Hand painted Owl Bag

Here is a WIP involving paints, an owl and some free motion stitching. So far so good....I still am a little uncomfortable painting and always think I've ruined it as soon as I start painting. Then the free motion stitching is a whole other story. I know with time and practice it'll get better. But it does have that wonky style, don't you think? Part of the charm? Actually I am having fun but wish the stitches were a little more consistent.....any tips?

I know once it all goes together no one will notice the stitching. It's funny I'm always telling a friend of mine don't worry about the stitches, it's your style. I guess this may be my style as well???

I'll post more when the bag is complete. You can see the back and interior fabrics that will be used for the lining in the overall picture. I want to do a beaded handle for this one, it's just telling me that right now.

What I did on my summer vacation

My few weeks off turned into a couple of months! I feel like I need to start the blog post with
"What I did on my summer vacation". Well I've had visits from both my girls that live in FLA. and an extended visit from Amber my beautiful grand daughter. I went to visit my other daughter in MO and see the new grand baby! That was the highlight of the summer :) The rest of the time has been spent enjoying the last lazy days of summer. It seems like several other creators I caught a bad case of the nothingness. However now I am back with all these ideas and random thoughts in my head and a need to create. I guess it may have something to do with 2 shows in September and another 2 scheduled for October????

The new bag has finally came into being so to say...let me know your thoughts. I wanted to offer another style besides the every popular Nashville bag or Tote bag. I'm pretty pleased with the result, it has been tweaked many times. Any special suggestions on sewing the bias strap? Mine is okay but far from stellar. DO you guys buy the ready made or make your own? I did my own but wonder if it's truly worth the effort unless I use "special" fabric?

The birdies are something I've had in my head for awhile another project that came into being! You may find a similar bird pattern to download here http://www.spoolsewing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/birdpattern1-1.pdf
I used 20 gauge wire for the frame, a branch for the perch and added scrape book paper for the flowers. The orange one has fabric flowers from this site http://boutiquenutmegdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/07/fabric-flower-tutorial.html
plus a felt leaf! I'm calling them "Sweet Tweets".
I think one of the reasons I love them so (besides the fact I love everything birds) is that I now can have a bird. With the other animals (Boris, Dixie, Gracie and Sir Thomas) in the house a bird is not an option right now.

Okay you're caught up for the moment now I need to get in gear and make some more of the bags. Pictures forth coming.....

Works In Progress

I really really should be sitting at my sewing machine right now, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek of things to come. The pictures are of ten Nashville bags in progress....yes that's the basic beginnings of the Nashville bag. I still need to cut the interfacing's to sew and iron in, then the real sewing starts! I hope to have them finished in the next few days (fingers crossed and Boris behaves). Speaking of the King of the house, today he ate the remote! He was in the same room and I heard a cracking sound, I thought okay I need to get that bone/toy from him now. When I reached down it was the remote! Believe me it will affect my husband more than I.

The last two events have been tornado free but still on the breezy side. I am gearing up for another event...The World Famous RC Cola Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle Tennessee. YEAH! I love Moon Pies but prefer Diet Coke, do you think I will have to bring my own diet coke? I am looking forward to this event as it is the biggest event I have participated in. I have been wanting to break out of the box and do some bigger shows so this is the test. Hence I am trying to work like a mad woman and have everything good to go. If you veterans have any tips please please advise, I am totally open to your suggestions. Keep watching, I'm sure to have plenty of new creations.