We Can Rebuild Her

While I'm away getting my tune up, please take a few minutes to look at some photos I shot of my girls this past weekend.  We had a great time at a local art fair.

Both "kids" got to make music and art, including this stamped image of the Country Club Plaza (handmade by Charlotte):

Thanks for your prayers and kind words regarding my knee surgery.  I shall be back writing as soon as possible!  

Tootles for now!

One More Day

Love Coin Purse

Tomorrow is D-Day!  I've been waiting (and wishing for) this day for a long time, but, if I'm honest, I'm actually a bit nervous.  Why?  I'm not really sure.  I've been keeping myself busy the last few days for a few reasons...I want things organized when I get home from the hospital and I'm keeping my mind from wondering off to the "what ifs" of my knee surgery.  I've completed several sewing projects, including a couple of coin purses. 

I made this little bag for a friend's daughter, Nina. She is a huge Big Time Rush fan.  In case you were wondering, BTR is a boy band from Nickelodeon Channel.  I made the BTR coin purse using an iron on patch I purchased.  I then hand stamped "Nina" using my alphabet stamps and fabric ink.  I listed my "Love" coin purse Monday afternoon in my Etsy Shop and it sold within about thirty minutes! Very exciting!

I've also completed a "secret project" for the Bloggerette Sorority Sisters Halloween Swap.  I can't show you what I made, however because it is SECRET until after all the projects are mailed and received.  Then participants will write and post photos of their projects.  They will also reveal their partners at that time.  So stay tuned!  All the projects are due on October 11.  You can click on the link to the Bloggerette page and you'll find a list of the participants as well as more information about the swap, etc.

Okay, don't laugh.  I made a couple of walker totes!  My doctor said I'll be sporting a walker for three or four weeks, so I figured why not make a caddy in order to carry some magazines, hand sewing, knitting, etc.!  I used Simplicity 2822.  The pattern was surprisingly easy.  It was much like just making a regular tote bag.  In the photos, I've attached the bags to the back of one of my chairs as I don't have my walker...yet!  

Lots to do!  Tootles for now!  

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

I'll admit I haven't watched All My Children everyday for a very long time.  As a matter of fact, I probably haven't known who is who (who is doing who) and what everyone is doing since flipping between this and the O.J. trial.  I'm quite sure I'm several Erica husbands behind, but I honestly feel sad saying goodbye today.  All My Children is as old as me.  The show first aired in January 1970.  I was born in April 1970.  My mother was a loyal fan.  I'm pretty sure I became a fan inutero.  No matter how busy she ever became, and how many episodes she might miss, my mom always knew what was happening in Pine Valley.  That's the thing, even though I haven't watched the show in years, knowing that I could tune in and see Erica, has been comforting.  Now, the show is no more.  No more weddings, deaths, avalanches, fires, births, secret children, secret siblings, etc.  No more Erica Kane.  The irony that I will now be home in the afternoons to watch the show, is not lost here.  

I've written about playing Charlie's Angels, Sonny and Cher, and Little House on Prairie as a kid  in previous posts, but I can also remember many occasions channeling Erica Kane during script readings with my sister....she was in all our high school dramas.  Of course, she and I always made reference to Erica's lipstick, too!  You know what I mean!  By the way, Susan Lucci, the actress who plays Erica, is actually 64 years old!  Man, she looks fabulous! 

Erica Kane 1970

Susan Lucci (Erica Kane) Present

Characters have come and gone.  We've said goodbye to many over the years, including Phoebe, Palmer, and Myrtle.  Now I say goodbye Erica, Tad, Dixie, Angie, Adam, Stuart, Ruth, Joe, and Brooke.  Goodbye Pine Valley.

Tootles! 

For the Love of Fabric & Friends

Have I mentioned how much I love Etsuko Fuyura fabric?  Yes, a million times!  I'll make it one million and one...I love Etsuko Fuyura fabric!  You might remember that I used it to make a a purse for my daughter a few months ago.  This past weekend, a dear friend sent me a little box of goodies, which included an Echino Ni-Co 2011 by Etsuko Furuya Natural fat quarter bundle!  Heaven!  I chose the first FQ to make myself a pair of slippers.  I think they are beyond awesome!

I used Simplicity 2278 for my slippers.  I stayed true to the pattern, however I chose not to use Jiffy Grip for the bottoms.  Instead, I used a suede-like fabric.  My feet will be toasty and look good during my hospital stay next week!  Who said you can't look hip and trendy when you are getting a new knee?  (Would have been funnier if I was getting a new hip instead of a knee!)  Thanks again to my friend for my treasure box.  You know who you are and just how great you are!

I completed a few more bags and added them to my Etsy Shop.  The image transfers turned out great.  The first bag is coin purse size.  Doesn't Nixon look cool?  The other two are flat bottom cosmetic bags.  Who doesn't love bras and shoes?

Thanks for the great feedback about my iPad Curse!  Writing up a tutorial for one is on my list of things to get done before next week.  So, stay tuned!

Tootles for now!

The "Curse" is a Hit!

Ok, so I finished the "Curse" prototype last weekend.  Basically it is an iPad pocket attached to the inside of a messenger bag.  The first Curse, or prototype (not shown), I made to fit the wearer vertically.  The wearer, my friend and hairdresser, Dana, said the size was perfect and she liked all the pockets, but she felt this vertical style hung a bit too long on her.  So, I tweaked a few of my measurements and turned the bag onto it's side.  Inside the Curse is the iPad pocket, which is secured with a flap and magnetic snap.  Opposite this pocket are two additional large pockets.    

Inside iPad Pocket

2 Pockets Opposite the iPad Pocket

Inside Curse

Here is Dana's feedback email:

     "Okey dokey, the maiden voyage with the curse was a huge success! The weight distributes nicely, the pouch keeps the iPad from moving around and that's great for keeping the bag from swinging around or moving while I'm walking. I was literally able to forget i was even carrying it. I like the space behind the pouch for the cords and the flap that closes the curse keeps anything from falling out so I wouldn't fix what isn't broken and tack or close it. The purse section is perfect. I go to Houston next week so I'm going to use it on the trip. I'll let you know how it travels but I can't imagine that it won't be perfect for what I need. You're a genius!"

Sent from my iPad

Dana said she loves bright colors and it turns out is crazy for polka dots!  What do you think?  I'm pleased with how it turned out...guess I need an iPad now!  If you are interested, let me know.  I will post the dimensions, etc. in case you want to make your own Curse! 

In case you were wondering about the change on my profile picture...that's actually my mom.  I was going through old photos and came across this one.  I think it's an awesome photo.  The 7th anniversary (I hate that word) of her death is in a few days.  I miss her everyday.

Tootles!

P.S. I made another Kitten Party zipper bag and added it to my Etsy Shop!  I'm really please with the image transfer on this one!

Friends

Ah, there is a definite fall smell in the air this morning!  The current temperature outside my home is 62 and the high is only supposed to be in the low 70's.  Awesome!  Of course this is the mid-west and the weather can change drastically within hours.  Anyway, for now, it's superb!  Speaking of the mid-west, I want to let you know that I have joined the Kansas Etsy Team!  I'm really excited about being a part of the team, meeting fellow Kansas Etsians, learning from them, and generally spreading the word about Kansas' artisans!  Cool huh?  One fellow team member is my friend, Liza, from MacKomics Studio.  Liza is a genuine artist and all round cool gal.  She lives in Lawrence and hosts artist events every week.  Check out her blog for more information.  You'll also want to check out her blog because she has graciously accepted my request to to finish out the year as host of  Dress Up 2011.  I've posted the Simply Link link for September's Dress Up, so if you have your dress ready, you can post it there.  Or, wait and Liza will have a link up for September dresses and then she'll pick the themes for October, November and December!  Thanks Liza!

What have you been working on this Labor Day weekend?  I started this little embroidery sample a few days ago and finished up last night.  I think she's pretty cute, but I sort of wish I would have used red, or a darker color, for her hat and dress.  I'll try this again.  A perfect project for when I'm laid up after my knee surgery!

I've also been working on a "Curse."  This is the word my friend used to describe the kind of bag she is looking for.  She wants a case for her iPad as well as a purse for her other stuff she carries with the iPad.  So, I'm experimenting with a messenger style bag that will carry her iPad securely, her purse items, while not bulking, as well as the power source for the iPad.  I've made a sort of inside pocket for the iPad and, hopefully, will get a chance to work on the rest of the Curse later today.  

Have a great Sunday, friends!  Have a great Labor Day, too!

Tootles!