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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!

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.

Birthday Suit

How cute is this??? I made it for fun because I had this one small square of balloon fabric that I didn't know what to do with. It would look so cute on a little birthday grrl.

I really like tiny sewing machines

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*~

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!

Craft Fair Countdown Has Begun

Come see me and Theresa at this year's Holiday Craft Market. We'll have bags and shrines and bags and art and bags for sale!!!

love,
~*michelle*~

Your Thoughts

Dearest friends,

I have a new banner at the top of my shop... any constructive criticisms? I am still playing with format and getting it from photoshop where it is crisp to the world wide web where is becomes blurry. Any useful tips on that are much appreciated.

Also, FREE SHIPPING through the new year! "OMG" is what you just said when you read that.

All purchases now come with a little special something and it is all wrapped up using recycled packaging materials and fabric scraps. Not in a janky sort of way but in a way that will make you all warm and fuzzy inside.

love,
~*michelle*~

Sew What

I have been going non-stop for the past few weeks... babysitting for five different families, work at the museum, and sewing. I can't believe I haven't got sick despite less sleep and poor eating habits.

With the craft fair quickly approaching, I am feeling the pressure and find myself dreading sitting down at my sewing machine. I try to avoid it by doing anything but sewing. This little game does not last very long seeing as there is not much to do when it rains for a week straight. I have about 20 finished bags I haven't posted on Etsy and even more cut out just waiting to be all stitched up. I am really focused on grocery/shopping totes.

In a perfect world all my bags will be sold so I can buy all the sweet items I have been collecting on my Etsy Favorites page! I have completely gone from finding things I want to get for others to selfishly looking for myself. I am sorry but I can't help it with all the cool handmade and vintage goodies.

As I mentioned it has been raining, a lot. It will pretty much rain until May with short bursts of sunshine and rainbows. On my way home the other day I saw a double rainbow over a pasture. I could see the whole thing! I pulled over to take a picture and my camera battery was dead, so sad. Here is a cheater picture I didn't take...


love,
~*michelle*~

New (to me) Fabric

I went down to San Diego to visit family a few weeks ago for my brother Andre's 25th birthday! It was so so so much fun. In 72 hours we packed in birthday celebration, fabric shopping, beer, hugs, etc. I wish I could do it every weekend. Actually every day would be better.

I also had time to rummage through my Aunt Susan's sewing room for fabric. This seemed overwhelming but I was up for the challenge! In three hours or so I managed to go through maybe a third of it and scored on some awesome fabric for my purses and bags. I have already made a few and posted them in my shop. I could only get half of it on the plane so I will definitely making another trip.

Using rare fabrics gives my bags a little extra something special. Now I am on the hunt for vintage fabric with funky mod prints and patterns. I have been experimenting with new designs and am open to suggestions.

love,
~*michelle*~

I Finally Made A Shirt

This is my first real shirt. I am pretty stoked on how it turned out and it wasn't that hard at all. I pretty much just started cutting around a shirt I have that fits me well. The fabric is some sort of soft synthetic knit in a magenta color and I used my favorite fabric ever to add a little something extra. Now I have an excuse to go out, hint hint Todd ;) So I am getting ready for this craft fair. This means sleeping less and sewing more. I have never been so productive and experimental. Just today I made the tiniest little handbag just to practice some stitches and work out the kinks in a couple new techniques. So far so good! I am hoping to make some really nice totes and purses from this design.

Hmmmmm what else is going on with me...??? Oh ya last night and this morning there have been little earthquakes. Hops has not been too happy about this and seems concerned about the fact that we live on top of a pool. Not sure how it will hold up if a big earthquake was to occur. You are probably wondering, "Who is Hops?", well he is my border colllie. Just the other day the chickens got out and he helped herd them in the coop. All of his herding instincts just kicked in and from what I hear he did a good job. I am going to take him on a walk now.

What a cutie!

love,
~*michelle*~

A good day.

Good news this week! That's twice in a row and I am on a roll...

Last night I just happened to design and print business cards. Mostly because I didn't feel like sewing and plus I guess it couldn't hurt right?!?

Well today at work I was notified that I got into the Arcata Holiday Craft Market. I was getting kinda anxious so I was very relieved to here that I got a booth. I will be super busy for the next two months sewing until I can't see straight.

My friend Theresa will be joining me which will be fun and I won't just be sitting there talking to my bags. Theresa makes super awesome bags for your yoga mat, and also meditation pillows. You can click to see her shop Om Mama.

Don't forget to stop by Danikai too!

Enjoy!

love,
~*michelle*~

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