I've Created a New Blog

Since I don't want to pay for a website to advertise my totes, I've decided to create a blog.  I must admit that navigating all of the blog features has me frustrated, but at least the layout is cute! Check is out here:
http://www.archandmadetotes.blogspot.com/

I will post any new designs I come up with and use the attached email address (archandbags@yahoo.com) specifically for questions and orders.

Please stop by often (you can even subscribe) and let me know what you think.  Send the link to family and friends for Christmas gifts!

Thanks for your support!

A Gift for a Teenage Girl

My boys are invited to a Birthday Party for a friend from their youth group.  The Birthday person is a girl and I only have boys so this was a fun opportunity for me to create something fun and girly.  She is turning 13 and the fabric below is exactly what I thought of when I was trying to figure out what she would like.

I made her a mini tote with a wristlet band and a larger tote to match.  I think they turned out so cute! My DH asked me if I wanted to keep them, but I must admit I am a bit old to have purple skulls with cross bones!

This view shows the inside cell phone pocket.  Just what a girl needs, don't you think?

If you are interested in ordering such a gift for a special girl in your life, I will be happy to take orders.  The mini tote with the wristlet is $12.50 and the larger tote is $15.00.  You can get both for $25.00.  Just shoot me an email.

Thanks for stopping by!

Swimsuit Tote

I completed a new project today and I am very excited about it.  The idea has been mulling around in my head for a while and I am very pleased with the result.  It is a swimsuit tote.  When you are done swimming and need to change, you don't want your wet suit to get everything else wet, so you can put it in this insulated bag.  You could fit a towel if you squeeze it in!  It measures 17 1/2 in. long and 9 1/2 in. wide.

I cut out individual letters from a stencil kit I purchased, reinforced them with fusible interfacing and then sewed each one on. I love the way it turned out.

The inside is waterproof!

It has a convient handle that you can place on your wrist so it is essentially "hands free"!

I am making these totes available for $30.00 with a week's notice to create.  I do not have any inventory as this is my first one but I do plan on working on more so if you will email me, I can send you pictures when I am done.  If you are interested in me creating one for you, please email me your favorite colors and we will work something out!

hattcomo@yahoo.com

New Mini Tote

Hello all! I know it's been a LONG time since I've been here and I've missed you.  I am happy to announce that I sewed a new project I found in my bloggy search.  You can check it out here: http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/06/scrappy-clutch.html

This little baby is 7 inches tall, 6 inches at the top and 8 1/4 inches at the bottom.  The wristlet is 5 inches.  I have many more cut out and will be sewing all week since my big boys are away at camp.

They are available for purchase for $12.50.

Thank you for coming by to visit! 

Girl's Saturday Get Together

I am so excited to say that my idea for a girl's get together finally happened!  I organized a time of food, fellowship and God's Word and although I invited around 6 women, only 2 showed up and it was amazing.  I am so glad that God is in control when I try to do something!

This was the table setting. I wanted to put a table cloth and place mats but I didn't have any so this is the best I could do!  I think it turned out well! 

  

Here is the food!  I baked two of each of these for our Sunday School class the week before (gotta love the cook it and freeze it cookbooks!).  I made a blueberry sour cream coffee cake and a puff pastry filled with eggs, sasuage, potatoes and cream cheese.  They were DELICIOUS!

 Here were the gifts.  I had so much fun sewing these totes and the girls were able to choose the one they wanted. They were excited which made me happy!

I decided to do a devotion on Friendship since this was our first meeting and I knew I was meeting with women I really didn't know that well yet.  I decided to open with a candy ice breaker. It was fun and we learned new things about each other.  Then we did a "friendship" survey to find out what kind of friend we are.  Then I referenced a devotion from the Faith Lifts devotion site about the relationship that Mary and Elizabeth had and how Mary ran to Elizabeth's house when the angel told her she was pregnant with the Lord in Luke 1:38-56.  Then she stayed with Elizabeth for three months.  The relationship they must have had for Mary to choose Elizabeth to go to at a time when she was even unsure of what was happening tells me that she trusted Elizabeth.  I want someone who I can run to when I need a trusting ear and heart.

I believe God has opened a door for the women in this group to grow closer to each other and God.  To keep each other accountable and encourage each other in tough times.  To celebrate with each other.  I am so excited to see what the future holds!! 

Story Tote

I have had the itch to sew and gifts to give so this is my latest creation. It is a story tote. It tells the story of Noah's Ark.

This side shows the animals getting onto the ark and then the flood.

This side shows the dove with the leaf branch and then the animals getting off the ark onto dry land. My DH loves this bag and that makes me very happy. I hope the recipent will love it just as much!!

Here is another placemat and napkin tote I made for a friend that will be coming to see me from Louisiana this weekend. I may be giving her a preview, oh well!

There were 4 colors and I purchased all of them. I've already displayed the lime green and this is the turquoise one. I hope to finish the fushia pink and royal blue ones this summer.

The inside has two pockets and there is an outside pocket on each side. Remember, I will take orders if you want one. Just leave me a comment :)

Spring Tote

While I was surfing the many blogs I enjoy reading, I stumbled upon a craft website (http://dollarstorecrafts.com/) that showed a tote made from place mates and tea towels. Well, I was hooked and had to go get one of these items to see if I could produce one too. The finished product is below and I must say, it's quite cute!!

There was a 2 place mat and 2 napkin set at Wal-Mart for $2.50. Then I purchased some ribbon for the handles and the tie. This was a very economical bag and so much fun.

The inside has two pockets and the outside has a pocket on each side.

Oh when, oh when am I going to open an Etsy store? I really need to. I would love to make money off of my love for sewing!

Large "beach" Bag

I have an order from a friend to create a bag large enough for her to put the 8X11 jewelry carrying kit into. Well, I've never done a bag like that so I needed to practice. Below is the bag I created this weekend. It is too large for what she needs, but it did turn out pretty. DH loved it and said we will have to bring it to the beach with us if we get to go this Summer!

The inside inspired the yellow handles and I think it goes well! By the way, I am not too attached so if you are interested, I will sell it for $30. Just leave me a comment with contact information. I plan to open an Etsy store in the future to display my handiwork! I'll let you know when I do!

What I love to do....

I was so excited to be able to do what I love to do on my day off yesterday - sew. I love to sew and my dream would be to make a living doing it! But I am satisfied by being able to endulge once in a while. I wanted to show you what I "created" yesterday!





This bag has a denim bottom with two large black pockets.





This bag has a black bottom, straps and two large pockets inside.

Just to let you know, if you are interested in a handbag like this, I can custom make one for you! The cost is $20 and it will include a magnetic closure.