Good bye 2013!

Doesn't it seem that as we get older the years go by faster and faster? I can't believe we are ringing in 2014 already!!! I spent a lot of time sewing this year, and I do feel that I have learned a lot (thank you internet!) and my confidence with tackling challenges has certainly improved. I no longer dread zippers and button holes and I have come to a mutual tolerance for each other.


A few of my faves from this year:

My first (and only) attempt at paper piecing

241 tote

Bow Tote

My love affair with the Lapin Noir Pattern:

Silver Cinemas Bag

Kennedy bag

Park West Bag

      Necessary Clutch wallets









A few of the clothing items I made:

A variation of the Pier 49 Pants

NoWhere Man Pants

Olivia & Oliver Peacoat

I'm looking forward to what 2014 holds!

A Christmas Bag

I'm glad to finally get to share this guy, as it was a present I had to keep it quiet til after Christmas.

My uncle asked me to make a bag for my cousin and the only instruction was "lots of pockets". With that, I knew immediately the bag I wanted to make. 

I've said this before but it totally bears repeating. The Lapin Noir pattern by Sew Sweetness is THE best bag pattern ever. This is the bag I use every day and when it dies I'll make another, it is by far the most functional bag I've ever carried. 

I had just made a bag in the red poppies from Joel Dewberry's Notting Hill line, and although I usually don't like repeatedly using the same fabrics, it seemed absolutely perfect for one last bag. The colors and florals are spectacular and both modern and vintage at the same time and I knew my cousin would love it! 

After finishing it, I seriously fell in love with this guy. I adore aqua and red, throw in the polka dots and I couldn't ask for more! I seriously had a bit of a moment when shipping this bag off to Chattanooga. However, it is now in the hands of someone who loves it as well and I'm glad :) 

This bag is also in the top fifteen over at the Sew Mama Sew Sew Sweetness bag contest. If you haven't voted yet, please take a minute to pick your top three bags. There are seriously some amazing bags in it!!!! 

SMS Sew Sweetness Bag Contest

Merry Christmas to me!!! I'm super stoked that not only one but TWO of my bags made it to the final fifteen in the Sew Mama Sew Sew Sweetness Bag contest. I am truly flattered to have made it to the public voting, as there were so many absolutely stunning bags entered!! 

Please go check out all the lovely bags that made the top fifteen and vote for your top three, they are all awesome and are deserving of a win (not just mine, but I'd be ok with you voting for me too ;)

Go vote for your faves today!

SMS Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Kennedy Bag is....

Thrift Store Crafter! If this is you, go check your email :)

Thanks so much to everyone that entered! I'm honored that so many of you wanted my bag.

This is such a great event and I'm glad that I found some new blogs to follow, I loved reading each and every comment about your holiday faves!!  I hope y'all have an absolutely wonderful Holiday Season!!!

Beatnik Waist Bag

I was lucky enough to test the Beatnik Waist Bag pattern for Sara of Sew Sweetness. I've been looking for a waist bag pattern for a while, so when Sara emailed me I was ecstatic to be able to test it! 

I went back and forth with my fabric choices and even after I did settle on the text print, I went back and forth about if I wanted to have the pockets contrasting. I seriously need to work on my indecisiveness lol.

In addition to the front pockets, there is a zip pocket on the back and a divided slip pocket inside.

I also used this bag as my excuse to buy a real snap setting tool, good-bye cheap plastic doodad and hammer (which I only had about a 50 percent success rate with)!! Now I'll be adding snaps a whole lot more :)

In the end, I'm happy with how this turned out. I know most of us gals don't use waist bags on the regular but there are times they are so, so perfect...craft shows, sporting events, for runners and when you need your hands free! now you can make your own and not have to buy those hideous ones that are hard to come by in stores!!! Head over to the Sew Sweetness pattern shop and get yours !!!

SMS Giveaway

It's time again for Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day!! Just in time for Christmas.

For those of you who are just stopping by for the first time, welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by!

I'll be participating in the festivities and offering a my version of The Kennedy Bag to one lucky winner! I can promise to have this shipped in time for Christmas to the winner but will have to limit this to residents of the US only so that I can honor this promise.

The Kennedy bag measures: 14” long x 11” tall x 5” deep

To enter, please leave a comment below telling me what you are most looking forward to this holiday season. To earn additional entries, follow via bloglovin, Twitter (@thenosypepper) or "like" my page on FaceBook and leave an additional comment for each telling me how you follow. That's potentially 4 entries!!!  I will draw a winner via Mr. Randomizer after 5pm PST on Friday December 13, 2013 and winners will be notified no later than Saturday December 14th via email. If you are a no reply blogger please enter your email so that I can get in touch with you!

Good luck and have a wonderful holiday season!!! 

Lucky Denver Mint Bag vs. Jack Frost

Here in Cincy we had our first big winter storm. It was less snow and ice than predicted but it made for a pretty nasty day travel wise. Stuck inside for the day, what else to do but sew?

Considering the icky weather, this fabric seemed fitting and I had just enough to make a Lucky Denver Mint Bag from the book Big City Bags by Sara Lawson.

I was a little worried about sewing the zipper on the curve but it was surprisingly easy. 

I did add a front pocket to the bag, which was my only deviation from the pattern. I've come to love exterior pockets for handy access to my phone when I'm out and about. 

It came together quickly and I didn't have to rip out a single seam in the process. Yay for that!!!

The bag is a fold over style, and can be worn folded or unfolded. I tend to like the folded look myself.

This was the easiest zipper, I have ever installed. 

This bag is deceptively roomy when unfolded and has an interior slip pocket as well. I purposefully chose a bright fabric for the interior, it's cold, icy and icky out and I wanted something that looked cheerful and warm. 

Take that old man winter!!!

I'm using this bag as an entry in the sew mama sew's Sew Sweetness bag contest! Wish me luck, there are some amazing bags entered!!! I'm also entering my Piccadilly Circus Bag.

Keep warm :)