D Whynn Designs

Frustration . . . . . Ripping . . . . . Shopping

For quite a while now, I've had a picture of a new design in my mind.  I kept re-designing that picture in my head until I knew just how I wanted it to look.  Eventually, I drew it out and sewed it up in some muslin. I was pleased with those results so moved on to the GOOD fabric and from there nothing but frustration.  I CANNOT make it work like the picture in my head. I understand why it isn't working and tried fix after fix but it's still Not. Quite. Right.

On top of that for about every seam I've sewn I've ripped it out about 10 times. 

  

A photo of my Best Friend the Seam Ripper.

And what's one to do when one's sewing endeavors leave you frustrated and annoyed?  Why fabric shop, of course?

Neptune by Tula Pink.  LOVE this stuff. Still at the "gazing at my fabric stage" - not ready to cut into it. I've already made about 4,000 things from it (mentally).

 

And some cute kitchen prints because -- well, because they were cute:

 

Now to achieve some sewing success without all the (unnecessary) ripping.

Sample Bag Taken

The pink and green Pockets Galore sample bag goes to Kati.

Kati is a quilter and a knitter and has a little one with the most beautiful smile.

Visit her blog here. 

I will be offering more of my samples up for the taking as I continue to clean and reorganize my projects.

For Free, But Not Exactly

I usually make several samples of an item when I'm putting together a new design. I like to see the various fabric combinations, fiddle with the size, make sure it hangs right, etc., etc. If I am teaching a class I will take all the samples with me so that my students can check them out.  I also need the bags for pattern photos.

Which means I have a lot of sample bags.  By sample, it means they have been looked at and touched but not carried as a purse.  I don't feel comfortable selling them as brand new because they have been touched and shown around to others, but there is nothing wrong with them.  They are in brand new condition.

So I will be offering up some of my samples -- for free.  So what's the catch? The bag is for free, but I do ask that you pay postage from my location (Florida) to yours.

The first one available is my Pockets Galore handbag which features full pockets on both sides of the outer bag and organizational pockets inside.  Amy Butler fabrics in shades of greens and pink.

 

If you would like this bag, just leave me a comment and it's yours. We'll figure the shipping costs and I'll send it out to you.

EDITED TO ADD:  I didn't expect such a response to the sample bag.  I'll randomly pick someone when I get home from work tomorrow (Wednesday) about 1:00 EST, and email you to see if you are interested. I'll randomly continue down the list until I find a taker.  Thanks to everyone!

Shuttle Launch

Sunday night was truly a beautiful evening, and a perfect launch.

 

As the sun began to set, it cast an orange glow.

 

Brown and Blue and Lots of Pockets, Too

Ha - I can never make a rhyme and when I accidentally do, it happens to be ridiculously corny! 

ANYHOW, my latest bag design has been tweaked to perfection.  I started working with this design sometime last fall and here it is in its final form. The pattern is finished and printed, too! A complete project.

LOVE this blue and brown fabric.

 

The bag features full pockets on both sides of the bag on top of a coordinating print fabric. The pocket openings are bound with silk dupioni accents. The pocket overlays are quilted as is the top band. The bag is lined with a blue and brown paisley and has a pleated pocket inside.

 

Bag closes with a magnetic snap.

The pattern is finished as well and contains full-size pattern pieces, written instructions with accompanying color photos and diagrams.

 

I am currently teaching this bag in a class at my local quilt shop. I love to see the different variations that everyone makes.

Both the finished bag and the patterns are available in my shop

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A Tree

is delivered to the driveway.

 

A hole is dug.

 

A tree is lugged, lifted and planted in front of the bedroom window on Friday.

 

More bushes are added.  Mulch, too.

 

Before and

 

After.