Fabulous Flea Market Finds

My vacation/stay-cation ends tonight.  Boo.  A few more hours and then it's back to work.  Yuk.  I have had a very nice time these past two weeks.  I have camped, canoed, eaten s'mores, and swam.  I've gotten tan and a few bug bites.  I've also gotten to hang out with my family and I've loved that!  I also got to sneak into a few of my favorite flea markets and junk shops.  That's where I found the Singer Sewing Machine Book.

This book was copyrighted in 1954, but I believe it was given as a gift to "Eleanor" in 1957 because of the inscription:  

I just love finding old handwritten notes.  It's so personal, isn't it?  Besides this awesome book, I also came across some pretty cool purses:

This was my favorite:

And look at these shoes!

Were ladies' feet smaller years ago?  It seems like vintage shoes are all so small!  Hmm.

While this vacation is almost over, I have another week scheduled the week after Father's Day.  So, I guess I shouldn't complain too much!

Tootles!

Make Something Saturday: Purses & Bags

Lush Stuff Pretty Shoulder Bag

Happy Saturday!  I hope everyone is doing great!  Personally, it's been one heck of a week for me!  I've been busier than ever and just hope to enjoy a creatively quiet weekend.  I do have a few "to dos" to get done including completing my  Art Deco April Dress!  Be sure to have a look at the dresses already posted HERE.  

Besides my paper dress, I do want to get some more sewing done.  I've been working hard on card wallets, box bags, and zip pouches.  I hope to slip in making a new purse for myself sometime during the weekend, too!  Is that selfish?  Don't answer that!  For some new purse inspiration, I've been doing a bit of web surfing.  Here are a few purse projects that might inspire you this weekend as well!

Hobo Bag at Think Liz (PDF available)

Friday Night Clutch at Sew A Straight Line

The Project Corner's A Line Purse

These are all great tutorials!  If you decide to make a new bag for yourself and you want to change up the strap...and make it adjustable, click HERE for my Adjustable Fabric Strap Tutorial or if you like the look of a belt buckle for your purse strap, click HERE for that tute!

Happy Sewing and have a super weekend!

Blogiversary or Blog Birthday? It's MINE!

Is is Blogiversary or BlogBirthday?  Whichever, it's MINE!  Actually, my one year blog birthday or blog anniversary was Saturday..  Can you believe it?!  It's been a wild and crazy year.  I've learned so much and  "met" so many fantabulous people!  I know this second year will bring even more fun and new, exciting artistic endeavors await!

You might remember, my Try Harder #6 was to open my Etsy store to coincide with my anniversary date, but, alas, I'm a little behind schedule...such is a common theme in my life.  So, I haven't opened my store yet, but I have been working on a bit of an inventory.  What do you think:

I know there are a ton of handmade purse-type items and sellers on Etsy, but I think there is room for one more.  Right?  The above is actually a checkbook cover and a matching coin purse.  Would you buy these?  Come on, be honest.  I would.

I've been working on more inventory items, to include more checkbook covers, purses, pouches, and bags.  I've also been working on ATCs, the artist inspiration for March Dress Up, and my Mug Mat.  I've actually finished my mat and it's on it's way to my swap partner.  Once Margaret at The French Bear receives it, she will post a photo as I will when I receive her's.  It was first real quilting project and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  I can't wait to receive a mat from Margaret.  Her blog is just gorgeous.  You should click over and check it out!

Have a super Valentine's Day and a great week everyone!  I'll talk to you soon.

Angela

Back In Business...Sort Of

Happy Happy Happy!

I am super HAPPY to report that I am B*A*C*K!!  Well, sort of.  My super smart hubby installed a new hard drive in my computer after receiving (finally) the recovery disc from HP.  All went well. However, I'm now missing all my photos, documents, including my Blogger cheat sheets, and the programs I had installed, most importantly, Adobe Elements!  Never fear, I am in the process of reinstalling the programs and my husband says he can put the photos back since they are currently being housed in a temporary external hard drive.  Is hard drive one word or two?  Anyway, I'm looking at this as a "clean slate."  Plus, I have a giant excuse to get my camera out and shoot a ton of new photos!  See above as an example!  This is my littlest daughter with her BFF, Wallace, in the igloo she and my hubby carved out of the snow a few days ago!  Pretty cool huh?  Literally!

Here is another new photo:

This is another journal, or book cover I made.  I thought this style appropriate for a recipe book.  I've been experimenting with different fabrics and embellishments.  The base (blue) is duck canvas and the brown is linen.  I've used my fabric crayons and markers to draw the lady cook.  Her apron is cotton and I've trimmed it in lace.  I used my alphabet stamps for the word, "make," since I don't like the look of my freehand writing.  I trimmed the top in lace and adhered a "vintage" button to the cover using a button pin.  Of course, I put a little bling at the cook's collar! I hope you like it!

I've also been busy working on February's dress, purse, and ATC! I have also decided to try my hand at quilting!  I have been admiring Donna's mug mats from afar..until now.  Donna, of Brynwoodneedleworks, created a tutorial on how to create her mug mats and is hosting a Mug Mat Swap!  I just can't wait to get started!  Have a look at some of Donna's work and get the information about the swap HERE!  I'm a little nervous about making and sewing the binding...any pointers?

Have a great week everyone!  Toodles for now!

Angela        

Purses and Dresses

Artful Bag Challenge
January 2011
"A Bag for the Opera"

Well, I've finished my first Artful Bag Challenge Playing with Paper purse!  I had so much fun making this bag!  I used scrapbook paper for the body of the bag and then embellished it with ribbon for the fringe, lace (above the fringe), a ribbon rose, a "pearl" for the "closure," and a string of pearls for the strap.  Oh, and I painted the "metal" at the top.  To see more bags specifically made for this challenge, click HERE to visit Anna at Frosted Petunias.  You'll be glad you did!

Woman With A Pearl Necklace at a Loge 1879

I decided to design my first purse to coordinate with my January Dress, which I based on Mary Cassatt's Woman With a Pearl Necklace at a Loge.  Cassatt, an American, was one of the premier Impressionists.  Her paintings are beautiful and many of the subjects are woman and children.  In my opinion, they are very feminine. 

Dress Up 2011
January 2011, Impressionism
"A Dress for the Opera"

For my paper dress, I used pink tissue paper, which I painted with pearlescent fabric paint, a ribbon rose, ribbon for the shoulders and lace, also painted with the pearly paint.  I also attached a pearl necklace.  The dress is sort of 3D because I pleated the tissue paper in order to give the skirt a bit of fullness. 

I can't wait until next month...for both challenges.  The Artful Bag Challenge's theme is Altered Art.  Another first for me!  I haven't decided the February artist theme for Dress Up 2011 ...any suggestions?  Who is your favorite artist?

Toodles,

Angela

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...

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.

Two New Bags...and Elvis?

Middletown Journal

Hello from sunny and super hot...Southern Missouri!  My family and I are on vacation in, I guess, the Country Music/Cheesy toupe wearing Capital of the Mid-West...otherwise known as Branson, MO!  It's been great so far and I am so excited to get to spend this time with my entire family.  I can't remember the last time my whole family took a vacation together.  My hubby and I have four kids...his, mine, and ours.  All girls...ranging in age from 21 to 5!  We are also blessed to have my cousin, Stef, and her sweet baby girl, with us, too.  Yes, my hubby is totally outnumbered by the girls, but I think he secretly loves his little "harem." 

So, since my cousin is with me, I can show you the bag I made for her before leaving on this trip.  It was one of those secret projects I was working on.  I really like how the bag turned out.  I only wish I would have had my custom Sew Loquacious stamp before I when I finished this purse.

If you can see it, the button on the band matches the shape of the fabric flower design almost perfectly.  The button serves no purpose, but is only decorative.  This bag is similar to the bag I made from the Goodwill skirt, but I made Stef's bag a tad smaller and also put a magnetic snap in it for a closure.  What do you think about this bag?

Another project I managed to finish before my trip was this makeup bag.  I had been using the same makeup bag for like 10 years!  Can you believe that?  So, I made this box bag based on the Stacy Sews box bag I made a month ago or so.  I am in love with this fabric.  I hope you can see the detail of this design.  It is so great.

Well, that's it for now, but stay tuned.  I hear Branson is ripe with quilt stores, and I am hoping, fabric stores.  Surely I will find some fabulous fabric for my stash right?!

Toodles for now!

Cell Phone Cases, a Purse, a Favicon, a Participant Event, and Badly Dressed "Women." What A Day!

Hello!  I hope everyone (in America) had a great...and safe...holiday weekend!  To those not in the USA, I hope you had a great weekend, too!  I can tell you that my dog is glad the fireworks are over.  He has been petrified since July 1st!  He's finally able to come out from his hiding place under the bed and resume his domination over the cat.  Go get her Wallace!

I accomplished a few sewing related things over the extended weekend.  First, I finished the third, or is it the fourth, cell phone case?  I have been tweaking the design since the first one I made was completely unpractical for me.  My final (I hope) design is the same size, but instead of batting, I used two layers of flannel.  I tried one layer and found this too light weight.  For this final design, I also slipped a piece a stencil plastic in between the layers on the backside in order to stiffen this part of the case.  I used Velcro and sewed both pieces on with invisible thread.  The button is for decorative purposes only.  It serves no function.  I've given the case to a friend who has the same phone as me.  She has been tasked to carry her phone in this case and report back its practicality, etc.  What do you think?  Oh, this time I got the birds going the "right" direction. 

I also got my hands on some of the fabric I bought Friday.  I decided to try Simplicity 2396A Sweet Pea Totes  with the black and red fabric.  I found this pattern was written well and surprisingly easy to follow.  I really like the design of the bag and I love the pleats.  One thing I might change when I do another is to lengthen the straps.  They are a bit short for my taste.  The fabric is delicious. 

I'm very pleased with this bag.  I might have to keep this one for myself!

Have you noticed my favicon?  That's the little image that appears in your open tab or toolbar when you are on a site that has its own unique icon.  Mine is a shrunken version of my profile image.  As I have stated numerous times, I am not a super techno savvy mama.  This favicon was a HUGE accomplishment for me.  I have been working on it for days.  Last night when I clicked and finally saw the image, I nearly jumped out of bed!  I felt like I had won the lotto or something!  Now that I am an expert, I am willing to help any of you who would like their own favicon for their site.  Send me an email and I will let you know how I made mine!

BREAKING NEWS!!  I've got a participant event I am working on.  I'm sorting out some details, but I'll give you a hint...are you a Gen X'er? A Babyboomer? Do you still wear your favorite Chic jeans from the 80's?  Do you drool over Audry Hepburn fashion?  Mull over these questions and come back for the reveal!  I hope to post the details in the next day or two!

Okay, one last thing....I saw these "people" today as I walked into work.  I say people because I'm not quite sure if they are horribly dressed women or men in ugly women diguises...Happy Birthday America!  Only here can you walk down the street in slippers, rollars, and outfits like these!

Toodles for now!

Purses, Purses, and More Purses!

As promised, here are the pictures of the many purses I came across during Flea Market Friday yesterday:

I also saw a really old sewing machine inside a beatiful wood cabinet.  I was tempted to buy this, but unfortunately I really don't have any place to put it. 

And I just had to snap a picture of this song magazine after I spied the name on the cover....Amy Butler...another famous Amy Butler...designer of fabulous fabrics!

I hope you have enjoyed these photos.  It was a great (and long) day of looking and shopping. 

I'm excited to start my next projects so I can use the fabric I also bought yesterday.  Here is a sneak peak:

Pretty nice....can't wait to start!  Now, which one will I use first?

Toodles for now!