The Last Week & Free Stuff

This is the last week of the year of turning sixty. Today, I'm fifty-nine and on Friday I'll be sixty - how amazing is that! The opposite of older is dead. That reality certainly puts things into perspective. I'm happy to be getting older and to be heading into a new decade. I can't explain why it feels like a significant shift, but it does and it's exciting.

In particular, I'm thrilled to have a project to work on. With the recent changes in my personal life, I needed an engaging topic to develop a business around that not only utilized my skills and abilities but was fun. In my opinion, fun is even more vital as we age. I'd prefer to earn income having fun, to have more fun in my life, and to help others have more fun. 

I picked handbags not because of any research about the topic's potential but because I've been making them since my teens. I obviously enjoy them. To me, handbags are a practical luxury and a blank canvas. There are so many ways to see the silhouette and fill the form. 

Last week, I finished sewing and making notes on this basic boxed tote and I'm currently writing what will be a free pattern. Yesterday, I ordered a camera for making videos with plans to start both a YouTube channel and create online workshops including a free one showing how to sew this tote. 

The workshop will include many of the tips and tricks I've learned over the years to get flat seams, well matched intersections, less bulk, and a clean finish. I've always been fascinated by the most efficient, most professional way to create something. One blog reader described me as a dog with a bone. I just have to figure it out and then - when I do - I have to pass it on. 

Whatever it is that makes it work well has always been too good to keep to myself and I loved sharing what I knew before with my previous patterns, books, and workshops. While the topic is different, the desire is the same. I'm looking forward to helping my viewers create beautiful bags.  

I am working steadily on the first pattern and the first workshop and it's a STEEP learning curve. So much is different from when I did this before, over a decade ago. It's familiar and it's not. I'm learning new software, steps, and procedures and hope to have things functioning by the fall but I can't guarantee a time frame right now. I'm also developing a new website that will launch at the same time. SO EXCITING. 

One of the women I went to the retreat with in March is particularly gifted in this area and absolutely  LOVES it. As we've been video chatting, she gets so excited and lights right up over the technical stuff like I do over bag tricks. All I can say is THANK YOU because I can learn it but it's not my first love. I really appreciate her helping me AND I get to return the favour by helping her with her project. We are supporting and encouraging each other and holding ourselves accountable with bi-weekly check-ins. Again, I am so thankful. I am benefiting tremendously in multiple ways. 

If you would like to know when the pattern and the workshop are available, please sign up for my newsletter. 

AND... I'd love to know what kind of information you would like to see me develop around bag making? Have you made a bag before? How was that? When you buy or make a bag, what are the key ingredients it has to have? I'd really love to hear. You can post in the comments below or email me at myrna@myrnagiesbrecht.com.  Thanks.

Talk soon - Myrna

Grateful - for Lynn