turkey feathers

Polka-Dot Pocket Bag

 Thank you for the dolly love.  The birthday party was fun with lots of people and lots of presents, a little overwhelming for a four, but I think she liked it.  I also appreciate the information shared here on die and digital cutter systems.  I'm still searching for one that's programmable, cuts paper and felt, embosses, is no larger than a toaster oven, preferably pink, and cooks dinner at the same time.  That's not too much to ask for now is it?  So far I haven't run across that particular model, but I'm narrowing down the choices.  I didn't realize there were so many.

And the pocket bag is done (as you can see) and yes there are polka-dots.  This just couldn't have turned out cuter.  (Click on images to expand views).  It's from this book.  Grace loves it.  It's the perfect size for toting around her music books, water colors, drawing tablets, camera, cell phone...the works.  Hers also has the addition of a flap, which she requested.  It was super easy to do::  just cut out another pocket with lining ; stitch them  right-sides together; turn right-side out, top-stitch and slip it between the lining and the bag on the backside.  The directions didn't specify how much yardage was needed, but if you use cotton duck for the outside bag portion, as was suggested, and as we did, you'll need at least 1-1/2 yards to allow for some major shrinkage.  Half the strap is cut 37" long so a little over a yard of pre-washed fabric is needed for the whole bag and additionally for the lining.  Other than that, the directions were excellent and it went together without a hitch, although there was some adjusting and hand-basting around the handles and bag edges that was necessary to keep them aligned, but next time, I think I'll use a little stitch witchery to hold everything in place instead.  Nice little bag though. 

Back in the Saddle

I'm thrilled to be back in the studio.  Finished up several things. My sewing machine was humming along all weekend and so was I.  After I stitched up the Redwork piece, I wanted to do something with it and this is how it ended up.  Behold: my "Hugs and Kisses" bag.   I think I'll leave this hanging around, just in case someone wants to surprise me and drop something sweet in there.  Anyway, what makes this bag fun (besides the gift potential) is that it's constructed almost entirely from pre-cut jelly-roll strips; that means, no measuring or cutting.  Not to sound lazy or anything, but time is often a deciding factor with a project like this and short-cuts are most welcome.  The whole thing went together rather quickly too and that made me immensely happy.  I'm discovering you can do so much with these pre-cut strips.  Even cutting out diamonds and other shapes with relative ease for quiltmaking.  I know.  Everyone probably already knew that, right?  I'm slow, but I catch on eventually! 

Here's a sneak-preview of the Woody Alphabet I used here, which will be available Wednesday, on my website, along with the new bonus transfer set for Jan-Feb.  Also, another blog give-away, and a freebie pattern for all, so be sure and stop by for some XOX from me to you!

Mixed Bag

Here we have another big roomy tote bag, and just in time for a sweet little girlfriend who turned eight years old; the party was yesterday afternoon, so time was of the essence you see.  Which accounts for these less than stellar photos.  I can also blame the weather, because it's been a wee bit stormy and dark these past few days and I've been way too busy to rig up some decent lighting.  I'm happy with how this bag turned out though; especially the mix of patterns and colors. Right now I am concentrating on getting my house back in order... prompted only after the sun came out briefly and shined a light on the crumbs, cobwebs and dusty corners, and reminded me that a little sprucing up is in order.  But if I wanted to I could always revert to plan B:.If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet them with, "who could have done this?  We have no enemies."           ~Phyllis Diller

Keep On Truckin'

There's been so much going on around here (August is always a busy month!) that I forgot to show this bag I made last week for a little birthday guy who turned 5 years old Sunday.  It was really fun making something for a boy this time.   This whole project was a trip down memory lane for me too because it reminded me of my son Aaron when he was little and how we stenciled a border of Marimekko boboo cars on the walls of his room (to match his sheets).  It was a lot of work, because store-bought borders weren't available at that time and I had to make my own stencils, climb a ladder, dob paint until I thought my neck would break and my arms would fall off, but it all turned out very cute and colorful.  Now I see they have come up with an easier way to decorate using this wallcandy.  I still love how all this looks, it's such a clean timeless design.  Anyway, I took my cues from the toy shop trucks and a puzzle we found for the birthday boy, and designed a little carry-all using the same primary colors.  I'm probably the last one to get around to the freezer paper stencil.  I've used it for years for applique, and this was the perfect opportunity to finally try it out and like everyone else, I love how easy it is.  Just like magic when you peel off the paper and a perfect shape appears.  Here's a nice simplified tutorial if you missed it.  And look what else you can do with them here, here and here.  Who knew you could have this much fun with freezer paper? For the "road" I used a chain stitch down the middle of one side in one inch intervals marked with chalk.  The ruler twill tape added a nice touch too.  You never know when he might need to measure something, right?  Found that here.  The little tab on the side says, travel.  That just seemed fitting somehow.  I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out and he liked it too.  Started filling it up with all his new toys right away.  More pictures over here.

Reveillez vos sens

I've started a few sewing projects, but as it warms up, the great outdoors keeps calling "yoo-hoo" so I've been slow to actually finish anything.  This dainty bag is one I started over a week ago and have been working on, bit by bit, in between all the real-life stuff that always takes the wheel.  My starting point for this was an old pillowcase, part of a set my grandmother gave the Mister and I, as a wedding present after we were married.   At first I stored these away wrapped in tissue, inside the scented box they came in and just admired them from time to time because I was afraid to use them.   Eventually I succumbed and the cases are now shot with holes from years of use, bleach, and time, but I've managed to salvage the little 'Hers' monogram here for remembrance.   The faded cotton toile worked beautifully with this I think.   The rick-rack, daisy trim, and eyelot lace add a bit of confection to "tempt your senses" (hence the post title).  And that candle, from Bistro, has sent my head spinning...this cranberry citrus has been my favorite for awhile, but they also come in an array of other fragrances too. 

 

Yellow Bird Bag

 Orange Friday...and using what I had. . . .I just put the finishing touches on this dainty little bag that's going out to Didine who's been waiting a very long time (and very patiently I might add) to do a swap. Used this same bird motif again, but did the embroidery in different colors to blend with the warm golden yellows here. I'm really having fun making these little tissue pouches, which are making the rounds again on lots of craft blogs. The super talented and generous Cassie aka Bella Dia had this tutorial for one. And I thought I saw another one on craftster too. They're quick and fun, and make use of scraps left-over from bigger projects. I've made about a dozen so far. This one's going along with the bag, that will have a few more surprises tucked inside. Now, off it goes to the shipping post.

 

Matching Bag

If this bag looks familiar it's because it was made in the same image as this one, but with a different color palette.  It went to a sweet pal who had a birthday last week.  (She sometimes peeks at my blog so I couldn't show it off until now without spoiling the surprise.)  I used all the same details, including rick-rack and another of those fabulous buttons from LK.   I had a bit of fabric left and made a matching tissue holder too.   She really loved it, and that made me so happy! 

Make-Believe

My goodness, I do seem to be on a roll lately with making bags and lots of other crafty stuff and it's all coming directly from my stash, with the exception of the new polka dot fabrics, which I'm finding out have a magical way of perking up even the dullest old patterns & prints. As Cassie suggested, I do believe there must be a magic wand waving around in here somewhere. I actually made two bags this weekend, and this is one of them. Now I've had this dreamy cotton chintz for umteen years, and originally had used it to slipcover some cushions on my white wicker porch chairs. I saved the scraps, but never thought of using them until now. Funny how when you bring something out that you haven't seen for a long time, you suddenly see it differently; for better or worse. Or, of using it in a way that you hadn't thought of before. I love when that happens. I couldn't decide if I really liked this, when my youngest (who is a very girly 8-year-old) hopped into the room and saw it. She stopped cold in her tracks and her whole face lit up and then she said, in a faint whisper, "oh! This is just my style!" I was kind of taken aback, because normally she doesn't pay much attention to what I'm working on.  I think it was the little bird that caught her eye.  Funny enough, she had actually just been pretending to be a bird.  A bird named "Rose" as a matter of fact.  So this went to her.  Afterall.

 

Updated to add:  source for bag pattern.

Use What You Have

My sweet friend Toni, over at simple sparrow has declared April Use What You Have month and has invited others to join in. This bag qualifies so I'm sharing it now to bring attention to the challenge: not to buy anything new, but just use the materials you have on hand for one month. Not really that difficult for me because I have an embarassingly huge amount of stash here from years of sewing and crafting. Plus it really makes me happy to use what I have. That, and the fact that often times it results in bringing originality to a piece, because it forces me to experiment and look at things differently. I rarely know what I'm going to end up with because it all just sort of evolves out of trial and error. Sometimes, things don't turn out how I had envisioned; but I still learn through the creative process. Usually though, I'm happily surprised, like with this bag. Yet another use for a yo-yo. I love this old flower button too.  So absolutely perfect for this bag. I went a little smaller and softer with the colors on this one. Yummy lining fabric that I found while rummaging through my stash. And of coarse a little vintage rick-rack in a "robin's egg blue".  The back is one glorious print. Naturally I fell in love with the bluebird. Cassie might recognize this fabric. It was part of the vintage swap we did last year that also just happened to be organized by Toni too.  Funny how this all came full circle.

Seeing Spots

And (drumroll) another bag.  This one's got a sweet 30's vibe with polka-dots and rick-rack which always seem so hip and happy. The flower print is from RJR "everything but the kitchen sink" line.  The plaid is a new dishtowel I chopped for another project.  It's super satisfying to get more mileage out of it.