Ups and Downs

Geisha Girl Cosmetic Bag (Flat Bottomed)

Surfer Girls Cosmetic Bag (Flat Bottomed)

Wow!  It's been awhile!  I've been MIA for over a week.  I cannot say the reason for my absence is that I've been busy creating, sewing, baking, or doing anything fun.  In fact, the only thing I've been busy doing is physical therapy.  Having this new knee is a lot of work!  "They" said I'd have ups and downs in my recovery.  The last couple of weeks have been full of "downs."  I've been going to torture therapy sessions three times a week, which actually does help, but geesh, I'm ready to be back to normal!

When not at therapy (or napping), I have been working on a few projects, mostly presents for upcoming birthdays and Christmas.  I made the two image transfer cosmetic bags above and added them to my Etsy Shop last week.  I've completed half of a poncho I've been knitting for my daughter.  Her birthday is in a couple of weeks.  I've also done a little more freezer paper stenciling.

This time, I used sparkle acrylic paint mixed with textile medium to create fabric paint.  I've never tried this technique before.  I think it worked pretty well, although the fabric is a little stiffer than had I used regular fabric paint.  This t-shirt is for my step-daughter, Samantha.  She is involved with a dance troupe at her college.  I hope she likes it!

    

A few nights ago I read a jewelry tutorial at Marla Plain and Small.  Marla's tutorial describes how to make jewelry charms using Dimensional Magic Mod Podge.  I tried the technique using a silver necklace bail and paper I cut from a thesaurus.

The Dimensional Magic is actually some pretty cool stuff.  It really does add dimension and the charm would have been really cool had I not used such a thin piece of paper.  I think the poor quality of paper is the reason why the words on the reverse side can be seen.  I will definitely try this again, but I will use higher quality paper, maybe even laminated?  If any of you have used this product, let me know.  I'd love some pointers!
  

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!

And The Bag Goes To....

Congratulations to Liza from MacKomics Studio!  Liza won my bag giveaway!  Liza can now choose any bag in my Etsy Shop and it's her's!  In case you missed it, this giveaway was my way to celebrate the opening (finally) of my Etsy Shop!  I'm so thrilled with the feedback I gotten back about my shop!  Guess what?  I made my first online sale over the weekend!  I'm still learning the ins and outs of Etsy, specifically, tags, labels, categories, "circles," etc.  I'm still not sure how to add more tags and what they should be in order to get my views, but I'm sure I'll sort it out soon!  I'll have plenty of time for an Etsy education pretty soon.  More about that in the next paragraph, so keep reading!  Again, I just want to say, "thanks" to my fellow Etsy sellers for adding me to their circles and helping me spread the word about my shop! 

I also want to thank everyone who commented or sent me emails in response to my last post about my weight loss.  Your words of encouragement really help to keep me motivated.  I'll let you in on the real reason I've been trying to lose weight and get into shape.  I'm scheduled for total knee replacement surgery next month!  If you are a regular reader, you'll remember that I had knee surgery this past March.  I had the hardware removed that had been replaced a few years ago.  You could say I had a screw loose!  Well, that surgery really kicked my butt. My recovery was slow and hard.  It made me realize, however, that I needed to get into shape before the "biggie" surgery.  So, that's my reason for my latest diet and exercise plan.  After all, I do not want to hobble into rehab post surgery and have the 70 and 80 year old patients outdo me!  Embarrassing!  Seriously, I am happy I am finally going to have a new knee.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  

Finally, here is a sneak peak at one of my new bags.  

Going For a Ride Zipper Bag

Going For a Ride Zipper Bag

I'll be placing into my shop soon.  For the record, the pleating, along with the "recessed" zipper...not so easy. Oh, I'm looking for a pattern or online tutorial for a laundry bag / backpack.  My biggest daughter, my soon to be college graduate (fingers crossed), would like one so she can carry her laundry to the laundry mat.  If you know of a good pattern or online tutorial, let me know!  Thanks.

Thanks again everyone.  I'll chat with you soon!

Tootles!

Vintage Sewing

I slipped away today to one of my favorite antique malls.  I came home with a few old sewing books, like the one pictured above.  It's from 1958!  I also picked up a few not so old recipe books.  I think they are from the early 1990s and they are full of low calorie recipes.  I know, not very exciting, but I'm committed to sticking to this diet.  I've lost nearly 20 pounds and am motivated, finally, to getting fit and staying healthy.  By the way, August is the third anniversary of being a quitter...a non-smoker, that is.  Woot woot!   

Flapper Girl Zipper Bag

Happy Secretary Zipper Bag

Thanks to all you guys for visiting my Etsy Shop.  I've added a few more image transfer bags, embellished with fabric yo-yos and buttons, so please visit again and pick out your favorite(s).  Remember my GIVEAWAY ends Monday!  I'd love to make it to 200 Followers, too!  Hint hint!  Also, be sure to link up to the August Dress Up!  August will be over before you know it!

Woo Hoo! It's Finally Open!

Well, it's finally happened!  Yep, I opened my Etsy shop!  It was a long time coming, I know.  I "opened" my shop at the end of last week and I've been slowly, but surely, adding new items almost everyday.  To those of you who have an Etsy shop, you know it takes awhile to actually "post" your listing huh?!  So, I'm not 100% sure I'm doing everything right, but hey, I didn't know what I was doing when I started this blog either!  

So, what am I going to do to celebrate the grand opening?  Well, I'm having a giveaway!  I am going to give away one of the bags in my shop!  That's right, you can choose any bag!  Here are the guidelines:  

1. Leave me a comment at the end of this post.
2. Visit my Etsy shop!
3. Be a "follower...Help me make it to 200!!
4. NOT required, but I'd love for you to write about my giveaway/shop on your blog!

That's it!  I'm going to have the giveaway open until Monday 08-22-11.  Also, I will be adding more items to my shop frequently, so stop by daily so you don't miss your new favorite bag!

Tootles!

Hopping To More Bags!

I'm taking a break from Shark Week to share a few photos of some of my latest projects.  First, the above bunny.  Yes, it's a bunny.  I tried my hand at felting this afternoon.  A few weeks ago, I saw  Isabella Hoffman on Sewing With Nancy.  She was felting with a felting machine, which actually looked like a sewing machine except without thread or a bobbin!  How cool!  I couldn't go out and buy one of those machines, so I bought a hand felting tool and mat.  I used freezer paper to make the bunny shape on a tan colored piece of felt.  I then placed the bunny shape on a piece of wool and then went to town with the felting needle tool.  It was fun.  I'm going to play around a bit more with Mr. Bunny and maybe even add some shading with the fabric markers.  Sidenote:  It seems kind of weird to be crafting with wool and felt when it is so hot outside!  Oh well!

I want to show you a few more of the zippy bags I've finished.  I transferred images to all of them and then embellished with yo-yo's, rick rack, beads, free motion embroidery, buttons and lace.  More stuff for my yet-to be opened Etsy Shop!

Lady Champs Front

Lady Champs Back

A Party for Kittens Front

A Party for Kittens Back

Blue Bird Front

Blue Bird Back

Beauty Shop Front

Beauty Shop Back

  

Back to the sharks!  Have a terrific weekend ladies!

What Makes Sewing Your Own Stuff Great?

Is it hot enough for you?  Honestly, if one more person asks me that, I might scream!  Yes, as a matter of fact, it is hot enough for me!  It is day 3 or 4 (I've lost track) of  being under an "excessive heat warning."  While earlier this summer I proved my theory that tan fat is definitely more attractive than ultra white fat, excessive sweating is not attractive in either hue!  Enough whining.  I am thankful it is summer and not winter!  

Since my last post, I've made a zippy bag using the Owl and Pussycat embroidery I completed.  I used an owl fabric for the back of the bag and a multicolored polka dot fabric for the lining.  I attached a super cute owl charm to use as a zipper pull.  I think the bag turned out pretty cute!  

Amid the cool conditioned air inside my studio, I also made up a quick bag using the fabrics I bought on vacation a few weeks ago.  I really like how the fabrics go together.  Overall I like the pattern, too.  However, I think I made the strap too long.  I do like to carry my purse across my body, like a messenger bag, but I don't think that a longer strap is suited for this particular style of bag.  So, I am going to shorten the strap and carry it just on my shoulder.  That's what so great about sewing your own bags, clothes, etc.  If you don't like it, you can alter it any which way you want!

I'm still working on my embroidery skills.  I really enjoy that actual sewing part of the projects, but I am NOT a fan of separating floss!  I guess that's part of the process!

Tootles!

A Necessary Tutorial Update and More Bags

You know it's Spring in the Mid West when the temperature fluctuates 40 degrees up and down in a few days!  Another big clue is observing the Wal-Mart crowd.  Half in shorts, flip flops and the odd muscle (loosely said) shirt.  The other half clad in winter coats and scarves!  Last weekend we turned on the A/C and I got a sunburn.  Today I donned my heavy coat when I went to work and am now wishing my husband would not have turned off our gas!  Damn you, Al Gore!

I got a bit of sewing done since my last post.  I'm hoping to have my Etsy Shop up and running by the end of May.  Fingers crossed!  Here are a few of the bags I finished this week:

"Pin Up" Bag

Close Up of "Pin Up" Bag

Close Up of "Kimono" Bag

After printing both these images onto transparencies and then transferring them to fabric for the bags using gel medium, I embroidered certain areas, like the pin up gal's shoes.  The other day I was trying to explain to a friend how to transfer images to fabric.  I told her to read the tutorial I had written.  I was mortified when I clicked over to review my tutorial and realized that I had left out an important step in this process!  I had totally omitted the part about applying the gel medium!  So, if you've read my tutorial and wondered...what?  I've written up and hopefully explained how to apply the gel so you can achieve the best results!  Remember, this process is is not perfect...and that's what is so great!  You will never get the same results twice!  In other words, the resulting image on your fabric will not look like you printed it directly onto the fabric via a computer printer.  You are transferring a printed image onto the fabric by hand.  Therefore, even if you use the same image twice, they will not turn out exactly the same.  That's what makes whatever you make with your image so unique!  

Hope you all have a fantastic (and at least sunny) weekend!
Tootles!

Japanese Fabric and Zippy Bags!

I'm in love.  True.  I'm in love with Japanese fabric.  I feel a tad silly, though, since I'm not really sure what makes "Japanese" fabric different or better, but whatever...I think it's awesome!  I bought a yard of Etsuko Fuyura designed Echino fabric to make a bag for my daughter.  She picked out the bicycle pattern.  I followed Simplicity Sweet Pea Pattern 2205 for the bag, although I made the strap longer so she can actually wear it as a messenger bag as she rides her bike to and from her classes.  My daughter wasn't keen on the flap, so I opted for a magnetic snap in the open top.  I found the pattern really easy to follow and would recommend it to anyone wanting a pleated mid-sized bag!   I found the fabric scrumptious and so easy to work with.  It's just too bad that it's so damned expensive!  Here are a couple more views..YUM:

I know one way to keep myself in Japanese linen...sell a lot of these little bags!

Front

Back

Inside

I made this little zippy bag for a friend.  She loved it so much, she wanted two more just like it!  I used linen-like fabric for the front and a pattern fabric for the back.  I transferred the image of the Beach Ladies to the front fabric using a transparency and gel medium.  I then embroidered simple lines to embellish each ladies' swimsuit.  I feel "less is more" here, which, like randomness, is actually harder to accomplish than it seems it would be.  Anyhoo, I really like how the bags turned out and will be making more in this small size, which is perfect for a few personal toiletries or some makeup,  as well as medium and larger sizes!  Yes, I so need to get going on opening my Etsy Shop!!!

Reminder:  If you have an April Art Deco Dress and haven't posted it or linked up to it, you can still do that HERE.  Also, May's Rubens Inspired Dresses will be on parade, too.  You can find those HERE.  I know they are going to be fantastic!

Tootles!