A handmade gift

A little package arrived yesterday and I am so excited to share it! My lovely friend Rochelle, who currently lives in Boston but is soon moving back to San Diego, knitted this little sweater for Miss Luna. I can hardly wait to see her cute little self in this beautiful little handmade cuteness. Thanks Rochelle!!!

Baby Shower

Opening gifts

Playing silly games

So much yummy foooood!!

These girls made it happen! Thanks Danielle and Tessa!!!!

I had such a good time at my baby shower, so many friends and family came to celebrate with me. We had the best organic foods thanks to Dan the Man who along with Tessa prepared almost all of it. There were some yummy cookies made by Danielle. Not to mention all the planning Danielle and Tessa did while 500 miles apart! You two are the bomb! I couldn't have planned anything better myself. And another huge thanks to my aunt and uncle who hosted the entire event at there house, it was such a beautiful day to be outside! All the cute little gifts are going to come in handy when Elliott arrives, I can't wait to see her all dressed up in her little outfits and see her play with her new little toys. I will share some of my most favorite gifts in a future post. xoxo

In the shoppe

New summer totes posted at danikai with more on the way!

shop preview

Just wanted to share these cute little totes that I will be posting in my shoppe in a few days... just waiting for some good light and my new labels! I am starting to get back into the swing of things here in my little sewing room. I got two gift stacks of fabric from Todd and my Aunt Susan this past week which means I better get busy and start making stuff. I think I finally settled on the fabric for Elliott's bedding so I will be starting that project soon too! I may also venture out and try making a funky little ragdoll for her too! xo

Pillowcase dress

I found these really pretty cloth napkins and since I have about a million I already use in the kitchen (I haven't bought paper towels or napkins in 8 years thank you very much) I decided to use these to make a little dress for little Luna. Here's what the fabric looks like but I will get a nice shot of the finished dress when I am all done. I might also have one for sale in my shop soon!

Crib Sheets

I found a super easy tutorial on how to make fitted sheets for a crib so now all I have to do is decide which of my vintage fabrics to use. I will probably make several since they are so easy and because I know I will definitely use them. I will be sure to share the results when I finish.

Bird Mobile

I have been slowly cutting out these little felt bird shapes for a mobile I am making for Elliott. I am using a vine from a past year's hops harvest that Todd had wound all up into a wreath, I think it will add to the nature theme I am going with. I am not sure what exactly it will look like in the end but I think it will be bright and cheery and it will hang somewhere over her crib. I have about 3 months to get everything ready for her little space but I keep adding more handmade decor to my list so I am hoping to actually get it all done in time.

Two Years and Counting

As of yesterday, I have been making bags for two whole years, can you believe it? I wasn't really sure what was going to come of this and over 200 bags later I am still loving every stitch. Thank you to everyone who has supported this little hobby that has morphed into a full on fabric obsession. I hope to spread the word of handmade love this holiday season so here it goes... (click the pic to be taken to the corresponding etsy shop)

my favorite dresses by sohomode

cute cup holders by stichella

my friend erika makes cute clothes over at spicy toast

sweet little plushes by beeperbebe

have you seen these aweome peahoodies by abigail adams

some of my favorite pillows can be found at enhabiten

i wish i was small enough to fit in these by yikestwins

the most beautiful vintage plate clocks by faire houre

Best gift ever!

I am busy making more wine gift bags, look for them soon in my shop. They are perfect for housewarmings, engagements, birthdays or anytime you want to give a nice bottle of wine or a yummy seasonal microbrew. These bags are made from discarded upholstery fabric samples and can be gifted over and over further reducing our footprint on the earth. Now through the New Year they are only $5.00 so be sure to take advantage of this awesome deal!

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.

I love this...

I don't think I have ever loved a dress so much as I love this little number from SohoMode. If I was lucky enough to own this I would run through a field of wildflowers and then spin around in circles until I fell down laughing from joy.

Okay I might not be that dramatic but you get the idea.

The big day is almost here...

Sorry I have been absent from the blog and my shop but I am oh so busy with the wedding planning! For a low key couple we sure are doing it up for this big event. Hopefully after the big day, and after finding a place to live I will be back in action sewing up a storm and just in time for the upcoming holiday madness.

New this Fall will be some awesome grocery totes made from upcycling discarded coffee sacks. We have some friends here in San Diego who are coffee roasters and are kind enough to let me have these huge sacks. I will be pulling them apart and reconstructing them into uber handy, simple, lightweight totes for all your grocery needs. I am pretty sure you know someone who still is using plastic or paper bags... let them know how uncool that is and tell them about reusable bags!

See you in mid October!

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*~

Some of my favorite things on Etsy.

Have you peeked into my favorites lately? I am hoping to win the lottery soon so I can buy one of everything for everyone I know.

Etsy Buy Handmade OceanGrrl

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...

EARTH DAY SPECIAL!!!

All tote bags and grocery totes are HALF OFF through Earth Day and beyond! I will be outta town so any orders purchased between April 19th and April 27th will be shipped as soon as I get back. If you mention my blog in the message to seller I will also send you a t-shirt bag. It's a bag made from a shirt! I need to make some room for fresh spring items; out with the old, in with the new. Plus, I know there are people out there still who use those yucky plastic or paper bags, that's a big NO NO on the earth friendly scale. Also, Momma's Day is coming up and momma's love cute things, just something to think about.

Help me help you help the earth.

love,
~*michelle*~

p.s. don't forget to check out my favorites from other etsy sellers

Tiny Drawstring Bags

Finally, I have stopped sewing long enough for a photo shoot. I am posting them right now! These little bags can be used for tiny little things! Sunglasses, make-up, gift wrap, jewelry, phone, camera, wallet, a deck of cards, lingerie, endless possiblilities. I have shiny satiny ones and vintage cotton ones all with draw string closure. Even more fabrics coming soon! As part of the Eco Etsy FREE & GREEN March Madness Promotion these are free with each purchase of $25 or more, I will send one of your choice.

Enjoy!

love, ~*michelle*~

Team Eco Etsy March Madness

Hi all! I hope you are ready for this month's promotion, I sure am! Follow the link here March Madness to see all the amazing Etsy shops (including my own) who are giving away free nifty gifts of green goodness with each order!

I am giving away either a t-shirt grocery tote or a draw string accessories bag. After you place your order with any one of the shops you type the promo code "Free and Green" in the message to seller box. The message to seller can be found when completing your Etsy transaction. Also, make note of which freebie you would prefer in the message to seller box.

Other participating shops sell all sorts of goods that are considered earth-friendly and are all handmade. What more could you want!!! Spread the word!

All of the shops that are part of EcoEtsy can be found by searching from Etsy's home page using the keyword "teamecoetsy", although not all of these shops are participating in March Madness, they are still part of a team that promotes REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.

love,
~*michelle*~
team eco etsy

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*~

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*~