*annemarie* featured on Indie Parade

Have you heard about Indie Parade? It's a photoblog that features "awesome things created by independent crafters and designers."

The cool thing is that they have items listed by categories. Need a gift for a party hostess? Man friend? Sister? Indie Parade has you covered!

Check out the best in Indie Design, and rank my bag pic, please! You can also see more shots of the fabulous Wendy Zipper Tote in the *annemarie* Etsy Shop!

Zip-e-de-do-da - I made this purse!

That's what all the gals were singing as they left The Stitch Lab this past weekend! A total of 8 fabulous ladies took my Erin Zipper Hobo class and left carrying a brand new bag all their own!



Ok, so maybe they weren't singing, but sometimes I like to pretend my life is just like a classic Disney Cartoon, and there are real blue birds outside my window almost everyday...



Don't you want to make your very own Erin Zipper Hobo bag? I can't even tell you how satisfying it is to carry a bag that you've made - I've been making bags for six years, and every compliment I get makes me light up inside. It never gets old to hear "what a great bag, where did you get it?" It feels even better when you're shopping in a big store like Old Navy or Target, because sure, they have great, cheap bags - but they make MILLIONS and MILLIONS of each style! And when you make your own bag - there's only ONE like it!!!

Speaking of One of a Kind - one of my students decided to use a skirt she found at a thrift store to make her bag - aren't the ladybugs darling? I love recycling clothing into bags!



There are still two classes left this month where you can learn how to make this fabulous bag. The Stitching Studio has a few spots open for Tuesday May 13th, and Saturday May 24th.



Did I mention that purchasing a sewing class also makes a great gift for a friend or your Mom? Classes are only $40, and include the pattern & instructions, and a guarantee to walk away with a brand new bag.

The Tiffany bag will be making her class debut next month! Check out the pictures and look for an announcement about when those class dates will be scheduled.







xo, Anne Marie

Thrift Thursday: That Tablecloth Becomes You!

The other night I was smiling over a new bag pattern I had created, and immediately started to tear into my stash to find new fabric combinations. When you've been designing handbags and collecting vintage fabric for a little over 5 years - your stash just seems to grow and grow - in fact, I always claim that my fabric has babies while I'm out.

Looking through tub after tub of fabric, I smile as I remember the shopping adventure that led to each purchase. My fabric is like a solid group of friends - and making it into bags to be enjoyed by lovely ladies is a really neat way to share my love of textiles!



Today's Thrift Store Score focuses on a HUGE 1970s tablecloth I purchased a few years ago. I remember my heart pounding as I spotted the fabric - a bulky pile amidst the fabric bins. The bright army/olive green shouted at me - Anne Marie! Do you see me? Come and look - unfold me - I am HUGE and you can make dozens of bags out of me!

The tablecloth was a large oval shape, and the fabric a nice plain weave cotton - kind of nubby and woven with thick yarn. The edge of the tablecloth was decorated with quite possibly the ugliest trim I've ever seen, and that HAD to go.



I have been making a few bags out of the fabric each year - trying to extend the life of the tablecloth as long as possible. I find it satisfying to make many different styles of bags out of the same fabric - it brings out new sides of the fabric's character. I have often admired designers like my friend CHIA, who can cut an entire piece of vintage fabric at once, and then be done with it.

I tend to hold onto them like bestest friends - we're not through with each other until every kind of bag possible has been created from it. This style is my hugely popular Wendy Zipper Tote. It's big and roomy but very lightweight - and it holds a LOT. Check it out in my etsy store - and stay tuned for more thrifting, crafting and sewing adventures.

Anne Marie Beard