Finished Lisa's Tote Bag with a Surprise...

I finally finished Lisa's peace sign tote bag and Sabrina decided we should make her a little journal to go with it. I love making these. I don't use a pattern, just cut the shape out of newsprint. The handles are rolled and hand stitched with embroidery floss so that they are soft and comfortable to carry a heavy load. The outside of Lisa's tote is a giraffe print batik in black and white and the lining of the bag is the same Kaffe Fassett print that the peace sign is made from - it's pretty funky. I really like how this came out.

I really need to make myself one to lug around my book, sketchbook and camera. Oh, that's right - I did make myself on - and even I used it ONCE -- until it was "claimed" by Sabrina. I've made three of these now - and not one hangs in my closet. Yes - I think I will make one for myself.

Enjoy your Sunday. Oh, and Sunday Stitches will be posted later today.

My Wish for YOU Today:

Laugh as much as you breathe

and love as long as you live.

Hippie Chic......

You may recognize this bag as one similar to the one I made for Monica a few months ago. I liked it so much I decided to make myself one. I'm always toting around sketch pads, books, magazines, notebooks, waterbottles, etc. and I typically carry small purses, and I don't like to load them up -- so I decided to make myself a cute little tote bag for my necessities. The outside fabric is a really cool batik and the blue Kaffe Fassett fabric I used for the inside lining, the trim and the peace sign. I love this combination almost as much as the hot pink and orange with black and white that I made for Monica. I liked that one a little better because the embellishment really stood out. I didn't really use a pattern this time I just winged it. (Tammy - I carry the pen you made me everywhere I go!!)

I made some pretty cool flowers in Jane Sassaman's class and as soon as Sabrina saw them she snatched them, picked out some black and white batik fabric, a bright orange print for the lining and handed them to me, gave me a big kiss and said, "pretty please!?!!!!?" What do you think my answer was?????

Dear Jane - Chapter I

Well, after auditioning just about every interesting print with contrast I could find (I even cut some up and arranged into blocks) -- I've decided on doing my Dear Jane with this cool Kaffe Fassett print as the tiny sliver of unifying "focus" fabric that I am going to put in every block, with white dimples as the primary fabric and perhaps, and this dotted Mary Engelbreit print and/or this variety of "dimples" in all the colors that complement the Kaffe Fassett print as little punches of color in the blocks. This should make a nice clean yet visually interesting piece.

Here is a link to my favorite fabric designer, Kaffe Fassett. His is a really interesting story -- and his artwork (fabric) is just glorious in every way. He has a way of bombarding colors together that creates a mood of power and passion and in many ways reminds me of Taos and the West - as they are so NOT afraid to combine unlikely colors and elements. Andrea, you may find his story particularly interesting, and Tammy, you may find his fabrics interesting because they are a great springboard for crazy quilting. I have known people who utilize fabrics with patterns such as these (the bold Kaffe Fassett print above) for crazy quilting and for art quilt pieces because the color elements in the fabric lends itself to some fantastic beading - simply by following the design in the fabric. FYI!!

Have a great weekend guys. I think it's going to be a fun weekend because as of now - it looks like the "men" are all going to be out and just the girls at home - which always makes for some partying in the studio!!

I'd love it if you guys would give me a shout as to what you think about alternative fabric selections. Let me hear from all of you because even though you may not work in fiber, and express yourself as a "beader" or a "painter" or "collage artist," your eye for color and texture speaks volumes and I so respect your opinions. I'm not sold on any of these fabrics yet as I plan on playing with this just a bit more before doing any "hard core" cutting. The only thing I'm certain on - is the KF print which will be the focal. Everything else is still up in the air. Let me hear from you - okay??

Groovy Baby.......

This month the Take it Further challenge concept is the question, " What are you old enough to remember?" What a great prompt this is -- as it has already lit a fire under so many as I have seen by visiting other members' blogs and reading their posts about this topic.

I would love to do something about my Grandma Wanda, or my Great Aunt Tiny who was a Daughter of the American Revolution, but these choices are both too intimate and I know I would devote too much time to them in order to get them completed by the deadline -- so I have put these to ideas in my journal as a future projects and have opted to go with my memory of.... "The 1960's".

It was exciting to be alive during that time -- so much was happening. And while I was too young to understand alot of it (I was born in the 60's) I was fascinated by things going on around me and to this day can't pass up a documentary or a book written about the 60's, hippies, the drug culture (Haight Ashbury, Woodstock, Timothy Leary), the politics, and, of course, the music (the Beatles, Janice Joplin, Jimi Hendrix), which I still listen to and love today. (CLICK HERE and I will take you on a tour of Haight Ashbury - I've been there and it's a really cool place) But what I remember most vividly about the 60's was the fashion. I was mesmerized even as a kid by the hippie "chic" fashion and the colors. To this day my favorite pair of jeans is an old worn out pair with "peace sign" patch on the butt which horrifies my kids when I wear them out of the house (revenge is sweet!) and one of my favorite movies is Austin Powers!

So, in honor of my "continued" love of this fashion trend (and my favorite jeans!), I went through my stash and selected my "grooviest" black and white batik fabric and a "far out" Kaffe Fassett print -- threw them together. Here's what I came up with..... check out the inside.....

and the back...... And while I would love to keep this for myself as this would be great to lug around my sketchbook and various books I carry around with me every day -- I actually have someone else in mind to give this too. Do you know who it's for????? Check out the pocket on the inside.... let me know if you figure it out!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone else's projects and reading everyone else's memories. I got mine knocked out early this time -- for a change. I also worked on my iris this weekend, but want to finish it before I post a picture -- probably in a day or so as there is alot of threadpainting. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Peace.

I Know, I know....

Nothing new in almost a week. I've been regrouping (and shopping!) I've got 7 things in the works right now and had to do some planning, sketching and preparing -- which doesn't always make for the best content or photographs. But -- here are some photographs of my "purchasing" trip to perk your interest. Most of these fabrics are Island Batiks, with a few Kaffee Fassett and Modas thrown in for fun. The batiks are just gorgeous !

Oh and -- if you see your name on this list (other than Leslie because her fabric is not pictured here) chances are -- you may get a glimpse of your present in it's "BEFORE" stage!!!
Here's what's in the works:

1. Sonoma Valley Art quilt for my lovely sister in law, Leslie - fabric has been purchased, washed, ironed and ready to go. Ovesized copies made and now I'm sketching and making templates for the design elements;

2. My Iris slice - The background has been painted and flower pieces have been cut out. I'm now ready to affix the flowers and begin painting in details with Tsukineko ink and acrylic paint;

3. Wurzerl's (Renate) Echanacea - sketching and designing in process;

4. Wild Girl's trade - fabric purchased today and is in process of being painted, stamped, etc.

5. Sabrina's dress for the art show - silk dupioni tapastry print this time

6. Aunt Nancy's birthday present (the details of which I cannot disclose because she visits here)

7. A surprise for a friend - fabric purchased today and is being painted and cut - and (the details of which I cannot disclose because she visits often!!)

Here's what needs to be in the works -- soon:

1. Sabrina's art teacher's "Pop Art" tote bag;

2. MIL's 80th birthday present;

3. Sal's "Ocean" duvet cover

(FYI - All of the fabric above was purchased at my favorite local quilt shop - Wish Upon a Quilt. AND, lucky you -- for those who don't live in the Raleigh/Wake Forest area -- they have an internet store with 100's maybe even 1000's of bolts of fabric. Here's the link: Wish Upon A Quilt)