Best Bags

While watching the devastation

in Texas, donating and sending prayers, 

 I just had to 

do something practical and productive.

Just adding this in late morning.

AARP is matching your donation funds so

your help to those in

this horrific flood/hurricane will be doubled

and go farther.

Link Here

So I  sewed.

More sets of Best Bags.

Sold in matching pairs.

$45.00 a pair plus shipping

SOLD

SOLD

After  sewing and shipping all last week and girls stopping by

 I was down to 3 sets.

Many sold before I got photos on IG or here.

SOLD

SOLD

Use this email for questions and to order

I am getting the sweetest notes 

from customers and the bags are a hit!

(again)

Since my source for fabric disappeared,

I don't know how many more

 I can squeeze out of my stash in the near future.
Almost all the sets are one of a kind.

Linings and gussets change with availability.

If you see a pair you like, don't wait too long,

it is doubtful I can create them the same ever again.

I love them all and often say 

"no, this ones my favorite"

Talking to customers again has been 

such a bonus to heading back up to the studio.

I had forgotten how delightful the back and forth can be.

You guys are wonderful.

"Love them and my husband likes them too. So now you have one more fan 

I am putting them to good use right away.

Thanks so much, I hope you sell lots and lots more. They are very good quality."  C

   "Hi dear

I wanted to let you know the bags arrived today and I am beyond thrilled with them and your lovely packaging and extra goodies that is so sweet and lovely! "   L

"Oh My Gosh!!!!!......ZZZZZZ.......your bags came today and they are fabulous!  To say I love them would be an understatement!  Your sweet packaging and the flowerettes  were an unexpected surprise!  Thank you, Thank you!!!!"  D

I wanted to tell you that I am delighted with my bags.  Thanks so much for the "bonus" felted posies and the sweet personalized wrapping.  You do things with panache and excellent craftsmanship.  So glad I ambled across your blog (via Boxwood Cottage --- miss her posts). A

Thank you 

Z

and because this post seems to be

coming forth in stages -3 so far-

my favorite gals have done it again

Margaret and Helen

please oh please read them.

Nine Years - Holy Moly

Today it's been nine years

since I began the blog.

I was totally clueless about blogging back then,

but anxious to journal my life a little.

I zipped back through that year 

on the blog last night

and whew 9 years changes a lot.

I was teaching fairly often back then,

holding all day events "Gatherings" in my home.

I was still doing an annual Holiday show.

I read A LOT

I was hoping to move to TN.

I was "over-decorating" for holidays,

and my home in general.

I was doing a monthly column for a local

magazine and sewing and crafting all the time.

Ben was living in Portland 

and Hannah had just decided to attend NYU.

2017 - nine years later is OK

Not in our government surely, and the world

is a gigantic mess but

the kids are well and happy and both in CA,

and my days here are peaceful and calm.

I read EVEN more.

My home is a lot lighter in appearance,

 in what I have stored, and for the holidays.

I never got to TN, and years later 

I know it was never really right for me. I've

accepted I may never get out of here

but that's alright also.

It is what it is,

and I am so grateful for the blessings 

I do have.

I am not walking this path with folks I 

thought back in 08 would always be around,

but the ones that are,

are very special, and newer ones

are just as dear.

We change - we grow.

The only constant is my devotion to 

my family and friends and 

oh yeah, I'm still in the studio.

Still sewing

 Made these sets today.

They have some fun linings too

Thank you to all the gals ordering bags,

and to locals who stop by and shop.

I'm saving up for a CA trip to see kiddos.

All the remaining orders as of last night

will ship out tomorrow or Monday.

To all of you who have hung around here

these 9 years, a huge thank you.

I love you guys.

9 years ago in December we had this:

      

I could do that again,

Z

(Oh and I just got rid of that car after 14 years)

It takes me awhile to make some changes

Best and Horrible

I'm getting lots of emails

and questions about 

Z's Best Bags

So here are a few Horrible pics.

I snapped these very quickly for 

pal Annie last weekend

as she wanted to see a few.

There are more, many more, coming.

So what you see here is the 

main part of the bag and the gusset.

Most have a different fabric 

lining like this first one.

This red is the one Annie chose,

and she already has several.

She loves these so much she carries my cards 

with her so she can hand out 

when folks comment on her bags.

(she's also my best cheerleader)

I will take more, better photos, but right now

 I'm headed to 

a celebratory lunch with pal Sue 

who has officially retired from teaching today.

(of course she could not resist 

going over to help direct traffic this am,

because she is sweet like that ) 

This looks like I shot it from the roof. hehe

This is from a corner of the studio, I set therm on the half wall.

The living room is almost 3 stories high.

Please leave questions in comments or use this email.

sstoddard3@cox.net

Best Bags Are Back

Spent Thursday and Friday in the studio

 and I'll be up there all day today. 

Finally got the urge back

 to sew up some of my 

"Best Bags".

I've made and sold a lot of these puppies,

till I burned out on them.

Every time I use them at a store I get asked about them,

and I use them constantly.

Enough time has passed

that the joy of sewing them finally returned.

My only issue is my stash of home dec

is dwindling down and my go to store

went out of business.

It may be hard to find great fabric 

at a great price like before, and each bag is 

lined/reversible and the handles are triple folded

so I go through the fabric quickly.

Here is one that I use. These Bags hold A LOT!

Back to the studio I go!

Perhaps I'll just sew till there is no more home dec

and then start on something else.

Hot and Humid here

Hurry Fall Hurry