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[http://www.flickr.com/groups/72125064@NOO/pool/]
When I started my first BoF I had in mind a confection of soft pastel colours featuring butterflies super imposed on a background of flowers and stems which would comprise embroidery,beads and buttons.
However,somewhere along the way I decided to flaunt my "growing old,disgracefully" tendencies, and with the help of a machine embroiderer friend who constructed the red hats,umbrella and Miss Maude on the back pocket with her magical machine,my tribute to the Red Hat Society took over!
I kept as far as possible,to a red and purple theme and embellished flowers and vines in curves that echoed the pocket shapes on the front.I've used crewel wools,polyster punch needle threads,DMC Madeiras and even DMC stranded cottons.
Being a cat lover,who has at least one cat lurking somewhere in each of my CQ pieces,if you look closely,you'll find three on the front of the bag.
Because I was aware of how the rear of any bag rubs against the body I didn't do much work on the bag's back: Only a feisty lady peering out of one pocket,a red hat on one pocket and a basket on the other.
A few vines and flowers relieve the bareness of the remaining panels.
Some red braid goes through the waistloops and the lining of the bag and straps is a Red hat fabric from a chain-store.
I used a small rectangle of Timtex to stabilise the base of the bag and added a couple of internal pockets in the lining.
I have found it a most convenient bag for general use,and not as heavy as I thought it would be.
I must now complete the "butterflies are free" bag and make 2 others,but,trust me,they wont have as much handwork as this one did!
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At latest count the Xmas Ornies I've completed is 10.I still have two bells,one heart and two punch needled shapes to finish off.
In a local "trash shop"( an el cheapo type)the other day I chanced on a beaded trim that I can use in place of the "icicles" that went AWOL....I hope it works as I planned.
On another front,one bag(see Bags of Fun) has been completed and christened.I must write up my journal to submit to SharonB.Somehow I don't think that my "Butterflies"bag will be completed by the deadline.
One thing about deadlines:they sure pressure you into finishing by due date instead of languishing indefinitely as WiPs.
My problem is I get too many "bright ideas" that just have to be pursued down beckoning sidetracks leading me away from the main game.
Next year I must try and be firm with myself and complete at least half of those UFOs;After all,that was the excuse I gave for commencing this blog:journalling the completion of UFOs,and what happened????
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Over the last week I've been slowly working on that pile of Xmas Ornies I'm committed to making for two Ornie swaps.
The punch-needled ones are a little smaller than my usual circular ornaments,but there is no doubt that they are BRIGHT!
Just need to add a few beads and tiny bells to them and then I can back and hang them.
Am very disappointed though---some icicle beads I received in an Aust/U.S. swap some 3 years back and which would be perfect for myoff-white and silver heart have gone AWOL! I "hid" them so carefully so that they wouldn't be used before the right inspiration hit,that I can't find them.Looks like I'll be using crystal beads instead.
On a lighter note,the list below came in one of my newsletters this week;I think it's applicable whether you're a dress maker,crafty person,or a quilter.
Enjoy!
If I Don't Buy That Fabric I'll Surely Faint!
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Few true sewers, quilters or fabric crafters need an excuse to buy more fabric. We are hooked on cotton. We obsess over silk. We daydream about calicos and ginghams and plaids. But just in case you need to explain to others why you have a million yards of fabric at home, but still need a few more fat quarters and just have to buy yardage of the newest prints ... here's a handy list of reasons you need more fabric! Copy this list and tuck it in your purse for quick reference!
It is a patriotic duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and fabric shops.
"Oh, it's not for me! I'm buying it for a friend!"
It's on sale.
I need extra weight in the trunk of my car for traction on snowy, icy roads. This is important, even in Florida and Southern California, as you never know when the weather will change.
It's non-fattening.
Like dust, it's good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house.
Because it's there.
It's much cheaper to cover the floor with fabric than new carpeting.
The devil made you do it.
It's the only remotely artistic thing I have ever done.
I can't live without it.
I have new shelves for fabric storage.
It will go with some I bought last year.
It's so pretty, and I'll use it some day.
I want my daughter to have a proper inheritance.
Without fabric, I would have nothing to do with my rotary cutter and my mat and my sewing machine.
It does not promote tooth decay.
It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes one feel good.
If I don't buy it now, I may never see it again.
A large fabric stash is the sign of a creative mind.
I owe myself a reward for that half-pound I lost last month
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I ventured down to Brisbane today to the Craft Fair.
What a disappointment for this hunter/gatherer...
(I think the one in April?May had far more appealing wares)
I went with a LIST and was disappointed to come home minus some of the goodies I was chasing---
amongst the items high on my agenda were Angelina fibres.........seems like the ThreadPlace in Perth or (forget who) in NZ are my only options.
Then I was on the look-out for Sculpey Art-doll moulds--------nada,zip,zilch!
Sculpey,Jovi polymer clays...........nil;
Fabric for my punch-needle with silk ribbon?? At least I could count on Pamela Gurney and her Dancing PunchNeedles(http://www.punchneedleembroidery.com/pages/default.cfm?page_id=4697) to supply the threads and fabric,AND a quick tecnique brush-up for the silk ribbon punch-needle )
Next on my list was a book on Fabric Bowls by Linda Johansenn...........YES!!
and a couple of mini porcelain dolls to grace my 1/12th size beds and cot....yes!!
Tatting edging,crochet motifs.....The Lace Place
Cotton broder edging and sumptous cotton laces...Starrs Lace.Worth visiting just to listen to HIS banter!! VBG
I checked out the Quilt Show section.............only found one CQ!
But the postcards from Alaska!!! Loved them!!I have a few ideas now for that Postcard swap next year with Mary-Frances'group (in Oregon??)
Maybe it's my sick SoH,but the postcard featuring roadkill was most memeorable!
Breakfast at Kurli's Kottage.Yesterday one of my favourite cockatoos consented to be photographed with a couple of scaly breasted parrots.The birds are about 8 feet away from where I sit having breakfast each morning.LUCKY aren't we?
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Breakfast is served; View from my kitchen window as some of the rainbow Lorikeets vie for a place
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Clint's ceremonial shirt":waterproof felt pens on washable white cotton velvet.Not a stitch in sight.(From "Ideas for Clothing Decoration" Sunset Press 1977
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I'm trying to be ruthless and cull the books,mags,fabrics that as they haven't been used for two plus years, I reckon I'll NEVER use.
Of course I have to double check "everything" don't I,so the process is slooooooooooooow!!
This morning,I have found :
part of a Recipe book printed in 1890s
A pattern for a Norman Hartnell designed skirt (courtesy English Woman's day,about 1955)
"Toys and Gifts" to make for Christmas (AWW Nov1972)
"Toys and Doll's Clothes" (AWW,October 1964)
and I also found " Ideas for Clothing Decoration"from Sunset books,Ca. printed in 1977;
I was happy to rediscover this because I remembered an embroidered denim skirt in it and thought it might be adaptable to those bags of Fun.......
In a word? NO!!
(I'll scan & upload some pics later to remind you of what was trendy in the 70s)
Knitting and Crochet books from late 40s
The first editions of Down Under Quilts;Inspirations;Australian Country Craft;Needlecraft---;CQNewsletter!
And I have the cheek to rubbish DH for his "junk"....
And with the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the house,I think it's time for a break........
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With the "growing old disgracefully" aka Red hats Bag of Fun Challenge out of the way,I returned for another attack on the butterflies.
I vlisoflexed two "punched" butterflies to the back ground today,and completed stitching in shades of purple another butterfly,which I'll fix to the bag to-be, tomorrow.
I sorted out a "heap" of fabrics for my Christmas Ornie swap,and decided to use some of that silk from Gail R's kimono off-cuts for the foundation fabric.
Will I construct my Ornies from a "whole cloth" CQ or piece each one individually?
My heart opts for the latter,but my head(and Time constraints) says "Go for the whole cloth method.
Unfortunately I tend to feel this is reducing the originality and lending itself to mass production type of mind-set.
Really,it's too hot for such decisions(35 degree C today,and yesterday,and same predicted tomorrow.......I HATE summer!
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"Are you all done?"
I thought yesterday that I'd completed my "bag of fun" but several bare patches screamed out for additional work!
I'd like to thank my friend Y for kindly sewing the red hat motifs for me........she's tried hard enough to con me into purchasing an embroidery machine,but when I've got a friend like her,why bother!
(Thanks,Y)
The two pics preceeding this post show that I added a total impracticality.......work on the rear side!
I know it will be subject to more wear and rubbing than the front,but at least this way I've got the option of two views!
So,hopefully now, I can find enough "attitude" to actually use my bag in public-----
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Reading Jacqui's queries re the Size and style of jeans used,I thought it may help others who want to try these bags for themselves!
The red hat bag was a cut down pair of Size 8 ladies jeans;I initially performed surgery just above the crotch seam to give basic shape.
The bag finally ended up as 12 inches deep and 16 inches wide.
The straps and the bag base I was able to cut from the legs.
Thanks to a sample from Ronnie,I used Timtex to provide a stable base in my bag and I LIKE the stuff!
http://www.sew-happy.com/
(is Ronnie's site to find out more about Timtex in Australia; and no I don't own shares :-) )
My "Butterflies are free",which is still a WiP is (being) constructed from a ladies size 12 denim mini skirt,which I can see will present new challenges for constructing handles and base as not as much off-cuts are available.
I also have a pair of men's jeans with a 100cm waist..now they are DAUNTING!
But as my DiL would like a denim bag,maybe I can turn those into an overnight bag??
And I must add an apology......I still can't get the "link" thingie to work for me,so you'll need to cut and paste the URL to your browser to view Ronnie's site!
Nearly complete!As much embellishing as I'm doing.The base of the bag is sewn in position,the handles pinned.........."just" the lining to be successfully implanted and my "Growing old disgracefully" Bag of Fun will be ready for use!
And for those that know me-----------YES! There is one cat visible!!
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Just a few more blanks to "cover" on the front,and then I'll add just a little to the back-side.!
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The previously pictured half complete butterfly is now complete--------and reposing in the scrap bag.(What a waste of time)
Having completed and cut it out ready for appliqueing I decided it was too big,too heavy,and NOT what I wanted!
Definitely NOT what I wanted!!
A couple of smaller ones(butterflies) have been drawn up for when I can get enthused again,but in the meantime........maybe some wool embroidery to add to the garden for my lonely butterfly.
I visited the local SPCA Op-shop today and found a pair of hardly worn Levi's for(wait for it!!) 50cents!
and in the current QC mag there's a couple of bag patterns,which lend themselves/shapes to a theme I have in mind......so off to the scissors,marking pencil and tracing paper to see if my idea is do-able!
A little stitching (and re-planning ) has occurred this week,after I sifted through my "mad woman's breakfast" stash,which has mainly gone into waiting...for the second "bag of fun."
I really think that I should frogstitch that RED twisted Basque stitch as I've gone into other colour ways to those I first planned,BUT-----!
another part of me says to leave it for shock value.
Perhaps when I complete and add the second punched butterfly it will be easier to make a decision!
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My block for Marian--------Here is one of the Dancing Fans block that I've worked on for Marian!The central patch holds a wreath of silk ribbon flowers and pearl beads;A bullion stitched "fan" with silk ribbon and pearls is on the upper green patch,and the seam braid (with different treatments) is on two of the seam lines and I used a "Twisted Basque stitch" in rasberry rayon Marlitt on the lower burgandy patch.
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Punched Butterfly:Needing to have antenna back stitched into position (which will be done after I've appliqued him to the bag) one punched Butterfly.
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http://www.flickr.com/groups/topic/68688/
All that really has happened to it( Bag of Fun Challenge) is that I've unearthed MORE bits ' pieces to embellish the bag with:
Having decided that I was wasting too much time attempting to punch needle on denim,I've gone back to using a calico foundation,which will then be appliqued to the bag when the motifs are completed.
After spending the afternoon yesterday at a (jazz) dance display at ANZ Stadium,my sweet grand daughter presented me with a denim skirt she had outgrown,saying
"Gran,a bag for ME would be nice!!(how could I say NO)
At least with the skirt having a red waistband,colour has already been introduced to the equation.
I must visit Spotlight tomorrow.............I've found that my stock of (very) lightweight cotton is non existent and if I want to make those "jocks for a cure" I'll need to buy more fabric in order to make a start on that project.
With that in mind,I'll close off here and go punch a thread or three,as well as a little more work on Marian's Dancing Fan blocks
www.quiltsbycts.com
I'm feeling a little more relaxed in that I've completed work on one of my RRs and it's all bundled up ready for mailing back to it's owner!
I've also completed a couple of the Mother Goose themed Redwork block swap that I joined---------however,I do not like Yellow work (as requested by one of the group!)but the lavender and the blue? Oh YES!!
All I have left to do, is 3 blocks in varying shades of RED.
I have MarianE's four Fan blocks for the Fan dancing CQRR to make a start on,but the ideas are flowing so I forsee few problems(Famous last words??)
On Joma's block I had "fun" attempting my first beetle..........Couldn't master the knack of laying sequins for the wings,so I resorted to bullion stitches.A bit more practise required there,methinks :-(
---and finally:that Bag of Fun!
The wretched thing has a mind of its own,and is progressing----s-l-o-w-l-y
The only section I'm (nearly) content with is a curving line of Twisted Basque Stitch.Thanks SharonB for causing me to "try it out".
I've been conversing by email lately with Cindy Thury Smith,and on her invitation dropped in to visit her web site where I'm learning of what's involved in wool fulling.........I think it was JanW from southerncrosscrazies who was asking about the availabilty of commercial fulled wool recently,and MaryC-B mentioned how to DIY.....Cindy is hooked on it,go have a look at her fulled wool CQ!
and if my link still doesn't work,cut and paste the www.quiltsbycts to your addie line!
Candlewicked Cat cushion
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Not one of my better pics!I'll have to do a little more editing I think.
This would be one of my earliest cat stitchings......it has survived cats,frequent laundering and quite a few pillow fights!
Using traditional candlewick thread and mainly colonial knots and shadow quilted to give some definition
