Giveaway clutch

Giveaway Clutch for 'Life of a Southern Bell'

Bag for the traveling shoes

Finished these two items this evening...the 100th Post Giveaway Clutch and a snappy shoe bag. My wonderful postman, LG, will pick up the packages at my back door & get them on their way...if you mail packages and haven't used USPS Click-n-ship, you should...best thing since sliced bread! WooHoo for never going to the Post Office again!!!

Now it's time for bed! Sweet dreams

Cute inside & out

Clutch bags waiting for frames

Since someone {me!} didn't order enough clutch frames this set of bags is just waiting for the shipment to arrive. So much for staying ahead of the game! Anyway, it's a great opportunity to show you that these bags are as cute on the inside as they are on the outside!

I was fortunate to have two amazing women in my life who guided my induction into the Wonderful World of Sewing. When I was 10 years old, my (favorite) Aunt Emily (also a Home Economics teacher) started teaching me the basics. Then in high school, my Home Eco. teacher, Mrs. Garrison, challenged me to perfect those skills. She encouraged me to always keep learning and pushed me to make a more difficult project each time. Of all the things she taught me, I think the most important was to value my talents. One of her favorite sayings was: "Your garment should look as nice on the inside as the outside"... I didn't really understand it then, thought it was just a way for her to torture us into doing more work. I realized later that she was teaching us about quality workmanship and taking pride in your product, even the inside part that others typically don't see. I think of Mrs. Garrison every time I pick out a fun fabric for the lining of a bag, it's just another way to make each one special and "as nice on the inside as it is on the outside"!

The Right Tools

The "Rachie Clutch" is one of my best selling bags, but one of the most frustrating to make...until now! The sewing part is a snap, but attaching the bag to the frame has resulted in the muttering of many 'ugly' words. However, as with most tasks, having the right tools makes the job a breeze. After some research and web-shopping, I found a couple of purse-making tools (one is actually called a purse making tool) and some kick-ass (pardon me!) glue. I'm thrilled with these experimental bags that I made this morning. Don't you love the new frames with the extra large ball clasp? So very trendy! During the web-shopping couldn't help noticing, again ,that my bags are soooo reasonably priced compared to many out there. Clutches just like mine (minus the monogram) for $50-75?!?! Would be interesting to know how many they really sale. I know there are lots of people that think a high price tag automatically means better products. And some of those same people love to throw around brand and store names. Whatever floats your boat...guess it's cool to have the same thing hundreds of other people have. Still I'd put a Basement Bag up against any out there for quality, price and customer service. I can say that with confidence 'cause I know the owner. ;)