Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day

It was a warm one yesterday with a high of 36C or 96F. Not to 100F yet but I am sure we will see it that hot this summer.
With the heat, we stayed in the house and kept cool. Some of the things I did was to

• sew on the doll's ball gown. I also spent as much time un-sewing.
• Search on Google

The ball gown is coming along but I need to make sure it fits. That may mean un-sewing two front princess seams.
Google searching was much more productive. I really had a blast doing it off and on during the day.
One of the things I look for is Canadian designers. As you know from a previous post, I found esheep designs. The author of the blog lives in Edmonton, Alberta and does some neat designing and customizing of patterns.
Since finding her, a customer told me about another Canadian designer who not only designs but sells bag hardware. Emmaline Designs is full of wonderful ideas. Her shop is fabulous. She has oblong grommets that I love, wire frames for a bag pattern she offers for free. The owner of this site also lives near Edmonton, Alberta (Spruce Grove). (Thank you for the correction, Rochelle). The customer who told me about her, commented that she ships promptly. My heart sings when I find Canadian sites. I know they are out there but they can be hard to find.  
I work the Canada Day weekend which is fine with me.
Until the next time......................

Missing Bag Instructions - Not in the Book

We had a cloudy and very warm day yesterday. Even with the cloud coverage, it got to 36C or 97F. The a/c was running at 4 a.m. this morning as it is still warm outside. The a/c is off but will be on again soon.

Lifestyle

We got the boards up for the door track and it is held up with 6 screws. It got too hot to do any more than that. Today is a no go as it is too warm to be out there even if it is cloudy.
It will be another inside day and maybe tomorrow, the Spousal Unit can finish up the door track and I can help him Wednesday morning I can help with the metal track prior to going to work.

Sewing

The reversible bucket bag that I am making from the Bag Making Bible got the handles put on and then ripped off and put on again my way. I read and reread the instructions and they are missing the handles (straps). I did a search and found that someone else made the same comment. And, I found the pattern free.
In the end, I sewed the two long strips together with a 3/8" seam, pressed it back into a 1" bias strip. The seams I pinned at the side seams and sewed them to the bag stopping where the bag ended. I have the edges turned to the wrong side ready to hand stitch, then top stitch so the handles are sewn closed. By the time I got ready to hand stitch I was upset and decided the book can go to the thrift shop.
I have calmed down some this morning but am not happy with the book. I moved on and will talk about the bag after I finish it. I decided that I needed to find a bag pattern big enough for me to carry when we head to Nova Scotia in the fall. My journey began with a Google search on the book I am using. I looked at about 30 patterns and then I somehow scored on this bag in Pintrest.

I found the free pattern advertising here and then the full tutorial here. I had to read all the comments and that lead me to a person who customized the bag. I was on a roll. And really excited when I read her blog post.
Part One
Part Two 
The fabric is on the table and ready to go. Then, I read this wonderful blogger did a bag organizer. You can pick up the pdf on Craftsy. I can see this carrying both our iPads and other items from my purse.
I would love to start this towards the end of July and migrate it to August. I will add it to the bottom of my project sheet. I do have to get some black piping, a black zipper, some grommets or ?, and a bag latch.

Bullet Journal

I have to work on July 1/2 and the following week. I am struggling with July 1/2 as it is only two days and I work both of them. Maybe I need to find some stickers and fill up the page with that.

Today

I am off work and need to shop, do a load of laundry, wash some floors and finish the bag.
Until the next time................................

A Few Thoughts

We had it warm yesterday ~ 33.3C or 92F. It is suppose to be warmer today. The humidity dropped to 14% which is nice. Today is suppose to be warmer with a high of 36C or 97F. Not as hot as some areas but warm for us.

Lifestyle

We have almost finished coding all the fabrics. I am hoping I can do the last check on Tuesday and then add density numbers on signs and pink slips to some areas and drop fabrics flat on the tables. We have condensed as much as we can and are busy trying to keep the fabrics in their correct spots. At times we look like we are lost trying to locate where a bolt of fabric goes. We laugh a lot about it.
The Spousal Unit is trying to get the doors replaced on the large shed and today I have to help him with two boards. That has to be done soon due to the heat.

Sewing

My goal is to finish the bag I have been sewing on. To keep life exciting, I did the same mistake to the lining as I did to the outer bag. Both are fixed and the first two pieces of bias trim are on the top. Top stitching and onto the handles.
Once done, I will be sewing up the fabric pile on the cutting table. I am looking forward to doing simple items for a couple of months. Most will be gifts to family. There is a couple of doll's dress planned also.

Bullet Journal

I need to do July 1 and 2 in the bullet journal and then plan out the next week. I have ideas in my head and need to choose one. Once I get started, I will do them up quickly.

Today

I am off work for 2 days and have to do some house work and sewing. Looking forward to having the time off before we head into the final stages of inventory.
Until the next time.............................

Rambling Thoughts

After a late night at work, rain, wind, and thunder, we start today with sunshine. And a sort of tired lady. She will survive and hopes the weather will be nicer today. 

Bullet Journal

I spent some time working on the next page. It is on post it notes and a sheet of paper I found here. I don't find wording goals hard or to make them accomplishable. We had to do that in teaching. Thinking of goals is harder. But I did get some down and most are personal. My goals consist of 

• Loosing weight
• Reducing the stash to a small pile or to nothing
• Blog more consistently
• Retire -- what will that look like
• Take part in craft bazaars/farmer's markets and sell doll clothes and jewelry.

Now I just have to set up the page and blog about it. 

Sewing

With the sewing room in the basement living room, I started a new bag. The bag has two pieces; the body and the bottom. But you cut those pieces from the outer fabric, the lining, interfacing and craft fleece. Then you cut bias binding to trim the bag's top edge and make the handles. 

I have the bag pieces traced and laid out on the outer fabric. I have to cut a second bag body out of that fabric. I did cut the bias binding, sewed it together, and am pressing it according to the directions. I need to read the directions again as I am a bit confused. Pictures will come when I get the binding figured out. Here is the fabric. 

The bottom two pieces are the outer and lining fabrics. The top piece is the bias binding. I would love to make the dolls something from the scraps otherwise they go to the trash bin. No keeping what I can't use. 
The bag I am making is the funky one on the cover of this book. 

Today

I am working doing books and more inventory when I am not helping customers. I will be retiring to bed early tonight as I will be tired when I get home from work.