Austin is so hip...

It's just another Thursday night in beautiful Austin, Texas, and my oh my there is so much going on! Why don't you let me guide you through my picks of the evening?



We're gonna roll out from South to North, from Congress to 11th!

First off, make a stop at Birds Barbershop on South Congress as they continue to celebrate being named one of America's top 100 Salons by ELLE magazine!

From 5pm to 8:30pm they will have a cocktail party with special prizes. You only have a few days left to take advantage of their August special - 1/2 off the Ladybird with color.




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Next up join me at Parts & Labour for Dueling Glamazons - An Accessories Trunk Show! Just a few blocks north of Birds' on South Congress! I've teamed up with Leslie Bonnell of the Stitch Lab, and former Costume Designer at Zach Scott, to bring you an evening of Glamour, Sweets, Craft Demos and general fabulousness!

I'll be debuting some fabulous new clutch purses and Art Bags, and Leslie will be rocking your world with new jewelry! While you sip on some complimentary cocktails, enjoy sweet treats from Blue Note Bakery and Pie Fixes Everything... then head to the back of the store to relax with a 5 minute massage by Paul Drown, LMT.

We're also having Amazing Prize Drawings!

When you arrive you will be entered into a free drawing for some incredible prizes such as...

• Theater Tickets! Two tickets to see "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at ZACH and two tickets to see Rude Mechanicals "I've Never Been So Happy" at the Off Center!
  
• Sublime Stitching Embroidery Patterns Goodie Bag!
  
• A gorgeous pair of Milli Starr millinery felt hair clips with Swarovski crystals from designer Laura Del Villaggio!
  
• Six different 1/2 yard cuts stack of Echino Etsuko Furuya Japanese print fabric!
  
• A mini wallet and cosmetic bag from *annemarie*!
  
• Yummy soap from Feto Soap!

OH, and if all of that madness wasn't enough for you, Leslie has wrangled three of her amazing teachers from the Stitch Lab to do craft demos!

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After Party! If you still have any energy left after these two amazing parties, head out to Austin's latest musical event - Souled Out.

Produced by Brandon Badillo of Bemba Entertainment, Souled Out is a bi-monthly Soul and Neo-Soul music series at the Historic and Funk-a-licious Victory Grill.

This week's line up includes an opening set by Tje Austin, followed by headliner Courtney Sanchez and Unified Theory. Cutie-pie DJ Aquaman will keep you in the mood in between sets. $5.00 cover.

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Well - if you don't have a reason to get out tonight - you just must not be alive! Join me for a night out on the town, and wear your best accessory - a fabulous smile!

xo, Anne Marie

Anne Marie is Teaching Bag Making Classes!!!

For years now, people have been asking me if I teach sewing classes, and the answer has always been no. Starting next month, the answer is YES!

Last fall I decided that I wanted to release a line of sewing patterns. Designing bags is my favorite thing to do, and to date I have over 90 original patterns under my belt.

I can't think of a better way to share my love of making bags than by teaching others how to make them. Each month I will release a new pattern and accompanying class. The patterns will be "homegrown" until I can get all that fancy software to publish them like a rock star.





My first pattern is my Erin Hobo Bag. I developed this pattern a few years ago, and have made and sold hundreds of them. Almost all commercial patterns with a zipper closure instruct you to attach the lining by hand sewing - "yeah, right!" - is what I said to that! I based the zipper technique off of a pattern I found from 1945, and modified the shape and construction to be a modern bag.


Look for my classes in May at the following locations:



Located in South Austin, The Stitch Lab is owned by Austin's own Leslie Bonnell. You may remember that I blogged about the fab Miss B back in October - click here to read that post...

Class Dates (click to register)

Saturday, May 3rd
Tuesday, May 6th





The Stitching Studio in North Austin is owned by my good friend Ann Randall. A few years back, Ann responded to a post I made about needing an assistant. She faithfully worked for me for one year, and blew me away with her awesome attitude and fast sewing abilities. One day she announced her desire to quit her job and open her own Sewing Studio - and I couldn't have been happier!

Ann has been a key player in making my pattern and teaching dreams come true - she lets me experiment teach on her friends!!!

Class Dates (click to register)

Tuesday, May 13th
Saturday, May 24th

...and don't forget to check out the new goodies in my etsy shop!

Maker Monday: The Glam of Glitzkrieg

She is glamorous, luxurious, gorgeous, sexy, and one of the most talented women I know. She is Leslie Bonnell, owner of Glitzkrieg - the Austin, Texas based line of handbags, jewelry and accessories. I first met Leslie in while I was studying Costume Design at the University of Texas at Austin. I had just landed my first professional design gig with Zachary Scott Theatre, and she was the Costume Shop manager.

Leslie has worked as a Costume Designer, Milliner, Jewelry Designer, and Chantuese for over two decades. She has won many awards for her designs, and her knowledge of design and construction techniques just blows me away. A few years ago, Leslie left her full time Costume Shop Manager role, and started her own business.

She now teaches sewing, jewelry and design element classes in her studio in Austin, Texas. I have had the pleasure of watching Leslie grow into an even more fabulous artist - and participating in shows where we both had booths. Having her right across the aisle from me makes me nervous every year - and makes me want to step up my game and make the coolest stuff I can! The fact that she has purchased some of my handbags is one the best compliments I've received.

This year, Leslie will be joining the fabulous line up of designers at STITCH - an indie fashion show and designer craft fair on November 10th. I can't wait to see all the new stuff she has been working on. These earrings are right up my alley - big, bold, and a fabulous mixture of materials. I think it's czech glass and vintage beads mixed together.

This glamorous purse features one of Leslie's signature handmade silk flowers as the main design element. She makes tons of these flowers as pins that can adorn anything you own!

I hear that Leslie has been taking silk screening classes, and she has some great pictures of new bags featuring her own designs, hand screened onto fabric. See more pictures of her work on Flickr.

Leslie is really a master of her craft - and her background in Costume Design really shows in her work. Who else do you know that can create clothing from any time period from her own pattern, design jewelry, make handbags, teach classes, AND sing? If you're in Austin - be sure to check out her class schedule, and I will see you at STITCH on November 10th!