Hobo Bag WIPs

I cut out a 5 pack of bags last week and have slowly been making progress on them. I realized I have only shown off the creations I have made in the evenings...the embroidery. So I thought I would share with you a sneak peek of the cut bags. Of course it just looks like a mashed up pile of fabric...

Oh - and this is the bag they will be. I suppose it is not exactly a hobo, but I have yet to name it.

What's Next?

Every year at this time people come together with one common goal...goals. I do not care for "resolutions", but goal is okay. Or game plan. Or even just "I wanna do this".

I have done a "what to keep" before and I actually did better with it than I thought. Not everything made it into the shops and not enough left to show much of a difference in styles. But it was there.

This year I am cutting back even more while expanding. The cut backs are bag styles and the expanding involve non-bag items. I wrote more detail about it on my other blog. Her I am just showing off the examples of what will be continued.

This sketch is a quilt I want to make...or wall hanging or table runner. I am not sure how large I am going to make it just yet. But it does represent something new I want to do. Although it shows it rather faintly...

More New Stuff

I may not have done much in the way of crafting since I got back from my vacation, but I did have some pics of new stuff I made just before I left...

This red one was fun. The ribbon was very randomly placed. I was not sure what to do where they crossed, so I made my first ribbon bloom type thingy. And the handle...it's from the ribbon section, but quite sturdy.

This clutch was made from a fabric that was originally a choice for one of my bridesmaids...it didn't go with the others though - too "shiny". It was almost a test of sorts for me because I have not used this silky type of material for a bag yet, at least not this large. I do have a leopard bag that is the same material, but much tinier.

Freedom by Carried Away

My Etsy team, Carried Away Bags, is doing a Summer of Freedom challenge /charity event. Participants will make a handbag that represents what "freedom" means to them. It can take any form that you personally feel represents "freedom", be it your national flag or national colors, something recognizing your country's military veterans, a symbol of some type that says "freedom" to you.

I think I have finally decided what my bag is going to be. I am going to make my large Twist bag because of the simplest definition of freedom...hands free. The bag slings across your front from side to side letting you have full use of your arms. This is the bag (well, the style anyway):



I am not yet sure what will be decorating the outside of the bag. It will either be hand embroidered, painted, appliqued or some combination. The image is going to either be an eagle - the nation's bird...also freedom of flight...or our flag - but not necessarily straightforward. My son suggested a cubism style .

The lining has already been purchased thanks to JoAnn Fabrics for always having their patriotic novelty prints on sale this time of year.


The bag is supposed to be completed by July 15th. I'll update you with the progress and ideas as the weeks go by.

What Have I Done Lately?

Well...I've been finishing up bags, taking pics, cropping those pics and putting them up in my shops on Etsy and Artfire...finally! It seems like forever since I have felt like sewing any bags. I still have 6 or so cut and ready to sew. Maybe next Monday I'll be able to post saying I finished them.

Let's see...there was a mini duffle with a hand painted tree, a duo-fabric handbag, a couple wristlets, a ziplet, a zip pouch, 3 keyrings, a giant purse...I think that covers it :) Here's a peek at a few of them...







What's next?

• I have polymer clay to play with for the first time. I am thinking buttons - for my bags. But I'd love to make some cute stuff too - food or critters.

• Wire and beads for wire wrapped goodies...not jewelry though. I have a few ideas rumbling around in my head.

• Shrinky Dinks...again, buttons probably. I did see a tutorial somewhere for bracelets. I may go try & find it again.

• There are always more felt buddies to make. My son has been doing a few more too. The latest was a Wolverine as a toddler, crying because his balloon popped.

• Cards. I want to give it a whirl..but they would just be for me, not to try and sell. I have seen what's out there and I know I couldn't even come close!

So - which should I do next? Any thoughts? What would you like to see me blunder...I mean wonderfully create in all it's beauty, flaws included :) ???