Craft-In Sept. 2011

Sometimes I work best when I lock myself in the house and make myself create.  There are so many distractions in life these days that I feel we need to do that once in a while.  Though I wasn't able to stay inside the full 3 days, I did manage to get a few things made within that time!  Let me show you...

Day 1
Project 1-I had made some cloth hats like this a few years ago, but it had been a while.  A friend recently asked me if I could make "cycling hats" as he calls them, hats that you can wear biking, then fold them up and put in your pocket when ride is done.  I couldn't find the pattern I made up years ago, so I had to improv, just like the first time!  Finished product-

I put interfacing in the bill to make it a little more stable, but still flexible enough to shape it as you wish or roll up for travel.  I also lined the inside with a neutral tannish color.

Project 2-One of my favorite things to make are bags, especially giant bags!  I, personally, feel the need to carry a lot of things with me.  To justify, a lot of these items I use to document inspiration (my journal), attempt to organize (planner), create (current portable craft project-usually yarn and needles/hooks), amongst other random things!  I also like to make items that are good for travel.  Here's the beaut I came up with-

As you will see, I LOVE to use vintage fabrics!  I love the crazy patterns, colors, and quality of materials made back in the day.  Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era...but I will make the most of the time I have now!  I used the aqua-blue fabric on the main body of the bag to pull out the blues in the paisley pattern.

I used D-rings to keep the messenger flap down.

 Under the messenger flap is the big circular pocket with zipper.  I even lined the pocket like a professional!  (I have to show these extra little details when I put in the time to do them...)  I also put two pockets on the inside because it's always good to have pockets in a big bag!

Day 2

Project 3-Next, I decided I wanted to do something involving weaving.  I found some beautiful ribbon to use.  I was a little worried to use it because of fraying issues, but I gave it a whirl anyway!  I weaved the two types of ribbon, carefully pinned them to a backing fabric, and sewed.  

Next, I found a just as vibrant and beautiful fabric to use for the other side.  I love the texture of this fabric as well!  (Again, nice vintage find.)  Since I decided to go with a parallelogram shape for this soon-to-be clutch, I wanted to use an angle for the flap to dramatize the overall shape.

   

I also recently found a new of which is covering my own buttons!  I love using buttons, so getting to use whatever fabric I want is like a dream come true!

I put a little pocket on the inside for cards, ID,
or whatever you can fit in a little pocket such as this.

I put interfacing in the flap and back of the clutch in order for it  to hold its shape and to make it more stable.  This, along with the layers of material, made it very thick and a little challenging to sew, but it was a good experience!

Project 4-After the clutch, I needed to little break from sewing.  I found some glorious seafoam green (one of my favorite colors!) seed beads.  I grouped them with a few other beads and made this cute little piece.  After I was finished with the beading, I sewed a back onto it, stitched on some snaps, and then there was a bracelet!

Day 3

Project 5-Since it was the last day of my craft-in, I wanted to make something that I've wanted to make for a while.  This beautiful fabric used to be placemats, but I had a vision since I first saw the print!  I knew it had to be a bag of some kind.  When deciding on the shape, I wanted something that kind of mimicked a flower petal.  I used rings to join the strap to the bag.  There's a zipper and two pockets on the inside.

 

Project 6-Since I had a little of this print remaining, I made a matching wallet!  I made two-layered pockets for cards, ID, etc.

That concludes my weekend of crafting!  I would like to thank my cat, Gigi, for keeping me company while working (even though he slept most of the time).  I would also like to thank Pandora Radio for endless hours of good music, and my boyfriend, Nolyn, for cooking me delicious meals, so I could focus on my creations!

"Carry on."

Let the journey begin!!!

I am an artist.  I have the need to create, whether it's sewing, crocheting or knitting, drawing, painting, writing music, beading, making jewelry, or whatever else strikes a string of interest in me!  After graduating from college, I have been debating what to do with my life.  The one thing I keep coming back to, the dream if I could do anything, is to become a self-sustaining artist.  Living in the plains of North Dakota, I can see this being slightly challenging, but I must try!  So, I have started this blog to document my progress, share projects I am working on, and hopefully make some new friends along the way!  Let the journey begin!!!