At the end of the school year, we try and show our appreciation to our children’s teachers by giving them something handmade and functional. This year we were purusing Pinterest and saw these cute bags that are quilted with books on them.
We tried our hand at them (and quilting, which I am sure we will blog about in later posts)
Here is the result.
They turned out cute and we truly hope the teachers liked them as much as we liked our children’s teachers.
While we were busy getting ready for our second Farmer’s Market of the season, we took a look around our work space and thought it needed a bit of spring cleaning.
One of the things that inspired the clean up was the most amazing birthday gift I (Carol) ever recieved. Â Melany built a cutting/sewing table from 2 book shelves and a salvaged door. (Carol: She built it in my basement while my husband took me out. She really is amazing!)
Some of my favorite things about it is its practicality, its height (no more sore backs!) and how it makes our work space feel like a work space.
When we decided to move the table, we made it a spring cleaning project and cleaned up our fabric,
and reorganized our scraps, and numerous bins
We even set up a “think/plan/nurse” area.
It is amazing what a few hours of organizing and cleaning do for your soul and your work space!
May was the month of graduation so we decided it was time for Caroline to graduate…to a new diaper bag that is.  We made Caroline’s first diaper bag and loved it.  I received  numerous compliments and loved telling people that we made it when they asked where I bought it.
Since Caroline is entering toddler hood *tear* Â her diaper bag needs are changing a bit. Â I wanted something a little smaller and with lots of pockets. Â Here is what I ended up with.
I am so happy with how this bag turned out. Â I love custom designing my own bags because I am able to choose the exact features that I want.
There are outside pockets all of the way around the bag.  These are great for easy access to keys, phone, toys and sippy cups.  There are also four inside pockets that are the perfect size for my wipes, board books and other miscellaneous items.
The fabric I chose was in a box of fabric that my mom had just given me. Â I fell in love with this antique floral pattern and it really gave me the inspiration for the bag.
I was able to find a matching solid blue and a coordinating pattern for the pockets and lining of the bag.
Of course we had to make a matching wristlet and key fob.
Tote bags were one of the first projects that citymade started making. Years later, it is still one of our favorite things to sew. Â The simplicity and individual creativity that goes into each bag is appealing to us. Â We love trying new styles and methods of making a simple tote. Â Often times we have a hard time parting with some of our beloved designs.
Here is a preview of some of the tote bags we will have for sale at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday.
Our goal is to create products that are useful and functional. Â Who doesn’t love a fun new tote bag?
“They say a secret is something you tell one other person” –U2 “The Fly”
So I’m telling you, dear reader about our bag with a secret.
These are some of our favorite bags to use and to make. It is a tote bag that folds up into a nice little pouch so you can throw it in your purse or your car.
It is simple, yet practical.
And, hey, that’s what we’re all about.
See you Saturday, June 2nd, at the Omaha Farmer’s Market.
It’s spring and citymade is getting ready for our first Omaha Farmer’s Market of the season this Saturday, June 2, located in the Old Market in Downtown Omaha.
This year we are changing it up a bit and focusing on selling produce bags and totes. Â We are also featuring a fresh new look to our produce bags.
Each bag has a hand printed image.
We used fabric paint and homemade rubber stamps.
Another new feature of our produce bags is our handy pouch.
The pouch holds 3 produce bag (small, medium, and large) and has a carabenar to easily attach to your purse or pocket.
We will see you this Saturday, June 2 at the Omaha Farmer’s Market. The market is open from 8:30 to 12:30.
Yeah, it’s been a little while since we have posted. But, our absence does not mean we have not been busy creating in our city made dungeon (Carol’s basement).
We have been preparing for the “We are Omaha” art show at inCommon here in Omaha. The show is Saturday April 21 from 5-10 at inCommon, 1258 S 13th St.
We submitted some of our “heart” Omaha  foldable bags
Love how it all folds into a tiny pouch. Very sensible, just like Nebraskans.
And some cute Nebraska clutches
That is genuine up cycled “pleather” for this clutch (We got it from an old purse.)
We even made an Omaha purse.
All these handmade items will be on display (and for sale) Saturday April 21, 5-10 p.m. at inCommon, 1258 S 13th Street. Come on out to see local artists inspired by Omaha.
And, we’ll try and blog more. We promise. (We have a really cool cutting/work table that Melany made! Gotta see it!)
Baby Caroline just turned one on Thursday! Â We know….we can hardly believe it ourselves. Â The first year flies by all too fast. Â There are so many “firsts” to celebrate… first smile, first laugh, first steps, and first words. Â Caroline is happy to be finally be turning one but, having two older sisters, thinks she is going on four. She can do anything that they can do…only better.
We celebrated her birthday in style of one of the great pieces of Children’s literature…The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Â The book has always been one of my favorites as it is so beautifully illustrated.
I made Caroline a birthday pinafore that matches the dots in the story. Â I printed the fabric by using small fingerling potatoes and fabric paint.
Here is Caroline opening her presents in her new birthday dress.
Happy Birthday crazy baby!
It is a bit early for Spring, but we are hopeful and it’s always a good time to re-evaluate and organize. We at citymade decided to tackle our out-of-control fabric scrap bin.
Seriously out of control.
It’s just so hard to get rid of fabric. Each piece represents a project that we worked hard on, something we enjoyed working on, loved. But-it also was overflowing and spilling on the floor.
We spent a couple of hours sorting (even Caroline), folding and throwing away,
In the end, we are happy to have a neat, organized, useful scrap bin.
This past Valentine’s day we went, once again, to our dear friend-of-citymade, Michele’s, “Cookies and Cocoa” party. It’s an annual tradition that we all look forward to. And, as part of the tradition, Melany and I endeavor to create pretty outfits for the girlies.
This year, we decided to ruffle (and ruffle, and ruffle). We took old t-shirts, cut them into a-line skirts,
ruffled a million miles of cotton (okay, not a million, but in the end it totaled 58 ruffles),
then pinned and sewed each ruffle on each skirt.
The end result (and all the hard work) was totally worth it as the girls looked so adorable.
And, of course, we all had a great time at the party!
