Hello December

my home studio where all the sewing happens

My December started with a lot of blessings. First, Tina Katwal came to my city and she visited me! I was so excited when she told me a few weeks ago. Finally, I get to meet the leader in our Desi Quilters (the biggest Quilt Guild in India). We've known each other for almost a decade on Facebook. She's an accomplished quilter and entrepreneur. Her studio, the Square Inch in Chennai is literally our go-to shop for anything related to quilting or sewing! Online and Offline. It was really an honor to meet her and hopefully, I can visit her in the near future. 

We talked about quilts and more quilts and a lot of plans for the Desi Quilters activities. I really admire her passion to take Indian Quilter society to the next level, from managing the group to organizing the India Quilt Festival. The first Quilt Festival in India and also showcasing Indian Quilts in several cities in India. Kudos to her! Do check out her Facebook Page or visit her Website to see more. 

Thank you Tina for the beautiful gifts!

The second thing is I woke up to an email from Etsy that I'm a star seller for the month of December. Wow, I really did not expect this! There are a lot of opinions when Etsy first launch the star seller badge and honestly, I still have a mixed feeling about it. Especially as a handmade seller who creates the product from scratch by myself. It's really a nice surprise and a good feeling as the badge is a validation and recognition of your hard work and services. Thank you for all your supports! I would not be able to achieve it without your love and supports! 

Sewing wise, in the last couple of days, I finished quite a few wallets, for orders and stock. This family passport wallet in world map print is pretty popular and from these two wallets, only one is available now in the shop now. I still have a little bit of map print fabrics, but I think I'm going to make a new family passport wallet for myself. We need a new one anyway! 

Map print family travel wallet

Don't you love these cute zipper ends?

I love this linen floral print wallet so much and I am using one myself. It's also available in Blue with the same beige combination. Nowadays I made more zipper closure wallets and I love it too. Especially I love using a single tape zipper.  You can check the tutorial HERE (for the family passport wallet) or HERE for the mall wallet.

Linen Wallet

Lavender Wallet

Bifold Wallet

Snoopy Wallet

Zip Around Wallet

I am still following the time blocking plan and frankly, it makes me more focused and relaxed, especially with a lot of things are going on right now. I still have a basket full of WIPS but I am working on it slowly, as time permits. With the combination of time blocking and batching, I am sure we can be more productive. 

The lake near my sons' school

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Sewing,

Elvira

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Linking up to these wonderful BLOGS

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Weekends Update

I've been working on this wallet for a few days. It's super easy one but  life happens. First, my crown broke and had to spend my birthday at the dentist. Well at least I am getting something new for the birthday, right? 😄😄 

I'm super tickled when I saw the chicken print. It's too cute!! 

And my next project is all set, Insha Allah will start tomorrow. Stay tuned for new bag pattern from Bagstock!! Yes, I'm testing for Namrata's next pattern! I know you're going to love it. I am so excited to try out this vinyl after I made the origami pouch for fun! 

Sometimes, we really need to make time to learn and try new things right? And guess what? I am subscribing to SimplyPiano app on my phone and teaching my self to play piano 😄😄😄 I will update you with my progress. I am having fun practicing these few days!! 

Speaking about piano, my son's music school is closing it's door after 7 years. The above photo was yesterday, the last day we went to Ace Music! What a journey it was. Thank you everyone at Ace Music for your hard work all these years !! But the good news is he will still continue learning with Ms. Promiti Phukan in her new brand music academy, Cadenza  from April, after he finishes his board exam. Cheers to new journey! 

That's all my little update. Do not hesitate to pursue your passion. When there's a will, there's a way! 

Now, I'm going to hand sew my wallet and watching Notting Hill on Prime Video! 

If you're asking, yes..I am working on the wallet pattern.  Stay tuned!

Much love & have a nice day!

- Elvira - 

The best compliment!

I went to the mall last week with my son. After doing our groceries shopping, I lingered in the bag section and was thinking to buy small wallet that will fit my mini sling bag. 

And as I was choosing, my son become impatient and told me "Mama, why do you want to buy the wallet? You can make one ! " 

I was surprised -- proudly surprised that my son acknowledged  my "super power" :D 

 I came home fully recharged and decided to complete these two wallets. The black one I started earlier but somehow got sidetracked (as usual).

I had lots of fun choosing the fabric for this card wallet. The pink fabric was from my previous quilt projects and it was matched perfectly. 

This black card holder is the 12 cards slot variant. 

Same like the previous slim wallet that I made

Don't you love the hidden zipper? It's so shabby chic ! 

and then my regular customer messaged me on facebook if I can make 16 cards variant, and I said of course!! She wanted in Indian prints and after looking at my shop, she wanted this indigo blue like the tote bag I made earlier. 

This indigo blue wallet is the 16 cards wallet. Look how slim it is, even with the cards and notes inside.

I combined it with tan textured shot cotton. Perfect combo. 

and as usual, I love to finish the binding by hand. Somehow hand sewing make me relax especially when I have this romantic korean drama to accompany me. Ha!!

I was on the last part of Lee Sang Yoon - Kim Ha Neul "on the way to airport" drama in KBS. It is such beautiful drama with realistic story line. What I love best, is this drama give you exposure to Korean Bojagi Patchwork , make me want to go back to Korea and visit all those patchwork museums and folk village *sigh*. 

Ah by the way, the wallets is now listed in my ETSY shop. Let me know if you want in other print, I have more fabrics {since I'm a hoarder ^^} you can choose from. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Women's Slim Wallet and Card Organizer

I like slim wallet that can fit in a lot of things. I made another slim wallet which was popular with young girls. 

Some of customers asked me if I can make slim wallet with more card slots. After playing with many designs I came up with this Women's wallet & Card Organizer

This pretty floral wallet can fit it 12 cards and even your phone. This is a perfect wallet to grab & go for a quick errand. 

what's more, it has hidden zipper pocket. Which I find quite handy to keep small things. 

I also added exterior zipper pocket!

The wallet is finished with machine binding on one side and hand stitch on the other side to give a perfect finish. I really prefer this method, because it made the wallet more sturdy and you don't have to worry if the stitch will give away even if the wallet is over loaded. 

The wallet is available here :

ETSY

CHEZVIES

Custom order with different print is available upon request.

So, start your christmas shopping early. 

pssst...I will have 10% off throughout November. Favorite the shop so you won't miss the announcement! 

Thank you for checking out my blog

Happy Sewing

Learning about Etsy SEO

After the latest Etsy updates, seller outside USA like me really feel the effect of the new changes. I have been reading Etsy Teams post, blogs, and sign up for SEO tips newsletter. And well...it seems I have to really keep up with what's happening in the WORLD!

If you make good stuff, take  good photos, and many of you friends on social media admiring your work then you start selling online on a popular marketplace and realized after few weeks that NO ONE buying your stuff, you start losing your trust on yourself, right?? 

Pink Ballet Dancer Women's Wallet

Well, DON'T GIVE UP!! All you need to do is STUDY more...just like you little baby start learning ABC...even me after so many years I realized there is so many things that I need to improve and learn. There are so many blogs and youtube videos telling you how to do your SEO right. 

Cherry Blossom Family Passport Holder

Start from research your keywords. I use Google Trends and Etsy Rank. I keep a small notebook and noted down everything that related to my product. 

I've been studying for the past few weeks and slowly start editing and changing my shops. One thing I learned it's beneficial to hang out in Etsy Forum and Teams. Many member shares their tips and tricks and sometimes you will find a good link about how to do SEO. That's how I get to Renae's Blog.  

Rose Pink Couple Passport Wallet 

So, apparently, only making good products and taking awesome pictures do not guarantee your success. You need business plan and marketing strategy for that. 

Yellow Green Fat Quarter Bundle

So, now start searching and doing a little research for your business. 

Green Blue Fat Quarter Bundle

Work a little harder and All the best!!

Happy Learning