Fiber and Fabric Festive at Rosemont (All State Arena)

In early May, I went to the Fiber and Fabric Festive at Rosemont (All State Arena).  It was the very first time they opened the Festive to the Public.  So instead of one week open to merchants,  the first week open to the public then a second week to merchants and businesses.  The admission fee was $20.00

The festive was great.  There were quite a few booths and exhibits for quilting and various types of sewing machines. There were many vendors selling a variety of craft related goods.  In the conference room area, several classes were offered.  I didn't take any classes, though  I was there checking out the vendors and their wares.  

You know I bought something.  Surprise, no fabric. Lol.  I purchased the Lutterloh System  for pattern drafting, some hardware for bag making along with other notions. 

I purchase a pair of earrings from Sili Bells,  a jewelry and accessories company that specializes in the use upcycle leather and repurposed demin goods.    

That does it for this installment. So we will see what I will decide to create/design with the goods that I purchased at the Fiber and Fabric Festive.

Stay Creative,

C

Pickled Beets Recipe

Today, I want to share my recipe for pickled beets.   I love root vegetables, and beets are one of my favorites.   I enjoy them in salads, as a garnish with cornbread and collard greens, or with nothing at all.  They are delicious.

My preference is to prepare them using the recipe below.  But I also purchase them for the grocery store already in a jar.  This is my favorite recipe and I can't remember where I got it from. Anyway, I hope you like it.  Here goes.  

Ingredients:

A bunch of three or four medium sized beets

1/3 cup of vinegar (there about or to your taste)

1 medium onion sliced

1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar (to your taste)

1 cup of water or about 1 inch of water in a medium saucepan

1.  Cut off the top of the beets, peel, and rinse them off.

2.  Cut the beets into 1/3 inch slices and place in a medium sized saucepan

3.  Add  sliced onion, vinegar, sugar, and water

4.  Place saucepan on high flame and bring to a boil.  Liquid should start to thicken.  Lower heat as needed and cook until tender.  

That's it.  A very tasty garnish that is a great source of probiotics, which aids in the digestion of other foods.

Babylon Leather - Tote Bucket Bag

Over the holiday weekend, Rhonda and I decided to make our Babylon Tote Bucket Bags.  We thought it would be a great project to do together.  We had estimated that it would take about three to four hours to complete.  However, it ended up taking several more hours to complete.  

Before I get into the details of our sewing experience, let me give you some details about Babylon Leather bag kits.

Babylon Leather has an extensive line of leather bag making kits on their website.  Additionally, they offer tools, leather, hardware, and patterns.  A well-rounded website that has so many items to help you complete your own unique leather projects.  Check it out.  You are guaranteed to find something to your liking. ;-)

It was several Instagram craft influencers who "encouraged" me to try making my leather bag.  On the Babylon website, there are so many choices; it was hard to choose just one bag making kit.  I ended up settling for the Tote Bucket bag. 

The kit contained everything that I needed to complete my bag:

• all leather pieces needed for the desired bag (some were partially finished).
• two scarves and a bag charm
• waxed thread
• a set of hand-sewing leather needles
• bag hardware
• scissors
• screwdriver
• clip
• finger protector sleeves

and 

• QR code link to tutorial for assembling the bag.

The entire bag is assembled by hand.  So, it takes some time and patience to complete it.  I learned a few things about hand sewing leather.  How to "knot" the thread and how to sew with two needles at the same time.  Once you get the hang of sewing, it is a very calming and relaxing process. 

 

The most difficult part of making the Tote Bucket bag was attaching the handles to the bag.  It took about two hours to attach each handle.  Again, once you get past the initial stitches, the rest is easy.  It just takes time.  

 

The things that I liked about the product and this project are:

• everything is in the kit, which makes it super easy to concentrate on making the bag
• the design of the bag and the color options
• quality and quantity of the leather, supplies and tools
• packaging of the kit
• access to the tutorial to assemble the bag
• the simple, refined, unique looking bag
• the bright orange leather with a great texture
•  

and 

• the beautiful bag that I made with my very own hands. ;-)

There weren’t any real dislikes about the project.  

 

This ends my review of my first Babylon leather bag.  I hope this information is helpful.  If you've made a Babylon bag, please share your experience.  I'd love to read/view your experience.

 

Happy Sewing!

C