Back at the Market

Well, the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curbside Market has been open three weeks now, in the new season, after an August hiatus.  I found that I had made so many new items over the summer that I needed more space.  There was just not enough room to put everything!  Today, I set up three tables and four racks, and barely had enough room.  I guess that's a good problem to have.  I opted to leave my sewing machine home the last two weeks, and instead, I made ten new braided leashes during that time.  I have enough leashes now to split them into categories:  Cotton/sewn, 3-braid, 4-braid flat, 4-braid round, 6-braid, nylon webbing, choke, etc.  I also have lots of pet scarves and cool collars.  They all have been big sellers.  People love their pets!

This one went to London, England.

This one, Tampa, FL.

This one went to my sister in Arizona.

This one, to my daughter in NYC.

Here are a few pictures of some of the bags that have gone to various places in the world.

It's "Back to School Time" Again

I said in my first post that I sew in my spare time.  That also includes summers, as I am a teacher by profession.  So the "back to school" phrase affects me as well as my kids. 

This is the bag that started it all - see post #1!

I get to sew a LOT during the summer months, and this year was no exception.  I enjoy my time in my sanctuary, and spend many hours there - as much as I can, actually.  With my sewing machine, ironing board, cutting table, lots of fabric and ideas, my CD's of nature sounds and radio with PBS, and my computer, there's a lot to keep me busy.  I always have a dozen or more projects going at the same time, and I'll never run out of ideas or fabrics to create them with.  24 hours is just not enough! 

Same style bag, different fabric!

So now I am back to school, and my sewing room hours will be severely cut.  My kitties will still hang out in here waiting for me to finally get home, but it will be pretty quiet during the days.  They'll get a lot of sleeping done.  I will keep up with posting on my website www.bahandbags.etsy.com and with this blog the best I can...  Ho hum - it's been a long day! 

Dress Up Your Pet

Woven/sewn leash

OK, I'm not really into the pet wardrobe thing, but I do know how to make your pet stylish.  No tutus or tiaras, just really classy (and durable) leashes and cute scarves, both for cooling and just for show.

4-braid poly leash

My leashes are of two types:  (1) cotton/nylon woven belting with sewn trim, or (2) woven/braided polypropylene cord.  The sewn leashes are trimmed with colored ribbons on one or both sides.  Some have reflective tape for added safety.  They are in 4' and 5' lengths, and have clips of various weights.

The poly leashes are in lots of colors.  I have been thrilled to find my basic type of cord in 15 different colors, so far, and I'm always on the lookout for more!  These are very strong, and can even be used to play "tug".  These are fun to make, and I can do them away from my sewing machine (TV time, car trips, etc.).  I can now make good use of my "down time" as well!  A variation on this is a very light-weight leash for little dogs made of heavy-weight yarn with a tiny clip.  These are very soft and have a bit of stretch, for those 4-legged munchkins who are very well-behaved.

Cooper with Cool Collar

The other type of scarf does not tie or clip, like my Cool Collars or a regular bandanna.  These cute scarves have a channel to slide the collar through.  If the collar stays put, the scarf won't come off, since the two are attached!  No chewing and untying - it's relatively unnoticeable to your pet.  Both dogs and cats can be dressed up  in these scarves of many colors.

It's Hot for Dogs, Too.

The summer heat has been nearly unbearable, even for those of us who enjoy the heat.  Recently, I read a very sad newspaper article about a man who went for his daily run with his two dogs, but on this day, the dogs became severely overheated.  One recovered, but the other one died.

Since I had been making Cool Ties for people, this was the motivation I needed to get going on a canine version.  I had been thinking about the needed modifications, and it was time to act on those thoughts.  Bandannas in many colors were re-purposed, pockets stitched in and gel crystals added.  The hydrated cooling gel covers the dog's neck and chest, and is either tied or clipped on top.

Thanks to Cooper (and Heidi) for modeling for me!  (note:  Pictured Cool Collars have not been hydrated.  They were photographed dry.)

It's HOT out there!

Also needs water!

Gel is still dry and flat.  Needs water!

It's been a really HOT summer in more places than Florida!  Because this has been quite an issue this year, I was asked by a friend if I could help him out.  He needed something to keep his lawn /landscaping crew cool in the blazing heat, and suggested a scarf with gel.  I had seen these before, but had never made them.  Of course I said yes (is there any other answer?) and proceeded to hunt for the elusive gel.  (It helps if you know what you're looking for...).  I found small packages of something I thought might work, but the cost would have been prohibitive.  I bought one package to experiment with, and then started looking online.  I finally found and ordered what I needed, and then began the sewing part.

Pretty and practical.

Fully hydrated.

Since each tie takes several steps to complete, and I knew that I needed to work assembly-line style.  This was, and still is, very hard for me.  My pieces are unique, and individual, so these ties were a challenge in that way.  But I managed to make 20 or so that week, and over 100 in the next couple of weeks, and even more since then.  They are in close to 50 different color/patterns, so I might possibly have something for everybody.  (Have you heard that before?)  Anyway, my friend bought 8 of them, and they have become quite a hit.  Barbara Ann's Cool Ties are listed on www.bahandbags.etsy.com.

Re-purposed?

Re-purposed?  What does that mean?  Technically, it means to find a new use for something.  In my case, that's usually fabric.  Most of my change purses and eyeglass cases, for instance, are made from the "pages" in fabric color sample books.  These books need to be torn apart, and each page (piece of fabric) must be processed:  backings removed, edges squared up, threads trimmed, holes and flaws analyzed.  Then, depending on the size and type of fabric, I decide what to do with each piece.  Sometimes they can be paired up to create a good match  (outside and lining).  Other pieces stand on their own and may become unlined change purses.  Some pieces are "fringe-able" by the nature of the weave, so those edges become an exposed, fringed part of the finished piece.

Re-purposed red tablecloth for accent, lining and handles

My upholstery samples also need the same type of processing before they can be ready to use.  These pieces come with the added attraction of two holes where the book's bolts went through.  Imagination is then useful to decide how to either incorporate or camouflage the holes, or cut the strip off.  It is these strips that create the bag posted yesterday, and many others. 

Taking suggestions...

Eyeglasses Case

As I have always been one who likes to please others, I began taking suggestions.  Since one of my goals was to have "something for everyone", suggestions seemed the perfect way to begin to accomplish this.  The first one came from a lady who had an old, ratty, well-loved eyeglasses case in her purse.  She pulled it out to show me and asked if I could make her a new one, since she had never been able to find a suitable replacement.  Over the next week, I made six in various color patterns, and she bought two of them.  She was delighted!  My daughter then asked if I could make a larger version for sunglasses.  That became my project for the next week, and I was on my way.

Sunglasses Case