Gathered (Puffy) Pouches

Here is something new I came up with. How cute are these zipper pouches? I gathered the fabric about 3 inches along the curvy bottom, so the pouches have a slight puffy look. The interiors are not gathered, so you won't lose small items in the fabric.

I originally wanted to make a smaller size purse with this shape. But I thought I would draw up a smaller version first to see how it looks and to make sure it would work. I've enlarged my 'pattern' and I'm sewing it together now. If it turns out cute I'll share it here (and put it on Etsy). If it's horrible you'll never see it!!

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

I have been reading a lot this summer. Actually, I have been reading a lot for the past few years, but I guess I've just noticed recently how many books I am getting a chance to read. And there are still so many books that I want to read. I keep getting caught up in series. I tell myself not to read the first book in a new series because I hate waiting a year for the next book to find out what happens. There are plenty of books out there that are stand alone or series that are farther along that I can get caught up in. And I have been. Good thing the library is right around the corner. I send my husband there - he is in and out in a hurry. I would end up coming home with more books than I could read in a reasonable time frame.

Tons of new books are coming out this summer and fall that I can't wait to read. Today the third Wolves of Mercy Falls book, Forever, by Maggie Stiefvater comes out. I have to wait a couple days to get my copy, but that's what I get for pre-ordering it.

Maggie is also heading out on a book tour and is coming to St. Louis, so I should be able to wrangle my husband into taking me. I want some of the cool swag she has going on.

Freebie Friday is GONE

Thank you to everyone who voted for my entry in the Selvedge Challenge over at Venezie Designs Blog. If you haven't voted yet, would you please consider voting for my entry, the cute mini zipper pouch that is #5. Thank you!!

Freebie Friday is GONE - Thank you - is this cute little bitty zipper pouch. It measures 4.5" x 3.75".
Be the first person to leave a comment on this post letting me know you would like the item, then email your mailing address to me at PinkLadyDesignsATcharter.net (Freebies are open to U.S. and Canada only.)

Vote For Me!!

Seriously. Go vote for me. Maybe if I say Please?

I entered a small zippered pouch in the Selvedge Challenge at Venezie Designs Blog. I didn't have time to make anything new, so I entered something that I already had.

No way am I beating that quilt!! LOL. But it would be nice if I had at least a few pity votes. My item is #5.

THANKS!!

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While I enjoyed reading Hereafter, it was a little lacking. The writing didn't have enough depth, at least as far as the characters go. I would have loved to learn more of what Amelia and Joshua were thinking and feeling. Especially after Joshua saw Amelia for the first time. While I think their need for each other was a little quick, I can understand why they would be attracted to each other (even if this attraction and 'love' was never explained by the author). I am grateful that they didn't profess their love for each other over and over. It was just there, through looks and touches and actions, but not over the top excessive.



Then there were times when the story got too 'wordy' for me. How many times and how many paragraphs do you need to describe a sunset? How many times do you need to describe the tingles when Joshua touches Amelia? Or describe Amelia's 'nightmare'?



Overall, the story flowed nicely. There was enough happening that it kept my interest and kept me reading to find out what was going on. Throw in a Grandma who can also see spirits, a bad spirit named Eli, and a little sister who needs saving, and you have an entertaining read. And it turns out a lot of things were never explained, so that leaves me wanting to read the next book to find out what happens.



View all my reviews

Free Shipping and a Treasury

Free Shipping this weekend in my Etsy Shop. Use Coupon Code FREESHIP during checkout.

One of my bags is in a Treasury on Etsy: Juicy Raspberries

Freebie Friday is GONE and Free U.S. Shipping

Free U.S. Domestic Shipping this weekend in my Etsy Shop! Just use the coupon code FREESHIP during checkout.


Freebie Friday is GONE (Congratulations Pat) - I don't think these photos show how cute this little pouch is. I used a 4" flex frame instead of a zipper. (No zipper? Shocking, I know.) Just give it a little squeeze to open. Perfect to use as a change purse or for your cell phone. Be the first person to leave a comment on this post letting me know you would like the item, then email your mailing address to me at PinkLadyDesignsATcharter.net (Freebies are open to U.S. and Canada only.)

Freebie Friday (On A Friday) is GONE

Friday Freebie is this little zippered pouch with a swivel clip. I used Lantern Bloom fabrics by Laura Gunn. Size is 3.5 inches x 4.75 inches.

I carry one of these all of the time. It's usually all I carry. My ID and bank card are in it, and I can fit my phone in if needed. When I go shopping I clip my keys to it and then clip it to my belt loop so I am hands free. And I toss it in my leather backpack/satchel if we are going somewhere that I need to carry more stuff.

Just be the first person to leave a comment on this post letting me know you would like the item, then email your mailing address to me at PinkLadyDesignsATcharter.net

Happy Summer!! I Found MORE New Fabrics...

Because everyone knows how badly I need more fabric. Not.

I don't know where I've been, but I just discovered this. Joel Dewberry Heirloom collection in cotton, cotton sateen, voile and laminates. I can't say that I absolutely love every single piece, and it would cost a fortune to get the entire line. Maybe I'll pick up a few focal prints and do a little mix and match with coordinating prints.

Ruby Collection:



Sapphire Collection:



Citrine Collection:

Freebie Sunday is GONE

Freebie (NOT) Friday. Freebie Sunday it is. Scattered Buds in Yellow Zipper Pouch with Swivel Clip, fabric is Laura Gunn's Magnolia Lane. Dimensions: Width - 6.25 inches, Height - 4.25 inches.

If you would like this item, just be the first person to leave a comment on this post, then email your mailing address to me at PinkLadyDesignsATcharter.net

Been Busy...

I recently purchased some prints from Tula Pink's new line called Prince Charming. So cute!



I also purchased a few prints from Anna Maria Horner's new line called louLOUthi. I am really loving this line. Especially the Totem fabric. The scale is huge, but so pretty!



These are the 2 lines I have been cutting and sewing all week. I have tons of photos to edit and items to list. The longer I wait, the more daunting it becomes. I need to carve out a block of time and just DO IT.

Review: What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I just finished reading What Happened to Goodbye, and I must say it's typical Sarah Dessen. Only this time it's a little boring. Nothing exciting happened at all. It just sort of rolls along.



The protagonist, Mclean, while likable, wasn't very deep. Since her parent's divorce, she has lived with her father, which means moving to a new town every 6 months due to his work. Mclean manages to reinvent herself in every new town. She can be whatever and whoever she chooses - she even has a different name with every move. It seems like it would take a lot of work to pull off a new persona with every new town. Her dad doesn't even notice that Mclean is a different person in each new place. And she doesn't get along with her mother, and feels that she doesn't fit in with her mother's life since the divorce (she remarried and has a set of twins). Mclean seems to have no problem packing up and leaving everything behind - she doesn't even make a point of telling her current set of friends goodbye.



In the latest move, Mclean becomes known as Mclean before she has a chance to become a new persona. So she finally decides to just be herself. Dave, the boy next door (literally) was flat and uninteresting. Even though everyone told us how different he was, he didn't display any qualities that would make him likable as boyfriend material. Sadly, Dave and Mclean didn't have chemistry, and there were no 'wow' moments between them.



I liked the new friends that Mclean made. They were an interesting lot, even if they weren't fleshed out at all.



Towards the end of the book, Mclean's lifestyle catches up with her and she is forced to realize why she has been hiding behind the varied versions of herself. It's all resolved quite quickly and with only the very slightest amount of teenage angst.



Another reviewer, Joy Kim, summed this up perfectly: "The good thing about Sarah Dessen is that you always know exactly what you're getting when you pick up one of her books. The bad thing is that you always know exactly what you're getting when you pick up one of her books."



View all my reviews

Freebie Friday IS GONE

Freebie Friday is this little snap wallet/card case. It's really cute and perfect for either your credit cards or business cards.

As always, just be the first person to leave a comment on this post, then email your shipping address to me at PinkLadyDesignsATcharter.net

Finally! The Last Day of The School Year...

The snow days this past winter really did a great job in ruining the beginning of 'summer'. The kids last day of school was supposed to be May 20, but it's today instead. It will be a short summer this year. The next school year starts on August 15. Crazy.

And don't get me started on the 9 month school schedule (or 9 1/2 month school schedule in our case.) In this day and age there is absolutely no need for a school schedule that revolves around farming. My kids have never planted in the spring, worked the farm all summer, and then started school after the last harvest. Sorry, but year round school seems to make more sense to me.

We don't really have any plans for a vacation this summer. It's always so darn hot when we go anywhere, we spend most of our time at the hotel pool... And gas is expensive again. I remember 3 summers ago when gas was so high, we spent more money on gas than we did on hotels. That's pretty sad.

I don't know if my daughter will be up for too much activity/excitement. She has mono (mononucleosis) which is just the funnest thing ever for a 13 year old! Not. She's doing pretty good now. She still sleeps 13 hours a day. The not feeling good and running a slight fever comes and goes depending on how much sleep she gets. And she missed the last month of school. The teachers sent all of her work home, so I had the joy of basically home-schooling her. More fun. She didn't have to do any finals, so her grades aren't as good as they could have been.

Memorial Day Weekend Sale and Sunday Freebie

Memorial Day Weekend Sale going on. Blog readers will receive 20% off their entire purchase in my Etsy shop by using the coupon code SAVE20

Sunday's Freebie is this little zipper pouch. I used Anna Maria Horner Good Folks fabrics. Pouch measures 3.5 inches x 5.5 inches. Just be the first person to comment on this post, then contact me at PinkLadyDesignsATcharter.net with your mailing address and I will ship this out to you asap.