Four-Sided Rectangular Shaped Placemats

The only thing I disliked about the oval shaped 4-sided placemats I made back in February was their oval shape. I just like rectangular shaped placemats.
Today I started thinking that I should be able to make a rectangular shaped 4-sided placemat using the oval placemat techniques. So I decided to give it a try and it worked!
I traced out an 18 X 13 template to use for cutting the 4 fabrics and then just followed the directions that came with the oval shaped template. For the one I made today I skipped interfacing the 4 fabrics; I like the end result much better than the ones I interfaced during the winter.
Hopefully I'll muster some ambition and make 3 more of the rectangle shaped placemats so we can at least have a set of 4.  I guess some napkins would be nice too!

Fold-Up Embellished Market Totes

The Anita Fold-Up Embellished Tote Bag

Finally back in stock are the gorgeous fold-up totes that I
embellish with machine embroidery.  All the ones I first
introduced sold out at the holiday sale in Nov., 2007.  

The bags are made from a very heavy duty waterproof nylon
and have brown faux leather handles and a snap closure over
the zippered top.

Being waterproof, the bags are an obvious choice to carry on
a rainy day (rain or shine, I carry mine to work every day).  But
they're also perfect for the beach, travel and shopping.

Measurements:  19 inches across and 17 inches tall.
Color choices: Lime green, yellow, rose, purple, royal blue
and light blue

Embroidery choices are almost endless!   Choose a
monogram, a single color design of a famous landmark,
career, hobby, sport, etc.
The designs shown measure about 6 inches high.

For more info please email me.

French Memo Board

This weekend I gave into an obsession-another one-I have developed for French Memo Boards. I've seen photos posted by people who have made them.  Luckily there are a lot of tutorials online that show how to make a memo board. Here's a link to the tutorial I used to make my French Memo board: http://kidzontherock.net/?p=683
And here's a photo of the one I made and plan to hang on the wall of my office at work:

Prequilted fabric Sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In addition to the handbag sale I am having on my web site, http://www.arlenesbags.com/,  I am also having a 20% off fabric sale on all the fabrics I have listed in my etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bassetmommy     Free shipping on the first 3 yards ordered still applies-such a deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bag Sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A first for me-a 20% off handbag SALE!!! Check it out at http://www.arlenesbags.com/


The sale price applies to new bag orders as well as bags I have in stock. Feel free to contact me to find out which bags are readily available. The winter is over-think NEW HANDBAGS!!!!
The sale ends April 30, 2010.  Details on the sale are listed on the Index page of my site.

Give-Away-Personalized Travel Mug!!!

In honor of National Craft month & to introduce my personalized travel mugs, I am doing my first-ever Give Away.   
The mugs hold 16 oz of fluid, either hot or cold.   They come with a very secure snap-on lid.   What makes the mugs so unique is that the mug slips into a clear outside cover than can hold a personalized embroidered insert or a themed fabric.   The inserts quickly turn the dull and mundane into something pretty and cheery.
The winner of the Give Away will have a choice of one of 3 types of embroidered inserts: a monogram, a single letter or a first name.  The winner can also choose from one of the fabrics shown.

To win simply (1) leave a comment and (2) sign on to follow my blog.
I will announce the winner on April 15.

Please note the mugs should be hand-washed and are not microwave safe.
A personalized mug makes a great gift for just about everyone.  Consider one as an end of the year teacher gift or for a medical person who has been especially helpful or for a golfer.
Price: $10 which includes an embroidered or themed fabric insert.

I have also included a sample of a travel mug with themed fabric insert: 

Below are photos of the mug's snap-on lid and the outside clear holder for the insert.

My 'Take' on a Chanel Jacket

I have been obsessed with making a Chanel styled jacket since last summer when I saw the perfectly made Chanel jacket my friend made. Being the sewing purist she is, my friend followed the haute couture directions Threads Magazine published about 3 years ago. In true Chanel fashion, the directions called for a tremendous amount of hand sewing which I simply despise & don't trust.
Luckily, my friend told me the Jan.,'07 issue of Threads included an article on a shortcut version of a Chanel jacket. The article describes and explains how to do the 'bagged' method for making a Chanel jacket.
So last week I set out to do my trial variation on the bagged method. I made View E of Vogue 7975. I opted to eliminate the patch pockets & substituted a trim I thought better suited my fabric.
Because this jacket is my 'trial' version I didn't use the traditional wool boucle for my jacket. The outer and lining fabrics are machine-quilted in a Chanel jacket. Because my wool is 'flat' I had to eliminate the quilting on the front as I couldn't control puckering.
I also machine-sewed wherever I could as there is some hand sewing in the 'bagged' method. I machine-sewed the 2 sleeve lining seams and part of the lining shoulder seams. A purist I am not!
I opted for a non-fringe trim simply because I dislike fringe trim. In the photo the center of the trim looks like rhinestones but it isn't. The center is actually a dullish brownish-black.
I did hand-sew the gold chain that holds the hem in place.
Overall, I am pretty pleased with the jacket. Even being made out of a plain old wool, it still feels wonderful. I have this week out of work and will probably wear the jacket everywhere I go!