Need an awesome photographer?

One of my friends (K), has a very good friend, Jen, that is an amazing photographer.  K recently bought a CoffeeCozee from me as a gift for Jen, and I received some kick-ass pictures from her showcasing the Cozee in action!!

THANK YOU to Jen Kniivila of Visual Poetry for sharing the pics, I'm so glad you love your Cozee!  Jen is located in Fenton, you should check her out!  

cheers!

A★

Sin City....

Another alphastar custom order I recently did was a Travel Satchel for a 40th birthday gift.  My customer (A), contacted me and said a group of their friends is hopping on a plane and heading to Sin City to celebrate - and my customer wanted to avoid the silly gag-gift type present, so she asked me if I had any ideas.  I thought Vegas=Showgirls=Burlesque=Just-because-you-are-turning-40-doesn't-mean-you-aren't-a-Hot-Mama!!  The result is a custom bag made 100% out of repurposed lingerie!! 

The rules?  The Birthday girl had picked out two dresses for the trip, one in black and the other hot-pink so we wanted to make sure the bag would go with either dress.  Also, I was asked to somehow include something funny representing "The Big 4-0".

Here's the final result:

front of bag including removable "40" clip

front of bag without "40" clip

back of bag

I used chemise straps to make the cross-body strap "adjustable"

I hope they have an awesome trip and this bag gets a lot of use, even when they get back.  I know it's something I would use for sure on Girls Night Out!

cheers! A★

Introducing.....The Cheerleader.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a super cool girl (K) that wanted me to make her a custom alphastar bag using a very sentimental Red Wings hockey jersey.  We got to talking and met up to discuss - and because I love a challenge, I went for it.  She also wanted me to make one for her future sister-in-law (A).  The rules?  Only use the jersey material for the bags, do not include the name plates on the bags but keep the big Red Wings logos intact.

Funny stuff because I am so NOT a sports fan.  Well, maybe a little X-Games or Dew Tour but not your mainstream stuff.  I can't even come close to pronouncing the last names emblazoned on these jerseys!!  But again, I love a challenge.

Here is what I had to start with:

And here is part of the process:

Here is bag #1 (Federov):

front of bag





back of bag



Bag #2 (Datsyuk):

front of bag

back of bag

Both bags feature a large inside pocket with magnetic clasp, a large diagnonal front pocket, a back pocket and a cross-body strap.  I decided to make a little "wallet" to go with them - this time utilizing the name plates:

From what I can tell, they loved their custom alphastar bags!  That is so exciting.  There is nothing I like more than to collaborate with someone and make something one-of-a-kind - especially using a sentimental item.

So, I am adding this to my "Custom" services - figured there are probably some sports Moms or crazy sports nuts out there that might want a bag with their kid's old jersey - or something to go show off your awesome alphastar style at the game!

cheers! A★

I'm having an Oscar Awards Moment

There must be some sort of crazy thing happening out in the universe - planets are all lined up or something because I am one busy girl!!! I couldn't be happier - custom orders, requests for multiple items, orders from out of state, second and third-generation customers already!!!!

Disclaimer:  The following paragraphs contain sappy, sentimental content that may induce gagging and the urge to barf - proceed with caution.

Before I go any further (and I mean literally...I haven't even showered yet!), I would like to take a moment and really give a head-nod-pat-on-the-back-high-five-full-on-make-out-moment to the people that have made this happen.  Sure, I am the girl behind the sewing machine, but I could never do this alone. 

If I didn't have the Hubs behind me 110% this would not be happening.  He is AMAZING.  I have the perfect partner/best-friend and I take a minute every day to thank my lucky stars.  His opinions, encouragement and input are invaluable - oh, and all of his incredible graphic design skills are appreciated as well.  Nothing like having a graphic designer at your disposal!

And my Wolfpack?  No words can describe these fabulous girls. Their constant supply of support, laughs and unwanted materials keep me going.  Oh, and they are good free-labor when I need help cutting fabric and stuff :)  You.gals.ROCK.

You know how there are those people that very naturally promote things?  Trendsetters that instantly make you want whatever they are holding/wearing/eating?  Not only is my entire Wolfpack like that, but so are my sister, sister-in laws (A&N) and my mother-in-law.   I would not be doing 1/2 of what I am doing without them.

And my boys.  My adorable, hilarious, frustrating boys.  You are the best for giving me hugs all day - for playing so good while Mommy works.  For helping me put away my buttons and for telling me everything I make is "SO COOL!!!".

And Thank You to YOU.  For being on my blog (and Facebook) and reading my ramblings.  For being interested in my projects.  For appreciating what I am doing with the repurposing.  For using/wearing the things I create.

I really am a very lucky girl.

cheers!
A★

The Hundred Bag

So over on Facebook, I started an alphastar page and it's been great!  I know FB can be a drag - but it's also been very great at doing what it was created for....networking.  I have been put in touch with some of the coolest people and some of my best friends because of Facebook.

I put my FB page "likers" to the task of promoting me.  I had a goal of 100 "likers".  I decided that once I hit 100 I would do a giveaway.  I had been wanting to design a new bag.....kind of a tote-bag that wasn't just a limp, rectangular sack.   Something casual and lightweight, but also functional and a bit stylish. 

This is what I came up with:

The Hundred Bag edie.0311

materials:  repurposed maxi dress (bag and strap) and tissue tee (liner and trim)

The Hundred Bag flutter.0311

materials: repurposed dress (bag, strap, liner)



Once I hit 100, I gave my first 100 likers 24 hours to leave a comment telling me why they love alphastar.  (I LOVE all the comments!!) After 24 hours, I used a random number generator and that comment was the winner.  They got to pick from the two bags pictured and the winner chose the butterfly bag.  I hope she enjoys it!!

I have plans to add this to the line-up.  Will be making a couple more very soon - this is the perfect summer bag, in my opinion.  Lightweight, roomy, inside pocket, two outside pockets, cute and colorful!

I hope everyone likes it as much as I do.  And I can't wait to see what happens when we hit 500!

cheers! A★

I am the scarf master...

Wow, who would have thought?  Seriously BEYOND excited at the response from everyone on the scarves.  This is incredible. 

I have been busy at work completing some special order Mancub Colorbags for a couple adorable little girls' birthdays (Thanks, A!), working on an order of multiple scarves for someone who is giving one to every woman in her family (Thanks, M!), making some scarves for the alphastar stockpile, made a bunch of new hair clips, trying to organize my fabric, getting a couple custom satchel orders going (stoked, K!) and getting ready to make a new bag for myself. 

Gamma gave me a HUGE bag of fabric to use for projects and inside were a couple of her barely used shirts - so I took two and sewed 'em up into a handy-dandy shoulder bag.  What do you think?

Some awesome moments over the last few days:

• I received the absolute NICEST Thank-You note I have ever read from someone that I made a custom bag for (Thanks, R!). 
• I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my besties - nothing like a dose of Wolfpack to lift your spirits!
• I attended an "I'm Moving To California and Selling All My Stuff" sale and scored one very kick-ass Dritz "My Double" 1940's Vintage wire dress form!!!  I couldn't pass it up, it was practically free.  I named her Josie.  She's going to be my new model. 
• I was able to go snowboarding with the hubs and cubs and it was great.  The boys are getting better and better each time we go!  It was probably our last time out this season because the snow is melting mega fast, but I kept up with the hubs and was hitting the jumps by the end of the day.  

cheers!
 A★