Jessica Flores Design

More Diaper Detail

Nora and her daddy are out having some fun with Grandma and 'Buelo this morning, so I've had some time to finish up my latest diaper bag.  I wanted to put together something that was a little smaller for a short trip running errands, or maybe an evening dinner out.

I was so fortunate to have been given a piece of the most adorable vintage print featuring little girls and boys in hiking gear with bunnies and trees and tulips.  It has to be at least 50 years old, but is in mint condition, and the colors are so hip!  I used new repro fabric I found in Shipshewana and was so pleased how well it coordinated--I didn't even take a swatch to match it!  

This time I remembered to put in my tag.  I added a vintage button and bias tape loop and tied the strap up with a slip knot, so it can be adjusted to sling over your shoulder or across the chest.  I'm pretty proud of myself for the clever thinkin' on that one! :)  

Pocket count:  4 interior, 2 side bottle pockets, one front patch pocket = 7

I'll be adding this to my Etsy site soon.  

The Secret's Out of the Bag

Yesterday I alluded to the fact that I was working on a little surprise for someone.  Now that the surprise has been presented, I can divulge the details.  

Somehow I think I failed to devote a post to one of my favorite bags ever created.  I call it the dimple bag . . . 

I don't know why--maybe because of its crisp little pleats down the front, or the punchy Amy Butler polka dots, or the mismatched vintage buttons at the corners. It just says "dimple" to me! It was made from my own pattern using a fantastic piece of vintage flour sack acquired in a good old fashioned barter with my friend Shannan, who ended up purchasing it back from me in the form of said dimple bag.  I decided it might be fun to use the scraps to create a little girl's purse for her dear little Ruby, who turned three last week, and here is the result:

There is really nothing so sweet as to make something by hand for a friend whom you know will appreciate every stitch and imperfection.  

Tomorrow I work on bag number three for the week-- a mini-version of my diaper bag for quick trips around town when you don't want to use a big ol' duffle.  I'm using some amazing old 40's vintage print.  Wait 'till you see it!  I was just connected through Facebook to an acquaintance from high school who is now making some really adorable children's clothing.  Check out her site at trendysisters.  Millissa has inspired me to bulk up my inventory, so I'm on another sewing spree this week.  With rain in the forecast for tomorrow, I won't feel so bad staying in on a summer day.  Not too many left!  The cicadas are singing outside my window right now--a sweet lullabye. . . . 

A Little Something Sweet

While working on a little secret for someone special, it occurred to me that some of the dear little people in our lives might like a fancy handbag once in a while.  So, I pulled a few scraps out of the mounting pile, drew up a simple pattern, and stitched this little ditty for Nora late last night and this morning.  I'm thinking this just might spark a few Mother/Daughter sets for my Etsy site in the near future!

It features some now -out- of- print fabric by Heather Bailey and an oh-so-versatile aqua-colored polka dot I picked up on a lovely girls' day trip to Lolly's in Shipshewana last week.  If you go, you'll want to make sure and grab lunch at the Garden Gate Cafe, which is oozing with charm--retro oilcloth on the tables, condiments and napkins delivered to your table in candy-colored lunch boxes, and a delish menu chock full of fresh veggies and homemade baked goods. 

And!  don't forget your camera, so you can blog every bite of Jojo's pretzel, every stack of Robert Kauffman 30's repro prints, and every buggy clip clopping down the picket-lined streets.