Criss Cross Back Apron

Here is a new style of apron. The straps criss cross in the back, relieving pressure from around the neck. Each side has a self loop, to bring the ties thru, and tie in the back at waist, or cross at the waist and tie in front.

Expressive Stitches Featured

I am very excited to be featured on Today's Giveaway Blog. They have written a womderful review of my shop, and are running a contest today 7/30, thru tomorrow 8/1, giving away one of my aprons (winner's choice) Enter to win!
http://www.todaysgiveaway.net

Back from Vacation!

Well, we took a whirlwind vacation of 4 days to Wisconsin, about a 7 hour drive from our home near St. Louis. I think we spent more time in the car, than anything else! We were invited to the wedding of the daughter of my husband's cousin on Sat., in Madison, WI. So we had this great idea to go visit the summer stomping ground of my husband's family for the last 45 years. My inlaws started vacationing in Waupaca, Wisc when their kids were small. They would always rent a cottage on the beautiful Chain of Lakes. Where else could a family of 8 kids on a policeman's salary spend a week on the cheap! All the kids are grown, most with families of their own, and we continue to vacation in Waupaca. Usually there will be several of us up there at the same time, but not this year. Just my husband and I. So here are some pictures from the Chain. Enjoy!



The Chief Waupaca... original paddle boat that cruises 8 lakes. We acted like tourists, and went for a ride!

Taylor Lake...dotted with many year round homes, and rental cottages. Also home to our favorite hang out...the Harbour Bar!

Sailboats on Round Lake

We also saw some strange sights on our cruise!

It's a boat....but not a boat?

It almost looks like a car...

It is a car!???????? On a sandbar!

Another strange boat!

A picture perfect ending to a perfect day!

New bags are done!

Red and Black Hearts with Red

I finally have completed several more bags using the IKEA fabric. I had a great time trying to take outdoor pictures yesterday. It seems like I was creating quite a stir with the neighbors. They all had to come over and chat, and see what I was doing. I did get a very positive response from them on the bags, although I never really got any pictures taken! I did sneak out this morning, and got the job done! Here they are!

Green Trees with Black

Pennsylavania Dutch in Red and Orange

Red and Black Hearts with Black

Asian Birds in Orange with Black

Green Trees with Green

These will sell for $54. I am available to create a custom order. For measurements, go to my site www.expressivestitches.etsy.com, and click on one of the bags. Some of the above bags are not yet listed, but will be within 24 hrs. The green trees bag with green straps, and the orange bird bag are already sold, but I can make more.

Fabrics form IKEA

I love this fabric! I found these at the IKEA store. Unfortunately, the nearest store is 300 miles from me, and they do not sell online! Luckily, there are two stores in the Chicago area, and we get up there about once every 6 weeks. (Most of our family lives up there, as does one of our daughters) So, I only have limited quantities at any given time. And sometimes, I will get to the store, and they are out of their most popular styles, like the red and black hearts, and the orange birds. So I never know when I can get the next batch of fabric. I've posted the fabrics I have on hand. Feel free to browse, and pick out your favorite. I can make a custom order off either style of bag! Just convo me on etsy!

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Tree String Back Bag
Only available as
String Back Bag





Shoulder Bags: limited availability on these prints shown.

String Back Bags

Drawstring closure are also straps for bag.

Fully lined in cotton print with inside pocket

Co ordinating solids:

Prints

Birds

Limited availability

Only available as Shoulder bag, with red solid sides








Pennsylvania Dutch
Only available as shoulder bag, with either orange or red solid sides.

Funky green trees

Available as Shoulder Bag or String Bag

Retro floral

Available as String Bag or Shoulder bag

Aztec rounds

Available as Shoulder bag and as String Bag

Leaves with orange dots

Available as Shoulder Bag or String bag

New Product with Ikea Fabric

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted! I have been so busy making new product for my etsy shop. My home alteration business has also kept me really busy. A whole new batch of Aprons have been added, with even more planned. But my most exciting development has been the creation of my new shoulder bag tote!

I absolutely love this bag! I have been using my prototype for the last several weeks, and have received many compliments on it. It's roomy enough to hold all my stuff, and even then some! We went away to Chicago for the weekend, and I just crammed extra things in there. It is made from strong, durable cotton, so it can take a beating!

The best part of this bag is the printed fabric. I found these fabrics on IKEA.com , and fell in love with the big. bold, colorful prints! To my dismay, they do not sell the fabric online! And the nearest store was near Chicago...300 miles away. My daughter lives in Chicago, but doesn't have a car. I begged her to get her boyfriend to drive her, but my pleas fell on deaf ears! As luck would have it, my hubby had to go to Chicago for an interview, so guess where I went?! I had a field day! I came back with some beautiful fabric!

So I did some brainstorming, played around with a few designs, made a couple of practice bags, changed the design around some more, and this is what I came up with. I had been studying purses everywhere I went, picking up ideas here and there. The strap comes from one of my daughters bags...she suggested I try it. I liked it! The piping along the purse opening was from a purse I saw in a doctors office...also, that purse was in black and red, which really caught my eye!

My favorite part is on the inside. I added a key leash that is elasticized...it stretches to 18 inches. Why? I am forever trying to find my house key will balancing several bags of groceries, and being completely frustrated! Now I keep that key on it's leash, and I always know where it's at. But the best part? My purse can be on my shoulder, I can reach in and grab the key, stretch it to the door lock, and unlock the door, without the purse ever leaving my shoulder, and without dropping all of my bags!!! Love It!!!!

<-------(Key Leash)

The above pictures are the three bags completed, and ready for sale. Although I have already sold the orange bag, at a family graduation party! I also got three more orders for bags!! Luckily, I have gone on a second trip to IKEA, and brought home some more gorgeous fabrics.

I will be posting pictures of my new stash in my next post. Hopefully, it will be helpful for any custom orders, since it is going to take me some time to get it all cut out and sewn!

Part 2

Sorry, I didn't realize this was becoming my whole life story! But , it's my blog, and I'll post what I want! Anyway, back to the story. After the kids were born, I drifted into Bridal alterations, and found my calling. I soon opened an alteration shop with my mom, Stitch-N-Time. (http://www.stitchntimebridalboutique.com) Sorry, just had to give it a plug.
After 6 years, my husband transferred from Chicago to St. Louis. I started working for various bridal shops in the area, until I landed my dream job at D****'* Bridal, as alteration manager. About a year into the job, my dream was sliding into nightmare status. By three years, I was totally burned out, and quit. With 2 kids in college, I went to work in retail management. Unfortunately , during that time, I was diagnosed with cancer. I did the whole radiation, surgery and chemo thing. ( and thankfully, lived to tell about it) It was during that time that I rediscovered crocheting. so every chemo session ( for 8 months) I dragged along a rolling tote bag filled with yarn, and began making scarfs. After I had a collection built up, I strong armed my youngest daughter, who worked at a trendy boutique in Chicago, to see if they would sell them for me. And they did! So that was the beginning of what is now Expressive Stitches, my etsy shop. (http://expressivestitches.etsy.com) Another plug! Gosh, I'm shameless!!!
I lost my real paying job this last May, and could not find another job that didn't leave me bored to tears. So I decided to go back to my roots, and start doing alterations again. I started my own little business, Alterations by Patti (http://www.alterationsbypatti.com) OK, last plug, I promise! About the same time, I opened up my etsy shop. I can honestly say I have never been happier. I love doing my own thing, and making money from it, even if it is only a modest amount. And my creative juices are flowing! It's like I've been in the desert for years, and just discovered the ocean! I can't keep up!

My first post to my new blog!

Hi! I'm so excited to be starting a blog. It's something I've wanted to do for awhile, but was afraid to take the plunge. So here goes....

A Few Simple Facts About Me:

I'm almost 52 (YIKES!)

I've been married for 28 years to a wonderful man

I have three great kids, 2 daughters and a son, ages 23-27

I am a two time cancer survivor!

I've always felt the need to create something from nothing. My very first project was a green gingham skirt that I made when I was 12. Just one long seem down the back, with the excess fabric just hanging down the back seam, on the outside! Mom tried to teach me to sew in the 5th grade, and we made this hideous pink princess line sheath with lace inserted down the front seams. She like to tell people that she knew I would never sew!

I didn't touch a needle or thread until high school, when my Dad decided that since I already knew how to cook, I should take a sewing class. (I'm really dating myself now) Surprisingly, I loved it! My first outfit was a skirt and vest, made out of teal contrasting cotton duck. I never wore it, but it was the beginning of my love affair with contrasting colors, prints, you name it.I loved sewing so much, I decided to major in it at college. Officially, I was a Home Economics major. (They don't even offer that as a major anymore) I took all sorts of inspiring classes...Tailoring, Weaving, Silkscreen Printing, Clothing Construction, and the not so inspiring Algebra and Chemistry!