After much contemplation this morning.....

I finished the latest bag Squares and Sticks. I made a magnetic flap to close it in the shape of one of the ....shapes  :)

Now on to the next one. Looks like maybe something bright.

Can't seem to settle down!

Since my surgery, I have come back making hand bags. Well, I also made a small cocktail type hat and wore that to the wedding in June.
My latest problem is that I want to DO EVERYTHING at once. I just got this fabulous millinery book and want to dive right in, but my other self (Gemini) says to finish up what you started and then go forward with the applique plan for my spring League jury, etc.

I think I have ADHD! I am now looking at my silk vessels as possible hats. I'm just not sure how to make them into hats yet. Once sewn all over, they are still catchy - like spider web feel - and snag easily. If I use stabilizer, they are a bit stiffer and don't snag, but do need to be shaped.

Any input from any friends would be appreciated. I think one of my friends understands how this do everything feels. I think 'm following in her footsteps. Yipes!

No dyeing yet

I started to wrap, fold, spindle, mutilate silk scarves ala shibori, but my thumb gave out and I have to do this a bit slower than I want to. I got one tied, and one half tied with 7 more to go, but some will be folded as well, so that isn't hard to do.
The problem with dyeing is that there are SO MANY wonderful colors and so little fabric! I am going to do some ice dyeing with this batch too.

Back to finishing up the squares and sticks handbag..............  what a good girl  :P

Handbags and Hatboxes and Stiff Neck - Oh My!

Yesterday morning, stiff neck ignored (bad idea, by the way) I sent off my Bohemian Waxwing to NY for the exhibit. That is a milestone for me - never sent any of my work away except to the jewelry publisher - but that doesn't count. This is for a real genuine exhibit and I hope I sell it too!

I finished my hatbox I was working on for my red feather hat I had made for the wedding. Now it has a home.







I have also been working on another handbag which is my own design - I call it Squares and Sticks. It is in a fairly vibrant color scheme. I will do the next one in the orangy/greeny/browny colors of the squares and sticks - 'cause I like it. This bag is smaller than the others I have been making. I was getting the feeling that I had been making suitcases (LOL!) not really, but being a small person, I usually like smaller sized/scaled things, so here you have it.

I also have a black and tan/gold one, a multi-color one, another purple one, brown and teal and blue. I don't think I have enough time though.

Today I plan on getting out some silk scarves and dyeing them. We will see how the dye fairies think of me being so absent :)

Latest Finished Bag

Here's a pic of the last one I did. I already have two more in construction stages. Show is coming up.......got to have stuff to sell. Why do I do this every year?

I am actually enjoying making these. Now that I have a bit of confidence in the how and why area of bag making, it is quite enjoyable.  :)

Birds in Stitches - on line viewing

You can now see the accepted entries of the pieces in the exhibit, Birds in Stitches. I am pretty pleased to see that I am rubbing elbows with "famous" artists like Caryl Bryer Fallert and Wen Redmond.
It is something to "Crow" about eh?
My piece will be shipped to NY later this month. Right now I am floating on air :)

Working on something old?

I have been out of the loop so long I just don't know what's "in" or "out." The good thing is that I know what I like :)
At the recent show in Manchester, I ran into a hand bag (yes, still doing those) that was called a chenielle bag. Being a touchy/feely kind of gal, I needed one, so bought the cutter and pattern. This one is purely experimental and that does sound good considering I just want one. LOL!

So after my post card label debacle yesterday which we won't revisit now that I am in a good mood, I decided to cut the fabrics for the main part of the bag. I am usually a neat and clean worker - sort of. This time I was cutting and throwing fabric scraps around! (I actually had fun) and put together the required five layers of fabric. Then I started sewing the layers together and am now half done the sewing. I should finish that later today.

I got my clips and rings in the mail for the handbags that I ordered. These are color coordinated and not sold in stores around here. I had to order from NY, but the colors are nice and next time I will get smaller clips - I think I could hold down a  German Shepard with these! LOL!!! I may not use them - I don't know. Ten minutes later..................I do know! I ordered some smaller ones :)

Today I get a certificate and pin for being a member of the DAR for 25 years! It sure does not feel like that long, but it is a nice acknowledgement.

Sewing adventures - I'm on the "I need express"

My only show is coming up fast, so now I need to do all kinds of stuff for it. I have been making hand bags, but need more than four.............don't you think?
I need to do more scarves before there aren't any leaves and things left for printing. I need to test some coating stuff for my silk bowls. I need to go faster or get more hours in the day. I have also been mentally planning my booth layout - no jewelry this year - it's all at the galleries.

So what do I do amongst all this stuff? I get more fabric for an apron. My old one has pooped out and just isn't "right" anymore due to a large hole worn into it. I got some weird asparagus fabric and some loud binding fabric and will whip that up today in between learning how to make labels for the artist groups postcard mailing.

I also could have had a job at a not so local jewelry store - which is why I don't have one. It's just not close enough for the bother. I'm not big on traveling through snow and ice to get there so - I just don't need it. Why do I put myself through this every once and a while? I have no idea, but will probably continue to do this - maybe to prove to myself that I exist? (sort of like pinch me to see if I am alive)  :)


Next week I have a meeting with the Gallery Committee at the new LNHC headquarters to learn from "Dan the Man" how to assemble the new gallery walls we have to work with.
The new space is so nice - very modern and museum like. It will be a pleasure to be able to set up exhibits there.

ACCEPTED!

One of my bird pieces, 'Bohemian Waxwing," has been accepted into the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Exhibit, Birds in Stitches!


This piece was inspired by a photograph of this beautiful bird. It was hand appliqued, bird, branches and berries, hand embroidered, machine "thread painted" and machine quilted.


All in all it is a successful piece and I am quite proud of it.








Here's the shows announcement!