The Market Tote.....tell me what you think.....

I have been searching high and low for a market tote like this one. I absolutely love them but they're hard to find and expensive at the only supplier I've found. They come in the most amazing colors (brown, hot pink, lime, navy, red and orange) - not just solids like this one, but polka dots and stripes and patterns that are just awesome.

As you can see they have a singe handle and no lid or zip top. They have nice rubber feet on the bottom so they won't slip on...say a boat deck or other surface that might be a little wet. The basket part is made of a heavy denier polyester like a nice quality tote bag, so it is washable yet water resistant. It is collapsible because the handle folds down and the fabric portion of the tote can be removed from the frame. This is great especially for storage. We have one from last summer that I love, but it's smaller and does not collapse. This one measures about 19" long x 10" wide and is 9" deep. It will hold a ton of stuff.....toys and activity items for the car....a picnic lunch!......snacks and supplies for the pool or boat.....the possibilities are endless. The price you ask? Monogrammed on the side, the bag will sell for $35. I have not stocked up on these because while I find them so useful, I find them a bit pricey for today's economy.

Tell me what you think......

The Power Behind the Throne

This is Stella. She is my fourth child...fifth if you count Danny, who would like to still be a child.

Stella is a 6 needle embroidery machine made by Brother for light industrial work. She was designed for people just like me. Someone who stays at home and plays with colorful thread, makes really cool and fun stuff, and gets paid for it! Life doesn't get any better than that does it?

Stella was two years old in September and has been so busy in her young life. Her first year alone she stitched over 5 million stitches. I forgot what her second year number was but it was impressive. If only I got a penny per stitch...... I digress. Stella stitches an average of 700 stitches per minutes and changes which needle she uses automatically based on the information I feed her about the design I am asking her to sew. She does a wonderful job and I can't imagine life without her.

We are getting ready for all of our Christmas vendor shows and she told me yesterday she is already tired of green. Like I would tell any other child of mine, my answer to her was do what you're told without a lot of lip! Just kidding...

The World of Headbands - Monogram Included

I started monogramming headbands before Christmas last year. They were all done on 1" headbands and were cute but the font I chose was, well, sort of formal....that has all changed. Now I also monogram 2" headbands and I'm using a couple of really cute fonts, mostly all lower case letters and the fabrics I've chosen are much more interesting and fun! I recently found some that looks like soccer balls! Can't wait to make those up for my daughters soccer team! I also give these as birthday gifts. All their friends love them.

Many people have asked if I can do their school. The answer is "YES"!! I can use your school colors or, if you can give me a uniform they've outgrown, I can cut it up and make the headband from it.

I have a large number of pics on my website for you to see, but I've been shopping and have so many new fabrics!! I even stumbled upon some great college team fabric. I only got three teams so far. Probably didn't buy enough yardage....I'm thinking it won't last long. I have Carolina Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils and, of course, Maryland Terps. Bet they would look great in a mug too!

I still have a large selection of Vera Bradley and Lilly Pulitzer fabrics that I use to make headbands too. Just can't get enough cool fabric!!