Tag Archives: original
After wasting oodles of time and energy, along with some hard earned money, I’ve decided to let WordPress.com and WordPress.org do their magic on this website for me. I love WordPress, but never could figure out how to get all the other stuff needed to get my store attached to my main gig here. But with a little patience, and reading up on a few things, I’m just going to let the pros do it, and do it right. *sigh* What a long ordeal it’s been. So don’t leave me!!! We’ll get back on track here very soon.
So with the little crafts shows I’ve been doing, there has been some sales and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way. Offers to be in a couple of shops here have come in, along with invitations to other shows. After November is over, it will be time to sit back and re-evaluate exactly WHAT to do next. I love what I do, but I also have to bring in a paycheck. 
So since I’m not leaving here EVER AGAIN (it will only get better with Worpress.org’s help) I wanted to show you what’s on the needles now. Thinking the name should be “Waves of Grain” – still in the Prairie Series of wool handbags.
“Waves of Grain” still on the needles
The yarn is an alpaca/merino/silk/donegal blend of yarn that is becoming very quickly, my FAVORITE! It’s lush and plush and the tweed effect is gorgeous. So much so that I went and bought two more colors of the same yarn this week. They are shipping in from out of the country, but what are you going to do when you REALLY enjoy working with a particular yarn?
Azapa Blue Tweed
Azapa Purple Tweed
Aren’t they absolutely gorgeous???? I just realized as I sit here and look at the pictures, they represent the birthstones of our two daughters. Weird I would pick these two colors. Subliminal?
Today I’ll be traveling over to our oldest daughter’s home which she is setting up for a Holiday Show for home business women – of which I’m one. Let’s hope she sells a lot of her Thirty-One bags. Click on the Thirty-One over there and it will take you to her website with all those fantastic items! Yep, that’s my girl.
Enjoy your weekend, and thank you for being OOOOBER patient with me in my search for greener pastures, or should I say websites.
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2 comments | tags: Alpaca fiber, Cables, Clothing, diy, Dye, Fiber Arts, fleck, gold, Handbag, handbags, knit, knitting, Merino, needles, original, Prairie Series Handbags, purse, Shopping, style, tote, tweed, wool, Wordpress, yarn, yellow | posted in Knitting, Original Designs, TL's Creations, Yarns
Do you ever have one of those nights where thoughts much jump in your head and it wakes you up? Then you lay there thinking about how this and this, and that with a side of this and how it could work into a design? I woke up thinking LEATHER. What a goofy thought! So I lay there trying to get to sleep, but images and ideas kept invading my space. Sometimes it’s easier to just give up and let the thoughts roll on through.
I shared this beautiful stack of leather scraps we located at some point with you all. I checked the date on my original photo and it’s really been almost a whole year without using these pieces. So I figure there must have been a reason, and my insomnia may have come up with the perfect idea. Trust me, the leather hasn’t sat dormant really, we do get it out on occasion and mess with the colors and textures.
Awesome leather scraps! Love the colors.
Didn’t think there would be time to blog this week, but this way it stands out as one of those “So let it be written, so let it be done” projects. Yeah, that’s one of our favorite lines from “The Ten Commandments” movie with Charlton Heston.
What’s on your crafty agenda today? Have a creative and fun day!!
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1 comment | tags: agenda today, Charlton Heston, clutch, cover, design, Handbag, Handbags and Purses, ideas, insomnia, IPad, Leather, leather scraps, one of those nights, original, personal space, portfolio, sewing, Shopping, sleep, style, The Ten Commandments | posted in Random, Sewing
I adore this bag…… I still have a few things I want to incorporate into the next bags (which, by the way, are lined up ready to get cutting on). But for now, we are happy campers and this fun and functional bag is ready to go.
Orange Sunflower Tote and Ditty Bag
Lots of 'guts'. tee hee
Now we must continue on with some Sunday fun for the two of us. That pretty much means going to Sam’s and enjoying each other for a little bit. Cleaning will just have to wait for another day. Did I say cleaning? ACCCKKKKKKKK :)
I this bag trips your trigger, you can find if over HERE on Etsy. Thanks for looking and have a super Sunday!!!
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1 comment | tags: bag, Bags and Back Packs, birthday, business, Calico House, Craft, crocheting, daughter, designer, ditty bag, elastic, fun, Gift, grandma, grandmother, handmade gift, kntting, large sunflowers, Luggage and Bags, mom, mother's day, orange, original, pleats, pockets, Shopping, sister, style, Sunflower, tote, Tote bag | posted in Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations
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!
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3 comments | tags: Arts, bag, buckram, cotton, Craft, decorator fabric, design, ditty bag, Etsy, fabric, fabrics, floral, green, handles, knitting, large, little, make up bag, original, pink, pockets, roses, sew, Shopping, style, Textile, Tote bag | posted in Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations
I’m in love with Tommy Bahama decorator fabrics, and one day I shall USE one of them for a designer tote bag. I came across this black and ecru color print this morning that really struck my eye…
Click on the collection name in the photo description to see all the marvelous fabrics! It just makes my mouth drool.
Has anyone every worked with these fabrics? The whole line of fabrics are incredibly beautiful and just speak peace and tranquility – ahhh, palm trees and beaches.
Weekend is packed full of sewing and getting a couple of the crafting tote bags up in the store. I’ve received some great feedback on the prototype and once these hit the machine, they will even be BETTER! Can you tell I’m excited to start!?!
Have a wonderful Friday, and keep on crafting and enjoy the gifts God has given you!
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1 comment | tags: beach, craft bag, craft tote, decorator, decorator fabric, designer, diy, fabric, fashion, Hawaiian, home, Joann's, Kauai, leaves, original, peace, sew, sewing, Shopping, style, Textile, Tommy Bahama, Tote bag, travel, TygerLily, vacation | posted in Original Designs, Sewing
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.
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.
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4 comments | tags: animals, Bias tape, Bin bag, carry all, Children, Clothing, cotton, Diaper, diaper bag, Dick, Dick and Jane, diy, fabric, gingham, handles, home, Jane, kids, original, pets, pockets, Shopping, style, teddy bear, tote, travel, vacation, zippers | posted in Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations
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.
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5 comments | tags: buckram, Craft, crafting, crochet, crocheting, decorator fabric, elastic, floral, fun, green, Handbag, handles, interfacing, knitting, original, people, pink, pocket, pockets, polka dot, sew, sewing, style, technique, tote, Tote bag, TygerLily, vinyl, zipper | posted in Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations
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?
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2 comments | tags: Bling-bling, Chocolate bar, community, cotton, Crafts, fun, Handbag, handles, heart, jewelry, jewelry findings, knitting, Knitting and Crochet, knitting bag, original, outdoor fabric, people, personal, purse, sewing, sewn, Shopping, style, Tote bag, TygerLily, vinyl, zipper | posted in Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations, To Be Gifted
One more swatch needed to get itself out of the sewing area before I start another project from scratch. So the turquoise wool swatch was nabbed and sewn up. This is knitted in Brown Sheep wool in absolutely the best tone of blue/green around. Here is the process this morning (after gathering all the materials together).
Materials laid out, cut and assembly started (it morphed as it went along - believe me)
Swatch laid upside down to sew to the length of cotton fabric - to be flipped over and have a neat spine at the center.
Swatch flipped over and stitched to base fabric - don't want any movement going on here.
Pockets were put in, one on the right to hold a journal, notebook or sketch pad. And one on the left bottom to hold pens, pencils, art items - or a candy bar.
Not a good project to put my embroidered TygerLily name on, so the suede logo was the best match. See the clips at the top? Those are holding the turning area together while the super magnificent German glue sets. I placed two heavy duty cardboard pieces into the front and back flaps of the cover - helps with the shaping and writing stability.
Look what was hanging on my supply pegboard!!!! Have to use it somehow.
Finale #1
Finale #2
Finale #3 - Final Bow
This project used some high quality yarns and some awesome 100% cotton fabrics and thread. There is no way to tell you the hours it took, or it’s real value. THAT I will have to think about. I think it would make a terrific Mother’s Day Gift – hey, moms still need to write their hopes and dreams down! What woman doesn’t? It would make a great gratitude journal, too – and keep those colors pencils and pens in the front cover to make it a joyful thing. Think on that one – would love to hear feedback.
I have to admit, it felt incredibly good to get my fingers going on something I truly adore this morning. As mentioned before, this was one rough week on many levels and I was emotionally and mentally fatigued. So glad to have gotten a chance to take the time and enjoy the gifts that God has given me. And thank you for letting me share.
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1 comment | tags: blue, Brown Sheep Company, Brown Sheep wool, brown sheep yarn, cable, Cables, cotton, Crafts, Creativity, dream, dreams, fabric, gratitude, green, inspiration, jewelry findings, journal, knit, knitting, leaf, notebook, original, people, pockets, sewing, style, swatch, Textile, turquoise, wool | posted in Knitting, Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations, Yarns
After taking over a month off from blogging, and basically two months off from crafting anything to completion, here we go.
If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen some knitted ‘swatches’ that were to hopefully turn into iPad covers or something along that order. So yesterday I forced myself to go to the sewing machine and try and complete at least one of them. I should never have picked my favorite swatch to start out with on a prototype, but there are days I don’t think all that straight. So I picked up my ‘roots’ piece and found a great cotton fabric for the lining in my stash. Measured a gazillion times on how the Timtex lining should be cut and took off with it. I learned MANY lessons on trying to make this TOO sturdy and cushy for holding electronics. OK, I’ll back off on the next one.
Folded with Timtex lining inserted and magnet placed. Actual knitted piece was made using a bulky acrylic yarn in a splendid mossy color.
A poor photo of the other side of previous picture. Shows the back and flap that will be shaped by Timtex.
One of my favorite fabrics EVER - happy to have enough left in my stash for this prototype. Iron-on fleece has been applied for cushion.
Peak of flap, on the inside and attached to knitted swatch.
Completed showing other side of magnetic snap on flap. One fatal flaw that cannot be fixed - placement of that darned snap - it's 1/2" off and totally is disgusting to me. The stitching around the flap is off, too, and ripping would have been a nightmare, so it stays.
Sometimes, me being a perfectionist when it comes to my products, it’s hard to get past all the flaws I see and continue on. I must have been thinking this thing was going to go through WWIII on the battlefield the way it’s constructed. There isn’t an iPad or Nook out there that needs this kind of protection. It’s overkill. So now that the lessons have been learned, the red, purple and gray swatches can be constructed with more ease…. let’s hope.
I have a project coming up next that is ready to cut out of black and white print fabric with red accents. It will be a special gift to someone who more than deserves it – she knows who she is……. and I’ve decided to blog the process of the unique design bag she’s going to receive. Plus, Bill keeps asking me if I’ve started this project yet – so I know he is as anxious as I am to see it completed. So keep tuned in – I’ll try and do better at keeping the blog rolling, and not just throw stuff up on Facebook.
Happy crafting and may you all have a blessed rest of the weekend and relaxing Sunday!
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2 comments | tags: Apple, bulky yarn, cable, Cable knitting, clutch, cotton, Creativity, fabric, Facebook, gadgets, gaming, IPad, IPad 2, iron on fleece, Kindle Fire, magnetic snap, moss, Nook, original, sewing, style, swatch, Textile, timtex, TygerLily | posted in Knitting, Original Designs, Sewing, TL's Creations
Bill & Karen
