NEW for Winter 2008.  Jade is the most professional handbag yet!  Complete with a magnetic closure, zipper pocket, a stiff frame and a wide gusset!  Truly a bag that will last for years to come!

I am offering the handbags for sale as well as the pattern in PDF format!  So far the response has been fabulous!  It is a great pattern to learn some of the more advanced sewing techniques!

Even if you have never put in a zipper and only sewn in a straight line...the color photos lead you through a wonderful pattern!

I am so excited!

For the complete line of my handbag patterns, visit my Etsy shop or contact me via this site.

Currently offered patterns...collect them all:
Louise Tote
Luna Clutch
Jade Handbag
His and Hers Wallets
Wood Bottom Tote
Natural Nappy Cloth Diaper Pattern

Knitting patterns:
Axels Heirlooms - Infant Ear Flap Hat
Axels Heirlooms - Infant Pants / Shorts

Enjoy these original ONE OF A KIND designs.

In other news:

The Halloween party was a success...although I wanted to post a picture...I realize I didn't take any.

Great friends from college bought their first house this week and are moving in shortly!  I am already planning their house warming gift!

The first snow brought hope for the holidays!  I am so excited to give resourceful and meaningful presents this year...as always, I will be making most of them myself!

Don't forget to get your holiday orders in soon!  My schedule is getting packed and I hope to fill all orders and have them out by Christmas!

The holiday giveaway is a complete success and people are enjoying their FREE Snappy Wallets!  Get yours with a $30 order.

Gift certificates available upon request.

Enjoy your first snow...if you live in the Midwest...otherwise soak in some rays for me!

Although I tend to think of myself as a domestic guru...I am not Martha Stewart.

Today JennaLou and I decided to make these lovely gourd bowls we saw on the Martha Stewart show.  They turned out less than perfect!

To all my family and friends who think I can do no wrong when it comes to craft...you should see the bowls.  Totally unworthy of a photo...they will decorate my table for my up-coming Halloween party...and then they may be in a landfill near you.

This week has been full messes followed by more messes.  My house is literally a disaster zone!  Although I prefer to live in cleanliness...I will settle for a creative dwelling where mess is permitted!  Unlike my lovely parents...whom I adore...I can see lots of potential in artsy clutter!

I have a small tribute below to the people who make this entire adventure of mine possible.  All of you are probably thinking...how does she do all of this and raise such a beautiful baby...well the answer is...I have lots of help.

My Nana is completely responsible for my creative self!  Although some days I wish to throw in the towel...nana swoops in to iron for me (fabric and my husbands clothes).  Having her stay with me this summer has been fabulous and although she will undoubtedly have more fun in Florida away from the cold...she will be missed here in Minnesota!

Jahred...if any of his friends read this blog...they will soon find out the truth about his after hours!  Jahred irons snappy wallets in his free time!  He is quite good at it!  When he is not ironing...he is keeping me company in the wee hours offering little advice, but lots of laughs.  The nursing program doesn't know whats coming...he is talented!

To all the purchasers of my goods.  Keep up the good work...and put in an extra effort this holiday season!  Support moms...not just me...we have lots of creative energy and would love to make your holidays brighter with some love from our studios!

What a fabulous day.  We took Axel to the pumpkin patch for the first time and he loved it...rather I loved it for him.  We visited a little farm called "Hey by George".  Axel mostly ate leaves and watched the dog run around.  He also enjoyed slapping the pumpkins...as that is his latest fascination.

I have been sewing like mad.  Here are a few crib set pictures.  I am quite proud of the last few.  I have added new features like ruffles and twill ties...super cute!

My fabrics are updated on this web page, FINALLY.  I have the fabrics in stock that are pictured.  I can custom order any other fabric of course.

Don't forget about Holiday shopping!  I have a giveaway incentive going now through December...take advantage and plan ahead for the season this year!

If you have any requests for a custom order...speak now, I have plenty of time.  As fall progresses I will have less of it.

Enjoy the season!

Jen

I felt the need to add some recent pictures of my precious Axel.  He is 8 months old now and into everything! 

He stands up next to furniture and loves the buttons on the TV.  I fully expect to find him at the top of the stairs some day soon.

People always said my days were numbered when he was the sleepy babe in my arms...those people were right!

Although being all BOY...Axel knows a fair bit about sewing already.  He likes to pick up the pins from the floor...find my seam ripper at all costs...point out all the threads covering my sewing room.  He's a critic really!

Enjoy the pics and I will post on my fashion adventures soon.  I am sewing crib sets like mad...must be baby season.

I have begun using my large selection of antique lace and am really glad to be sharing it with the world.  Stay tuned for more lace!

Have a great weekend!
Jen

Introducing my newest PDF.  With loads of color digital photos, even a first timer can create this fabulous bag!

I dont have much to say this week.  Busy, busy, busy.  Axel is all about crawling this week and he is darn good at it.  Luckily Jahred has been a big help in maintaining my sanity.  Between the crawling tunnel and the ball pit...my house is not my own!

Check out Luna and if you are really nice, order the PDF and try it out!

Let me know what you think!

Speaking with a fellow Etsy mom "dimple kids", we were discussing how we try to "one-up" our husbands on the difficulty of our days.  Why do we do that?  I realized I am constantly trying to beat my husband by explaining the severity of my day...like what am I trying to prove?

This week has been a rough one.  Axel had his first cold, Etsy sales are really down (I don't know why...maybe this wonderful economy), those darn car tabs that you never budget for...just to name a few.

I feel I am hitting a wall with a crawling baby and a new business of my own.  Some days it would be easier to give up on the thought that I am a "real" fashion designer and just realize that I am a mom who sews.

I am sure we all have these irrational thoughts...this is just my week to express them.

In other news, a friend and neighbor, Erica, brought home her little girl from Africa.  I am anxious to meet her.  Following her blog over the last months has been a journey for all friends and family.  What a blessing to be included on such a personal adventure!  Her name is Meron and from photos she is beautiful.  You can see the life and spirit in her eyes and I think that comes from a country where you push on and endure what comes your way.  Congrats Erica and family!

Hope all of you are having a great week.  I am ready for actual fall weather.  Most think I am crazy but there is just something about the cold Minnesota weather that makes me a Minnesota girl.  I like it in a soaking-wet-stocking-feet-in-boots kind of way. (And I can't wait to take Axel sledding for the first time).

Hugs to all!  Please check out my new Luna bag.  She is beautiful, functional and pictured below.  I am really proud of this design.

Isn't it frustrating when people steal your idea and then undercut your price?

I am having a slight issue with an unnamed shop on Etsy that has copied my idea for typewriter key cuff-links and undercut my price by $1!  Get a life!

I am not claiming to be the first person to think of this idea...I actually followed a suggestion by one of my wholesale clients.  It's just the fact that I was the first to do this on Etsy...someone copied my idea and then attempts to steal my sales.

I never even wanted to sell the typewriter gear to begin with, I just ended up with all these keys after a family reunion project.  I thought I would make a few to use up the keys.  Well, loads of sales and a wholesale client later...I am still doing it.  I sell them for dirt cheap...I just like to give people a great deal, use up my stash and connect with creative people.

Idea stealing is mean...some people stoop low to get a few sales.

Fortunately sales are not the reason I do this.  Yes, making a few dollars is a bonus...the validation and purpose are what I am really after.  A creative outlet if you will.

So all of you who have had this happen to you in one form or another...I feel for you.

Now that I am done venting:

I am having a fabulous week.  Axel and I enjoyed our 2nd ECFE class and he feels like a really big guy now with all these friends.  His favorite friend is Lucy...she likes to push him on a Little Tikes car.  Since he isn't a walker yet...he can level with the other kids.

I never expected to love motherhood this much...every day I am excited for him to wake up and play!

Enjoy your week.  Feel free to vent if you too are experiencing some intellectual property theft!

I am in awe of all the kind people in this world!

I recently discovered that one of my products was featured on the "Nestled In Blog".  It is the most beautiful web site and Blog I have ever seen.

I am so grateful that people admire and desire my work.  I started this whole adventure to keep me busy while staying home to raise my son.  Although we knew it would be a struggle financially to have one income, we decided it was important.

In the last few months, I have turned this crazy-since-forever dream of mine into something that gives me validation, purpose and extreme happiness.  I love knowing that people can use my pieces and enjoy them for years to come.

The snappy wallet featured on Nestled In is something so simple...but as a mom who needs to clip coupons, it is such a needed item.

Thank you so much to all the bloggers out there who feature each other, inspire each other and encourage each other to follow our own dreams.

Check out Nestled In and celebrate their efforts!

I am so excited about perfecting a bear pattern!  I have been working on several old fashioned bears and this one seems to be the cutest and most durable!  I am starting a BUILD YOUR BEAR party idea for all the moms and dads throwing birthday parties or just need a rainy day activity for the kids.

The bears will come sewn but flat and all you need is the stuffing.  The kids can also embellish them with felt, buttons, ribbon...anything they wish.

The price is $15 per bear, and the stuffing will cost approx $3 per bear.  This is a great alternative to the trendy mall stores...it costs less and all bears are OOAK (one of a kind...not mass produced).  Plus you will be helping a mom out!

I really hope this idea catches on.  I know when Axel gets bigger, it will be nice  to pull this trick out of a hat on those testy days...or when he deserves a little reward!

It seems like I could be on to something...then again what I think is cool...never seems to catch on.

Is anyone with me on this idea?  I am always trying to think of ideas for those odd pre-teen years when there is really nothing constructive to do...hence kids get into trouble!

I also need to give a shout out to my brother...his birthday is coming up next week.  22...must be nice to still be in college and living the dream.  Congrats on all your achievements Andy...I am really proud of the volunteer hours you put in, and the fact that you are a role model for all of Special Olympics Minnesota.  They need more coaches like you!

Enjoy September...I hate to say it, but it is almost over.

What a fabulous Labor Day Holiday!  This weekend was filled with family, friends, fair and food.

We started off the weekend by watching a Somerset Football Game.  Although coach Larson swears by the new system this year...the former state champs lost big.  Men try to fix things that don't need fixing.  Although my brother Tyler didn't see turf time in Fridays game, he will at the next game this coming Friday.

On Saturday we spent the day cleaning up the river...recycling the cans we found for some needed extra cash.  Sometimes helping the environment can be beneficial to your wallet!

Sunday we went to the fair with my in-laws.  I wasn't surprised to see the the fair was exactly the same as last year.  Despite their claims to have new "food on a stick"...it was the same old fair.  The only great thing about this year was we had Axel!

On Monday it was more river clean up and then back home.

I have lots of custom orders this week and will be busy with those.  Hope this finds you all well!

What are your plans for fall?