MadBags :: handmade bags & more!

I made a nap mat!

I was up until 3 am this morning working on this little number. I know that sounds crazy but once I start a project, I HAVE to finish it. Maddie has to  have a nap mat for school and now that I have the tools, I wanted to make her a special one! When I showed her this morning, Jaden asked why he didn't have one like that? See he had one of those ugly red and blue plastic ones and I had to explain that I didn't know how or the stuff to make one back then. Mainly he likes things to be fair. He's all about it. This time I just had to remind him he gets all kinds of cool stuff too from time to time when Maddie doesn't and he seemed satisfied. After we got past that, Maddie wanted to inspect it, hold it, and fold it back up, oh and of course, lay in it.

I think she likes it! I'm glad too because it was a doozy to make! I didn't have a pattern and I have never used binding before but I'm very pleased with it and I didn't have to pay $60-$99 for it either. I was so surprised when I first started looking for one at how much they cost. There is a lady about an hour a way that makes them for $30 but they are all either character prints or fabric that fades when washed. I don't like character prints and I wanted something that would look great even after several washes so I decided to just make one myself. Upon close inspection you will see that the binding is not real pretty, but it looks great from far away! And also, I'm not fond of using batting... you out there who quilt are amazing. I never get out all the gaps. The bias tape binding was a little easier once I watched this funny video from The Angry Chicken. She is a hoot. (Carla I bet you will laugh a lot when you watch it since you sew.)

Oh, I almost forgot! I made a little adjustment to the normal mats I have seen. I made a small pillow that can be taken out when washing the mat. This way the pillow fluff won't get all yucky and lumpy after washing.

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You can see how excited Mad was about it. And of course it has her name on it, which she loves.

Short video...

Here is the video I talked about in the previous post!  Something was bothering her on her neck, not sure what it was...

I don't know if you can hear the music or not but it's the song "I think I'm Paranoid".  For the longest time she would sing I think a paranoise.   We finally convinced her otherwise. 

We rock. Seriously.

I'm an assumer. Is that a word?

I assume things all the time.  I'm not even sure "assumer" is a word.  Now that I've written it, it kind of looks like a bad word. Not my intention I assure you.  My best friend could probably tell you alot about my assumptions.  Anyway, my last post was suppose to be a heads up kind of thing but it kind of made things complicated for some.  This post will hopefully clear a few things up.  O and it's going to be in the form of a list, cuz I like them.  It's what I do.

1. The picture in the previous post is of toy boxes I am currently working on.  My hope is that they will be completed by the end of this month. 

2. I am going to include a description of the fabrics I am using along with a name and picture so you know exactly what your options are.  What you see is what you get.  If you do not see a fabric I have used in the past, it will most likely be used in the next round of boxes.  These will not be ready until the end of August or so.  I use "or so" because honestly I have no idea when I'll be able to make more.

3.  The price for these are $34 each plus $6 for shipping/handling in the U.S. International shipping is available just ask!  If purchased locally, add 7% tax and take off the shipping if you pick it up.

4.  Also you will notice a number on each picture.  This is how many will be made in each print.  I've already had some requests for certain prints, so there's no guarantee unless you reserve yours asap.  I'll let you know if they've been snatched up or not yet.  You can always email me your top choices if you like.

5.  Email me at madbags@bellsouth.net with any questions.

I made another assumption blunder tonight. Let me backtrack a little.  Jaden asked a friend over to spend the night tonight.  They both like to play guitar hero and Jaden's friend had never played rockband.  He really enjoyed playing the drums while Jaden played the guitar.  Paul has wanted to get an extra guitar but couldn't find one but the lady at Walmart (note: its not always wise to trust the Walmart lady.  just an observation) anyway, she said we could use a guitar hero guitar for rockband.  Paul had already come home from looking before he found this out.  We had a bad storm and knocked the power out so he had had to come home.  so.  He wanted to go ahead and get one since Drew was here so I went back to the store (it's a 20 minute trip) so he wouldn't have to.  Got it came home and it wouldn't work.  He looked online for information and found out that it works with the xbox but not the ps3.  He had already opened the game up so he wanted to take it back right away so they wouldn't think we just played the game and brought it back.  He asked me for the receipt and I have it to him.  Here is where my "assumption" takes place.  I grabbed a receipt off the counter thinking it was the same one.  He drove all the way back and found out that customer service was closed and asked for a manager.  The manager had to call a bunch of people up to the front to get the ok to do it and then asked for the receipt.  Yep, wrong receipt.  He came home a little miffed.  And I felt so bad.  I would say that next time I won't make the same mistake but who knows?   Hopefully someone will remember him and let us, I mean me, take it back tomorrow.

    

Making progress....

Yes I'm still alive.

And well thank you.  Summer is nearly half way over and it has really flown by.  I always am amazed at how quickly it comes and goes.  Been extremely busy these last few weeks but not creatively.  I did take a day a while back to finish a large order from the beginning of June but other than that, nuttin.  Our whole family went to church camp this year and had fun.  My experience was a little less than fun but now that my daughter has gone, she won't let me get away with skipping out next year.  At her age, she is only allowed to go if I go so you can see my dillema.  All I will say is this.  Cricket Spiders. 

Me no-likey.

After camp we came home for some much needed rest.  A few days later, my sweet sister Carla called me and asked me if the kids could come and stay with her a few days.  She lives about 3 hours away but I couldn't resist the temptation of having some time alone with Paul.  They had so much fun, in fact, they didn't want to come home.  Paul's dad met us at her house and picked up Jaden and let him stay at his house for another week.  Maddie came home with us and cried about how much she was going to miss everyone!  Carla has a pool, and a new play area in her backyard.  It's like having your own McDonalds playplace, I'm tellin' ya.  On top of that, she took them to a sprayground, chuck e. cheese, and more.  Thanks again Carla for letting them stay with you.  They had a terrific time and have already asked me when they can come back!

Maddie on the Playground at Aunt Carla's

Making cookies at Aunt Carla's

In front of Carla's house

Kissing cousins, Bella & Maddie.  I love this one!

While Jaden was at Grandpa's, me and Maddie, and her friend Ally spent lots of time at my mom's pool.  Both my kids are so tan right now.  I'm so jealous  I have the skin that burns and then peels off to the whiteness it began as.  Jaden enjoyed being at Grandpas, especially since he got to play Rock Band and Monopoly and Risk, and any other game he wanted to play.  They play it all with him.  They are so special and Jaden loves being with them.   He came home yesterday and Grandpa bought Rock Band for us here because J liked it so much.  I took pictures last night of them playing.  Grandpa on Guitar, Jaden on Drums, and Maddie on Lead Singer.  They even got me to play the drums a couple of times and it's HARD!  Fun but hard!

My very own RockBand.  Grandpa, Mad, and Bear

While both kids were away, Paul and I took advantage of our time off and drove to Tuscaloosa for some Japanese and a movie.  We took pictures before we left and I love how they turned out.  We were just fooling around really with the camera on a timer in the backyard since we were all dressed up. Which one do you like the most?

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This past weekend, two of my sisters were able to come up for the 4th.  My friend Brandi and her family came over to my mom's house and had a big lunch.  Food and family, is there anything better?  I only  wish Carla could have been there with us.  We missed her so much! I'll post those pictures later. 

Who knows when I'll be able to get back on here and blog more consistently but I'll try my best to not have so much time in between as the last time.  Enjoy the rest of your summer!

p.s. On a business note, I am thinking of offering my products at wholesale.  Any one care to comment on how to go about getting started with that?  What's the best method?