so apparently it is all about threading the machine.  if you can thread the machine, you can do very basic sewing.  very good news.  i chose to do something simple for my first project - library totes for the girls.  i got through one bag in almost 3 hours {i know, so sad} and was quite pleased until i realized i had forgotten two steps:  i had purchased lace flowers to sew on to the bottom corners of the bags and i neglected to include the little interior slide pocket for their library cards.  i have yet to start the second bag - i am going to blame the olympics for that - but i am excited to try again.  and up next is a pattern {!} from oliver + s which i am told by one of my sewing mentors {whose sewing ability i want to emulate so dearly} should not be a problem.  you can also find the patterns in jen's shop and on sale.  and as promised, link love for some of my favorite tote designers:

~ drikab

~ this bag from AV designs

~ reiter8

~ moop {of course}

~ yorktown road

~ showpony

~ olivebrown {AMAZING!!}

good night friends- off to watch the aforementioned games.  did anyone else catch phelps' relay team beat the french the other night?  oh my lord - den and i literally jumped up and down and started screaming - can't believe we didn't wake the girls.  i LOVE the olympics!

xoox~jla

Comments

[Toast 2 Mom]

Love the bag! Excellent work!!

[Kelli RH]

What a cute way to encourage your girls to read. Just want you to know that I love reading your blog; it's such an inspiration.
A while ago you posted a recipe for crab dip; I made it last week and LOVED it!
Thank you

[Tal]

Your idea for these bags is so lovely! and I like them a lot. Good work!

[Jen]

I am glued to swimming right now...absolutely. And the sewing thing, when I first started, I was threading it wrong...and I didn't even believe it when the guy at the sewing shop told me so. But it does make such a difference. It's good to start with small projects first. Thanks for the link love.

[maggie]

that bag looks super cute and i bet the next one will turnout even better. growing up, my mom was never what you would call a "seamstress" but i always loved everything she personally made me. i bet your girls will too.

[Rachel]

Watch out! It gets addicting. Soon you will be haunting reprodepot and suuperbuzzy for fabric sales. Looks terrific friend!

[Ruth]

Yours looks considerably better than my first tote attempt. I have just come across your blog today, and it is so lovely, your photographs are beautiful. :)

[Katy]

oh my gosh...i totally hear ya...yes...if you can thread the machine...you can sew...LOL. I can't thread my machine. I always forget how to do it and once my mom or MIL show me...then i get it..till i forget again and my youngest child takes and pulls all the thread out! LOL ARGH!
I think that bag looks great!! Best of luck in your future sewing endeavors! :)

[LeSophie]

Oh - this bag is unbelievably sweet! Who cares what 'perfect' is?

And, YES, that relay nearly killed us!! Just imagine my soon to be freshman in high school boy (who competitively swims and will be a water polo player for the first time next week) screaming and jumping up and down at the very same moment as the two of you.

AWEsome :)

[180/360]

I've had a sewing machine for 3 years now and still do not know how to thread it. As soon as I learn, you can bet that I will be making things nonstop. I can't wait.

[Katherine]

Nice tote! Thanks for the link love!

What a lovely blog! Any idea where I can find film for a polaroid land camera? We just inherited one and my daughter and she's diggin' it!

[ashley crim]

LOVELY!!! As a "wanna be" sewer and scarred to start that first stitch...I am most impressed!

[raina]

Lovely work on the tote...that is the kind of pattern I will start with too. I have a DrikaB bag and a moop bag and I love them!

[Cassandra]

i just stumbled across your blog and am drawn by the quiet beauty.

[marcia]

the tote bag is so pretty! i really like the colour combination you chose. i made very similar mistakes when sewing my first tote bag, but i used it until it started falling apart.

[Anna beard]

"trying to sew." UH....looks like you're succeeding! WOW! This is awesome. As with everything you do, it's really great. :-) I miss you! I've not been on here for a bit...! Oh, life! Anyway, wonderful....I see 'clothing designer' next. :-)

[nicole]

looks great! you're a natural. they'll be checking out books in style.

[Marie]

Oh it's a great job for your first attempt!

[Mandy Saile]

I haven't visited in a couple weeks and once again I am welcomed into your warm and cozy world and struck by your beautiful photos, wow. You can even make a loaf of bread look stunning...your talented lady:D Fried Green Tomatoes are one of life's small pleasures aren't they...espeacially coming from ones own garden. The bag you made turned out brillantly...I love how it's so huge on your daughter but wouldn't be better any other way...congrats on a successful sewing project, I think you may just be a natural. I won't say 'Enjoy Each Day' as it's apparent you do so truly already...Be Well and I can't wait to see what you capture next. Mandy Saile of Bijou's Whimsy

[tracy]

oh my, what a surprise!!

thankyouthankyou!

ps: 25% off sale