Well,  just in time for summer!  I found this fabric print that will work with just about any outfit I need it for.  So,  I purchase the fabric, took the subway home and when to work on creating my “vision”.  I must admit, the bag and the matching zipper pouch came out great!  I used the purse and the pouch, on Saturday, when I had brunch with a couple of friends and it look  fabulous with my all white outfit.  I decided to list the bag with the rest of my designs at www.sherrybags.etsy.com .  Well I am off to do a couple of more sewing projects, so wish me luck!

sherry

     Well, I was walking  along Madison Avenue, in New York city, and I went past this cute little park.  The park wasn’t that big at all, but it was just this small little oasis in the city. So, as I past the park, I just took a quick look at the trees and realize that the trees hae started to bloom.  Some of them had cute flower petals emerging and others just had sprouts of green leaves.  As, I looked even closer, I caught a glimpse of red bird sitting on one of the branches and another bird flying past. Of course then I had to stop and just take a moment to get a full picture.  The park  looked  alive and peaceful, especially with the birds flying around. People having lunch on the benches and others just walking their dogs. This was just a great spring day in NYC but I had to keep moving because I was on my way to another fabric shop.

When I arrived at this cute store, I started picking up supplies to finish bags at home, when this fabric caught my eye.  It just reminded me of the park that I just walked by on my way to the store, so I had to have it.  Well, here is the latest addition to collection, “Birds Sitting in a Tree”.  If you have a moment, leave me  a comment and you can see the rest of  my designs at  www.sherryhbags.com or www.sherrybags.etsy.com.   Have a great day, Sherry.

Well, this is a very cute customized order I did for a client.  She had a request for a slouch bag with a matching laptop sleeve for her 13 inch Mac book.  I was very happy to take on the challenge, the only problem was trying to find a fabric that would suit her taste and all of this had to be done by email.  We actually had a lot of fun looking at fabrics together, but she finally settle on a bag that I had just introduce into my collection.  So, of course, the purse was made with all of the “loving extras” like double stitching and padding, but when it came to the “sleeve” , then I thought that it needed a little more.  Well, I went looking for a soft fabric I could use for the lining, and then I padded the inside of the sleeve. I also treated the purse and laptop sleeve with scotch guard for extra protection.  I am so happy with the results and so was my client. She especially love the chenille fabric that I used for the inside lining of  the sleeve. I also included care instructions just in case she got a spill on her purse or sleeve.  Me and my sewing machine have come to someone rescue again! Well, I must go for now, have more sewing projects that need to be finished.  So, take care until my next blog and check out all my designs at www.sherrybags.etsy.com or www.sherryhbags.com.

Sherry

Well, I went on one of my fabric shopping sprees this weekend in Long Island,  New York at the local Joann’s Fabric.  So, I went just to get a couple of yards of interfacing and felt to use in the production of my handbags. Can I just say that I got into this store and I lost all train of thought when it came to “my budget” and not over spending.  I didn’t do that  bad as I could have, because I only racked up $80 dollars compare to what kind of damage I have done in the past.  So during this “spending spree”, I came across these two fabrics that I just had to have, and I am glad that I did indulge myself.  I got home that night and I just couldn’t wait to work with the two prints and so by Sunday night, I had made two new handbags.  I really do love the creative process of sewing. I mean, to turn a simple piece of material into something simply fabulous, is just a God given talent and a love for sewing.  Well, I am off back to my favorite place, the sewing room to create something new and exciting! Check out my designs at www.sherryhbags.com or www.sherrybags.etsy.com and I will blog with you later.

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF! Sherry

Check out the lastest creations to the my website.  I am now on this hobo bag sewing kick!  I was trying to go to sleep last night and I just had to get up and work on these two designs because, I couldn’t get the style out of my head.  I had a lot of fun sewing these two bags because I was able to experiment with ribbon and zigzag trim.  The pear and apple print made design even  more fun to work with and create.  It took me a couple of attempts to find the right trim that would work well with the print and then trying to find the best color was whole another problem. But, when I look at the finished bags, I am really happy with the outcome.  No one ever said that this part of design would be easy, and I can’t tell you how many times I have looked up at the clock and realize that I have been sitting at my sewing machine for 6 hours straight.  I came to the conclusion that this is where my soul really enjoy being the most. Just sitting in front of my sewing machine just creating new handbags and purses. This is my one true love.  So it is time for me to go back to my machine and start on a new handbag. Take care and Be Good to Yourself,  Sherry.

Well,  the other day I realize that I am so busy taking care of orders, that I haven’t made myself a handbag or purse.  So, I sat back and thought about what type of purse would I like to make for myself.  I don’t know about you, but I realize that when the weekend comes, the last thing I want is a big tote bag or purse to carry around with me as I am having brunch with “the girls” or when I am shopping.  Then, I also had the  idea that I needed the tote to be made from some of the spring/summer “in” colors.  One of the hot colors for this summer is yellow, so when I was searching for the fabric in my sewing room,  this print jump out at me.  I played with the fabric for about an hour, trying to decide on what shape should I make the bag into and what handles will I used for it.  Then, I sat down at my sewing machine and two hours later this is the tote I created.  I gave the tote this stripe lining to the bag for that extra little pop, plus two pockets inside for extra storage and I also put felt  into the tote for extra softness. Check out the wood handles!  I gave myself a pat on the back!  THIS TOTE IS SO CUTE!!

So, today I decided to use my new tote, today.  I went down to SoHo, in New York city, to a cute chocolate shop called, MarieBelle, and pick up my favorite dark chocolate, and I got two great compliments about the tote.  Then, I went to Staples to pick up some paper for my printer and I got a couple of more comments and I gave out five business cards.  On my final stop,  I had a late lunch with one of my friends, at this cute noodle place called Republic, in Union Square.  So, I am sitting and enjoying my dish, and chatting away with my girlfriend, when a lady sitting behind me, ask me where did I purchase this tote.  I explain to her that I am the designer of the bag and she can find it on my website.  I gave  her a card, and I told her to have a good day.  I turn around to finishing eating, and about three minutes later, the same young lady asked me would I consider selling her the tote.  So with a big smile on my face, I said yes and I put my things into a brown paper bag for the rest of the afternoon. If this wasn’t the greatest thrill for me as a designer and a great testament about my work.  So until my next blog,  BE GOOD TO YOURSELF,  SHERRY

Well, these are the two latest purses I have designed to sell on my website and Etsy.  I have fell in love with the hobo trend.  These bags are great because the shape is just free.  I made each bag with the straps being just a little wider than normal for extra comfort, plus felt is sewn into the lining for extra softness.  This is why the shape is so “free”.  The lining also has fusible interfacing for extra strength. When I am sewing any handbag or purse, I take into consideration what I want to get out of any handbag I purchase.  So, that is why I try to use fun colors that I would like, plus I try to remember that I need my bag to go with more that one outfit.  So, I when digging into my boxes of fabric in my sewing room, found the materials  and came up with these two designs.   I must say that I am very proud of myself !  Well, my designs can be found at www.sherrybags.etsy.com or www.sherryhbags.com, so take a look.  Leave a comment of what you think of my latest designs if you have the time.         Sherry H.

  As I  started sewing the handbag, it just looked a little plain. I thought this would be just find as a tote, but I wanted this purse to have a little more versatility, so I went back to digging into the boxes. Then, through my looking through the boxes, I came upon a bag of ribbon. Just one long spoon of ribbon, but in my bright mind, I wanted pleated ribbon.  So, I decide to pleat the ribbon myself. I thought, how hard can this be? Well, I must say that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be just very, very, time consuming. I took me almost an hour to pleat this ribbon because, I had to make sure that this pink and green ribbon pleats match to each one. So, if it didn’t match,  Iwould take the pleat out and just do it all over again.  But, when I look at this finish bag, I am very glad that i took the time to make the ribbon pleated. The handbag turn out great and once again I learn a new trick or sewing techinque.  Check out this bag and others at www.sherryhbags.com or www.sherrybags.etsy.com for handbags, totes, and purses.  BE GOOD TO YOURSELF, SHERRY.

     As I was walking by park, yesterday, again on Sunday, the climate had change.  The temperture was 65 degrees!  When the temperture goes us, we “New Yorkers” feel the spring.  The children were out on there bicycles, kids were rollerblading and people of all ages were walking and jogging in the park.  So much life and energy was in this park as I walked on by. Remember that song “Walk on By”? Just humm it to yourself.  i felt the energy of love and excitement coming from every person I past. Most people were either saying hello to me or smiling as I pass them and of course, the express the same greetings to all as well.  I saw a family of ducks just paddingly across the pond and some man trying to fish. Yes,  I got a good laugh off of him.

    Well when I finally reached home, I went to my sewing room to work on a new bag and I pulled this fabric out of one of my many boxes. As I glance at the material, a big smile just came over my face and I knew what I was going to create.  So take a minute, look at the handbag and see if it will make your smile  and think about the good times of just sitting on a bench in the park. My designs can be found at www.sherryhbags.com or www.sherrybags.etsy.com.  If you have a moment, take a look or leave me a comment.

Be good to yourself,   Sherry.

Well, take a look at the new bag that I have just created.  I ran across this  fabric on a recent trip to the garment district in New York city.  I went to one of my favorite shops to purchase a couple of yards of brown twill and as I was walking toward the cashier,  this fabric just “jump out” to me. This fabric was calling to me and saying “You need me or you want me”.  Good joke, right.  As a “fabricholic”, which is a person who just can’t stop buying fabric, I have totally embraced  this as my one weakness, but I have turn this  “problem” into a great creative outlet.

So, I purchase this lovely fabric and  just rushed home to create something special.  I was trying to  decide on the shape of this bag so that fabric would be express in the best possible way and I came up with this gentle shape.  I think with this shape, you are able to see the full pattern of the fabric with all the different array of colors.  I made the bag with six pockets inside for extra storage and hard bottom insert, so it will stand alone. 

This bag is a wonderful size for a diaper bag for the mom on the go or handbag for everyday. I realize this would be a great weekender bag for those days at the beach. I try the bag with a couple of my summer dresses and jeans to see how it would look. Well, I am happy to inform you that the tote looked great with any pair of  jeans or a simple sundress. Then, I also realize this bag was perfect for a beach bag. Just call this bag multi-purpose tote.  Well, of course, the next thing I started to do is daydream of great places to go with this bag. One place was Hawaii and I was strolling along the beach, with the bag over my right shoulder. Just staring across the ocean and I hear a lady’s soft voice behind me saying ” I think your bag is so cute” . So, as I am turning around to say thank you to this person and then I realize that Oprah standing behind me!  Of course then, we started chatting about my designs and fabric choices. Great daydream, right? I got a good laugh from it, but then I came back to reality.  My designs can be found at www.sherryhbags.com or www.sherrybags.etsy.com.

So until my next blog remember, always dream, always laugh and most important, “always be good to yourself”.  SHERRY