Niffler

 

. . . also, Merry Christmas, everyone!

If only we'd gotten our act together enough to take a glowing family portrait. Alas, we did not.
No - wait - we did:

Anyway, about that Niffler. I did make him after all (and yes, he even has a pocket for jewelry). Here are some substandard creature-shots in horrendous lighting.

That aside, I would not say he is perfect. For instance, I didn't have black fur in the house and had to make him dark brown. His snout/bill/snuffly nose thing isn't amazingly precise. 

But Emily (who'd asked for him) was right - he is somewhat Menagerie-esque in shape, and for a single night's work of drafting this prototype, Emily was quite happy with him.

Speaking of things Harry Potterish, I am still editing the hundreds of photos of Emily's Harry Potter party in September. I shall post them soon!

Have a wonderful new year, all, and may it be rich in family, love, safety, health, hope, peace, and all the things that truly matter. 

Blobfish

This amused me today.

It's a blobfish -

apparently, the world's ugliest animal.

Poor thing.

It is, however, the favorite animal of one of Emily's very good friends, so we made her a Menagerie Blobfish for her birthday. I've made a fish from the Menagerie base before, but Emily convinced me that it could be turned on its head/tail and be a fish in the backwards configuration, too. Well! It turns out she was right. It also turns out that it's the exact shape for other sea creatures, like the clownfish. And angler fish. And manatees. And fattish sperm whales. 

I love being surprised by how versatile Menagerie is! 

Emily, incidentally, has asked for a Niffler. Apparently, it's Menagerie-friendly, too, she claims. Do I have the time to squeeze one in by Christmas Eve? One hopes.

We're set for a busy week here in chez ikatbag, so in case I don't pop back here before the weekend, have a wonderful Christmas, everyone, and safe travels for those leaving town. 

Once Upon A MidSummer Night

Not really Christmassy, but I found this series of photos in our photo library this week and wanted to share. The husband captured this from the yard, through the sewing window earlier this summer.  Initially, since they were all so similar, I was going to pick just one shot. But then I realized they were a story without words. 

Aw - making a gift for someone you love. 

Maybe it is about Christmas after all.

Time Warp bags in Shop

Hello friends!

I feel somewhat accomplished because I weighed and measured and listed some items in my etsy shop for you today. Remember the Zip A Bag series from some months ago?

I promised that I'd be putting some of the samples in the shop for you to adopt, and they are there now! Whoo! I shall miss them because they were fun to design and make and beautiful to behold in their completed state. But I can't use them all and I don't have space for them at home, so I'd rather they go to other people who will use them and love them.

Please note that not all the bag samples from the Zip A Bag series are listed. My children and I have called dibs on some of the samples, for sentimental reasons. But there are still quite a few to browse and fall in love with. Each of them is designed and drafted from scratch - some are inspired by pre-existent bags and the ubiquitous classic zippered pouches, but the finished items are all limited-edition, one-of-a-kind prototypes that I may never make again, just because.

I've also added a few items from my existing stock, and there are a few Port & Sort Tote hardware kits still available if you want to make some from the pattern for Christmas gifts. If anyone is interested in the Port & Sort Tote fabric+hardware kits, please send me an email to request them. I don't have the Thermaflec or ripstop nylon on hand but I can pick some up at the fabric store within a day or two, and I have enough zippers in all four colors (coral, orange, light blue, royal blue) to put together a custom kit for you, and I can give you an estimate on when they'll be ready.

A note about shipping: based on previous years' experience, items can be shipped overseas in time for the holidays if you order before the 10th? of December. Shipping domestically buys us an extra week, but do purchase early to be sure things get where you need them by Christmas.

Go here to begin shopping, and thank you for your support!