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!

Embroidery: Hand vs Free Motion Machine

I am officially on vacation again!  Pretty cool getting to be on vacation for two weeks then go to work for a week and then get to be on vacation again for a week!  I plan on soaking up the sun, spending a lot of time at the pool, thrift and antique mall shopping, and sewing!  I am taking my sewing machine on vacation!  Weird?  Maybe, but I want to continue working on "stuff" for my soon to be opened Etsy shop!  

I've been making more embellished image transfer bags like this one:

  

A little wrinkly, but I hope you can see the hand embroidery I did in order to embellish the ladies.  Speaking of embroidery, I've been experimenting a bit with free motion machine embroidery.  Here is one bag I completed:

  

There will be plenty of internet access during this vacation, so I hope to post great photos of my travels and whatever cool stuff I come across!

In the meantime, I hope you all have a fantastic Father's Day!  

Tootles!

The Age Of Wisdom?

From The Graphics Fairy

So I've been a part of the Over 40 scene for a little over a month now.  I'm still not feeling the wisdom.  Quite the opposite, really.  Instead of ah ha moments, I've had ah what? moments.  Sorry, no epiphanies yet.  I haven't given up hope, however.  I am fairly certain I'll have an Oprah moment sometime soon.  In the meantime, I'll keep plugging along at work, home, and in my sewing room!  

The last bag I made is just a simple clutch or wristlet.  I've used the Japanese ladies image I used on a toiletry bag, but I embroidered on it a bit differently.  I really like this image and it transfers to the fabric pretty easily.  I used a really pretty Asian inspired fabric for the back of the wristlet.

  
My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the path of the mighty Mississippi.  Please keep all those in mind as that powerful river, and its tributaries, crest in the coming days.

I'm off to my sewing studio!  Take a moment to check out May's Rubens Inspired Dress Up dresses.  They are fabulous!  Have a great weekend!

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!

What's Your Bag?

I guess I'm still thinking of The Charleston, super cool cigarette holders, and flappers because I kept this Art Deco theme going when I created the above ATC for this month's Artful Bag Challenge.  My swap partner is Wendy from Wendy's Adventures in Wonderland.  I just sent her the card; I hope she likes it!  Be sure to click over to Frosted Petunias to check out the other "bag" ATCs!

Speaking of bags, I have been experimenting with my own design for a small gadget/personal items/make up bag.  I'm pretty happy with the size and shape.  I've transfered images (using gel medium) to a few of the bags and then embellished the image with beads, sequins, or just embroidery...like this one:

Here's a closer view:

Here is the the back of the bag:

For the record, I've never embroidered before.  What do you think?  One last word on bags...look at the awesome fabric I bought over the weekend!  It's Echino and too expensive to mess up!  My plan is to make a bag for my daughter.  Wish me luck!

Toodles!

Polka Dots and Cupcakes!

My almost 6 year old daughter is shown here modeling my brand new awesome apron I won from Samya at her blog, The English Country Garden in Bags!  I wish you could feel this fabric she used to make this apron; It is unbelievably soft.  I asked my daughter to model the apron since the dress she was wearing matched almost perfectly.  Isn't it great?!  Charlotte is also holding Martha's Cupcakes, also from Samya.  This book is filled with scrumptious recipes for the most decadent cupcakes ever!  I so can't wait to try many of these recipes!  Just in time for Christmas huh?!  Thanks again, Sammy.  Your craftsmanship is just perfect!

I'm still working on craft fair projects.  Here are a few more pictures of some of my "wares."

Coin Zippy Bags

Breast Cancer Awareness Make Up Bag

Fabric Flower

Breast Cancer Awareness Make Up Bag

Breast Cancer Awareness Make Up Box Bag

The craft fair is Saturday!  I've got a lot more to get done before then!

Toodles for now!

Angela

Blink: It's November!

First Ever Pumpkin Pie!

I hope everyone had a terrific Halloween!  It is always such a crazy night in my neighborhood!  My neighbors know how to celebrate Halloween...driveway fire pits, hot dogs, adult beverages (for moms and dads only), spooky decorations, and everyone is in costume!  I think the neighborhood secrets are out because I'm pretty sure I saw kids getting out of cars and running up to the houses.  Clearly these kids are from other neighborhoods!  I actually stayed at our house for about an hour giving out candy.  I saw some really unique costumes besides the usuals...Woody from Toy Story, Hannah Montana, and lots of lady bugs this year! 

 Now that Halloween is over, you know Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it!  I just can't believe how quickly October came and went; I literally think I just blinked and the month was gone!   November always flies by for me.  Both my daughters' birthdays are in this month.  Thanksgiving Day is in between!  Speaking of Turkey Day, did you notice my pumpkin pie?  Although I fancy myself a fairly decent baker,  I have never actually made a pumpkin pie before!  I made two Saturday and they turned out perfect, if I say so myself..which I am!  Maybe this is a sign that I will be ready for the Holidays before the day before!  Nah, probably not..who am I kidding? 

Besides the pumpkin pies (and overeating), I also managed to complete my laptop bag using the owl fabric I bought a few weeks ago.  I am really pleased with how it turned out.  What do you think?  (Pretend you don't see that the owls on the flap are upside down).

My laptop fits perfectly inside.  I've padded the bag just by using thick interfacing on both the outside and lining fabrics and not actually quilting it.  It works.  The only issue (besides the upside owls), is that I didn't sew any inside or outside pockets for storing any computer accessories, most importantly a power source.  I didn't really think that through, I guess.  Next time, I will definately sew in some pockets! 

To all you stampers, mixed media artists, and paper crafters:  what you do is hard!  I finally finished all 12 ATCs for the 12 Days of Christmas ATC Swap.  I can't believe how hard it was to:

 A. Come up with an idea for "A Partridge in a Pear Tree (yes I thought of sticking David Cassidy's head in  a  pear tree)

 B.  Carry it out! 

Have a look at a couple of the final cards:

What do you think?  I bought the tree and bird stamp, which, I thought was kind of cheating, but soon realized stamping really IS NOT easy!  I also bought some distressed Stickles? ink, which I used to glitterfy the bird.  Again, not as easy as one might think.  I hand colored the pears with a paint pen and I glued the music and glittery stuff on the top and bottom.  What you can't see is that I used shimmery paper.  I will be sending my cards to Wendy in the mail and she will distribute them among the swappers.  I can't wait to see all the swappers' cards.  I am sure they are all going to be great!   

Have a great day!  I hope to see you for Wednesday Wonderisms!  Until then, toodles!

Angela