Jane bags and website launch!

The other day I decided to take up my trainer's offer to showcase some of my purses at her gym. She called me the next day to say she had sold a purse and wanted more. She sold Li'l Kim, the one that I thought was the least attractive!

I started sewing like mad, and in one day managed to make a bunch of different Jane bags.. so.. without further ado:

Elegant Jane came about from Lady Kim. I set the cameo in Damask Ribbon, and it was all as an afterthought as I thought the plain polka dot pink bag needed a little something extra..

Lemonade Jane is just like Lemonade Lucy, since I had left over lemon print fabric. The ribbon adds a nice touch and looks much nicer in person!

Country Jane is my favourite from this batch I think. She's understated and ladylike. Perfect for a long white skirt and big sunglasses. I love the fabric!

How could I not call this "Cupcake Jane"? I mean, the pink polkadots and cute blue ribbon just lend itself to that cutesie cheesecake kind of look. I love the periwinkle silk lining. Yum!

I see this more as a little shopper bag, since the fabric makes me think of cooking. I think I may make an apron out of the rest of this fabric, no quite sure any one will want a handbag covered in chili peppers!

But.. on the upside.. MY WEBSITE IS DONE! of course, until I decide to change it all over again. for now, I love it. Check it out, since all the purses can be found for sale there..

Person Jane Picante!

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Phew. Bad hair days and Jane.

It's been a bit of a shit day- so I'm cheering myself up by blogging about my latest creations. After a crap day at work, I got home and had a drink. On an empty stomach, so I found myself slightly tipsy. Then I went to have a piece of cheese and managed to have the cheese cutter break in half (its got a porcelain handle) spontaneously, leaving me with a cut on my thumb that wouldn't stop bleeding. Add to that a bunch of other crappy things going wrong, and you get one grumpy housewife.

So.. cheer up pictures!

this is a new bag concept: Jane. She's simple but chic. I love the metal handle hooks. This one was my first one, which I made on the fly with no pattern. I just kinda liked the idea and went for it after sketching it out. She's made out of gorgeous pink, red and creme striped pattern fabric and red cotton lining.

That led me to making my next one immediately after, Sailor Jane

This bag is too cute for words! Right before I started sewing I got the idea to really enhance the nautical theme of the blue and white pattern by adding the red ribbon. She's also a little american patriotic- though I think of her more as nautical style. I might make one with blue ribbon next to be even more nautical. So I stuck the ribbon into the sides and sewed away. Then I realised the first Jane bag had no way of closing, so I added the magnetic clasp. I think this design was one of the easiest to perfect: second try and sellable!

This next one was actually a Kim bag gone wrong. It ended up not being quite the right shape, but I loved the fabric too much to throw it away. So I just added the metal handle hooks and lined it in red.

Lady Kim

I've been sewing again today- guess I got the urge!

I made another "Kim" bag, and here she is:

Lady Kim

I was purely selfish in making this one. I love, LOVE, LOVE damask fabric. I splurged a little while ago and bought a ton of different types of damask print fabric, and this is the first of my endeavours with it. I really wanted this to turn out perfect because of how much i love the fabric, and of only having one fat quarter or it, so only being able to produce ONE bag out of it.

Anyways, I lined her with bright red silk, and then decided to top it off with a cameo. I used red ribbon to make the nest for the cameo, and then glued it in with silicon glue. Then added a pin to the back, so it's a removable brooch- makes it easy to dress the bag up, or dress it down for a more casual look (or if red isn't matching the outfit you're wearing)

I love it!

I like to think I'm getting better- or at least, I hope I am!

purses and chairs?

Oh, the neglect!

With good reason though..
I've been holding back on creating any handbags, since I have so many and havent gotten rid of them yet. I dont feel that any of them are good enough to sell yet- since they're not perfect. BUT, tonight I had some time home alone, so I set about making a bag from start to finish with no flaws. I made sure to take my time, instead of rushing to the end like I usually do. The only thing I forgot was to put the feet on.. but other than that, I think she came out rather well.

Hawaiian Kim

Technique wise, this is probably one of the best I've made, if not the best. I put the straps on inbetween the lining and the outershell, so there aren't any unsightly ends. I also made sure this time to have my threads matching, so the outside has red thread and the inside, which is lined in a dark navy blue shimmery fabric, has black thread. Yay!


In other news, I decided that I couldn't stand the ugly pink velour chairs any longer. I've never upholstered before- but then again, most of my sewing efforts are trial&error, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Instead of buying one of those chair covers that never quite fits, I decided to have my hand at it. I managed to find a fabric that matched our couch perfectly in colour, so I thought I'd post the progress of covering the chairs (there are two, but no sense showing both!)

This is how they started out..

snug tailoring..



sewn and fitted..


Almost done..


Done! This chair gave me a bit of a headache because I wasn't thinking, did the whole thing, then opened it to recline it (they are reclining chairs) and snapped all the seams! Back to the drawing board.

I ran out of fabric so the bottoms were showing pink.. which I decided to fix by making magazine pockets on both sides..


Magazine pockets!

Hurrah!
Sleepytime now!

Food, glorious food!

The other day we had such a pretty dinner that I felt the need to photograph it..

Tenderloin steak, Caprese salad, Baked potato, all washed down with a lovely malbec wine.

The caprese salad (with a twist),
I had no bocconcini, so instead I sprinkled feta cheese.

I also baked some sugar cookies, which, although not much to look at, tasted delicious!

I modified the recipe just a tad by adding lemon rind and a little maple syrup. Then I made two different types of toppings, so we had plain, chocolate, and lemon & coconut.
Yummy!

When life hands you lemons..

I've been neglectful, I know.. but it's been busy in my non-housewife world..

I've been sewing less, but I still managed to make this little lady:

Lemonade Lucy

She's made of a gorgeous lemon print cotton, with a lush green lining and green handles. Magnetic snap closure, a pretty nautical themed button, and metal feet (my first time using these) so she'll stand.

I need to really get on with designing a website for my ladies, since I've been told they're not an effective use of closet space. In that vein, I registered the domain www.divina-denuevo.com, so keep an ear to the ground for my launch!

Luc(k)y 13

Ta Da!!!

My 13th handbag, a "Lucy" style, with Henry Alexander's "Veronique" fabric, magnet closure, and a juicy black button. I love this bag! I made it yesterday despite the heat.

I also baked some delicious cookies, who's recipe I'll post soon. It's been quite the housewifey week. Yesterday was Canada Day, so we had a proper BBQ and watched the fireworks.

3 bags in two days - I'm my own sweatshop!

In the last two days I've managed to make three different bags. This new design, Ariel, came about when I was planning on making a "Kim" bag. On a whim I decided to throw in a couple pleats (which, since were done last minute were difficult thanks to the sturdy interfacing). In order to conceal the top's jagged shape because of the pleats, I added another layer of fabric and folded it over- I think it gives it a nice clean look. But then I realised the bag was getting lost in its print, which is why the big black bow came to the rescue..

And voila, Ariel!

I fell in love with this fabric- I'm a sucker for houndstooth, tweeds, herringbone- all that goodness. But this, with the teal, well, how could I not? I'm thinking of buying more and even making a dress or a skirt - when I feel super adventurous.

But, not content to make "kim" bags only, I freestyled a new design. I just decided to cut and cut and sew and sew, and this is what I ended up with:

Her name is Alexandra, and she came to work with me today because I love her so much.

It was fun to make something different, though she came out more "sac" like than I would have wanted.. she's slouchy, I'm planning on using some interfacing next time for a sturdier look. She's only got the cotton shell fabric and the thick navy satin lining holding her, plus the super cute damask ribbon as handles. I love the trim idea, so I think it'll be making more appearances in the future!


And lastly, my first creation out of this little set, my ladybug "kim".

Dresssew was having a sale on the piping, which was going for $1.00 per ROLL! So of course I bought red, pink, green and blue! they're my new easy-cheat handles.. for the times that I can get away with non-matching handles..

But how cute are those ladybugs!?

Domestic Day

Today was spent doing everything around the house. Vacuuming, mopping, dusting, laundry, sewing, dishes, the works. Liz came over with a bundle of clothes for me to fix for her, and I snapped my one and only needle on the bottom of her jeans while fixing their taper. So I'm "out of action" until I can run off and buy a new needle for my sewing machine.

Luckily, a couple days before, I had a chance to play around with a new design idea I had.
I don't really like it, but I suppose I had to make it to realise that! I'm not sure why I dont like it, since I like the idea of a curved bag.. there's just something not right. Could be that it's a bit sloppy looking. It's not sellable so I have no idea what I'll do with it- seems a waste.

I named her Diana, after the moon, since she's moon shaped. Turquoise lining is so yummy.

Then I made a Lucy bag out of the same old dress that I made the apron out of- this is for my DeNuevo line of reused fabric bags.

I gave her fushia lining since its so pretty and bright!


Now comes the little dilemma we've been having as of late. Now that the dining nook (and yes, its a nook.. this place is so tiny EVERYTHING is a nook) is finally coming together, I want to paint the trimming on the built in shelves. Only I cannot for the life of me decide what colour they should be, and whether we should paint just the frame, or the curvey inlay, or both.

Suggestions welcome!

(its that frame/built in shelf thingy on the left with all the pots and bowls).

Aprons from Dresses, ohmy!

I had intended to write last night. And the night before. But with working and then coming home to cook dinner, sew, and garden, it's fallen by the wayside.

Trying to get a business off the ground is exciting but racked with small potholes that if you're not careful, you might just trip over and land flat on your face. I'm busy working on Divina//Denuevo, and this was my first reclaimed-clothing creation.



This apron, made from an old dress I bought in Thailand that never fit (silly me for buying something I couldnt try on!), is perfect for pottering around the kitchen and washing the dishes. I found I was getting water all over me more than anything as I'm still washing dishes by hand (some day, some day, a dishwasher will grace me).

I thought about making it fancier with pockets and the like- but really, when I'm cooking in the kitchen, what on earth do I want pockets for!? I don't really see the point, and I wanted to save the fabric as much as possible to be able to make one of my "Kim" handbags too. I made that last night (pictures to follow when I get home from work- blogging at work, naughty naughty).
I also have enough fabric to make another one.. so 2 DeNuevo bags and one DeNuevo apron! Huzzah for that little dress!

Recipe: Chicken in red wine tomato sauce with lemon and garlic mashed potatos

I figure my first offering should be a recipe, so here's one that I sort of invented while being a madscientist in the kitchen (de rigour).


Ingredients: (serves 4)
-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or, if you prefer dark meat, substitute!)
-1 medium sized onion
-3 cloves of garlic (or less if you're not a fan of garlicky things)
-1 large tomato
-1 can of tomato paste
-1 bag of frozeb broccoli
-pureed basil (to taste, I usually use about 3-4 tablespoons)
-balsamic vinegar
-olive oil
-red wine (can be cheap!)
-4 large potatos
-margarine
-lemon juice
-parsley
-oregano
-salt, pepper to taste

Method:



1. Chop potatos into even cubes and set to boil while preparing the chicken.

2. Coat a medium sized pot with olive oil, and place on medium heat. Chop the onions and throw them in that pot- they should sizzle a little. Cook until clear.

3. Take 2 cloves of garlic, mince, and add to the onions, continuing to stir so they dont burn.

4. While the onions and garlic are cooking, be sure to occasionally stir the potatoes so they cook evenly.

5. Cut chicken breast into cubes if you'd like it to cook faster, if not, you can leave it whole- completely preferance based. Add it to the onions and garlic and continue stirring until chicken starts to brown.

6. As the chicken is cooking, add balsamic vinegar (to taste, I usually add about half a cup, because I like mine to have a tang to it). This will make the chicken juicy and tangy.

7.Continue cooking until chicken is almost fully browned on the outsides (not necessarily cooked through though!)

8. Chop the tomato and add it to the pot, continue stirring.

9. Add the can of tomato paste (and one can of water to match the proportion)

10. Stir well, until the tomato paste has dissolved with the water to create a sauce.

11. Add the basil puree. I love basil so I tend to add A LOT. I like to SEE it in the sauce.

12.Add oregano. Again, I add a lot. I'd say something like 2 tablespoons worth. Stir continuously.

13. Add the frozen broccoli, and stir so that it has a chance to defrost and be covered in the sauce. By now the chicken should be cooked the potatoes will be nearing done.

14. Take a fork and pierce one of the potatoes. If it slides right off the fork, then they're done. Drain and remove from heat.

15. Add about 2 tablespoons of butter, and begin to mash.

16. Add lemon juice - this depends on how 'lemony' you like your mash to be. I like it to be noticeable so I use about half a cup of lemon juice. It also makes the mash a little creamier/less dense.

17. Mince the last clove of garlic and add to the mash, continue mashing.
(in the meantime, check the chicken and stir occasionally to ensure the broccoli is cooking)

18. Add olive oil to the mash- this gives it a nice flavour and again, makes it creamier.

19. Finally, add parsley. Its great if you have it fresh- if not, go for the dried. It adds colour and tastes yummy.

20. Continue mashing to the consistancy you like. I like mine chunky (which is why I leave the skins on)

21. About 10 mins before serving time, drop in about a cup of red wine into the chicken and sauce. If you do it too soon, the wine evaporates and you miss out on the strong flavour- unless of course you dont want a strong wine flavour!

22. Make a well with the mashed potatos and place the chicken and sauce inside it when serving.

VOILA!

and the leftovers are great for work the next day!