Meet Stella....she's a sweety. I am really liking this new bag shape. I love the exaggerated classic shape with a modern, clean look. This bag is larger than this style is usually done in. It is large enough to fit a full size legal note pad . She's over in the shop right now.

A gift...

For my sweet Mom-in-law's (hate that phrase, sounds like you are obligated by law to like each other) Birthday I made her a framed piece of art using my boys' silhouette's.

What I thought was going to be a quick, fun project turned into quite an undertaking. The main issue was our little photo shoot to actually capture those scrumptious little profiles. They could not figure out why I was telling them NOT to look at the camera after all those time I have told them TO look at the camera. They thought it was a joke, a really funny one!

So, like a dork, I didn't take a photo of the finished piece. I will soon.

Below are the Photos I began with...

I just used photoshop to outline them, then filled the background in white and the boys in with black. Easy peasy. In retrospect I would have used a white background for Kai because his hair blended in too much and it was hard to find that contour. Next year I'll know.

Be Well.

I am so excited...

The darling Brandy over at Indie Obsession featured my Lucia Bag today. I am amidst very good company. How flattering is that.

Head over and check it out .......

My 'Studio'...

I thought I would show you some photos of the space where I create my purses, my 'studio' if you will. It is in the rear of our large great room space. It has fantastic light with huge south facing windows.I also set up an easel for the kids to do their 'art' on while I am essentially neglecting them.
This is the view I have of our Great room from my Chair. I am right behind the couch tucked in the corner. I love it because I am always a part of what's going on. Also, when Chris is at work I can sneak a bit of sewing in while the kids play or watch Sesame Street. We had talked of moving the boys into one room so I could use Luke's room as my studio. We decided against it because I would actually end up with much less creating time if I had to be apart from the family.
My fabric stash...which is a bit depleted currently....I'll have to get on that soon.
This is where I keep/display my in progress and finished work. The top two shelves have things which are sold or for sale and the bottom two have custom orders, future shop inventory in progress, and 'ideas' in various stages of completion.

More of the same...
A cool view from my sewing desk.

So, there you go...a peek at where Plumm happens.

I made a choice...

This is a photo of our 'front yard' tree's fancy little pods. I absolutely adore them, although I have no idea what type of tree I have here. Regardless, I am happy she's here with us.

I signed up for an interior design course at our local college today...just one class one evening a week. It is something I have been meaning to do for, umm...ever. And have done. I have probably acquired enough college units to have graduated by now, if I had been following some sort of 'class requirement list' for a specific major. But, I tend to go about this education thing in a more organic (impulsive) way (and most every other part of my life is run this way as well) so, I have a bundle of units in bunches of different departments. In the beginning it was me trying to get a 'grown up' degree in areas of study which interested me ..none. So, then, onto every possible 'intro to art of some kind' type class.... which, no doubt, have improved my sculpture, ceramics,drawing, painting, cooking, sewing, decorating and illustrating skills tremendously. But it has been a few years, and a couple kids, since I was in school last and I suspect that I am much more focused now. This semester I will be revisiting interior design. It feels right.

The Lucia...

Here is my newest baby!

Lucia is among the smallest of my purses....similar in size to Cleo but with this new strap design I am loving! Here are some progress photo's and a few of the finished product. This particular Lucia is done in a couple Amy Butler fabrics, from the 'Belle' line I believe.

I'm still here!

Well, that was a nice break! I was on a self imposed blogging hiatus for the holidays but I am glad to be back! We had a wonderful holiday season full of friends, family, food, gifts, gatherings, and runny noses. All was as it should have been.

I have been working away, trying to build up a bit of inventory for my Etsy shop and I am pretty excited about some of my recent purse designs! I have collaborated a bit with The Hubs on some swell wood handles for a new purse pattern I came up with. He did a great job making the exact shape I wanted and even went a bit further. He recessed rare earth magnets into the wood which gently pull together and act as the "clasp" for the bag by holding it closed. I am absolutely smitten with the end result....the Cleo purse.

She is just so sweet. I have a few more in "production" in some other great fabrics .

I have also been working on quite a few orders for the "Keely Purse" in all sorts of fun fabrics. Some were from fabrics I found and some are custom orders in fabrics that my great customers found. I must say my customers have great taste!

Here a re a few pics:

All for now.....more soon on a NEW purse that I am Just finishing up! She will be called 'The Lucia'.