Pillow Sham Messenger Bag

One of my biggest passions is repurposing items.  You might remember my Placemat Clutch,  Sheets to Curtains,  Man's Shirt to Flirty Skirt or Tea Towel Curtains.  It gives me such a thrill to turn one item into something completely different.

I was shopping at Marshall's last week with Hubs when he got a call from an old friend.  I used this slight distraction to pop into the home section and rummage through the clearance aisle.  Sitting there, just waiting to come home with me, was a king-sized, quilted pillow sham in a gorgeous paisley and leaf print for just $3! I didn't think twice and tossed it into our cart.

King-sized pillow sham.

My mom had been asking me to make her a new purse, something with a long strap that wouldn't fall off of her shoulder.  I have to admit, making hand bags isn't, well, my bag (wah, wah).  I have a couple of friends who make phenomenal handbags, and I tend to lean more toward accessories and clutches...

Anyhoo, I got a spark of inspiration and decided to give it a shot using the fabric from the new pillow sham.

This isn't going to be a tutorial, exactly, since I don't have step by step pictures or measurements, but maybe it will inspire you to make your own!

The first thing I did was remove all of the stitching.  This left me with one large quilted piece (beige), and two smaller pieces of a thin cotton (pink).  I then cut the quilted piece in half (through the short side) and used that for the exterior and one of the small pink pieces as the lining.  The other piece of pink fabric I cut into strips and sewed together to make the strap.

I didn't use a pattern or any specific measurements.  I just played it by ear and hoped for the best.  Here is how it turned out:

VOILA!

I mitered the corners, and added a fabric flower with some left over lining fabric.

I added two interior pockets for Mom's cell phone and keys.

 

Roomy and comfy, and all for $3!

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Tennessee Trunk Show Sneak Peak

Trunk show prep is both fun and exhausting. I have been knuckles deep in my sewing machine which is both a glorious and neck-cramping experience. The next show is one week from tomorrow at the home of yours truly! Here is a little peek at what all my awesome Franklin gals will be shopping at the show.

Little Gal Apron...

and a matching one for mama!

Girls Night Clutch - Love these colors together!

Small Zippered Pouch

Comfy Headband

Everyday Shoulder Bag

Roomy Shoulder Bag
If you are not coming to a show and see something you like, click on our email link and shoot us an order!
 

Mini Pleated Pouches

Happy Friday!  We almost don't know what to do with ourselves without the Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge! ;)  JUST KIDDING!  In fact, we are busy little bees!  Our first holiday show is this weekend, and our second is just 10 days after that!!

Here's another sneak peek at some things we have been working on:

Mini Pleated Pouches!

These two particular pouches already have homes, but we are having so much fun playing with shapes and sizes that there will be more to come.

Mini Pleated Pouches can be used as a wristlet on a Girl's Night Out (woot!), as a pencil or makeup case, or they can be tossed in your bag as a discreet way to store your "lady supplies" (TMI!) In fact, because they can be created in any shape and size (and include some mini interior pockets to boot), you can pretty much use these for whatever your heart desires!

Along with the make-up bags we posted yesterday, these pouches would make fantastic teacher's gifts!

How would you use your Mini Pleated Pouch?  Tell us in the comments!

Trunk Show Preview

First thing this week, both Yvette and I sent out boxes of goodies for the first of our holiday trunk shows, which is coming up this weekend! By now the extravaganza of fabric items should be safely in Port St. Lucie, for all the party-going ladies to enjoy. But for the rest of you, here is a little peek and what's in store.

Roomy Shoulder Bag
This bag is so great - I actually own one myself! It has 4 deep pockets on the outside (big enough to hold a bottle of wine!) and a nice roomy inside for anything you can imagine.

Everyday Kitchen Apron
I conned my sweet mom into modeling this fun apron. I loved the fun kitchen themed print. Plus, it is so easy to clean - just toss it in the wash with everything else.

Medium Make Up Bag

Large Make Up Bag
I love these simple zippered bags. You can fill them with (obviously) make up, snacks, sunglasses, first aid supplies...your camera, phone...whatever you like! They are perfect to toss into a *Roomy Shoulder Bag* or just grab and go on their own.
I hope that all the S Florida girls have fun shopping all the great stuff from Aqua Seventy6 and other vendors! Let the shopping season begin!

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #6 and the Week in Review

Hi friends!  Unfortunately the week got away from us here at AquaSeventy6 and we don't have any photos to share with you for the Tights Challenge.  We've been sewing our little fingers off preparing orders for clients, planning our 4 cross country trunk shows, and filling up our Etsy shop so that all of you can get a jump start on your holiday shopping!

Our FFFFC will continue on Monday with features and our FINAL challenge.  I know, we've had SO MUCH FUN recreating looks on the cheap.  If possible, we will recreate a tights look over the weekend and share along with the features.

In other news, we have SOLD OUT of the aqua and green Envelope Clutch we previewed last week!  Don't worry little chickadees, similar ones are in the works.  The fabrics will be different, but the style will remain the same.

Our readers and clients have been buzzing about Wednesday's Scrappy Scarf Necklace project.  I agree, these WOULD make fun Christmas gifts! :)

Did you see yesterday's Petite Bag and makeup bags?  Super fun for gifts or for yourself!  Don't forget to become a fan on Facebook for coupon codes, previews, and Facebook Fan Only specials!

We really appreciate you!  Have a great weekend!

Here's a blast from the past....

Our First Holiday Trunk Show 2010

Trunk Show Preview: Petite Bag and Make Up Bag

Even though it is full-on Fall, I cannot seem to set aside soft, lovely colors and patterns. In my world, they are gorgeous year round!
This petite bag is just the right size for your essentials: phone, wallet, keys, camera and lipgloss. I made the straps just long enough for you to slide an arm thru but you can still carry it as a handbag if you choose.
These will be in a variety of colors and patterns at some of the upcoming trunk shows. As will this perfect little make up bag.


This bag is 12" long with a zipper enclosure so none of your mineral powder dusts the bottom of your purse! It is roomier than the picture allows but still small enough to toss in your bag.
More of these bags to come...as well as coordinating travel sets!

My Fave Tote Bag

So as you may recall I have been going thru a major bag phase. I can't help it! I am a sucker for a good, roomy tote with plenty of pockets and lots of style.



I recently made this bag for my friend, Melissa. The bold choice of fabric totally matches her fun and joyful personality! Plus, she is the mama of two active boys, so all those pockets will be stuff with goodies. 



I love mixing in different remnants of fabrics I have to make the lining interesting and pretty.There are still a few of these bad boys to be made...Christmas gifts mainly...but I think I am starting to sew these in my dreams! Although, I often dream of sewing - which makes my dreams sweet!
Happy sewing and sweet dreams to you!

3 Bags and 1 Apology

So sorry for being distant...it's not you, it's us.
Life can get busy. Blogs can get neglected.
But we're back and ready to share.


Medium Tote


While Yvette has been busy traveling, I have been sewing my knuckles to the bone (in a good way!).


Gathered Clutch







Pleated Sling


More to come! Happy Tuesday!

Bag Love

A good bag is like candy on Halloween - once you get a taste you can't seem to stop yourself!



I made these bags for some friends and I just adore how they turned out!
This design is a variation on an old pattern. I think the silhouette is classic but the bold fabrics make it feel modern.

I think I am hooked on bag making now - I already started another one last night!