Professional Duo Complete from Repurposed Ladies Jacket

Posted on January 16, 2012

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!

Houndstooth To Japanese

Posted on October 27, 2011

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!

Moonlit Prairie Trails Cable Handbag – TOTALLY Complete!

Posted on September 24, 2011

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.

Something New!

Posted on September 24, 2010

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.

099

So keep watching as this inches its way across the finish line! (I think some brown wooden handles will be a great finishing touch, don’t you?)

Got the Blue’s……

Posted on February 20, 2010

I should probably NOT go shopping at the fabric stores with the good intention of purchasing one item. On one of those trips this week, my goal was to find a fantastic Hawaiian print with bright shades of orange. As I walked through the aisles nothing was popping out or calling my name, so I wandered over to the yarn section for a break in thought. And what do I find but some smooshy blue and brown yarn that just needed to be created into something. The lining fabric was selected within minutes, so I knew this was a project that needed attention! I don’t have a clear picture in my head yet of the design yet, but I believe more of a tote style with a back-to-school feel is appropriate – and FUN! The handles shown in the picture are one of my favorite styles. They are very difficult to work with when it comes to the knitted part of the bag, but definitely worth the final look and style.