The Blog Previously Known as - It's in the Bag!

Moved Blog!!

2009-05-12T10:51:00.001-07:00




Etsy

ByYourSide2009

The blog previously known as “It’s in the Bag!” has moved. “It’s in the Bag!” has been dissolved. But not to worry, I have started a new blog for my new business and would appreciate my fans following me there!

Just click here to link to the new blog! It will be full of fun with tutorials thrown in along the way! So, come join me there for my latest adventure in accessory design!

~Michele

More “Tiny t” Handbags!

2009-05-01T20:23:00.001-07:00

Just a short post to show off some more “Tiny t” handbags that I picked up from ***** today.

Aren’t they cute?!

We did some fabric shopping too, so there will be more pictures to come!

We have a New & Improved “*****” & “Brittney” and will be presenting the new “Daisy Mae” apron! So, check back to see all of the new purses and aprons.

I better get going, I have a full weekend of sewing ahead!

The Debut of The “Tiny t” Handbag!

2009-04-30T13:41:00.001-07:00

Handbag version of our popular “Topanga” sling bag!

Finally enough sun to take some pictures!!

The “Tiny t” is a smaller handbag version of the “Topanga” sling bag. She is approximately 11.5” across, 15.5” from the bottom of the strap to the bottom of the purse and the drop is 14” from shoulder to the bottom of the strap.

The “Tiny t” is fully reversible & lined with a complimentary fabric! She will hold more than you expect and has two side pockets for the smaller “stuff”.

So, let us know what you think!!! We hope the “Tiny t” will be as popular as the “Topanga”!

New Layout!!

2009-04-28T16:35:00.001-07:00

I am so excited!!So, here is our new layout, what do you all think? I am so happy with it and think this new layout fits “It’s in the Bag!” so well.

All my thanks go out to Jen at Jenieshell’s Design Challenge!! Jen has perhaps the coolest tech blog ever, easy to understand, awesome tutorials and plenty of freebies!

I learned how to make a blog button with scroll box, so people can grab it and place it on their blog, also how to make a scrolling blog button box and Jen also provided this cool new layout!

So, if you are in the mood for a change or maybe just want to spiff things up a bit a visit to Jenieshell’s Design Challenge is a must!

Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of our new & improved look!

A Felting or Boiled Wool Tutorial

2009-04-24T10:03:00.001-07:00

As done by ***** & Michele…

The following are our “hints” on how to achieve a satisfactory result for you felted or boiled wool project. ***** & I use the term “felted”, so I will be using it in the following tutorial.

Felting is a process by which you take a knitted project and basically shrink it, no longer being able to see the knitted stitches. This process creates a dense fabric, roughly 30% smaller than the original size.

We will be felting a purse. ***** & I like simple patterns, details can get lost during the felting process. Make sure that the yarn you are using is 100% wool (not washable wool), and that it is knit on at least size 10 needles. Also, keep in mind darker colors felt faster than lighter colors and some white wools will not felt at all.

Above is the knitted purse before felting, notice you can see the stitches. Fun~Fur was added as a tag-along with the blue wool along the bottom and top of the purse.

Next You will want to toss the purse in your top-loading washer.

Select the hottest water temperature, the lowest water level and the fastest agitation. You will need as much friction as possible, so you may need to throw in a pair of jeans. You may also need to add boiling water if you notice the process not moving along.

Let the purse run through the wash cycle, checking often to see how it’s progressing. Do not close the lid!!! My washer will not continue on to the rinse cycle with the lid up, and you do not want to go to the rinse cycle!

Once you can no longer see the stitches, lightly squeeze out excess water and remove purse from the washer.

Lay out on a towel and then…

Stomp, stomp, stomp out the excess water.(Gosh, I need some sun!)

Next you will stuff…

And shape…

Let dry, this can take one day or several, depending on the conditions of the room. Flip purse periodically and change the towel when damp.

Once your purse is dry, it’s time to trim and shave! Yes, I said shave, Audra and I believe this adds to the finished look of the final product.

Your purse will be a “FUZZY BEAST”, as ***** likes to say! Don’t be scared apply pressure while shaving and shave in all directions (the dollar store is great for razors). Trim handles and hard to shave areas, avoiding the areas with the Fun-Fur.

Well, there you have it, you are done!! You can leave as is or embellish.It’s really easy and a lot of fun!

See the difference in size?!

Felting is great for a beginning knitter, mistakes are hidden and gauge is not important.

But, if you are a complete control freak and do not like any surprises, this may not be for you.

All of the above purses are the same pattern, knit by me, felted at the same time in the same washer, and all are different! That is the fun of felting!!

I like this site, Knitting Pattern Central, they have a lot of cool free patterns.

So, ***** & I hope that this helps, if something isn’t clear or you have questions just leave a comment and I will reply!!!

~Michele

**Checkout our Photo Albums on the right to see examples of finished felted projects!

Introducing The “Phatty Matty” Bag!

2009-04-22T18:04:00.001-07:00

The perfect bag for every little girl…

***** has been a busy little bee!

The “Phatty Matty” is the perfect bag for every little girl! The perfect size for her books, color books or maybe a couple of friends!

Machine washable & 100% cotton the “Phatty Matty” is made with two fat-quarters - that’s the Phat part and Matty is after my fat dog!

Every “Phatty Matty” is lined with a complimentary fabric and has a matching grosgrain handle.

So, let us know what you think!

~Michele

Coming soon The New & Improved “Brittney” Bag!

The Great Northwest!

2009-04-17T18:23:00.001-07:00

Not even an hour later!!

Need I say more? I’ll leave it at that!

~Michele

Rain, Rain Go Away!

2009-04-17T17:17:00.001-07:00

I am not lying, it was bright blue sky not 10 minutes before I took this picture!!

You would think we would be used to this by now, I grew up here in the Great Northwest, and *****’s lived here now for for years.

I am off to felt some purses (more on that to come) and ***** is working today at her “real” job (Michael’s).

Twenty-two days and counting until the opening of the Gresham Farmer’s Market. We are trying to get things finished up and sorted out, so that we are ready.

Better go and get things moving along!

Hope you all are having a great day!

~Michele

**And since I can’t seem to get a hold of Yolanda, “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!!”, you are still older than me!!

Katie’s Kreations & 55 Maple Designs Giveaway on 5 Vinez Monkeys!

2009-04-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

Angie, of 5 Vinez Monkeys is hosting a great giveaway on her blog for her readers, a favorite item (up to $10) from either one of Katie’s shops! There are five ways to enter and the deadline is April 24th.

Katie has two etsy shops: Katie’s Kreations and 55 Maple Designs. Katie’s creations are so unique and equally beautiful, not to mention her prices, they’re a steal!!

I picked a favorite from each shop, believe me it was difficult!

From Katie’s Kreations:

The Lavender Peace - Scrabble Tile Pendant

From 55 Maple Designs:

Black Ink - GoGo Maple Wood Pendant

Aren’t the GREAT!!!

So, please go visit Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys and read her blog to get all of the details.

~Michele

REMINDER Alert! - Today is the last day to enter the great giveaway at Whimsy House!!

Thoughts on the Naming of a Purse…

2009-04-14T01:46:00.001-07:00

Or Apron…

I would like to say there is some scientific or marketing wizardry going on here, but truthfully the names just come to us. Maybe there is some great purse muse in the sky, and as corny as it sounds, when we are done with a purse it “speaks” to us.

The first few, The “*****”, The “Michele”, The “Brittney”, The “Katie” & The “******” were named after us and our three daughters, not terribly inspired, the muse had not yet spoken! Then, as if from some great place on high, names just started flowing, sometimes it happens during the creative process or not until the final stitch is done. Then suddenly there it is, the name! The purse is just screaming, “this is who I am!” All but one of the names come from people we know, so you may ask, “what the heck, where’s the purse muse?” She is there though, I swear!

The “Yolanda” is named after a friend that I have known since the first day of high school. Smart and dependable, sturdy and cute (without being cutesy), and oh so multi-faceted describes both the woman and the purse perfectly!

The “Topanga” is named after the character on Boy Meets World. Her parents were hippie, flower-child types, thus her name! Because neither ***** nor I had any hippie names to draw from, the muse sent us Topanga. Even without the peace sign print this purse needed a good hippie name!

The “Leila Mae” is named after my grandmother. She was - and this vintage-styled apron is - old-fashioned, homey, comfortable and can be relied on to protect you. You can’t help but create “yummy” concoctions in the kitchen while wearing this apron, just like my grandma!

The “*****” is named after *****’s grandma. This comfy apron is saucy, sassy and spunky, yet surprisingly sweet, just like the grandma that inspired her name. Imagine all of the spicy, sweet delicacies you’ll prepare wearing this apron.

So, as you see ***** & I definitely have a hot-line to the great purse muse on high!

~Michele

Coming soon…

The “Florie” & The “Phatty Matty”(that one just makes us laugh!!)

The Grand Unveiling of The “Yolanda”!

2009-04-13T00:25:00.001-07:00

Finally, finally!!!

After a few late nights of hair pulling and a lot of ripped up pattern paper the “Yolanda” has finally arrived!

The “Yolanda” is a messenger style purse with plenty of pockets for all of your things. She is approximately 8” across, 10” tall, with a 3” gusset and extra wide strap. The outer fabric is 100% high quality cotton and the lining is a durable duck cloth. You will be surprised at all you can fit into this purse.

So, let me know what you think!

Coming soon…. The Large “Yolanda”, a messenger bag for school or office, but first I need some sleep, some hair to grow back and I need to run and get more pattern paper!

~Michele

Whimsy House Giveaway!!

2009-04-12T10:40:00.001-07:00

Whimsy House, a super great shop, is having a giveaway for a $25 gift certificate!! There are 5 ways to enter, and believe me Molly’s creations are so beautiful you will have a hard time choosing just one! I have finally narrowed it down to two:

Pure Daisy – Vintage Findings Brooch

Happy Daisy – Felt Flower Brooch

See the problem? Love them both!!

So go and checkout Molly’s creations and enter to win!!

Happy Easter to you all!!

~Michele

Apron Pictures!

2009-04-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

So, here are the pictures of the Aprons!! Let me know what you think!

The “*****”

*Chocolate Dipped

*Latte Love

Super comfortable & airy, the “*****” will definitely add some style to your kitchen endeavors!! Extra long tie and two huge pockets. One size fits all. 100% Cotton, machine wash, dry on low, iron as needed.

The “Leila Mae”

*Red & Blue Retro

Remember all of the yummy eats from Granny’s kitchen? The “Leila Mae” is a retro style apron that will bring all of those memories of Granny back! Extra long tie, two front pockets and rick-rack detailing. One size fits all. 100% Cotton, machine wash, dry on low, iron as needed.

So, what do you all think?

The previously named “****”, became the “*****”, because ***** and I were informed that her grandma Nina would never have worn an apron!

I still need to get the half apron from ***** and get those pictures up, and we need a name for that one!

Well, I better go get busy on the new purse we have named the “Yolanda”.

Hope you all have a great day!!

~Michele

Some cool links & I need batteries!

2009-04-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

A few links of the local shops that we like:

Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks: Cool shop with a cafe!

The Naked Sheep Knit Shop: Cheri is AWESOME!

Knit Divas: Cool shop, tons of yarn & great customer service. They even ordered a color of yarn for us that they don’t carry!

The Cotton Shop: Awesome shop with unique fabrics and great customer service!

So, the pictures are coming, going to have to go get some batteries!

~Michele

P.S. Getting ready for the big ER Finale! Why must it end!!!

Apron Update!

2009-03-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, got the Aprons approved by the Board! We will have 3 styles the Leila Mae, the ****, and one yet to be named. They are named after our Grandma's, so if you have any suggestions for the unnamed one, lets here them!!
Designed a new Purse this weekend it is called the "Yolanda", it's a small version of a messenger style bag.
Pictures to come soon!
Better go and get sewing!!

~Michele

Aprons

2009-03-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

Just one day left before ***** and I present the aprons for the Market Jury. *****’s got hers done and I am finishing mine up. We have three different styles, and are thinking of adding a fourth, a gardening apron. Should have some pictures to post on Saturday, I better go get busy!

~Michele

New Additions!

2009-03-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

The Gresham Farmer's Market is getting ready to start up, May 9th, from 8:30am to 2:00pm, it is located on third between Main and Miller in Historic Downtown Gresham.
***** and I are getting some new products together. We have a couple new styles of our purses, Jeweled Bookmarks and aprons. This week we have to have our aprons judged before the Markets jury. Once that is complete, we will have to get busy getting everything ready for the opening day. So, we have a busy few weeks ahead.
As soon as we get the new purses named and aprons complete I will post some pic's.

Wish us luck! Michele

Getting Ready!

2009-03-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

My friend, *****, and I have a small business designing and creating accessories called It's in the Bag! We sew and knit both purses and bags. During the holidays, we also knit stockings. We have created our own patterns for functionality, and we can also customize. We have something for all ages and all tastes! Our designs are sold at the Gresham Farmer's Market (opens May 9th and runs every Saturday until the end of October, from 8:30am-2:00pm) and Creative Kharma in St. Helens.

It's in the Bag was created by two stay-at-home moms who enjoyed sewing and knitting so much that they began selling their designs. They handcraft uniquely designed bags and accessories, as well as custom orders. We started our adventure in purse design in 2007 because we couldn't find what we wanted out there in the retail world. We both love knitting, sewing, beading and all things crafty. All of our purses and accessories are our own original designs.

Our products include: Purses(felted and sewn), hats, fingerless gloves, beaded bookmarks, aprons, stitch markers, cell phone-iPod cases, and Christmas stockings.

~Michele

2008-06-24T00:28:00.000-07:00