Almost Normal

Okay, my previous post with pictures just went bye-bye so I'm a little annoyed right now.  Hmm . . . let's see if I can recreate my thoughts . . .

Well, my first thought is I don't like having to retell a story I just told, so the condensed version goes like this . . . I've been busy with work these past few months and I haven't been around much.  I have managed to make a few things, but clearly not as much as I'd like to have.  But, these are some of the items I did manage to eek out.

This quilt is for a niece and I just need to make it a little bit longer before I put it on the longarm machine.

I managed to watercolor these pictures I had drawn months ago.  Don't critique too harshly; I'm self taught and I firmly believe that the only person I need to make happy is me and drawing and painting makes me happy.

I attempted another scrap project and this time I made a scarf.  This picture was taken before I added more stitching to it today.  It is now in the dryer to see how it turns out with all the raw edges.  Strips of scraps were gathered and sewn to a muslin base and then a backing was added.  Next time I think I will add it to a fabric base so the muslin doesn't peek through and I think I'll try vertical strips.  For a first try, though, I like it.

 

 My trip to the bookstore one day at lunch netted me this wonderful magazine from the UK.  I really liked the bag pictured in the bottom left hand corner . . .

 

so I copied the pattern onto parchment paper . . .

and made this bag for my girlfriend's birthday . . .

(Isn't this fabric awesome?  It was sent to me from Japan by nephew's wife and mother.  I LOVE it!!  I had exactly 1/2 yard and this bag took up every last piece of fabric.)

and this bag for another friend . . .

both bags are fully lined and feature a magnetic closure and inside pocket . . .



and then I had this brilliant idea to turn the pattern into a shirt . . . possibly a little girl's dress.  This picture doesn't show the straps that tie at the top that are of the same contrasting material as the bound edge at the bottom.

 



and voila . . . here is both the bag and the dress/shirt out of the same material.  What'dya think???

 

Last week I was in NYC and made a stop at Mood Fabrics (Project Runway) so now I think I'm a designer!!!  haha!  The bags and shirt/dress were all made before my trip so I'll have to "design" something else now!!

 

And there you have it . . . not much, but it's a start.