entire household.  I realized tonight I have purses draped over chairs, couches, on the guest bed and dresser too!  Thankfully my hubby is patient - he told me once that he doesn't really notice when the sewing machine is out.  I bet he's eating his words now - it's been out permanently for weeks and I considering the awesome response I've had to this blog and pictures/posts on Facebook I doubt it's going to be put away anytime soon!  We might even be eating Thanksgiving dinner with the sewing machine as a centerpiece!  (I could just balance some mini pumpkins and gourds on it - it'd be tres, tres chic!  Eat your heart out Martha Stewart!)  Someday maybe I'll have a house with a sewing/craft room - that sounds heavenly.... until then I'll make do with my corner of the dining room table and the kitchen countertop!  Atleast I have someone keeping me company!

Baby Ryleigh watches on as Momma sews and sews!

Here's a peek at some of the work I'm doing for the upcoming show... I tried to cut out all of the fabric pieces and canvas/duck cloth (used to give weight to the purses) and then sewed each purse individually after that.  I think I had about 14 purses cut out and I am PROUD to say they're all done as far as sewing on the machine goes - still have to do the finishing work by hand though. 

These pictures make it obvious I'm not much of a photographer, but it gives you a bit of an idea....

Two new bags COMPLETE!

As mentioned in my previous post, Maggie (who is a great local hair stylist at Posh Salon here in Oak Harbor) placed an order for a similar bag to one I had made last year.  It's a tote-style bag with fantastic pleating and a rounded shape.  Maggie chose to pick out her own fabric and ended up giving me plenty of fabric to create two bags for her.  I just finished them today and they look WONDERFUL!!!  Here are some pictures of them:

A full view look at Maggie's "Flight Bag"

Interior Fabric of the Bag

Button Detail of the "Flight Bag"

Maggie's second bag - I'm referring to as the "Script Bag"

A look at the interior fabric - a bright red with small ivory circles

An up close look at the button detail I added, plus a great view of the handle & band fabric

Maggie - you did an AWESOME job of picking fabrics!!!  I hope you enjoy these bags as much as I do - have a great vacation to Arizona! 

Business Cards - making it official!

I recently sent in payment to have a space/booth at an upcoming "Holiday Boutique" that the local Officer Spouse's Club puts on here in Oak Harbor.  It's like many other holiday bazaars that churches andorganizations put on to raise money for charities, etc.  The CO's wife had seen my bags/purses on Facebook and encouraged me to check out information on Boutique and I am so excited about it!  The event is on November 21st  at Living Word Church (490 NW Crosby Rd.) and will be from 11am - 4pm.  I guess in the past the Boutique has been held on base and was primarily just for military folks and those who had base access but this year they're opening it up to the general public!  All they need from me is the fee to have the space and I get 100% of the profits from what I sell!  How fantastic! 

In thinking about the event and what all I need to get done I designed some business cards which feature an email address & this blog address too.  I think they turned out great!  (I had to get input from my hubby and my Mom as to which to pick!)  What do you think?

Front of the card

Back of the card

I'm really happy with the colors, etc. and am HOPING they look the same when I recieve them in the mail!!!! 

This past week I've been working specifically on two bags for my friend Maggie who works as a stylist at Posh Salon here in town.  She really liked one of the bags I made last year that features some bright yellow printed fabric with a contrasting red fabric for the band and handles. 

It had been a LONG time since I made that bag but thankfully they are turning out great.  Maggie is heading to Arizona on vaca at the end of the month so she'll be rocking a Pursewna as a carry on bag when she travels!  I'll be sure to post pics as soon as both bags are finished.

Uses for Pursewna handbags

The size of many of Pursewna's bags are a perfect fit for many day-to-day activities.  Here are some of the countless ways a Pursewna bag makes life easier!

*The gym - throw in your ID and water bottle, maybe a magazine for flipping through while on the elliptical!

*Traveling - because the bags are all cotton they can be rolled up and stashed in your carry-on or checked luggage.  They make the perfect bag for adding a quick change to your outfit as you're out and about exploring a new town, stashing a book and your cell phone to lounge by the pool or as an extra carry on bag should you purchase some souvenirs that have to be carried home

*The beach - Pursewna bags are machine washable!  Perfect for taking to the sandy beach and tossing into the machine when you get home.  Throw in your sunscreen, towel and a good read and relax in the sand!

*The grocery store - be kind to the envionment!  Use a Pursewna bag for a quick jaunt to the store to pick up last minute items for dinner!  Instead of using the store's plastic bags, feel good knowing you're being eco-friendly!

*The farmer's market - when purchasing fresh produce and herbs at the market, use your Pursewna bag to tote them home.

*On errands around town - perfect for holding your wallet and phone; maybe some letters you need to ail at the post office, a Pursewna bag not only completes your outfit but makes running around a breeze!

*Making a fashion statement - tired of plain, boring leather handbags?  Use a Pursewna bag to make a statement!  What a great splash of color added to your everyday uniform of denim and a khaki trench or a black business suit.

What other ways do you use your Pursenwa bag?

:)


On a side-note, I recently sold a Pursewna diaper tote and wanted to make sure you all knew it was no longer available.  Thank you to Susan for your purchase!