New wallet...

I designed my own wallet once, but after using it awhile I realized that a lot of the pockets I thought I needed were rather unnecessary.  And when the elastic I was using to keep it closed snapped, and the button disappeared, I decided it was time for a new one.

I loved the looks of the Greenbacks Wallet Trio by Sew Sweetness and picked it up to try.  Again, pictures are just quick snaps, not pro shots... :)

I modified a bit, because I really wanted a wristlet to make it easy to grab and go.

I love this style, the divider zipper pocket holds my coins and the wings (?!) don't let it open the whole way so all your stuff won't fall out!  I love that it zippers completely closed too.

The pattern is written with both sides being sewn for credit cards, however I left one side so I could use it for my cash envelopes (a la Dave Ramsey's cash envelope system, which we do our own version of!). I only need a few since we aren't hard core cash people, so I have an envelope for my fun money, one for eating out, and one for household.  If you needed more, you could leave both sides as full envelopes and add the smallest of the pattern's trio for your cards, or just tuck them into the zipper pocket (because if you are hard core D.R. fans, you probably don't have many anyway).

I really like how the cards stand up, I think they fit much nicer that way.  I've got a few different ones stacked together (i.e. one pocket for all our insurance cards).

It is actually MUCH bigger than I thought it would be, but I quickly adapted... I quite like that I can fit my checkbook inside (as is with my current cover, though I plan to attempt a streamlined, slimmer version so it doesn't make the wallet quite so chubby. My Cake Batter Chapstick (Limited Edition, eek! How many should I stock up on????) fits in there too.  I had planned at some point to make a clutch to tuck both my wallet and checkbook into to quickly switch purses/diaper bags, so this actually takes care of that for me.

It was NOT the easiest thing in the world to sew... I did a lot of picking out of seams, though that was mostly because I kept trying to use my machine, even though the directions said that a lot of the binding needed to be hand sewn... It is time consuming because of all the hand sewing, at least for me since I don't do much of it.  It freaked me out a bit that my hand sewing was the only thing holding the outside fabric on to the rest of the wallet!  I was able to machine sew some, if I did it again, I would probably only machine sew the straight edges and hand sew the corners and into the V made by the dividers since the corners gave me the most trouble on my machine.  So if you are patient, give it a whirl!  Most of the wallet is very simple to put together, so if you have the time to sit down with a movie and hand sew the binding, you will be fine!

Fabric Cash Envelope System Wallet

I was reminded recently I never got around to posting photos of my second attempt at a wallet for the cash envelope system...

 There are zipper pockets on both sides of the outside (I added 2 to mine, one on each side, one would probably be enough). It closes with a button and elastic.

Here you can kind of see how I constructed it. Both sides of the main piece (the part laying down on the couch) have 3 envelopes each for cash, and the piece I am holding in the picture has slots for credit cards on one side (last picture) and more envelopes on the other.  Those could easily be interchangeable (i.e. both sides for credit cards (though if you are truly a Dave Ramsey fan, you probalby don't want to carry them anyway... my husband and are I cheaters!), or both envelopes, depending on how many you want to have. My wallet currently has 6 on the main piece (so if this is enough for you and you don't want credit card slots, you could omit the center all together) and 3 on the inner piece with 8 credit card slots. 

As you can see, I goofed a bit on my measurements due to extra thickness with interfacing... so my inner piece is a smidgen wider than the outer piece, but I  plan to fix that on any others that I do... As for labeling the envelopes, I've planned to either use fabric glue, little rectangles of muslin and a fabric marker, or possibly printing out my categories on fabric transfer paper... haven't really gotten around to that part yet... 

Messenger Bag

I sewed up a messenger bag from a pattern by Aivilo Charlotte Designs.  The great thing about this pattern is that she gives you three different size options.  I made the large size which is about 17 by 12 1/2 by 4 inches.

It has a magnetic snap closure.

A great full pocket in the front, great to keep you planner, a notebook, or some folders separate.

Lots of great customizable pockets inside: pencils/pens/highlighters, calculator, phone, planner, ipod, makeup, etc...

and 2 pockets on the back.

And, I just realized, I forgot to snap a picture of the key clip hidden down in the big pocket! Clip your keys on and never go searching in your bag again!

A great bag for any age student, or a cute purse or mom bag in a smaller size (i'm anxious to try one of the smaller ones now!). This one hopefully already has a home, but i might have to make one for our laptop...

These are available to be ordered on a custom made basis at $45 each for the larger size.  Contact me! Smaller bags will be priced soon.

New Purses!

I made a few purses over the last week or two...
First up is my ABSOLUTE favorite bag EVER (sorry runarounds... love you too!).  Its the No.22 Pleats Shoulder Bag designed by ithinkisew.com.  It's HUGE!

I added 2 inside pockets to mine, and am completely LOVING it!



Sparkly buttons!




See how teensy tiny my diaper clutch (on left) looks in there?!

 Since you can't really appreciate how big it is in these photos, check out the link to her etsy shop here; she has great pics that really show off how gorgeous and humongous it is!

Next up is the Aivilo Charlotte Designs Gathered Purse, which is another favorite after seeing it in person!

Its for my lovely cousin who actually picked out the fabric!



It has pockets running the entire length which can be customized to fit cell phone, diapers, wallet, pencils, etc.  (I'll do this one differently next time around... I didn't really like the big diaper pocket, though I didn't test it out...), and....





a matching button closure (my first experience with covering buttons... LOVE IT!).



It's a pretty large bag too!

 And also by the same designer, Aivilo Charlotte Designs, a convertible wristlet!

Zipper pocket

Cash and credit card pockets

If you look closely, you can see the little wristlet strap sticking out on the right. With this one, you also have the option to change the strap to make a mini purse (one strap to each side). Great size to grab and go with enough room for money, cell, and more.  It's bigger than I thought it would be! I think I personally will whip one up to stash my wallet, checkbook, etc in to help organize my larger bag or make it easier to sneak out the door when I finally get a trip out alone!

And of course, just for fun...







Mini Runaround!

Mini Runaround 2!

And 2 more full-size Runarounds for the portfolio...

Stay tuned for the smaller version of the Pleats Shoulder Bag, as well as pricing in case anyone wants one of anything shown!