no time

I have sooooo many things I want to make not only for my shop (just in time for xmas) but also for the new little creature that lives with us. I have loads of new totes I want to get done by the end of October so my shoppe is good and stocked. Also I am almost ready for Elliott to start sleeping in her crib so I need to finish her quilt before it starts getting cold. I am getting better at putting her down and thanks to her new baby bjorn seat we can hang out so much easier without having to hold her... oh but I love holding her! Wish me luck!

deeelightful summer totes

I have more totes to post for my shoppe but here's a little preview to hold you over until I get them all photographed. For these three totes, I used reclaimed and vintage fabrics. The two leafy looking ones are some beautiful cotton prints, one even seems to be hand stamped. These prints are from Finland and I got them at a garage sale along with a whole bunch more of these unusual Marimekko pieces, all from the early 90s. I can't wait to make more from this special find! I hope you enjoy these simple summer totes, more to come!

danikai on sale and model wanted

I just posted new photos of my bags. I am always experimenting with light and I think I found the perfect spot in the house for taking my photos. Natural light pours in my south facing bedroom window all day long. This allows for the most perfect bright photos. Good thing Todd has taught me so much about photography or I wouldn't know what I was doing. Just in time for the holidays and in an effort to make room for new stock, all my bags at the shop have been discounted up to 30% through the new year (1/1/10), enjoy!

Although I have become fairly comfortable behind the camera, I am still thinking that my photos are missing something so now I am looking for a model. If you or anyone you know is comfortable in front of the camera and is willing to trade a days worth of modeling for a bag of their choice and lunch or dinner let me know. We will most likely take photos here at my house and the park across the street. I am hoping this will give potential customers a better idea of proportions rather than just having the measurements listed.

We tied the knot!

Todd and I are married... happiest day ever! I am still on cloud 9. We are moving into our new home this weekend and I cannot wait to get all my sewing and art stuff back out. I have lots of new ideas for bags and also I might be at a farmers market near you! Stay tuned!

Your Favorite Bags.

So for the last year I have been making these beautiful custom bags with this most wonderful fabric and these are the last two I will be making....Although there may be one more at Mog & Rue. Enjoy!

Sneak Preview

Here's just a small sample of some of the new bags you will
see at Snip & Stitch and also at Mog & Rue.

About half of my new one of a kind bags will not be posted on danikai because they are headed to Encinitas for their debut at Mog & Rue and the rest will not be posted until after the July 26th craft extravaganza. I will have some new stuff too for sale at the craft fair like scrap fabric banners, more drawstring bags, wine gift bags, fabric organizers and even some little freebies! Just for fun I will have my stash of vintage fabrics at the craft fair for my lovely customers to create a custom order design of their own. Danikai gift certificates will be available too for those of you who are looking for a gift and not sure exactly what to get for that special someone. Down in the depths of my stash I found some of my uber popular ZEBRA print fabric so you can expect a couple of those bags to make an appearance soon too.

Come pick out your custom fabric combination for your new bag!

OOPS!

So I totally messed this bag up in a good way... My bobbin was loose and I didn't realize it until it was too late and I was finishing the top hem and the inside stitching looks crazy and not at all something I would sell. This one of kind gem turned out to be even more spectacular then I imagined however so I am keeping it for myself. Normally when I fudge something up I give it to a friend or sell it at a consignment store for like $5 but this purse is too good to pass up. I love it! You can't really tell in the picture but the fabric is super shiny and has a gorgeous floral design. I was doing some "market research" (that little drawing a week or so ago) and discovered that most people like my purse style the most so you will definitely be seeing more bags just like this one made from my rare fabric finds.

Unfinished Business

Here's just a little sneak peak at what's coming to my shop...
Small bags with zippers are great for travelling, staying
organized and looking cute all at the same time!
Tomorrow I will giving details on my
Summer Fun Giveaway!

Happy Fathers Day

I have been wanting to add a photo to the top of the blog and I finally have one I feel represents what is going on here at My Little Brown House. Do you like it? Bags, cameras, journals, get it?!?

I was able to sneak away to the beach with Hops and Todd early this morning, it was gorgeous out there.

I re-shot a bunch of bags today because the sun came out and I had to take advantage of the wonderful natural light pouring in through my windows. Make sure you peek at my shop for the new pics... I think they are really great. I added a couple new bags, more wine gift bags! I have been giving these away left and right because I love them so much! I drop a homebrew in there and BAM! People have been so excited to give them as well. They are the gift that keeps on giving and what's better than reusable gift?

I feel a summer time contest coming on... free bags anyone??? Stay tuned!

W O W !!!

So Clutch

After about 30 failed attempts at a small clutch with a zipper I finally figured it out! The zipper is probably my biggest obstacle when I am making a new design and all I needed to do was take the time to make it work.

I had to become the zipper.

I made two today and you can find them at my shoppe. I used a sample of some really great home decor fabric. I will be making some more for sure. Let me know what you think.

love,
~*michelle*~

Gift Idea for Fathers Day

The new wine gift bags are in my shoppe! They make the perfect gift and can be used again and again. I made these using some great fabric samples, thanks Mary! I will be making more so check back again soon! You can gift wine, beer, and your homebrew in these awesome bags. Fill one with a fine microbrew and take it to you dad on father's day, trust me he will love it!

love,
~*michelle*~

Yes, we are this cute in real life.

Chicken eggs from the chicken coop.

Life on the farm can be tough but we enjoy it very much.

I made ten new bags this weekend!!! I put to use some interior design fabric samples I got from a family friend who passed them on to me. These bags turned out super cute and I will hopefully be able to share them with you in the next couple of days after a little photo session. Here is a sneak peak of just a couple of the bags to be posted at Danikai soon...

Where's Michelle?

I have been away from the creative corner of my house for too long! Who knew planning a wedding could take this much of a toll on me? dress, food, photographer, music, decor, invites, guests, favors, hair, shoes, tuxes, flowers, cakes...

...that list seems small in comparison to all the other stuff going on right now! I am also supposed to be blogging for my dad's company and planning a big move to San Diego and saving money and looking for a job and finding a place to live! (Breath Michelle, it will all be okay)

My goal is to get back on track with my bags this next weekend. I think this will let some creative juices flow and I will be able to clear my mind and start fresh again with the wedding. At least that's what I'm hoping.

Congrats to my sister who is days away from her first piece of real estate!!! WOO WOO!! I am so proud and a teensy bit jealous ;)

Has anyone else noticed all the gorgeous spring flowers blooming all around??? The sun has been shining and it is making me oh so excited for summer!

love,
~*michelle*~

What's Next Danikai?

Hello friends,

Just wanted to update everyone on all the new things you will being seeing in my shoppe. During the month of March I will be participating in a EcoEtsy promotion. Details to come so check back to see what specials I will be offering all month long.

Also, I am getting the hang of zippers so I am looking forward to adding them to my purses! The zipper seems to really set the purse apart from my totes and I think it will be a much needed addition. I will still be doing magnetic closures for all of us who prefer that instead.

I have a couple prototypes for tiny drawstring bags which are perfect for organizing all the small stuff that is so easy to overlook. The tiny bags will be perfect for makeup, sunglasses, snacks, and will be made from light weight vintage fabrics.

Another style I am perfecting is the clutch. I am going to be working with heavier fabrics than I previously have used for this style which I am hoping will give it a nice structure in the palm of your hand. I am thinking I will alternate between zipper, magnetic buttons, and a small piece of velcro; this way you can chose whichever you like best. Since I have tons of zebra fabric scraps left over I will be making my first batch from that fabric. Lots of cute bright colors will line the interiors and I am so excited to get started!

Until next time!

love,
~*michelle*~

Full of Ideas

Another weekend of sewing lies ahead and here is a
sample of fabrics that will be turned into grocery totes.
HoooooRAY!

I have some plans for the near future to add zippers to purses and improve my clutch design. Also I will be creating a collection of three different bags all with the same essential structure but each having their own special element to make three separate styles. I am very excited to share more but it is all being stored in sketches and notes at this point. Stay tuned.

My bostonian friend, Rochelle, sent me some a-m-a-z-i-n-g books for my birthday. One is how to turn my craft into a legitimate business and is chock full of ideas and tips on how to get started. I have already finished and I am feeling the entrepreneurial spirit once again.
The second book she got me has me ampt to start printing my own designs on fabrics. The book has easy step by step processes on several printing methods that can be done easily on a tight budget. Look forward to that too!

I am asking all my customers to send me a pic of them with my bag (or bags as many have become quite the fans, thanks!) so I can post them. In return I will be sending a nifty surprise gift. Yep, just for sending me a picture to my email ocean.grrl18@gmail.com

I have to give the biggest praise and thanks to Todd who has been doing some shoppe renovations for me on etsy. I have some gorgeous photos and a new banner and there is some more little tidbits to come. THANK YOU TODD!!!!!

love to all,
~*michelle*~

Another Year

Are you ready for even more new bags? Well, they are on their way!

I have been trying to stay on top of the sewing pile (new years resolution # 271) and have been doing fairly well considering all the other things that keep me preoccupied (todd, hops, museum, 30 rock, the interweb, oh ya and that whole wedding thing).

I have even finished projects that were lying around for six months or worse christmas presents that were never completed (sorry Danielle, #1 sister extraordanaire)! I am well stocked (labels, cards, fabric, needles, thread) so I should be getting lots of work done. I am excited and I think this next year will be better than the last which was great!

I bought some cards that will be sent with each danikai order (thanks tommymama.etsy.com ), just as a final touch for all my wonderful customers. Did you hear? Danikai just went INTERNATIONAL! I sold two bags to Japan and one to Canada. I really need to fine tune the int'l shipping however so it doesn't end up costing anyone an arm and a leg. Maybe you have some tips from your own experience....?

Thanks for reading and shopping and doing what you do ;)

love,
~*michelle*~

New Year and New Bags

Hello all! I hope everyone had an awesome New Year! I got to see my wonderful family and everyone is excited to see what me and Todd decide to do as far as wedding plans go.... so much to do! Todd was able to reshoot a bunch of my photos on etsy. Check them out at my shoppe

I have a couple I.O.U.s I have to get done this weekend (I know, I am so bad) and then I will be adding fairly regularly after that. Let me know what you think of the new photos. Feedback brings you good karma.

A HUGE thank you to all who bought bags while I was in San Diego, you are the reason I do all this sewing of bags and bags and bags. thank you Thank You THANK YOU!!!!!!!

love,
~*michelle*~

I never knew...

...that there were so many different types of sewing needles! This whole time I thought my sewing machine was giving me a hard time and all I had to do was buy a variety of needles for a variety of fabrics and projects. I was getting so frustrated and beginning to doubt my machine but turns out I just needed to make it happy. Now I am sewing with the pros!

You might have noticed my shop is on "vacation mode" that just means I will be back in action on December 15th. I am almost ready for this weekend and a bit nervous because I am not quite sure if I have enough bags. Wish me luck!

Also, pictures of the booth to come!

Craft Fair Booth

This is just a small sample of new bags I have that are not posted on my shop. I have lots of new totes and shopping bags that I think everyone will enjoy! If they don't sell at the fair they will be posted on the 15th for your viewing pleasure :)

Theresa and I staged our booth for the craft fair this past Saturday. I think it is going to be quite lovely. For those of you who won't be able to make it :( I will be sure to get some pictures. We were not sure what to do and then it just all came together thanks to a shiny piece of gold fabric, trust me it looks awesome! I am so excited to show off all my creations.

My shop will be closed (i.e. "on vacation" mode) 12/10-12/14 in preparation for the craft fair. I have lots of organizing and inspecting to do so I think this will make things easier for me. Things will be up and running soon after, don't fret!

Did everyone have a family fun filled turkey day?!?! Todd and I went to see Role Models it was hilarious well at least the first half was then it just got silly. I am so excited to see my family in a few short weeks at Christmas. Oh and my little brother is turning 21! What kind of shenanigans could we possibly get into....

love,
~*michelle*~

p.s. I think I might throw my bobbin winder out the window for Hops to chew on, this thing is driving me insane!