Cat Drawing

Creating a new drawing from some of my favorite things.

Back to the recycle bag

After sticking the pieces together there were a few scraps left so I used those to make some pockets that will be added to the bag later. I cut and sewed a lining for the bag but forgot to shoot pictures of that.

I'm using the odd spacing between the patches as an opportunity to teach myself new embroidery stitches and use up bits of my button collection.

 I plan a bunch of flower petals around this in the red to unify the design and I'm headed back to the worktable to do those now.

Recycling Upholstery Scraps

For me the first step is always to take a look at what I've got and then begin cutting and sewing fabrics together until I get a random patchwork piece that I like the looks of. Once I'm satisfied with that I'll fold it into sections large enough to make tote bags.
You can never go wrong by making more things to store or carry things in. I give many of these away and always keep one to store the materials in for the next project.

There's no pattern or anything, I just fold, cut and flip then sew again. Repeating the process over and over again.

 A few pins now and then keep things from shifting too much while cutting or sewing.

I enjoy this process and am thinking about adding some buttons and embroidery to it when I finish with the patchwork. I'm in no hurry to finish this one so I might as well indulge my creativity a bit-don't you think so?

Prep for painting

My worktable is busy these days, I had to set some of the painting things aside to get some fabric cut. Any shirts I buy locally are too short so I've been cutting out squares for bands of patchwork to lengthen them. I'll cut the 3 small pieces of fabric that I bought (1/3 yard and 1/2 yard) and turn it all into a continuous roll that can be used as needed. That way it only takes up a few inches in the corner of my sewing basket.
While I was out shopping I also grabbed a few of the colors of paint I needed to paint good skin tones on those portraits. There are now 3 different ones in the works so it's all creating mayhem in the house because there are a lot of other projects going on here as well.
Someday I'm going to have to take another break and do some housework around here. I was so far behind on the dishes today that there was NOTHING to get a drink of water with.
I guess I'd better head to the kitchen-I hate that place!

Scrap Happy

I'm still working my way through that pile of tapestry fabrics and so far it looks like I will get 2 or 3 new tote bags by the time I've finished with it. I've been so busy sewing that I haven't gotten around to taking any more pictures yet.
Meanwhile the paints and pencils are pulling at me, I can't wait to get back at it again! The only drawing that I got done today was an iris on the corner of an outgoing letter.
Having tried portraits in both acrylics and watercolors I'm eager to make an attempt in pencil.
It's surprising what you can accomplish in a small space, it just looks a little terrifying while you're doing it. My sewing things are spread all of the way through the living and dining room. Thank goodness my hubby is the sort that doesn't mind the chaos. Perhaps as a photographer he finds the composition interesting...maybe he should shoot some pictures for you until I've got time for it.

Fabric Scrap Fashion

I started out painting this morning, still working on that design for valentine's day cards but the house needed tending to and as I was doing laundry it occurred to me that the best way to lengthen one of my shirts was to insert a patchwork band.

If this sounds familiar it's because I've been doing that since I was a kid in the 1960's.

 Hey, sometimes the old solutions are the best. 

Actually this shirt has shrunk up so short that I may add two bands and as always I'll post pictures when I've got some.

Here's the picture. I haven't tried it on yet but it looks like the one band of patchwork is going to be enough.

Meanwhile, there's a cup of tea and a loaf of bread just out of the oven...it's smelling SO good that I feel my attention wandering again.

Going to pieces

Recycle Challenge: old arm chair covers

 This project started on the 15th  and I just finished it a few hours ago. You may want to read back to that post for more information.

 It's been a busy morning. Besides finishing the tote bag I finished the last "pin up kitty" as well as stitching up all the tapestry scraps to see if there's enough of anything interesting to make a couple more bags and empty that box.

 This bag reverses, I prefer the wildlife fabric on the inside because there are 3 pockets in it but it will be up to the gal I sent it to which way she wants to use it.

Return of the Bag Lady

These strips of fabric were some that Carol brought in. The yellow was a bit wider and the blue was a bit longer but I figured they'd more or less make bags so I folded them in quarters, cut and trimmed them and used a bit of dark blue webbing I had on hand for handles. I thought I'd vary things a bit by making 2 of them tall and 2 of them wide and as you can see I'm really enjoying using one as a purse these days which of course reminds me that I need to learn to install zippers, somehow in the decades that I've been sewing I've just never gotten around to it. Anyway, the project didn't take long and we ended up with 3 bags with yellow linings and one with the blue. All in great and handy sizes I think folks will really enjoy.

Recycle Challenge

The first results of the fabric scraps from Carol and the buttons from Susan. Keep reading to see what's next...