Second Locale Tote - Clairmont

 I have a couple crafts shows coming up in September, one being the Clairmont Fall fair. So next up on the "Horsin' Around" series is of course Clairmont! The next will be for Grande Prairie. 

This bag is constructed of the same "duck canvas" as the 1st bag that was for Sexsmith. The patchwork design going to be different for each bag. This bag is 2 x 2 squares pieced together in a border around the transfer section and extending out to the outer edges on the sides. 

The inside is fully lined and has two pockets, one pouch style and one zipper. 

There is a decorative pouch pocket on the back as well. It has 26" handles and a long strap for wearing it cross body. This tote will be available at the Clairmont Fall Fair on  Saturday Sept. 5, 2026.

Locale totes

I've been toying with heat transfers this year and what fun it is! I've learned so much and I think I'm getting better at it now. This tote is for locale Sexsmith but there will be future ones for G.P. and Clairmont, and maybe even Grovedale at some point. 

The designs will be different on each bag so they each will be one of a kind. The quilt design on this bag is call "piano keys" because they kinda, sorta, look like the keys on a piano. The rest of the bag is made from "duck canvas" which I am coming to like working with very much. It is easy to work with and my heat press loves it! It is fully lined, and has two pockets on the inside besides the one on the back (see pic below). Great for shopping or use as a large handbag!

Cleaning instructions are on the back of the info tag on the bag. 

 

Two new bags & more

 Just a quite note to let you know that there will be two new bags at Sexsmith market tomorrow. 

The first bag is a pretty light blue/turquiose handbag & the second is actually a wallet that can be a small purse when you need it to be. 

Also a little surprise from the old homestead. My daughter in law has made up some cookie mixes for sale, along with the chicken eggs we've been bringing as well.

Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Black handbag with colourful green leaf pockets

 A new handbag is ready for Sexsmith market tomorrow! 

This black handbag has bright green leaf pockets on both front and back. It has a recessed zipper with fancy tips on the ends. It also features a double pocket on the inside with a spot to hold a pen. Wear as a shoulder bag or crossbody.

As promised, newest pics

 Here we are just over a week away from Chautauqua day. My bins are full and ready to load in at the Sexsmith Curling Club building. In my other post I promised some pics of some new items that will be going to the market. 

As promised, here they are: 

First, I went a little kooky and made a couple shopping tote bags that are deliberately inside out lol. I just thought that was a fun thing to do at the time. I've also been getting into using iron on transfers.... now I am visualizing a heat press machine in my future once I can afford one lol. 

There are a couple inside out bags, and a couple right side out bags. One has Grande Prairie on it, the other three, Sexsmith. All are horse related and very custom made. The little "rope" on it is a scrappy style braided lariat which I thought turned out really cute. I would like to get into cat and dog ones as well; maybe once I have my heat press machine hehe. 

Next, is something I came up with on my own. I borrowed the idea of the hidden pouch inside a scrunchie and put it into a wristlet. The wristlets are still in the scrunchie style but I widen the mid section to create a pouch like area. The zipper can tuck in underneath, or just adjust to make it sit where you want it. There are a variety of colours, however there is only a limited supply for now.

Sexsmith farmers market season and some more new things

Firstly, I am very excited to let everyone know that my application for Sexsmith Farmers Market has been accepted!! I just paid the bill and so we are all set to go for the beginning of June. 

Next, the newest handbag... Purple with a little bling! This has a lattice style embelishment on the front, and a rainbow zipper! It is definately for someone who loves colour!

Lastly, cup covers! I found a video for this and had to try it. They are not waterproof, but they are washable. The purpose of cup covers is simply to help keep summertime bugs out of your drink when you are sitting out on the deck or are away camping. 

It has buttonhole openings, with 2 options for straw positions; one in the center & one nearer to the edge, that can easily be opened for straws that sit more near the edge such as on a pop can. It perfectly fits those new type metal straws. I thought it was so cute, like the glass or can has on a little bonnet lol.

I look forward to seeing all my regular customers and new ones too at Chautauqua Day on June 6th!

More flat pouches are here

 As promised, here are a few more flat pouches. They come in various sizes and different colours. All have an extra zipper pull added for looks and ease of use. All are patchworked together. 

I've been a busy girl this week; 6 new pouches in all lol...

Black/Silver

Purple 

Purple Diamond

Greens

Yellow/Silver

New pouches & Chautauqua day!

A quick schedule update: I've been accepted for the Chautauqua day market in Sexsmith on Saturday June 6th! Soo excited! We are still waiting for our emails for the regular season but they should be coming soon. Now on to the new pouches...

I decided to make a some more flat pouches. They are always fun and are very useful too. The first two are of the "scrappy" variety, which means they are put together from many, many, little scrap pieces of fabric. A little work intensive, but it keeps me out of trouble lol. 

I hope to add a few more to the pack before the market starts.

Sunshine crossbody handbag

The Sunshine crossbody handbag is available for the third time. I've had a lot of fun making these stylish handbags. This one came to be from a few leftover pieces that had been pre-cut in order to make another Sunshine bag. But life got in the way, and I ran low on the contrast brown fabric so the project was benched for a good year I would say. 

While going through bits and pieces that had been set aside, I found the pre-cuts and thought it was time to finally put it together. I had gotten some new browns so I was good to go. 

I am not sure if this will be the last Sunshine bag, or if there will be more in the future. I guess we will have to wait and see if the mood strikes me or not lol. 

I have also loaded this handbag to the online store here.

Some new stuff to report

 I've been busy getting some sewing caught up. Not been in a mood to make tote bags I am sad to say. I should be picking up my new glasses soon so maybe that will help. Maybe later on some inspiration will happen again when I can see straight lol. I have however, been really into making clutch bags. I posted before about the cutest little bow ones but I've made a few others since. 

The clutches are based off of YouTube video tutorials but as always I have to add my own touch to it. So they are very adaptable. You can hold it (or slide your hand between the bow and the bag), you can use the wrist strap or you can wear it as a crossbody purse. 

I did do a few animal themed crossbody bags though. I have a couple horse ones (always a fav), cats and dogs. They are double zipper styles with a pouch pocket on the inside; although the horizontal horse purse has a scoop pocket on the outside and with 2 more pockets on the inside. 

Then came some new scrunchies. These have co-ordinating trim around the outer edge. There will be some new double ruffle scrunchies as well. 

And next, after making a wack of new jar openers, I added "Jumbo's" to the collection! They are huge enough to fit over those big Costco jars! 

With the recent changes to the website, I have just now categorized the "Bloggy Stuff" and the "New Stuff" sections yet. This format on Blogger.com is a little different than what I am used to lol. 

And as always, I have tried to keep my Facebook feed from my page embedded here so that those who do not use Facebook will not miss out on the news. 

Lastly, my application for Sexsmith Chautauqua day and regular (Tuesdays) season is submitted. Hopefully there will be some news on that in the near future. 

I have been chatting with Lana (my son's mother in law) and she is game to join me at the table again this year. We had a blast last year! 

Jumbo jar openers

 

This idea came from self need actually. With my osteoarthris worsening in my hands, it is becoming impossible for me to open those big, huge, Costco peanut butter jars. 

So I made me a jumbo! I think the size is about 8 x 9 inches so it is plenty big enough to get the job done. I've tried it several times and it works every time. 

I've got a new batch of the regular size with the extensions on them all ready for the Sexsmith market this year. Applications will be out soon, so I am getting excited about it. 

A screw up that became something beautiful

 

I made a couple more of those fun modern bow style clutch bags. 

However, due to a small a faux pas in measurment, the design was changed, and as it turned out, improved the situation. 

Not sure if I’m going to do any more clutches like this for a while, but you never know, they are a lot of fun to make!

Purple patchwork tote bag

 

This tote is made using the patchwork “quilt as you go” panels with zigzag topstitching that I made while staying in our motorhome last summer during our move escapades.

It is large in size, able to hold many things. There are 2 pockets inside; one zipper, and one pouch style. For a little extra style, the bag has wooden rings which join the handles to the loops.

Adjustable Lanyards

 

With my eyesight clearing up a little better, I have been happily getting some sewing done. I have racked my brain for a good while on how to come up with a lanyard that was fully adjustable in length. After an few trials and errors, I got it sussed and I have to say it works really well!

It has an adjuster on one side for making the lanyard longer or shorter. On each end are a small D-ring which holds a keyring. On the keyring, is a lobster clasp for attaching other items such as ID tags etc. The lanyard is narrow and comfortable to wear (I have one myself for holding my eye glass pouch).

I also made a couple more of those fun modern bow style clutch bags. However, due to a small a faux pas in measurment, the design was changed, and as it turned out, improved the situation. Not sure if I’m going to do any more clutches like this for a while, but you never know.

Soon, I’m going to start back with making more smalls for my reserves bin and some more of the larger things like bags and such. The reason for this is that I am possibly going to do the GP Women’s Show this October sharing booth space with my vendor buddy Gail of “Flavour Pantry“. This is a huge event and I am sure I will need to have a lot of stuff on hand for the table there.

In March the applications for Sexsmith Farmers Market come out. I hope to be accepted there again this year. If so, I plan to have a corner area with an 8 foot table and a 6 foot table, if it is possible. We will see what comes of it.

2 new clutch purses!

 

These two new cuties are ready for a night out on the town! They can be used three ways, first using the wrist strap, second as a crossbody bag, and thirdly, remove the straps and slide your hand under the bow area to use just as a straight up clutch.

Both have a nice sized inside pocket for your cell phone, one wrist strap and one adjustable strap for crossbody wear.

Need a clutch bag?

 

While I await my second eye surgery on the 22nd of this month, I have been working on some small items in the meantime. One of these are a few little clutch bags. They come with the customary wrist strap, but also I have added a long strap with D-rings on both sides of the bag, in order for it to easily be converted to a crossbody bag.

This little bag has ample room to your cell phone and other necessities for a quick trip or a night out. It has cute little pleats on the outside and on the inside as well as a pocket for your phone on the inside. It zips shut for security. Keep it with you wherever you go!

Stay tuned, there are a couple more designs to come!

Jar & Bottle Openers

 

I got a hold of some of that gripper stuff you get for your RV or for shelves at home and decided to make a few jar openers. I brought them to my fall markets and I am surprised at how well they have been received. So now I have whipped up a bunch more to bring to my last two remaining markets of the season, Sexsmith and Grovedale Christmas markets. Sexsmith is starting tomorrow! Grovedale is in two weeks and is the last market of the year for me.

I gifted a couple of them to my son’s mother in law and is very happy with hers. I initally made them for myself because of my osteoarthris in my hands. Mine sure makes my life easier!

I then elaborated on the original design, creating a wrap around extension with a smaller opener on it, mainly to use for twist off cap bottle opening. The extension is perfect for those slippery bottles and jars too, holding them steady while you open it.

Hope to see you all at the upcoming markets! Sexsmith starts at noon tomorrow until 8pm. Grovedale is Dec 5th, 6 to 9 pm and Dec 6th, from 10 to 5 pm.

A new crop of scrunchies!

 

I’ve been toying with some new kinds of scrunchies to make… some a lot of fun to do, and some not so much. I have three more markets this year and these new scrunchies will be doning the table at them all, while supplies last of course.

The fun ones to make:

1. The Double Ruffle scrunchie: This scrunchie has TWO ruffles on it! The elastic is channeled in the center. It is a single colour, available in a few choice colour options.
2. The Reversible scrunchie: This scrunchie is indeed reversible. It is based on the double ruffle scrunchie, except that it is in two colours. Just flip it around if you want to use the other colour!
3. The Two Toned scrunchie: This scrunchie is very cute. It has a plain colour in the center, and printed on the outer edge. You can turn it so that you can reverse the colours. This is done just by simply sliding the elastic to the other side.

The not so fun to make:

1. The Triple Ruffle scrunchie:. This one was a challenge for sure! They look great however they are much more complicated to make than the others, taking much more time to make. Therefore the price will reflect the efforts gone into making these. There are only a couple available for now. Unless I find an easier method to put these type together, I am on the fence as to whether I shall continue with these.

I will be bringing all these as well my Christmas stock to Clairmont, Sexsmith, and Grovedale Christmas markets. Please check my schedule (bottom of page) for days and times.

A couple more bags for the Elks Market

 

I’ve been putting away at it, sewing a couple more bags to bring to the Elks Christmas market next week on the 24th and 25th. One is still in the works, the other is pictured in this post. The market starts at 2 pm on Friday the 24th and goes until 8 pm. On the 25th, it goes from 10 am to 4 pm.

More about the Elks Christmas market event this coming weekend: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JqdZTnT4Z/

Both bags have my new zigzag design patchwork on them. Above is the front of the first bag, and below is the back.

A new patchwork bag and an old favourite

I’ve been busy the last couple days getting some sewing done. I am excited to bring these new bags to the upcoming fall and Christmas markets.

The first, light blue/turquoise bag is full on patchwork with the new zigzag topstitching design. It has a hidden pocket in the front and two more pockets on the inside. Included is a strap for wearing the bag crossbody.

The second is an old favourite that I have made many times. It is a blue/grey with gold or tan accents, with a co-oridinating tan lining. It also has it’s infamous “scoop” through pocket on the back which has made this particular bag popular. The handles and crossbody strap are made from matching fabric rather than my usual webbing.

It has been a long time since I have done one of these, and this one was one that I followed a video to do. It had always bothered me that somehow I would end up being short of one lining piece. It finally dawned on me that the lady presenting the video had miscalculated and neglected to count the piece the is needed for the inner pocket on the front side.

I usually like to hand write out the tutorial before I try to make the item. So I just had to adjust me written copy for the next time I make this bag. That being sorted, I took a few late in the day pics of the new bags for the website.