Next New Handbag

This is the first of the new 6 pack of my Karen handbags.

And this is a reminder of what the first Karen looked like.

That is all for now :) Short and sweet. Off to go ad my new pics from Erin to my shop!!!

Geo Chocolate Nile

That is the name given to the fabric for my 4th Dee shoulder bag. I decided to accent the blue in the print for the lining and strap contrast. I think it helps brighten it up.

The bottom is blue too, just like all the bags with the contrasting color. The blue may get dirtier than the print would, but if I make all the bags with dirt in mind, most of them would not get made. Lighter colors get dirty, it's just the way it is. I actually snicker to myself a bit whenever I see someone set their bags down on the ground & then get upset when the bottom gets dirty. Um, yeah, it's gonna happen when you set stuff down on the ground.

Anyway...

I am really liking what initially was done because of a fabric shortage...the contrasting top bits of the straps. The underside was always a contrast, but the tops came about from a goof.

And lastly, the inside. This sucker is just huge. Seems that way to me anyhow. Although, my bags tend to be on the smaller side. But I could totally fill this up - easy.

Resident Evil

I love Alice. She just kicks ass so well and looks great doing it. I plan to make one hoop for each movie. This is the classic red tunic outfit from the first movie.

You can see the lines pretty well in this angled shot. I only tacked each line down in a couple spots. I wanted them to be as straight as I could. Almost floaty.

Ignore the wrinkles in the organza. They should be easy enough to steam out later. I was originally going to hand paint the dress but then I remembered the organza. It was the perfect color. And has just a little bit of a fun sparkle. You can kind of see it in the light stream here...

I may still hand paint the skirt and/or boots. Not sure yet.

And for those who do not know what he image is referencing...a promo shot from the movie.

Now to go find some shots from the next 3 movies. Either that or re-watch them on the computer and get ready to snap some screenshots to sketch off.

Witchy Willow

Willow is one of my fave characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whether nerdy Willow, Dark Willow or Doppelganger Willow - I love them all! This piece is from Season 8's comic. Full out Witchy Willow.

And this is the pic I took it from...

Things didn't turn out exactly as I had pictured, but not bad. Nope, not bad at all. I will make her again. Actually, I would like to do a four square Warhol'esque type pic with each corner being a different Willow.

This super shiny thread was a pain to work with. But sooooo pretty.

And the misty smoke turned out cool with the blendy thread.

I Had Time

It turns out that I had time to finish up my Dr. Horrible piece. I guess two sick boys at home was not enough to thwart this evil. Too bad it didn't thwart my coughing. That is still here. In spades. Hmmm...spades.....idea :)

Anyway, on to the Horribleness...

It is in a 10" hoop now, but I may see if it can fit into a smaller hoop. And possibly paint either the glove or coat. Thoughts?

WIP Time

My house has been one of ill repute lately...emphasis on the ill. And since I am Mom, I have done nothing beyond caring for everyone else. So this poor bag has been sitting in the sewing area with all it's parts exposed for all to see. Hopefully I will be able to fix her up soon and make her whole.

Until then - have a great weekend. Hope to be back by the end of it.

And maybe with some embroidery completed too. Too bad the sewing machine is right next to the boys' rooms, otherwise I could sew after they go to bed.

Plant Cell

I am still quite under the weather and have not been able to finish up my bags. But I did manage to finish up this embroidery piece the other night. It's the last cell for now. A plant cell this time. Think Spring! On a micro level anyway...

And the fun angle view. I tried some double knots in the mitochondia - that's the dark green ovals.

The backside is a bit blurry. It was difficult to tell when I snapped the shot...darn burny eyeballs :P

When I get back into the groove & will have some actual bags to show you. Imagine that, a handbag shop person making actual bags. Who woulda thunk it :P

Bacteria

More science fun :) I am beginning to think these are also being inspired by the sick little boy I have here with me at home. He has been kind enough to share with Mommy too. How sweet :P

On to the latest germ...

And a close up angled view...

The backsides are turning out pretty tidy now...

I have one more sciencey piece to do and then on to some fanboy stuff...Resident Evil, Dark Willow & Dr. Horrible are the next three that I have hooped & ready to go.

Ivy's Backside

Um, no, not that backside! Although, it is quite prominent in the piece :P

I am talking about the actual backside of the piece. I have been trying to keep things nice & tidy back there.

Some of it, like the hair, looks pretty cool. I might try to make it the front side on a piece sometime.

Finishing off the piece has been making me a little crazy. I browsed many shops on Etsy to see other people's backsides (okay, that sounds wrong). I was hoping to find some I like to try myself. But so few shops had pics of the back. So I turned to tutorials online. I found a few ways that I want to try. This is the first trial. It is simply some card stock cut and lightly glued to the inner hoop to sit between the fabric & hoop.

No matter which way I end up using for the long term, I plan to use this signing method. The awesome Handmade stamp was one I found at a great Etsy shop, Wine Makers Sister. You should check this shop out - very fun!

Don't Be Square

No, that is not an self help statement :P It is the name of the fabric for my 3rd Dee bag. The color they give it is "Tabasco". This is another burlapy fabric. I am really liking this stuff. It has such oomph. I used red canvas for the contrast - it really makes a 'pop'.


You can see the red on the bottom pretty well in this pic...

And with the snap shut...
Okay, I know it won't exactly hold everything in, but in a bag this large, the opening tends to be, well, more open than smaller bags.


And the red pop inside...

Poison Ivy, Leaves and All

She is done! Well, except the finishing off of the backing :P And I am quite happy with the results. I should have set a timer or something to figure out how long it took to complete. It was probably around 12 hours all told...2-3 hours over about 4 nights. I know I showed off most of it earlier this past week, but now the leaves are on and it gives it a whole new look :)

So here she is...bit by bit...

This angle shows off the "texture" of the leaves pretty well.

And the flower stands up quite a bit also...

Can't forget her tooshie...rather naked as it turned out...

And her dainty little feet...

This was taken with the hoop on it's side - almost. I think it looks pretty neat, so I am showing it off...

The leaves - and the flower - were all made by embroidering on bits of singed organza. This is them in a bowl. As I went I found that I had to cut most of the pieces smaller. Next time I will burn them with a candle flame...should be much easier on my fingers than always flicking a lighter on. Of course that means I will have to go out and actually buy a candle...

Teal and Tan Burlapy Hobo

Actually, I decided on a name, so it it now a teal and tan Dee bag. Since I usually go with the person's name whom the first bag went to but don't know the name of the buyer (it was at a weeks long show/shop), I decided to go with the name of the woman who ran the show. It was actually hubby's idea. Go hubby!

It has taken so long to get going on these bags because of a certain little cutie who was home all week with a nasty cold. If he were older, he would have been in school...but Kindergarteners get an easier pass with the ookies. At least I had the evenings for embroidery.

Now for the bag....The fabric has a strong texture to it, almost like burlap but with a tighter more stable weave.

The inside is huge. I put a smallish curved pocket on both the front and back insides. Cell phones and other electronic devices would fit well. Even old fashioned memo pads...you know, that stuff with paper that you write on :)

It looks kind of neat when the snap is closed too. I debated about a zipper, but it is almost too big for that. Besides, with the curve of the top, the placement would be awkward.

Then there are the straps. I was not happy with the first cut - it was a bit short. So I decided to have some fun and flip flop the fabrics at the top center. I like it!

Next week should be the week I finish the rest. Little guy is feeling better and will be back in school Tuesday...Monday is still break time. Three more days with them both home...at least the weather is improving so we can go for a walk.

Yesterday's Teaser

Yesterday's Wordless Wednesday was a teaser of my newest hand embroidery piece. It is from another comic, this time Poison Ivy. What I am showing off now took 3 nights at 3-4 hours each to complete. But I am not quite done.

I still have to add the leaves. I decided to give the piece some texture by using organza bits for the leaves. You can see from the original artwork that there are lots and lots of leaves. I am not sure just how many I will be adding. We'll see...

Wordless Wednesday

Chocolate Squares Hobo

Okay, I really need to find a name for this bag...it is not exactly a hobo. I usually name my bags after the first person who bought or received it, but this one sold at a holiday show when I was not there. I'll think of something soon. For now - here is the first of the 5...they are quite large...


note: the color is best in the 2nd picture