It's Like Christmas!

We received a fabulous package today from a Mr. Paddy Hartley, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Paddy makes wallets, and he sells them on Etsy. I have to say, that I am really astounded by how perfect they are. They're smooth, and the craftsmanship is tight and perfect. Paddy does a stellar job, and y'all should check his shop out.

He'll also be in New York soon, speaking about Project Facade . Paddy's like totally famous, and you should check him out while you still can.

madebypaddy.etsy.com
madebypaddy.com

Hits and Misses

These bags represent what we've done since yesterday. I also had some really thick leather, and I made two wallets from it. I like them well enough, but the leather was so thick, it caused the machine to skip stitches on the corners, so I won't be listing them anywhere. I've decided that I won't sew that leather anymore on the machine. It seduces me every time I go to buy purse hardware, and I must remember what an asshole it is.

I'm starting some Halloween planning. I love Halloween.

Nothing Is Lost

My grandfather made this teddy bear in the upholstery shop around 1977. He made a lot of them, and he gave one to almost everyone in the family. We all still have them, thirty years later. They are like religious icons to us. He died in 1979, and so everyone born after that year never got a bear. I wanted our kids to have one, so I planned on taking a pattern off my bear and reproducing it, but then I thought I'd check ebay first. I looked up every variation of "vintage bear", "vintage stuffed toy" patterns, and finally found the one he used. It's a Simplicity pattern from 1973. I made four bears out of cotton velvet. I gave two to my kids, one to my niece, and one to my cousin. His bears look much nicer, but these will do I suppose.

Fair

We went to the Ohio State Fair yesterday. It was really hot, about 94 degrees, I think. We saw these fabulous Elvis impersonators, baby pigs and ate a bunch of crap. The hand-made exhibits are my favorite part of the fair, but it seems they make it smaller every year in favor of the buildings that house real-life spammers. I had a good time anyway.

True Until Death

Randi's kid and one of my kids entered the Nicktoons Show Off Your Show contest in June. They both made it to the top 50 ideas picked in their age group. We're very proud of them. We had a party. They requested giant cookies (like the size of cakes), so I made giant cookies.

Camel Toe Shall Be My Own

Inspired by Sailor Jerry's bizarre and prolific use of camel toe in his tattoo flash, Randi hand painted and constructed this fine specimen. It's also a nod to our home town, Newark, Ohio. The ladies there feather their hair with combs stuck in the back pockets of camel toe jeans, and they apologize to no one. This one's for you.

Linen: Good for the Soul

I've spent a couple days working this design out, and I'm pretty happy with it. I am especially fond of the boxed/patch pocket treatment, and I think this particular design element has endless possibilities. The front pockets snap, the side ones zip, and are just big enough for my cell phone. I added a zippered pocket in the lining, but I set it higher, and designed it so it created another pocket that things can just slide into. I had my JoAnn's ad in mind here. This bag is mine. It's a prototype also.

I also sent in my 500 Handbags entry last week. I've been nagging Randi like an old lady to get hers sent, because she hasn't done it yet.

I think I might become a Shintoist. They seem to have their shit straight.