Makeup Bags, Hepburn(s), and a Lesson in Patience

Okay, whoever said with age comes patience, was, well, WRONG!  It seems my patience grows thinner and thinner by the minute.  To be honest, I've never really been Job-like, or anywhere close it, but lately, I'm afraid I am in desperate need of either a personal driver to take me to and from work, or, a vacation (preferably a cruise), or just a few days off work and some "me" time in my studio.  Is that selfish?  Okay, therein lies another question:  why do moms feel guilty for wanting "me" time?  Even if they don't get any?  Okay, I'm done.  No more ranting...promise.

Here are a few of the projects I had been working on.  I'm pleased with how these bags turned out, however I struggled a lot with the binding on the roll up bag.  Why does bias binding have to be so difficult?!  Anyway, I love the fabrics of both and the recipients were happy with them...that's the most important thing right?

I'm very excited about a sew along I've recently joined.  I happened across Sarah's blog called, Rhinestones and Telephones and read about the Hepburn Hepburn Project.  Sarah is going to create several articles of clothing inspired by the styles of Katherine and Audrey Hepburn.  I'm not sure I would be able to create six or seven outfits this fall and winter, but I think I can manage one or two.  I came across a vintage inspired Simplicity pattern that is Hepburn-esque.  Do you agree?

Simplicity

    Which view do you think I should try?  Let me know!  I'm excited to get started on this project!  I'm also excited about the September Blissfull ATC Swap.  September's theme is "leaves."  I'm not sure at all what I'm going to do, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears!  And hair...I really need a haircut!

Back to patience....while I nearly hit a Level 12 Meltdown on my drive home from work today, I had to literally stop on the side of the road when I saw this:

I'm no Marlin Perkins, but I'm pretty sure this is a fox.  A fox in broad daylight..in the city!  Wow.  I watched this little guy for nearly 10 minutes until he ran out of site.  I took a few deep breaths and smiled to myself.  Then, I finished my drive home...much more at peace.

Toodles for now.

My New Bag!

Hello crafters!  It seems like forever since my last post!  I have been sooo busy I've hardly had time to change my clothes!  And you wouldn't believe the state of my house, let alone my hair!  Anyway, on a postive note, I am one kid closer to another "project" room!  In other words, another kid gone away to college this weekend means I am down to two kids away from expanding my studio!  Of course now my hubby has plans for that particular bedroom!  We'll just see who wins out in the end!  Two more years and that room is mine!  In the words of Gordon Gekko, "Greed is good." (just kidding).

In between family goings on and work, I haven't gotten to my sewing projects!  However, I do see some light at the end of the tunnel...at least until soccer starts...and I will get in my studio and finish my in - progress works at least!  In the meantime, I received a purse in the post from JRae Designs!  To celebrate the opening of her Etsy store, Jill held a drawing for one of her handmade bags and I won!

JRae Designs

JRae Designs

Pretty awesome huh?  I love the YoYos!  I sew want to make those!  I also love the fabric combination!

Toodles for now!  I'm going to try to sneak in some surfing before bed...if I can keep my eyes open!

P.S. Can you identify Gordon Gekko?  A hint:  A 'like totally like rad' reference to the 1980s...

Sewn On: My Orange Themed ATC

Anna received the ATC I made and she posted it today on her blog, Frosted Petunias!  I am fairly pleased with how it turned out, but I am still afraid it is a bit amaturish compared to all the other Swappers' cards.  I'm having a great time doing the cards, however, and I can only do better with practice right? 

Speaking of ATCs, I want to mention that the girls at Blissfull ATC Swap are having a contest!  Those who want to play, have to create some sort of holder, carrier, display..er? for ATCs.  I've signed up because I am now addicted to this new medium.  Go and check it out!  To all those "sewers" out there...it's okay.  You can do ATCs, too!  I sewed the fabric to cardstock as well as "free embroidered" the outlines of the flower on my "Orange" ATC.  The coolest thing about this card is the flower stem.  If you can see, I used green thread in the top while the bobbin was loaded with black thread.  The result is sort of a "striped" stem.  I will definately be experimenting with this "free embroidery" technique again soon!

I've got several sewing projects in the works at the moment, including a few back to school goodies.  There are big things happening this week in my house:

• Diva daughter (AKA Charlotte) starts kindergarten!!!  Oh, and she has another loose tooth!  The Tooth Fairy may end up taking a second mortgage out!
• Stepdaughter #1 (AKA Sam) starts university!  We will be dropping her off at the weekend!
• Big Daughter (AKA Alex) starts her senior year at university!  (And she is the Editor-In-Chief of the university newspaper!!  Yeah, she's kind of a big deal!)
• Stepdaugher #2 (AKA Jac) starts back to high school!  Yeah!  Sorry, no milestones this year, but she's one year closer to graduation!!  
• Husband #1 (well, really #..) starts college!  He's taking a Photoshop class!  Hopefully he will be passing all PS things learned down to me!!

Well, that's it for now.  I should be good and tired by the weekend!  Toodles for now!

P.S.  In case you are curious, the poem I have printed onto the ATC is called, What Is Pink?  It is by Christina Rossetti.  Here is the entire poem:

What is pink? a rose is pink


By the fountain’s brink.

What is red? a poppy’s red

In its barley bed.

What is blue? the sky is blue

Where the clouds float thro’.

What is white? a swan is white

Sailing in the light.

What is yellow? pears are yellow,

Rich and ripe and mellow.

What is green? the grass is green,

With small flowers between.

What is violet? clouds are violet

In the summer twilight.

What is orange? why, an orange,

Just an orange!

An ATC, A Win, and Paying It Forward

Anna's Orange ATC

Hello All.  Just a quick Sunday evening post to share a few photos of the gorgeous ATC I received in the mail late yesterday.  My swap partner this month is Anna from Frosted Petunias.  The Blissfull ATC Swap theme was "Orange."  Honestly, I struggled with this theme, but Anna obviously did not!  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I'm sorry my photos just don't do it justice.  Anna sent the ATC tucked inside a beautiful handmade card.  I'm actually not suprised because Anna's blog is truely spectacular.  I've seen some of her work, including some fantastic little paper dresses.  I am so intrigued by these.  I definately want to try making some of my own!   As for the ATC I made for Anna, I sent it Friday, so she should get it early this week.  She'll post it when she does, so check out her blog (and her awesome works) and look for it.

Anna's card

I also want to share that I am a winner!  I'm nice, and darnit people like me...No.  I really AM a winner!  I won a great purse from JRae Designs!  Jill has recently opened an Etsy Store and celebrated by having a giveawayand I won!  Yeah for me!

One last thing...I discovered a great lady the other day at The English Country Garden...In Bags who is doing a PIF.  A PIF is Pay It Forward!  I'm participating in Sammy's PIF by posting about it here as well as  committing to give away a handmade gift to three readers.  It works like this...Sammy will give me, along with two others, a handmade gift.  I will give a handmade gift to three readers.  The other two readers that recieve Sammy's gifts will also give items to three of their readers...get it?  So here are the "official" rules:

 1. The first 3 people to visit my blog & leave a comment here on this post saying they want to participate will receive a homemade gift from me. You are allowed 1 year (according to the rules) in which to send out the gift.  (It will not be that long for me, however)


2. You must have a blog of your own to participate in the PIF.

3. You must post about the PIF on your blog & you must offer the challenge of a PIF.

By accepting my PIF, YOU agree to host a PIF on your blog, you will agree to send a homemade gift (within 1 year) to the first 3 people who sign up on your blog to participate in your PIF & so it continues.

Sounds fun huh?  Plus, you will actually be promoting Handmade.  Cool right?  So, leave me a comment and mention you want to participate in the PIF and POOF, you're in!
 
Thanks again to everyone regarding the Rewind Week.  I really had a lot of fun and am excited to do it again...this time Rewind 1940s!
 
Toodles for now!

TGIF MAN! And The Winner Is...

Happy Friday!  I am glad it is Friday, but sadly, that means that the Rewind is over.  Boo hiss.  But, I think it has been a great success and I am so thankful for all who participated and those who tuned in to check it out!  Friday also means that I have randomly picked the winner of the ridiculously expensive prizes!  Yes, technology was thrown out the window and I stuck my hand in a bowl filled with the participants' names and poof....the winner is....drum roll...DIANNA!  Congrats!  Let's have a look what she has won....

1970 Better Homes & Garden Hardback

Whooo!  Totally 70s Man!

Is that far out or what?!  The sewing book is actually really cool.  There are pockets in the back and a few "scrapbook" like pages where the original owner wrote her own notes and glued fashion clippings.  And the owl, well, how is that not quintessentially 1970s?  It is macrame man!  Dianna:  please email your address and I will send these (and maybe a few extras) to you!

Since announcing this 1970s Rewind, I have periodically posted photos of myself, my family, as well as 1970s "stuff" that are significant to me.  So, today I am posting a few more "me" pictures.  The first picture is of my mother, my sister, and me at Christmas circa 1977 maybe.  We are wearing the skirts my mom made for us...another Holly Hobbie type outfit.  I remember them being really thick, like they were padded.

Yes, that's me with the Mr. Spock haircut.  Again, thanks Sissy...she looks like Mary here from Little House on the Prairie (when Mary was going blind..remember?). 
One more picture of me as a kid.  Here I am...not happy.  Obviously this photo was taken before my sister decided to play Beauty Shop Barbie on me.

In the next several years, my facial expressions hardly changed.  My mother used to warn me that "a bird was going to come along and sit on your bottom lip...and poop!"  I just hated having my photo taken!  I guess I still do!

Well, for my Rewind Project, I used this vintage sewing pattern.  Actually, finding this pattern is really what inspired this event.  This Simplicity pattern is from 1971.  It was intact and surprisingly easy to follow.  I made bag 2 as well as matching SPATS!  Yes, spats!  They turned out so cool!  I'm convinced the Brady girls wore spats instead of matching boots all the time.  Think about it,  spats to match all your skirts and you wouldn't have to wear boots!  The spats just go over your shoes and make them look like boots!  Is that cool or what?!  What do you think?

Groovy!

Marcia Marcia Marcia!

I was a child in the 1970s.  My recollections are obviously different from those who were teens or even adults back then.  My childhood was filled with watching television, movies, playing outside in the country with my friends and relatives, riding bikes, go carts, and swimming at our town pool....even though I was convinced Jaws lived in the drain.  I also remember my mom working so hard.  She had to.  She raised my sister and me alone.  My father died just one month shy of my second birthday.  He was thirty-one years old.  It was 1972.   This post is dedicated to my parents...they were both superheroes.

  

Thanks again to all!  This has been a fun project.  I really hope you all join in on the next Rewind Projects!  I'm not sure when, but I'm sure we will be rewinding to the 1940s!  Doesn't that sound fun!!

Toodles for now.

Three Rewind Projects & A Few Flashback Photos

Hang on to your suede fringed vests and grab your Aqua Net...here are three groovy Rewind Projects from three happening ladies!  First up is Penny from Palaver From Pellie and Ghengis Khat.  Right on Penny.

Hello Everyone,


I was busy this week doing some old time crafting for the Sew Loquacious Blog Party:

Rewind Week 1970's.

After I joined I kind of panicked - as I racked my brain trying to figure out what to make.

While out antiquing -I found the answer to my prayers. A Christmas Craft book, published in the early seventies. I was sure to find something there. I wanted to try something I had never done before - and since I never was any good at tying knots - I knew macramé was out. I came across an ornament - that was done with needle weaving. - and it looked like it was achievable. So I gathered my supplies and got to work.

I have to say that trying to weave these small bands inside the hoops was a bit difficult for my poor old arthritic hand - but I kept at it. And I am kind of thrilled with the way it turned out,

Like I said it was suppose to be an ornament - but as I did my weaving - I kept seeing a witch ball.

Maybe - it’s because I was watching “Practical Magic” as I worked on it . So that is what I proceeded to make it into.

A bit more frou-frou's than would have been added in the seventies - but I like it.

What do you think?

Angela, also asked that as part of our post we give our impressions of the 70's.

To me the seventies arrived with no more fan fare than any other era. I was in my twenties and looking forward to making my mark on the world, but it never happened.

I didn't realize it till I sat down to write this piece that my memories of the seventies are marked with personal sadness and some tender feelings that still cause anxiety and hurt today. -I got married in 71 had my son in 73 and was divorced by 74. Worked hard the rest of the seventies as a single mother supporting a child. Had little time for television or clubbing to disco's or any of the fun things that made the seventies the seventies. so suffice to say the seventies passed in a blur of obligations and I wasn't to sad to see them go.

Enough said about that.

Hugs,

Penny

Thanks Penny, it is really beautiful!

Next up is Dianna, from Crafty SAHM, Again.  She made this gorgeous, award winning, blanket back in the day. 

Hello,

When I saw the post about a 70's rewind I was so very interested. Born in 1962 my teenage years were the 70's. It was about the time the post came out that I was going through some boxes that we stored at my house when we moved my mom from her home of thirty years in another state to a small apartment here in the town I live in. She absolutely kept everything. Think that is what got me started on this whole vintage thing in the first place. All the photos of my family members (aunts, grandparents, and such) all taken over the last 80 years or so. I just love looking at the photos of the of the women in there dresses. Especially the special occasion dresses.

At any rate, back to the topic, I was thinking about a project that I may have from the 70's. About 1976 I decided that I would place enteries in every catagory of the local county fair. This fair is a huge social event for my home town. At any rate, I placed enteries in sewing, needle arts, baking, photography, vegetables and such along with my lambs. I ended up with 32 blue ribbons, 3 red and 1 white as well as best of show in garment construction, crochet, photography, baked goods and preserved goods. My best of show in crochet was a granny square throw. Most everyone entered their traditional granny square with the black trim. I had one two, but then I decided to do a little something different and since I had found this new ombre yarn, which I still love today, I made the square with light and dark ombre. That is what one the best of show. When we moved Mom, she still had it so now it is proudly (even though my kids think it is lame) at my home.

I attached a photo of the throw, and yes that chair is from the 70's as well. It was my dad's and now sits in my sewing room. That is my story of the 70's Rewind.

Dianna

http://crftysahm.blogspot.com/

List Mom - CraftyDivaSwap@yahoogroups.com

Thanks Dianna!  Terrific grannie squares by a "new" Grandma!"

Next is my friend, Cyndi from Bluebirdswing.  Cyndi makes gorgeous purses, but is also a terrific blogger, lady, and friend.  Thanks for everything, Cyndi.

Hi there! I'm Cyndi from Bluebirdswing. I was happy that Angela wanted to begin her "Rewind Journey" with the 1970s. Personally, I loved that era. I was a teenager during that time and had some of the best times of my life during high school. There were some bad times, too, but mostly they were good and I have really fond memories.

Easter 1973 - getting ready to go to church. That's me on the left with the long hair and, er...rather short white dress! Dig my white shoes! My mom is next to me (love her hair style!; then my sister, brother, and grandmother. Don't you just love that orange bubble-globed floor lamp!

 

One of the things I loved the most about the '70s was the music. Some of my all-time favorites are The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, America, The Guess Who, ELO, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Credence Clearwater Revival, The Band, Three Dog Night, etc. There were so many, and I still love that music today!


I was a little bit of a Bohemian (still am) and I liked to dress a little funky. And of course any of you who follow my blog know I love BAGS! Well, do any of you remember these:

 

I always wanted one of these, but money was tight back then and I knew we couldn't afford one so I never asked for one. But I was so envious of a lot of the girls in my high school that had them. I wanted one so badly!

Never did get one, so I thought for Angela's project I would try to re-create the look of these bags from fabric. This is my interpretation of the saddle-bag style. With the exception of the black fabric, the paisley is 100% authentic 1970s fabric. When I told my friend Dee about this project, she told me she had a huge box of fabrics from her mother-in-law and she gave me two pieces. They still had the tags on them! This was the piece I liked best and decided to use for my bag. And while I no longer want one of those tooled-leather saddle bags, it was fun creating this one and I think I'll enjoy using it.

Thanks for hosting this fun trip down memory lane, Angela! I really enjoyed it. But excuse me now as I think I'll go put on some Bee Gees and boogie down! :o)

Thanks Cyndi!  Your bag is gorgeous (as always) and you are beautiful!

 

Now, here are some photos to jog some memories until tomorrow.  I will be posting my Rewind Project then...and I am pretty sure I am about to start a new trend for the 2010s.  (Can you say 2010s?)

The Gong Show

$20,000 Pyramid

The Dolly Parton Show

Hollywood Squares

The Lawrence Welk Show

Thank ya boys...

Remember, I will also be drawing for the Rewind "Winner" tomorrow!

Toodles for now.

 

Come On... Come On... Come On and Take It! More 1970s Projects!

Hey Crafters! Here are three lovely Rewind Projects created by three lovely ladies!


First up is a wonderful artist from Denmark! Her name is Anni and you can find her and her wonderful works on her blog, Fabric Art!  For the Rewind, she made a gorgeous fabric college.  Do you think she is an Elvis fan?

1970 was the theme Angela   from Sorority Sisters gave us to her Rewind week, in 1970 I was 21 years old, many memories emerged as I was thinking back in time, I looked at some pictures of myself, that was fun, but none could be used, I've always been a big Elvis fan, so it might be something with him, I found a picture of him from 1970 and in the same year he made a single - I wonder of you,  I used the first verse of the song on my fabric collage.

------


Hugs Anni

Thanks Anni! It's wonderful!  Next up is Debbie's project.  She obviously put a lot of thought into her project, which is not only visual art, but poetry.  Visit Debbie at Simply Debbie.  You'll be glad you did!

MY MR. SIMPLY AND I STARTED HIGH SCHOOL IN 1970 AND WE GRADUATED


IN MAY OF 1973. EVERY SPRING THERE WAS "MAY FETE" IN HONOR OF
GRADUATING SENIORS AND THE SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR GIRLS WOUND THE
MAY POLE. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED DRESSING UP AND THE
STUNNING COLORS OF THE CREPE PAPER AS WE WOULD WIND IN, OUT
AND AROUND THE MAY POLE.
TO ME IT WAS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL FAIRYTALE
MR. SIMPLY AND I DATED ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND ON SEPT. 13, 1973.
WE HAD OUR FIRST CHILD AMY ON 7/06/76. OUR ONLY SON WAS NOT BORN
UNTIL 1983.
AFROS AND STRAIGHT HAIR ROLLED ON LARGE ORANGE JUICE CANS...
WHITE TO PALE PINK TO ORANGE LIPSTICK....STUDENTS SMOKING IN HIGH
SCHOOL WERE OVERLOOKED AS LONG AS THEY SMOKED ON THE SIDE STREET....
IT WAS NOT ILLEGAL FOR A TEENAGER TO SMOKE LIKE IT IS NOW.
YOU WERE ALSO ALLOWED TO PRAY AT THE FLAG POLE AND THEY STILL

WERE ALLOWED TO TEACH BIBLE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM...WITHOUT

FEAR OF LOOSING YOUR JOB.

THE DRAFT ENDED IN 1973 WHILE THE VIET NAM WAR RAGED ON.
A NEW BORN BABY WAS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

PROMPTLY UPON BEING BORN..........IT WAS RESERVED FOR WHEN YOU WERE
HIRED FOR YOUR FIRST JOB....THAT WAS THE FUN... SIGNING THE BACK
OF THE CARD YOURSELF.

GAS FOR YOUR CAR WAS .25 CENTS A GALLON.

ATARI AND MONOPOLY WERE CREATED.
THANK YOU ANGELA FOR LETTING ME PARTICIPATE IN YOUR 1970'S REWIND.

HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE

Thanks Debbie!

Next, is Sheila's Rewind Project, which is so CREWEL!  Sheila is so fun!  You can visit her at Note Songs
...but be careful, you might become a Bathroom Diva!!  Thanks Sheila for participating!

Hello Dear Ones! I'm so excited to take part of Rewind Week - 1970s hostessed by Our Most Dear Angela at Sew Loquacious. Pop on over for a visit and you'll see other 1970s crafts!! Groovy!!

Well, I may have cheated a bit, but Angela said it was okay. Do you remember crewel embroidery? I used to love to do this form of needlework. Here is a sweet little Hummel embroidery I did in about 1970. Isn't it sweet? Wonder why I've kept it all these years? Hmmm..

Look at all the fat yarn! I love this stuff. Do people still do crewel embroidery?
Look at the little birdie? Isn't he a darling? Now I'm looking at the 'Hummel' there and wonder why I put a dot over the 'u'? Oh, well, I was young and we didn't have computers so I couldn't Google the name Hummel! :) Bummer!
See, even the colors are colors of the 1970s! Oranges, yellows and browns. I'm sure my appliances were Harvest Gold. I know I had on BLUE eyeshadow and bell bottoms, and was drinking a Fresca soda!! Groovy!!
Thanks again Angela for hosting this fun party. Angela is also my Bloggerette Sorority Sister!!

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)


Thanks Sheila!  I totally remember my mom doing crewel embroidery when I was a kid in the 70s!
Toodles for now!
Angela