Friday, August 29, 2008

Farmers Market..we are back

This weekend, August 30th, we will be back at our regular gig at the Farmers Market.
Here is a preview of some new handmade cards. I am calling them seamstress cards... I used a pattern that my lady friend over at Apron strings wrapped my gift in.



I also used ladies from a vintage cardboard box that cinda thrifted for me! Thanks ladies for the inspiration, I kinda love these. The yellow is hand dyed in the paper and all the material is vintage scraps . I would say they are 5o% post consumer product or something(the actual card is new heavy watercolor paper)





I wanted to share this sweet photo of dada and burger It is nice to be home with daddy again we missed you dada....thanks for all the surprises it was a nice return! I sure do love my boys~

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Pretty, new bags

I am sort of procrastinating getting ready for my market day this weekend so I just had to write a post about new bags. First off an absolutely fabulous trade from my ever so talented compadre Blue Mama.
I just loved her black plastic knitted bag she had for sell on etsy so we worked out a swap, custom bag for custom wrap skirt( I am still working on my end of the deal). By the way she still has one of these babies on her etsy.
The handles are these super cute vintage marbled square plastic treasures...I love them so!
She also made mine have a handy dandy front pocket adorned with coordinating vintage buttons!

Thank you blue mama I will use it with pride.



The other new bag I am posting about is one I made for myself for my trip to bama. It is a new belle and burger design that I am pretty excited about. It is sort of humongous but it doesn't really have to wear that way.

I designed it as my carry-all carry-on and It was able to be my only carry on(with burger in sling and one bag). Since being home I have been toting it with just my usual necessities and I am really enjoying its versatile size.
I can throw any little thing I might need to grab at the store in here instead of having to bring an extra shopping tote. The side pocket I designed for books and magazines opens up as a perfect extra tote on my tote!



It has three main compartments and a small cell/lip balm pocket in the main compartment along with a keyring loop(I would loose my phone and my keys if I did not add these two essentials)

It has one big shoulder style strap that is cinched in the center with a loop that is very comfy on your shoulder especially when the bag is loaded.
It is fully lined including the strap. I see it as a big bucket, style bag. I am ready to make more with maybe all four panels being coordinated fabrics but each different. I can't wait to put some together using different coordinating fabrics for all the panels. It is a patchwork dream.


On my bag I really wanted to work in one of my new little owls so I created a "fall drawing" with a little scabby owl
and I also had some fun with a little hand and machine embroidered details( I do not have a machine that really embroiders I just call by machine stitches that are purely decorative~ embroidered )

so what do ya'll think?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Have I ever told you how much I love that country Music?

Well I do. I loooooove it!I am not ashamed and I don't just like "old"country( although I do have issue with what some people call country music these days). I just like GOOD country Music ...It is the music singing in my SOUL and it is pretty loud and always on. Don't get me wrong I love music, all kinds, always have; but it all started with country vinyl. ~Admittedly I have an intolerable memory. I just don't remember things atall.But I do remember very well sitting in front of our fancy stereo in Coldwater Creek Alabama listening and learning to read from the Alabama Feels so right album cover



Well I have come a long way but I still love a good country music song. Yesterday my absolutely favorite country(living) music singer and his band released their new album. Now calling Jason Boland my favorite living country music singer might not seem too important to some of you, but remember Willie, Merle and George are all still living(i might not be going to Hillbilly heaven after mentioning that). Call me crazy ( my daddy often does) but he is not only "the Real Deal" but also "The Total package".





I have only been a fan for about 3-4 years but I do have all their records and the progression of this mans song writing is the stuff country music legends are made of. I have only listened to their latest offering all the way through twice, however it already has stole my heart. Well I am gushing like a teenage girl so I will leave a little sample here from his latest ...


"I guess it finally rained
It’s down to 85ยบ
I bet the fish are biting
Down by the river side
But it’s the only place made colder
Around here in the middle of June
By endless string of strangers
Brought by the summer moon "

Jason Boland Comal County Blue


Jason had to undergo surgery Yesterday on his Vocal chordsThe same day they released the new record .(if that ain't country)
I wish him a speedy recovery

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Back from Bama

We had a blast and I have 400 photos to prove it( yes I said 400) any way here is a sample

~Nanny has carpet!!!Burger the little airplane


~I got a new "do" ( really the only photo of it)

...and so did Dixie




~A Trip to the Natural history museum in Anniston

... with a real elephant!!


..and Lion!


~fun at the local water fountain park
~And a super great weekend with Georgia cousins !!!!
I made a Tex Mex feast especially for Mama and big sis
and My aunt made us dranks





...the ladies after a few tasty margaritas

~We had so much fun with everybody... would you like an apple?


~Burger really adores his older cousins



~And he hasn't stopped asking for Nanny since we came back...we had wonderful time love you Sweet home Alabama.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Fabric and Button Barrette tutorial


~These barrettes are fun and easy to make. They are great for using little bits of fabric especially your stashed vintage treasures. They also show case special buttons and are a great use for those buttons that have no matches. I sometimes make matching pairs but I really like making coordinates that are each a little different but still look good worn together.
*********Level of Difficulty: super duper easy***********


Supplies you will need:

* Ironed Fabric scraps (at least 1” x3”~ ish)

*Cute flat (sew through) buttons
*Non- painted Barrettes (I use binding or hem clips They are cheaper and bare metal) The glue has a hard time grabbing the painted barrette; if you only have painted ones use a metal file to scuff up the paint and it helps the glue grab

*No fray spray (This is not totally necessary but I found it to increase the life of my barrettes) *Hot glue gun (yay) and sticks
* Pliers or tweezers (just to help keep glue off you)
*Scissors( small detail ones work best)


Instructions

1. Pick out and Iron fabrics, I usually work on several pair at once picking out fabrics and buttons before I start gluing. Then I work in like an assembly line fashion. Gluing all the fabric on then cutting all at once etc…




2.Cut scrap fabric in rectangles just larger than the barrettes



3.Open barrette and slide pliers into back of barrette
To hold while gluing





4.Glue generously on barrette top



5.Position fabric as you want on top of glue


Press evenly as the glue cools with medium firmness



6.Allow to cool completely

7.Trim around barrette taking care to leave a slight edge (>1/16”) to allow for any needed fabric expansion when you close the barrette

8. Spray entire fabric side of barrette with no fray spray. Allow them dry completely



9. Use hot glue on the back of the button and position in place on barrettes while open press slowly and evenly. Then leave to cool on open barrettes



10. Sport your cute new hair accessories




* check out the amendments to this tutorial