I went to a book sale today and found the entire Art of Sewing series for a $1 each! I can't believe how much these used book stores charge for these books. I bought them all. I also found the Bishop method for $.50. I have seen it at a local used bok store for $40! Insane! But now I have the entire set and the Bishop method. I am feeling pretty happy! And they are in excellent condition. The art of sewing series has really great covers. One is covered in corduroy, another in fake snakeskin. They are really great. Now I just have to find a place to put them. It's always something, isn't it?

Hi everyone-
I am now on myspace.com at www.myspace.com/virtualgoogie. I think that you have to be a member of myspace to look at profiles.

Anyway, I have been working on some sewing projects as I mentioned earlier. I am in the middle of sewing an unlined jacket. I am almost finished. I must be slow, because I am having trouble with the directions like I did with that last tote I made. Speaking of that tote, I looked up some book reviews from whence it came and other people had trouble with her unclear directions, so it wasn't just me. This jacket is something else. I have never made one before, so it is a bit complicated. Of course once I make it and make mistakes, I will know how to do it. I will post a photo as soon as I get one.

I have been sewing today, working on my prototypes. Here is a fun fabric:











Here is an up close look:















Here is another one that was incredibly difficult although it looks exactly like the others. I made it from directions and I hate it when they aren't clear!

I just received my copy of The Total Tote Bag Book by Joyce Aiken and Jean Ray Laury. This is a really great resource that talks about construction for all types of bags and some design ideas, although they are from the 70s! Nothing that can't be updated, of course!

I was thinking about what I like in a bag and the most important feature for me is a long strap. For my prototype, I made the straps 28 inches long. I have a purse from H&M that I like, except for the short strap. It is always falling off my shoulder because of the coats I wear. So, a long strap is a must.

Another feature I like is different compartments. If a bag is on big space, it is a bit difficult to find things. Of course a one-compartment bag is great for toting items such as groceries home from the store or towels to the beach.

What do you like in a bag? Tell me!

I think that I have a hit a good wave, right before it has begun to crest. In the latest issue of Vogue magazine, there is a section called "Sustainable Style," and one of the articles is about doing away with plastic and paper shopping bags, and instead, using tote bags. There are a couple of beautiful and expensive bags pictured, such as $960 Hermés bag that zips into a wallet-sized pouch for impromptu shopping sprees; a $275 hand-painted shopping bag from Dosa; and a really cool white bag that is cut to look like a paper bag from maison martin margiela that is yours when you buy something from their boutique. Fantastico!

I have decided that I am going to make three different style of bags. Of the three styles, I will make five different styles of two of the bags, and three different style of the other, then 20 each. Since I read the above-mentioned article, I think one of the three totes will be a traditional tote bag with a gusseted bottom. I don't think that I will have them ready by May 15, so my new deadline date is May 30.

Speaking of Vogue, there is a new column titled, "Tabitha Takes On ...", written by Tabitha Simmons about making runway style your own. It is really interesting. I could actually see myself wearing the clothes she writes about. In fact, I have one of the outfits in my closet. Now if I could just go somewhere besides the grocery and fabric stores!

A couple of posts ago I was talking about my new obsession, which is now my old obsession, ever since I decided to sell my stuff on etsy. The obsession in question was the perfect summer dress. I am usually alone in my obsession (except for the Prada/Duro dress last year), but not this time. I have been seeing this dress everywhere. I opened up an e-mail from J.Crew and here it was:





























I opened my Anthropologie catalog and there they were:














It's madness! I bought a pattern from Vogue 8182 that I will be sewing. I don't have a photo of the pattern front but it is on the Vogue pattern website.

Hey everyone!
I have been pretty busy. I have a lot of things going on. In my last post I announced that I was opening my own etsy.com shop and I have been working on what I am going to sell. I am going to start out with tote bags. Here is a prototype:


Yes, the fabric looks familiar. I recently made a skirt out the same material. I made the pattern myself and am pretty happy with it. I am also going to make a box-type of tote, simliar to my Prada bag. I am hoping that my shop will be open by May 15. I will let everyone know.

In other news, I am going to be moving to a bigger space. A studio as it were. Right now I am in a spare bedroom and am tripping over everything. The new area is big and open. I can't wait.

I have some really exciting news, that is separate from the teaser in my last post. I am setting up a shop on etsy.com and will be selling homemade items on it! I am working on getting an inventory together and will let everyone know when the big debut is. I will also be advertising my blog more by putting the links into forum postings and the like. Right now my blog is mainly for family and friends, but I am going to branch out. I will have to start writing witty and interesting blog posts and blogging more often.

I am also going to join some webrings so all of you readers will be able to search more links on related topics.

So, stay tuned!