A Springtime Giveaway!

In honor of the warming weather, Spring Break, and the quickly approaching Summer Vacation, BasementBags is sponsoring another giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a travel set with a shoe bag and cosmetic bag, great for throwing in your suitcase on a weekend getaway!







The giveaway ends at midnight Saturday 4/10/09, a winner will be drawn on Sunday 4/11/09. Enter by leaving a comment on the blog.



Extra entries can be earned by:

1. Posting about this giveaway on your blog (leave a comment to let me know)

2. Writing about this giveaway on Facebook

3. Announcing this giveaway on Twitter (use hashtag #BasementBagsGiveaway)

4. Sign up to be a follower on my blog (leave a comment to let me know you already are a follower)

5. Sign up to be a Facebook Fan

6. Become a follower on Twitter



The shoe bag and cosmetic bag can be made with any coordinating fabric available in the Basement and personalized with your monogram, or that of someone special!


Good Luck!

This week

• Yesterday was Ms. R's (student teacher) last day - she did a wonderful job and is going to be a fabulous teacher! The center photo is our Apparel Dev. I class, she gave each of them a treat bag with a 'fat quarter' (fabric) and candy, then taught them how to make yoyos. They stitched or glued the yoyos onto ribbon or headbands...too cute!...and the girls didn't even complain about sewing by hand. Sweet Ms. R gave me a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure which I plan to redeem later today.
• Some of the Apparel II students finished their projects (a garment that fit the bottom of their body) On each end of the above collage, check out the precious skirt and the 'oh so popular this Spring' rompers. Such talented girls!
• In the Basement, Bikini Bags continue to be a 'best seller'. These make great gifts for Bridesmaids, graduation, birthdays...especially since bikini season is right around the corner!
• March is a big birthday month in our family...Danny got the ball rolling on the 1st. Our grandson, Cooper, turned four yesterday...really? FOUR!?!?! where does the time go? Rach will be 26 y/o on Tuesday and that makes me feel 'old as dirt'! Pa, if you are reading this, it makes you REAL old ;)
• As of Wednesday, I'm down 24 lbs.!!! think I've hit a plateau, which is driving me nuts (can we say impatient?!?) but I am determined to see it though this time!

My weekend 'to do list' is so long I don't even want to think about it! Thankfully, Monday is a teacher work day and Spring Break will be here soon. Y'all have a great weekend!

Spring fun

The weather in NC is absolutely beautiful today ... on my way out of the basement to enjoy a little of it. Wanted to share what I worked on this morning. The colors just look like Spring and make me smile! I have some super cute new designs, promise one day we will get all of this on the website...in the meantime, please remember you can email me to order anything you see here on my blog.
Hope your day is full of sunshine and Spring Fun!

Who loves orange?

Just finsihed this adorable "Orange ware' for some best dressed mini -Vols. Oh wait! this could be for a little Clemson Tiger too. What do you think? Either way, these are stinkin' cute!
Is it Friday yet? Amazing how a time change of one little hour gets me so out of wack.
Hurry weekend!

Experimenting

So yesterday I didn't really feel like sewing but needed to appear productive so I pretended to be in a 'creative' mood. I was trying to come up with something unique for a couple of baby gifts that family members had ordered. Orders from family go like this...they get stuff for free, much reduced prices or occasionally a trade, however, they are at the mercy of my schedule and design whims. In other words, I experiment on them! Not sure about these....thinking there are some proportion and color issues...what do you think?

Blankets & Bags

Made this Toile & Dots bag and Buddy Blanket yesterday...is that really all I accomplished the entire day?!?!? Think there was some laundry doing, cooking, reading, exercising, shopping and t.v. watching mixed in....but the sewing was definitely my favorite Saturday activity! Hope you are having a super weekend.

2nd Year Sweeties

I love to sew. I also love teaching others to sew. This is my Advanced sewing class wearing the hoodies that they just finished making. This is a fun, talented group of young ladies. They make me so proud! Below are some closer shots of their work. Next project - a 'bottom'... they select the pattern & fabric for a skirt, pants, shorts...anything that fits the bottom half of their body. Project has to include a zipper and hopefully pockets. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

Great Gift Idea

Practical gifts just make sense to me...especially with today's tough economy. Here in the basement I do my best to make practical also look pretty or in the case of this great towel set, adorable! Personalized towels are a good gift for any occasion, for all ages. I plan to add them to the website in time for Graduation & Summer Wedding season. Speaking of the website....not making much progress on the update. Looks like that will be my summer project.
College daughter has Spring Break this week. I'm jealous. Hurry April 5!

Not much to tell

Shower Gift: Burp cloths, Church Bag & Matching Bib

Has blogger world given me up for dead? I'm still here...just not much to tell.

This is my least favorite time of year. We've had too much yucky weather and it's been crazy cold and wet for sooo many days this year. I'm ready for sunshine and Spring. We got a little tease of it this weekend....too bad (but good too, always thankful for business) that I was stuck in the basement most of it.

Here's a few random things:

• weight - down 22 lbs...wahoooo!!!....I'm 'bustin' slack, but not ready to buy new smaller pants yet....will I keep it off this time? hopefully. but honestly my track record ain't so good. new approach - treating my weight control issue like a 'disease' that needs constant attention. this gaining/losing cycle is unhealthy and heartbreaking. once I've reached my goal, giving myself a 5 lb. grace and if scales go above that, it's back on the plan!
• my student teacher (who is fabulous!) has only two more weeks, then she is off for Costa Rica for an International Student Teaching experience...I have gotten spoiled, but will miss her because she is such a sweetheart!
• attended a baby shower today and for my followers, you know that is 'so not me'. wasn't too bad, mostly a family thing so I survived. my gift is pictured above...think mom-to-be was pleased
• dentist last week, hated it! new night guard (yes, I grind my teeth) is on the way and my account has many less $'s thanks to that and the purchase of a Sonicare...wow, what a gadget! to call it an electric toothbrush would be an understatement
• praying politicians will develop a conscience & remember they are representing the people before they vote in 'ObamaCare'. how can they sleep at night, knowing that so many of US are against it?

'Til next time, hope all is well in your corner of blog world!

Hugs & dishes....

Wonder how much money Hallmark earned this week? I did my part, I like this holiday.

Here's a cute story about one of my favorite Valentine's Day ... those of you who work in education or who have nosey 'front desk' personnel will probably relate to this one. The first Valentine's Day that Danny & I were a couple, he sent me roses. He had them delivered to school. Sweet, but totally unnecessary, I'm just not a 'give me flowers kinda girl'. Think he had been trained in his 'former' life that on special occasions flowers were expected and that they BETTER be sent to the work place for all to see...that's cool, all girls have their thing, flowers just aren't mine. Anyway... our relationship wasn't a secret, but not everyone knew I had a new 'someone special '. By the time I got to the office to pick up the flowers, there were no less than four or five sets of 'pin holes' in the card envelop where all the ladies in the front office had taken a peek to see who had sent me flowers. He had signed the card 'Hugs & dishes' (which was an inside joke between us) and I'm sure the ladies were totally frustrated by our 'code'. Ten years later he is STILL my 'someone special' and everyday with him is like Feb. 14. Hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Seems like everyone loves owls these days, even for babies...gotta admit this gift set turned out pretty cute!

Just one day

We had 'Saturday School' to make up one of our snow days. I didn't really mind, 3.5 hrs vs. 8...works for me! Please remind me of that on Thursday when I'm complaining about a one day weekend. I did get 'the clamp' and it works like a charm. Makes embroidering the quilted bags sooo much easier...was able to do several in record time. Don't you love the houndstooth duffle bag? I also finished some burp cloths and this precious shoe bag. Hope your team won the Super Bowl. Halftime, which is usually my favorite part of the game, was very disappointing this year. Was that really 'the Who'? Some entertainers don't know when to hang it up.

Bedtime...5:15 am will be here in like 2 minutes (that's what it will feel like). ugh!

Sun, Sand & Blue Water

This beautiful bride (in pink/orange) sent me this photo today from her wedding in Turks and Caicos. She ordered bikini bags for the Bridal Party and some special guests. I love it when customers share pictures or stories about their purchases. Makes me warm just looking at that blue water, sand & palm trees - wish I was there...especially since we are gearing up for another blast of wintery weather here in NC.

This & that

I'm enjoying a second 'snow day' out of school and decided to make a post on this much neglected blog. This is really an uneventful time of year and there's not much news from the basement.

• been suffering with a sinus/ear infection for weeks now, absolutely miserable!
• my new students this semester are wonderful
• my student teacher is fabulous...so young & enthusiastic
• a SmartBoard was finally installed in my classroom last week...unbelievable!
• lost 12 lbs. (that's 12 of the 20 that I lost & regained last year...geeze!)
• wish I could work at home all the time
• anxiously waiting for a new embroidery machine gadget 'the clamp' to arrive
• January sales were surprisingly good...hugs to you awesome customers!
• glad my Toyota isn't part of the recall, old cars are good for something ;)

That's it for now....hope you are staying safe & warm.

Did you & do you?

Did you watch Oprah today?...great show on the dangers of cell phones & texting while driving. Latest research shows texting when behind the wheel makes it 8 times more likely one will have an accident. Much worse than drunk driving. Reinforces my belief that 'multitasking' is more accurately described as 'halfassing'....not too cool when you driving. Do you text while driving?

I totally enjoyed my day off. Got caught up in the Basement (more orders now, please!). Made the above baby gifts for a friend...they are very 'green' and will probably love the 'recycle' CuTee! Spent the rest of the day doing a little housecleaning and laundry. Walked some extra minutes on the treadmill and did lots of web surfing. Hope yours was a good day too.

Germs

Germs are apparently in the air at our house. Thanks for sharing, Honey! We were unspeakably lazy yesterday for the sole purpose of self-preservation, you know, allowing our bodies to 'fight' the invaders...yeah, right? I do not remember the last time that I did absolutely nothing for an entire day, but it was nice. Of course today & tomorrow I'll be playing catch up to get orders out. Thanks MLK for your life's work and a day off!

Just finished this Tooth Fairy Pillow, cute huh? It's going to the youngest of three daughters. The Mom 'assigned' each girl a color at birth: pink, purple & lime. Everything each girl has is in her assigned color, cloths, cups, toys...she says it keeps her organized and eliminates arguments between the girls about what belongs to who. Moms are so cleaver! Love it when they share these stories with me.

There's still plenty of time to order treats for Valentines' Day. Check out the cute applique designs that can be stitched on CuTees, burps & bibs, kitchen towels, cosmetic & tote bags...just email me with your request.

Radom thoughts

Haven't posted in so long, probably don't have a reader left, but for those of you still checking in, thanks & hopefully I'll be a better blogger. It's just been a crazy start to the New Year. Our 'winter break' from school was too short. I stayed busy processing orders right up to the last minute then before I got turned around good it was time to go back to work. We just finished exams and will be starting a new semester soon. I have a fabulous girl from ASU, Courtney, that will be student teaching with me. Really looking forward to working with her.
Hubby wore up yesterday with fever, extreme headache and abdominal pain. Fortunately flu test was negative, some unknown viral infection. He's feeling better today, but still not himself. That two hour wait in the doctors office was a stellar 'people watching' opportunity. Here is some of what I saw that drives me nuts:
wearing pajamas in public
wearing shorts/flip flops when it's freezing cold outside
Mother/daughter each texting on their phone and for one solid hour didn't speak to each other
talking (loudly) on cell phones in the waiting room
Parent getting a snack out of vending machine and not sharing with child (why was there a vending machine full of junk food in the waiting room anyway?)
Parent of a 10-12 mth old baby feeding him 'lucky charms' and tea in a sippy cup
Teenagers putting her feet up in chair & parent that don't correct her bad manners
My Heavens! I probably sound like a prude to some people, but good manners and common sense sure seem to be in short order these days.

Welcome 2010!

Quilted Travel Essentials

A New Year full of hope and promise AND new products at Basement Bags, what more could we ask for? We ate our greens & peas yesterday so now it's just a matter of waiting for all the good stuff to happen. Hope it's a spectacular year for us all!

TGFV

Thank Goodness For Vacation! We had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family, hope you did as well. The highlight for me was the Christmas Eve service at our former church. Our new holiday tradition is to spend the day with my family in SC and then stop on the way home for church. We moved 7 years ago and we all miss our church family very much. I look forward to the once a year visit and although it still makes me a little 'home sick', the overwhelming welcome is worth it.

My machines are enjoying a few days off for yearly maintain & servicing. I'll start production again on Jan. 4. I'm excited about adding some new products, check out the great new quilted travel essentials below. I had a limited selection that were top sellers for Christmas. The additional colors & patterns will be fabulous Mothers' Day, Shower & Graduation gifts. I've got a bee in my bonnet for a website re-do/update, but it's so much work and I'm too cheap to pay someone...sounds like a good summer vacation project. I'd like to thank all of you that helped make 2009 a great year for Basement Bags and hope you will continue shop with me.

Do you have something special planned for New Year's Eve? I'd love to do something fun...we usually stay home & rarely stay awake 'til midnight...how lame!

Hot ticket...

Quilted duffle & garment bags are hot ticket gift items this year. Not the best picture (maybe Santa will bring me a camera & photography lessons!) but you get the idea.

This one is navy with navy & white polka dot ribbon, monogrammed with kelly green thread...prep-a-licious!

A few precious minutes...

Made great progress on my orders this past

weekend so today after school I took a few ME minutes.

First, a much needed manicure (chemical finishes on fabric play havoc with the cuticles!) and then a not-so-needed-but-oh-so-yummy Peppermint Chocolate Chip Shake from Chick Fil A....marvelous treats! And the perfect incentives to get me back to work this evening. Check back tomorrow for pics of the adorable duffle & garment bags that I stitched up tonight.

Right now it's bedtime...sweet dreams!

Where are the elves?

I could sure use some sewing/embroidery elves...
this is what's cookin' in the basement today

Set of cosmetic bags and travel mug
Christmas tree CuTees

Classy Shoe Bag

Train CuTee for Palmer

Can Wrap

We have our first Christmas party tonight. Semi-formal affair...dinner, dancing...always a great time. I can't wait! Hope you are staying dry & warm and having a fabulous weekend.

And the winner is....

Judy Meggs from The Green Hanger Shop

Congratulations to Judy and thanks to everyone who entered.

Drawing was made through Random.Org, results can be seen at this link

http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=1114

Just some of it...

Here is just some of what has left the basement in the last few days. A slide shows would be nice, huh? I need to learn how to do that! Anyway, enjoy. We are off for a movie date and it won't hurt my feelings if you order something while I'm out!

Psst...don't forget to sign up for the giveaway!

Personalized Cosmetic Bags
Lime Green Tote

CuTees


Slippers and more slippers!

Snazzy Pillowcases

Holiday Hand Towels

Another Green Tote

and

more monogrammed cosmetic bags!

Hope you had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We had just the girls this year and it was so relaxed. Hopefully, we'll catch up with the rest of the family for Christmas. Speaking of Christmas...I've heard so many people say they were completely finished with decorating and shopping. Honestly, Christmas is not my favorite holiday, but I do sort of like preparing and celebrating during the month of the actual event. I just don't see the fun in getting ready for one holiday before the paint has dried on the previous one. I do know this time of year is fabulous for my favorite sport, people watching!

Have a super Saturday night, y'all!

Giveaway!

I am busy in the Basement this weekend, but I wanted to take time to announce a Giveaway! T0 celebrate my 125th blog post, I will be giving away a monogrammed tote!

made out of oil cloth (15" x 14")

The giveaway ends at midnight Saturday, 11/28/09, a winner will be drawn on Sunday 11/29/09.

Enter by leaving a comment on the blog.

Extra entries can be earned by:
1. Posting about this giveaway on your blog (leave a comment to let me know)
2. Writing about this giveaway on Facebook (be sure to tag me with @Basement Bags)
3. Announcing this giveaway on Twitter (use hashtag #BasementBagGiveaway)
4. Sign up to be a follower on my blog (leave a comment to let me know you already are a follower)
5. Sign up to be a Facebook Fan
6. Become a follower on Twitter

This tote would be a great gift for someone special on your gift list (including yourself!) and it can be ready in time to be placed under the tree!

Good Luck!

Everyday things

I often tease that I'm on a mission to 'monogram the world'. Monogramming transforms those everyday things into something special. I'm at home today nursing a sore toe (had an ingrown toe nail removed yesterday...how gross & painful!) and using the 'dayoff' to catching up on some little projects.

CuTees

Long sleeve tee shirt with Christmas Design and name or initials

email Susan@basmentbags.com to order

$18.00 each plus shipping

this is Coopers' shirt, there's also one for Jack & baby Paul...what a Susie!!! ;)

Whew!

Will there be a monogrammed purse under your Christmas tree?

Working hard in the basement! This is the time of year that going to work Monday-Friday is like resting..lol. Had to come up & take a couple of 'sunshine breaks' , we're having beautiful weather.

Happy Sunday, y'all.

'Tis the season...

....to get orders in for Christmas! I've got lots of great, affordable gift ideas...grab a cup of coffee and come shop with me at Basement Bags.
I'd love to make something special for everyone on your gift list, including you!!

Just finished this Fancy Zebra bag. It's off to FL tomorrow morning. Unfortunately that's the last set of those adorable polka-dot handles. But I have plenty of zebra fabric and can makes shoulder straps from fabric or black webbing...almost as cute as the handles.

I never get tired of making gift sets for baby showers. This set includes a newborn cap & bib, burp cloth with ice cream cone applique and a onesie foofed up with ribbon and appliqued letter.


I'll be sewing all weekend...thankfully, I'm in the mood. Y'all take care.

Did you hear that?!?!?

At the end of the evening news, Brian Williams said "50% of all children in America are on Food Stamps and 90% of African American children are". That is a shocking statistic. What happened to personal responsibility? Seriously, do politicians and feeble minded freeloaders think there is any balance or fairness in that amount of 'dependency' in our society? Sure, my heart bleeds for the poor children. My exasperation is with the adults who contrived the system and those who feel entitled by it or worse, abuse it. And to add to the agony...my radio station just switched to it's 'All Christmas Music All The Time' format...for crying out loud! let us get the witches & goblins packed away first! Anyway, I made these cute things today.

Personalized totes, lunch bags & houndstooth clutch

Are you a Gator fan?

I'm not really into sports. During my college days, tailgating at Clemson was the best. NC State is my North Carolina team pick. Although I've never been to a game, my brother claims NC State is just like Clemson, minus the lake. I'm definitely more of an ACC girl, but have to admit this 'Gator Bag' turned out pretty cute.

Monday & Tuesday we are out for Fall Break....I'm extremely excited. I'll most likely spend my 'time off' catching up in the Basement. School is great, but working at home is wonderful!

It's rainy and cool here today...wish I'd made vegetable soup or chili. Oh well, we're not above eating the canned stuff.

Hope you enjoy what's left of the weekend!

They're back!

Hot flashes, irritability, memory loss, night sweats....menopause symptoms! I've lived through adolescence (mine & the girls!) wild college days (again, mine & theirs!), 28 hrs. of HARD labor, an unhappy marriage, excessive weight gain (and loss and regain), single parenthood, financial difficulties, and I swear right now menopause feels like the plague to end all others. It got really bad this summer. So after lots of research, a few trials with home & OTC remedies I finally decided to try a mild antidepressant. We are not strangers to psycho-girl drugs in our house and they have helped us maneuver through some tough times. Since mid-August the meds seemed to be doing the trick and symptoms were much better...until this past week...and now they're back with a vengeance. I'd love to hear about your experiences, especially coping mechanisms, if you are living with this special life event. And we thought menstrual cramps were the curse. Ha!

I've got lots of work to do in the basement, but think I'll take part of the day off and go to 'Christmas Made in the South'...check out the competition. Y'all have a great weekend.

Haven't left ...

.. the house all weekend. Actually don't think I've been outside since arriving home Friday after school. We've had no visitors. I've done no housework, except a few loads of laundry which need to be put away. I've cooked only one meal. But I've been busy in the basement! Check out these super personalized gifts, all under $20!
Child Tote Bags

Wet Bathing Suit Bag

Checkbook covers

Show us what you make

Clutch Bags for Bridesmaids

Over at Kelly's Korner, her post yesterday was 'show us what you make' and there are some fabulous sites (over 400) full of handmade goodies. Check it out, but come on back to Basement Bags for the real cute stuff! Speaking of, here's some of what I made this week....

It's wonderfully 'fallish' here today...love it. Sleeping late this morning was heavenly! Paul is doing great, although we
still don't know the cause of his sickness. I have several fun projects to work on and look forward to sharing when they are finished.
Hope y'all have something fun planned for the weekend.

Thinking Christmas yet?

I know some of you are already shopping for Christmas ... heck, so of you may be FINISHED shopping for Christmas!!! For those of you that are still in the 'planning' stages...hope you'll remember all the fabulous, reasonably priced items at Basement Bags.

I just reduced the price of monogrammed slippers to only $18.oo...now that's a deal! a stinkin' cute personalized gift for less than twenty bucks!