More purses!

I've been having a blast making small purses for my Etsy shop! Have I mentioned how much I love fabric? But only in a "kind of addicted to buying matching Moda fabrics" way........ lol..... I'm not patient enough yet to tackle something as big as a quilt so I am focusing on small items like purses. I picked up a couple of new patterns while visiting my sister and made them up. I really like the way they came out. The first (Mini Tote Bag) is made from Moda fabric that we picked up really cheap at a yard sale last summer. It is totally quilted and it was fun to make:

I think I like this next pattern a lot and will be tackling a few more very shortly. I found this dragonfly line at AZ quilts in Peoria, AZ and it worked up nicely. I like the gathered part of the bag, I think it makes it look cozy (if that's possible in a bag?). I have been using magnetic snaps for closures, but went ahead with the zipper and I like it!

Here is another version of the Button Bag (see previous post). This time in black and white. I seem to have picked up accidentally (?!) a small bag of black and white scraps at Cazenovia Fabrics so snagged a half yard of black/white at Batiks, Etc. in Wytheville here in VA and made this little purse:

All three are for sale in my Etsy over here

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New Etsy item

I got many compliments on my quilted bag while visiting Arizona the past couple of months so once I returned I decided to start making a few from my Moda fabric stash to sell on Etsy. I used the Giddy charm squares to make a journal, but had plenty left to create this Button Bag. It measures approximately 8" X 8" X 4" with a shoulder strap and magnetic clasp. I modified the pattern a touch:

Side view:

Close up of quilted square and button embellishment.

Check it out over there on the right in my Etsy shop

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Giveaway!

Thank you to the fabulous Alma Stoller over at The Glossy Project for featuring me on the Glossy Project blog! I am so thrilled and honored. In celebration I have created a one-of-a-kind journal to give away over at her blog. This journal is approximately 4" by 6" machine quilted appliqué, hand embroidered, padded, and fully lined. The 100% cotton cover is embellished with unique fabric buttons, a ribbon closure, beaded wax linen stitching for the spine with original stamp work. Pages include tabs, envelopes, card stock and unique artisan folios. Each signature of pages consists of approximately 10 folios for a total of 20 pages and 40 sides on which to write.

Close-up of the detailed stitching on the front cover:

Hand covered button and hand carved stamp:

The back with my "trademark" UPC code:

A peek at the pages waiting to be used by one lucky reader:

To win this journal head on over to The Glossy Project blog, say hello to Alma and leave a comment.

Thanks to all and good luck!

Busy!

It's my last day here in AZ, heading back to VA with Bryan tomorrow at the crack of dawn. I'll be looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, cooler weather, and the birds at the feeder. The bird feeders hadn't attracted any feeders yet when I left the beginning of February, but Dave tells me that we have blue jays and others now! I need to get back to walking with Cheri and Maggie as I think I've probably put on weight here. Also spend way too much money on stuff! So, walking and creating are first on the list. Right after catching up on my sleep, driving to central NY, PA and Binney & Smith, cooking meals, well............okay............sometime then!

Even though it's been busy here at April's taking care of Dylan I've managed to create. I put together a nursery rhyme panel into a soft book for Dylan. The Cat in the Hat book will have to wait until I get home.

Last Friday I took another Dina Wakley class over at Creative Quest in Glendale. The class was "Dear Me". I titled my version "The Evolution of Me." I actually had to take photos of some old photos of me and get them printed in black and white. I sewed rather than glued my photos into the canvas and painted book. I almost finished it in class (a first for me, I usually don't finish and then the projects languish in a bag somewhere in my studio!) and added some finishing touches when I got back "home". The cover:

The book:

A spread with one of my Dylan photos:

The pages are inked and painted watercolor paper and canvas. I carved a couple of stamps (another Dina class!) and used them in the book. You can see the circle stamp on the page above. The heart is on the cover.

And how can I blog without showing off Dylan? He discovered his tongue the other night and I managed to capture the moment:

Newly published

I've been sitting on the news that I have been published again! I just received my advance copy of the Spring 2011 Somerset Memories magazine with my art in it. Several years ago April and I took a trip to central NY to visit family. I created a fabric memory book for her with photos and memorabilia. We are both excited to see her book in the magazine and even more excited that there is a photo of both of us included (the cover of the book!). Somerset Memories will be on newsstands the first of April.

AWOL

Along with taking care of Dylan with mommy for the past two weeks we have been shooting some fabulous newborn photos. I have managed to get some art done, but not as much as I normally would. That's A-Okay! Here is my favorite photo from a shoot we did last week, I love the wrinkled skin and fuzzy back:

The owl quilt is finished as well. I machine quilted in the ditch and around the applique pieces. It now hangs in Dylan's nursery and will soon be joined with an owl quilt from Great Grandma who is a MUCH better quilter than me!

I also made a couple of quilted journals for April and Miranda. Miranda had asked me about a year ago to make her a journal similar to my dragonfly idea journal and I finally got inspired to make it. She has been such a great friend that I wanted to let her know how much I appreciate all she does (like picking me up at the airport when I flew in last month!). After making Miranda's I got in the groove and made a similar journal for April in pink and yellow. My photos are out of order so here is the close-up of the April's cover with the hand embroidery, covered button (my latest addiction!), and beaded spine:

The entire cover of April's journal:

Miranda'a journal: It may be difficult to see but I machine stitched around every flower to give it an appliqued look (and look! covered buttons!):

Dylan!

Dylan was born last Friday and he's so cute I could bite him!