3 new team members

I just love this Bi-sexual Evening Clutch by new Team Member Sarah of The Electric Armadillo. The batiks are smashing as well as her hand sewing skills evident in the cathedral windows detail. The Peruvian coin embellishments makes it a real show-stopper. Sarah lives and creates in Florida currently, but her sewing career began at the ripe old age of five on a busy family farm in Pennsylvania. Life revolved around the seasons, and the activities of the horse and buggy Mennonite community life.

Bi-sexual Evening Clutch by The Electric Armadillo

Sarah is also the driving force behind a new idea on Etsy: The First Friday Art Walk.


Public Service Announcement:

Introducing next First Friday Art Walk on Etsy!!!! August 7th

Every month, on the first Friday, grab yourself some pizza and soda, beer and pretzels, or wine and cheese and go out on Etsy's First Friday Art Walk. Search by tag firstfridayartwalk under all items, and check the store sale policy, and if it has a First Friday section. Spread the word! Tell your family and friends via word of mouth, twitter, blogs, forums, boards, chat rooms, bullentins, facebook! Subscribe to the RSS feed of stores you definitely want to visit again! Enjoy!

Sarah's other etsy shop is full of handmade quilts.

VASARI Classic Clutch, Royal Blue and Gold by Vasari Handbags

New to Etsy is Sheri and her mother-in-law Janet of Vasari Handbags out of Boston. Apparently, they've been like two peas in a pod since Sheri married Janet's son. Both have a love for fashion and design and HANDBAGS so it was only natural that they go into business together.

The lush clutch shown above is just one example of their styles. You can visit them on facebook as well.

Dress Form Vintage Fabric, 'Chelsea Bag' by Chelsea Morning Creations

This cute little tote is made from vintage reclaimed fabric by Chelsea Morning Dreams out in the Pacific Northwest. The velvet ribbon is such a nice finishing touch. You can visit Chelsea's blog.

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3 new Freedom bags in our team shop

Have you visited the Carried Away Team Shop? We're up to 13 freedom bags now and more are coming in. Although you might cringe to hear it, Christmas isn't that far off - just 160 days or so. With these tough times, I'm sure a lot of shoppers will be spreading purchases out and scaling back. Why not make your purchase mean a little extra? Support handmade artisans and support our deployed troops with your gifts!

Patriotic Tote and tissue cozy by Hugs and Holidays

Patriotic Kimme Bag and matching patriotic wallet by Deanie's Duffles

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Super Easy Fabric Cuff Tutorial from Amy of Sew Arsty

TM Amy of Sew Artsy posted a tutorial on her blog for super easy fabric cuff bracelets.

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Souvenir Style Passport Wallet

If you are planning a vacation this summer try this Passport Wallet from designer Maia of the Glass Beach Blog. It was featured in the now defunct Adorn Magazine. It would make a great everyday wallet too!

Pattern and templates
Instructions

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Hero Box is ready to mail!

So I went shopping today for the things our hero requested and my client Dana came with me because we were on our way to lunch. Dana is a navy vet and is a big military booster. I was telling him about what the team is up to with these freedom bags and the herobox and I told him our first one was due to ship by July 13th, so I was going to fill it and get reimbursed from the team shop once we sold some freedom bags. He decided to buy some magazines to put in the box. He went a little nuts on the magazines, then insisted on paying for EVERYTHING. I'm not gonna say what the bill was, but a typical magazine is $5 or more. Believe me, this box is sooo stuffed!

The kitten feels that heros deserve EXTRA snuggles, but her purr-y self would not fit in the box.

The instruction sheet said "pack tightly to avoid shifting during transit." I think I got that nailed down! Candy makes GREAT packing material.... and it's delicious, too!

I wonder if herobox realizes that their R is upside down on the labels?

We're sending:

Requested items:
2 bottles of shampoo (girls and boys)
2 hand sanitizers
2 big tubs of baby wipes
LOTS of candy used as packing material.. 2 bags of starburst, bag a of skittles, jellybeans, and a bag of smarties

plus
a small jar of green goddess balm (that I got on etsy from my friend Ami @ monamiga). I figure our solider is probably in the desert and this stuff is the best thing ever for super dry skin

and the 10 or so magazines Dana picked out about motorcycles, cars, military, science and history

I have 2 more bottles of shampoo and some hand sanitizer in reserve because it wouldn't all fit. So, listen y'all, Dana said we better sell some freedom bags so we can send one next month, too! THANK YOU, DANA for your astounding generosity!

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More Freedom bags to fill our heroboxes!

Wow! My team is really stepping it up to make sure you have plenty of selection in order to support our hero! These bags were just added to our team shop. Our first box is due to ship July 13th, just a few days from now. Buy a handbag for a hero, show your love of freedom and fund our first box!

Red, White and Blue Clutch with Removeable Wrist Strap by April of April's Originals

COSMETIC CLUTCH in Chic Circles and Patriotic Stars by Beth of Southern Sweet T's

Red, White and Blue Woven Coin Purse and Key Fob Wristlet Set by Wendy of Bags and Buds

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Vote for TM Jennifer Ladd's handbag

TM Jennifer Ladd's "Handbag with Bicycles in Blue" is featured in the Etsy voter competition of the week. Please stop by here and add some votes!

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Scraps of Freedom Americana Market Tote with Origami Stars

Team Leader Solsisters turned in this Scraps of Freedom Americana Market Tote for our Summer of Freedom Challenge. See more pics on her blog. Bags are starting to be listed in our team shop. Come on over and grab some freedom to support a solider!

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TM Ebony of Love Bug Studios reveals her Freedom Bag

TM Ebony of Love Bug Studios went all out for our Summer of Freedom Team Challenge. She designed an entirely new bag inspired by both a deep respect for the freedoms of livings in America and by yachting season. You can read about her design process at her blog. The Kiwi Sailing bag is up in our team shop now.

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TEAM SHOP IS OPEN!!!!

Show your patriotic pride by purchasing a handmade FREEDOM Bag! Come on over to our team etsy shop. We're busy adding handbags created for our Summer of Freedom Challenge. We're hoping to send at least 2 boxes to our adopted fighting ladies (courtesy of herobox.org) with the proceeds from our FREEDOM BAGS. The more we sell, the more boxes we can fund for our troops.

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