Appliques!

Today I have been going between doing crafts and reading. It's quite effective. Not really. I am having a hard time putting down this new book I got yesterday. It's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I love it. It combines two of my great loves, Jane Austen and zombies. Anyway, good book but it is preventing me from fulfilling my chores for the day.

Well, lets get to it. I have been working on an owl applique to go on a tote bag pretty much all week. I made my own pattern for this. The basic design wasn't too difficult but the hand stitching around the wings, eyes, and such proved to be a pain. My hands were killing me by the time I was through. I think it came out pretty good and I like the array of fabrics.

The second applique I have been working on is a cupcake to put on an apron skirt. I love this so much because it is all my favorite colors. This one is also my own pattern.

Anyway, I better get off here and get some more things done like laundry. Man, I either need to finish this book or have someone hide it from me. I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Tweet Tweet Tote

Here's my newest tote. I'm not sure if I'm going to sell it yet because I just love it. Decisions, decisions.

Anyway, it is made with a chocolate brown corduroy and vintage bird fabric. I hand stitched the bird and added a pocket to the inside.

Vintage Inspired Toile Tote

My project for today was to make a tote handbag. I had no idea what I was doing so I did a google search to see "how to make a tote?"

There were a million instruction but I opted to look around on eBay and see what other people had done. I do that. I just look at something I like and attempt to imitate it. I never use patterns, unless they are ones that I have made myself, and just go to work. Sometimes it works and others it doesn't. I'm told that my Grandma S. used to do that. Isn't it crazy what gets passed on through genetics?

OK, so I started my project at Joann's. I love it there, they were having so many sales. Anyway, I went to get my fabric. I picked 2 coordinating ones that I thought would work and I got them in 100% cotton canvas so that it would be a little heavier and I wouldn't have to do a lining.

When I got home, I got to work. While the Steelers whooped the Chargers(YAY!), I worked on my tote. The whole project took about 2 hours total. I'm pretty happy with the overall finished product.



I think it's cute. Also, I don't plan on selling it. Tomorrow I'm going to ship it off to my mom. She adores toile fabric and I know that she would love this bag to take to work. So, here you go mom!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and GO STEELERS!