A Handmade Purse for Myself

After complaining just LONG enough about the purse I was carrying and how much I truly hated it (yeah, I made that one, too) I decided that there were a few hours today that could be filled making something for……ME! Yes, a new purse was way overdue. So I dug in my stash, found some decorator fabric that had not been designated for any one thing, and picked an old pattern. Didn’t have the exact handles this pattern asked for, but I had some that were 1/2″ larger than specified. This is just for me to tote around, so I didn’t care and dug right in. This is also a STASH BUSTER PROJECT! Use it up and use it good.

Pretty in Pink - of which I own nothing else in pink - AT ALL.

Went through about three different fabrics for linings until this popped up at the bottom of a pile in my stash closet. The green was perfect and not overpowering.

Muted green lining.

I had lime picked, and then a beige, but this just made more sense. Even stuck a magnet in there so all my wads of cash won’t fall out! LOL It’s the perfect size, and I adore the colors – so HAPPY SUNDAY to ME! HA

What did you make today? Tell me about it – I would LOVE to hear.

Thanks for checking in and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Mar 17 2012

Sunflowers Anyone?

When I saw this fabric, I was incredibly IN LOVE with it! And I’m not an orange person at all. The colors and design were exactly what I was looking for at our local Calico House. And talk about service, they are incredible there.

So here’s what’s on the block next. All supplies are at the ready and the lightweight interfacings have been applied.

Gorgeous sunflowers, just waiting for a little sewing action. Aren't these colors magnificent?

I need two more zippers, but I’m not too worried about it. They’ll pop up somewhere. So next is the embroidering of the TygerLily name and the Goodies word on the ditty bag.

Grateful to have a little geometry under my belt, and a fantastic sewing machine to do all the work. Happy crafting!

Mar 17 2012

Craft Tote Finale

Finally, the craft tote and ditty bag are completed and ready to list in the store. That’s my least favorite part because I never know what to say about it really. But thought I’d throw this photo up of the complete set!

Going into the Etsy store today.

This will make my 3rd listing today, but it’s time to get sewing again. There’s some wonderful fabrics that I found that will get worked up into this same design – yep, with ALL THOSE POCKETS!

Mar 13 2012

Diaper Bag Possibilities

Whew, rough day yesterday, but we got through it. It felt good to get up and just say, “Come on world, I’m taking you on today.” And after working through all sorts of junk, but making progress, the mailman has this waiting for me when I got home from work.

Dick and Jane Fabric Panel

Isn’t it adorable? After opening the package and showing it off to my hub because I’m so excited, he asks the question, “Does anyone even know who Dick and Jane are anymore?” Oh, bust my bubble! I’m hoping there are some out there that still appreciate the simplicity and innocence of these kids and their pets. But I will continue on and hopefully make this up into my new craft bag design, but label it a diaper bag. Have to figure out a closure for the top, but that will come. Can’t you just see this worked up with some great blue gingham lining and primary color zippers and bias tape accents? And there has to be a fun kind of zipper pull out there somewhere, like a teeny tiny teddy bear. Hmmm.

Well, I’m off for the 12 hour day at my real job, but wanted to show off the next in line for Team TygerLily to get completed.

Have a GREAT day and happy crafting.

Mar 11 2012

Craft Tote Sewing Fun!

With two projects under my belt today, it’s time for a final blog post and then, yes, ironing. Blechhhh. But the last project I completed was the craft/knitting/crocheting tote bag. And I must say, it came out FANTASTIC! I would love to hear feedback on ways it could be improved or whatever – need to hear what people need in a tote back like this. So here is it’s little pictorial history…..

All the materials just ready to cut in to today. I've had my eye on this piece of decorator fabric for eons, and this was the perfect reason to finally buy it!

Working on the outside of bag. Vinyl zippered pocket on one side, elastic topped pocket on the other.

Outside of bag is completely put together. Loving the buckram for stabilizing - keeps that bag very 'perky'.

Back side pocket. I lined the outside pockets on this one to make the pockets more finished and professional. Have to remember that if I make another one.

Innards - two sides sewn onto front panel with so many pockets, I can't count 'em!

Of course, TygerLily had to be embroidered. I thought pink was good.

Trying different technique with attaching outer and inner layers. It was difficult pulling the last back through because of the vinyl. Here it's just pinned up and ready to top stitching.

Just another shot of all THOSE POCKETS!

Top stitched and sitting pretty. Handles attached and a little fun item for the zipper pull on that vinyl pocket. I questioned myself when I bought that tassel, but obviously it was for a reason. We both thought this added some extra fun to the bag.

Backside - showing handles (a little)

Can you tell I can't get enough of those pockets? Any crafter using this would have a specific place for EVERYTHING!

It's final bow - and I'm totally sold on this design. I still wish I'd have done one for myself like this. *sigh* Oh, well.

After this was completed, I was able to box up my sister’s bag that was posted about before. You know, the black/white/red one. I felt secure enough that I had done the best to replicate it, and even make it a little better by lining some of the pockets nicer. So Donna, it’s in the mail. tee hee

It’s now time to get ready for the work week – I’ve played enough today. Get me some Mio flavored water and turn the iron back on. AND it’s Celebrity Apprentice tonight, too! Personally, I’m glad George got fired. Tonight should be interesting.

Happy crafting, knitting, crocheting, etc….. from our house to yours …….. blessings.

Mar 4 2012

Life and Times of a Custom Designed Knitting Bag

I’ve had you all wondering what was next on the plate, and today I was able to complete something we wanted to give my sister for all she and her hubby have done for us. (You know what all you’ve done, seeesta.) It might have been a couple years now, but she wanted a black/white/red handbag, small enough for running errands, etc. I couldn’t pull it off. What I had created was a disaster and I wouldn’t let her have it. So her birthday rolls around last month and she was awesome enough to show me some knitting carry-all bags she’d been looking at on-line. I asked her to stop looking. This is what Team TygerLily has designed specifically for her……

The beginning - putting a zippered vinyl pocket on the front so she can SEE what she's got - like maybe lists, patterns, candy bars.....

The rest of the bag's outside pieces, all pocketed up and ready to make into the coolest bag yet.

Outside of bag all put together with its bottom which came out, can we say PERFECTLY! Boy did I need that today. See the little bling bling that got put on as a zipper pull? That's cuz I love my sis.

Innards - lots and lots of innards. Pockets, zipper, pleats, gathers..... and yes, elastic.

Just a shot of the inside outer layer - first time incorporating buckram - it's AWESOME!!

Lining all put together, ready for the grand marriage of tough outside and demure interior.

All done - ready for it's final stay stitching around the top. Look how pretty it stands all on its own - now THAT's what I'm talking about.

Just another angle.

I can't find any candy bar in that see through pocket! Hmmm

Showing off with my BC's in that empty front pocket. Yep, Bill's back there cooking or something. If I had Kool-Aid packets, I'd stick a few in there for her.

It's back side - full of gathered pockets for smaller things like wallets or maybe even a candy bar.

I hope it’s not too big, but I know it will hold two knitting projects of hers at one time. No more shoe box caddies or ziploc bags for my sister. And if she doesn’t like it, hmmm, well, she’s going to get it anyway. What she does with it afterwards is up to her.

I truly enjoyed this project from the bottom of my heart – all the way from it’s heavy outdoor fabric outside to the light and cheerful cotton fabric on the inside. But especially because it’s going to one of my biggest fans and someone who never ceases to amaze me at her encouragement and huge heart.

We love you DONNA and JULIAN! Maybe Julian can keep something of his in the bag, too. Like a lure? paperback? candy bar?

Jan 16 2012

Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

The recycling and redesigning the women’s tapestry jacket was rather difficult, if I were to tell the truth. Even though things look one way in your head, accomplishing that goal can be a whole different chore. But the jacket has now been completely disassembled and reassembled into two useful items. Here is the tapestry jacket’s photo history…….

Sleeves cut away from jacket and splayed for cutting (in previous post)

The completed iPad cover made completely from the sleeves of jacket (in previous post)

Jacket body formed into a tote - items to complete are only laying on body. Handles, magnetic closure, black belting....

Professional tote/iPad cover set - not sure how to set this up to photograph decent.

Complete tote from tapestry jacket showing off its true color outdoors.

I lined it with a gray embroidered satin lining and couldn’t resist to put a final little touch to its closure – a silver leaf. As soon as that went on, it truly had my name on it. Not sure what will happen with this yet as Bill thinks I should be the one to enjoy this one. He’s one of my biggest supporters, but if this could sell and make a couple of bucks, then that’s what we have to do.

Thank you for stopping by and giving this a final look over! One day it may make it into the Etsy store, but until then I’ll enjoy looking at it and thinking of ways to improve on the upcycling and repurposing of the great thrift store finds we have in our possession. Yep, there is a whole tote full of beautiful sweaters, jackets and suit coats to re-fashion.

Happy Monday and happy crafting everyone!

Oct 27 2011

Houndstooth To Japanese

The duldrums (sp) hit this week quite unexpectedly. Not a lot of enthusiasm about coming home after work and doing much if anything creative. So this blog is for ME as much as it is for anyone reading. It’s time to recharge – just like my camera.

The houndstooth suiting fabric purchased last week is meandering its way into a handbag. I’ve started out using a basic pattern, but I wanted to switch up the top/handles a little, so now I’m rather stuck until I can figure how to actually DO what’s in my head. It’s at a stop until that’s figured out…..

Feminine Houndstooth - Waiting for Handle Treatment

Then as I went to take a couple extra photos this morning, I see the Cherry Blossom handbag still waiting to be sewn up into a bag – it’s knitted – just needs seams, lining and pink handles…….. (now I can’t find where I put the photo)

Then on to a great grab bag of vintage fabrics a friend at work brought in! This puppy weighs a ton and the fabrics inside are incredibly fun and will make great hobo bags, linings and whatnot….

Gift Bag of Vintage Fabrics

And here is an update on the two bags on the needles:

Barbed Wire Prairie Bag #6

Reynolds Lopi "Brick Streets" Prairie Bag #7

More on the Reynolds Lopi yarn later – becoming not such a big fan. But felting may change my mind, so I’ll try to keep that (my mind) open. :)

And my Japanese inspiration book came this week with MUCH taunting from my husband! He didn’t understand why I’d buy a book written in a foreign language. I told him that it’s the ‘study’ of the graphing done – not the words! And the pictures speak millions of words to me…..

A TREASURY of INSPIRATION!

I need to fly – meetings and work are calling………..

Drop me a line – let me know your thoughts. We can ALL use inspiration and some days a good kick in the keester. :) Happy crafting!

Sep 24 2011

Moonlit Prairie Trails Cable Handbag – TOTALLY Complete!

Introducing the “Moonlit Prairie Trails Cable Handbag” – the 2nd in the Prairie Series of original knitted handbags. It’s complete and ready for the store. Well, at least it will be after a write up is done and some decent pictures (yet again). This one is a little bigger than the “Prairie Land” bag. It also offers up a little different take on a zipper closure. Just big enough to get items in and out easily, yet secure. Yes, it’s a little different, but so are we. :) Here she is…..

Front pose......

Smiling Pretty...... all done up in Lamb's Pride Bulky

The lining is a pinwale corduroy in a steel gray. The zippered section was actually sewn on to the knitted bag by machine, but the lining itself was all hand stitched in place. There’s pockets on both sides. The one you don’t see is a double pocket so a cell phone would fit comfortably in it. The handles are satin and were purchased at Joann’s. The silver ‘moon’ flower was a bonus find somewhere else.

Thank goodness there is football on TV or I may not have gotten this far with it today! As I’m writing this it is halftime for the Cornhuskers and pizza rolls are being nuked. Now I can find some fun during the 2nd half starting the 4th bag in the Prairie Series….. But which color? They are ALL so beautiful! We’ll let that be a surprise.

Thank you for checking in – we love seeing you here.

Sep 24 2010

Something New!

I had a very productive day yesterday on my day off and got a LOT of household chores accomplished. Thought I was too tired to get anything going on a new project, but when my dear husband turned on “Ben Hur” I knew I had to be doing something while the movie was on. So I picked up the navy and brown bulky Debra Norville yarn I bought last spring and got a little something going. I have some dark blue denim for the trim and bottom and some super brown, navy and cream striped cotton for the insides. I’m pretty excited how the Premier yarn is working up – it will make some great fabric to work with in the design.

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