artsy-crafty babe

the inspired bag

Here it is, this is what I couldn't wait to make.  It all started with the cutest little fish made from bottle caps that I saw at the Arts Market on Saturday morning.  I wish I had thought to get a card, but at the time her booth was crowded, so I only got the chance to peek at the pieces on the perimeter.  It wasn't until my drive home that I correlated the overlapping of the bottle caps with the appliqued bags that I've been making this past year.

Of course, I had to make a bag -but instead of "petals", I'm calling these "scales".  Does it look like scales to you?   This bag isn't exactly what I had in mind on my drive home...I'd call this more of an evolution.  Love that! 

I used the same pattern as the hot tamale.  That center panel was the perfect place for scales.

After getting all my scales ironed on, I decided to outline them all with stitching.  But one line wasn't enough...3 is better, no?  I love the look of that stitching, it's something I definitely want to explore more.  Gosh, I had forgotten how much I like this sort of thing.  Now I want to applique everything!  And outline it with crazy machine stitching!

If you love this bag like I do and want it for yourself, I'm setting this fishy free - it's in my shop.  I think there may be more of these in my future..I have too many piles of pretty "scales" not to!

overflowing...

*the kids' camp under the stairs...rainy days have made for some creative play indoors

Have you ever been so full of ideas and so inspired that you don't know what to do with yourself?  That's where I am right now.  I've been feeling that way for months now.  I think a lot of it has to do with finally realizing and *accepting* that I'm a creative person.  I know, I know, you're probably sitting there reading this saying "duh!".  But it's true.  I had an idea in my mind of what I thought a creative person was, and I didn't perceive myself as that.  Silly, I know.

*concrete slab waiting for some paint...and the walls, too

As I'm coming to terms with my new view of myself, I'm overflowing with ideas.  It's quite disturbing because I can't seem to concentrate on one thing.  Take today for example - this morning I went to the farmers market, which also happened to be the arts market (it only takes place the first saturday of the month).  I came across a piece of artwork that I can't get out of my mind.  Never mind that I have 3 slow stitching projects in the works, I want to start on this new idea inspired by the artwork right this instant!  I also want to start the quilt I planned for Alex a year ago because this week Matt ripped the carpet out of his room and we're painting everything including the concrete slab.  It's a total room re-do.

*what's left of the veggies i bought this morning at the farmers market - we ate stuffed peppers, baked eggplant, and tomatoes & cucumbers for supper - YUM

While I was at the arts market I got the chance to see Sara's fabrics in person.  Oh boy, talk about gorgeous!  I can't wait to get my hands on some yardage because I'd love to make a bag from it.  Yes, no matter what hobby I venture off to, I always return to bags :)

*Alex's quilt parts...i wish i could remember what i had planned for this

Should I tell you that on a whim I signed up for the Dottie Angel workshop in Seattle in September?  Yep.  I just did it.  Lucky me gets to spend a weekend with Chris & Jade and the infamous Tif of Dottie Angel.  Did you know Tif and I were in the same issue of Artful Blogging a few (or 8) months ago?

*i finally got a remote for my camera...still figuring it out

Anyway...hi, I'm Beki, and creating is my Passion.  I am vowing right here and now to NOT be embarrassed or ashamed of the things or quantity of things that I make.  No, I am NOT the norm, and that's quite alright!!

Whew, it feels good to get that off my chest!!

hi there

I'm still here...I've been in a bit of a pain med induced stupor for the past few days, but I'm still here :)  The whole experience wasn't as bad as I expected, but it wasn't pleasant or a walk in the park either.  I'm glad to have it over with, though I'm still grossed out by the huge holes in the back of my mouth.  I'm not yet brave enough to explore them with my tongue...ewwww!!

Okay enough about that.  What's been going on with y'all?  I feel like I'm out of touch with the world.  I thought I'd catch up on some blog reading during my down time, but I decided to unplug.  It was kind of nice, I must admit.   Besides resting (and listening to my lovely children tattle on each other) I did feel up to a little stitching.  You should know me by now, when I get hooked on something, I get OBSESSED. 

Last night I decided to cut up a tunic top and turn it into something new.  I'm not done yet, but I think I'm gonna like it.  It needs more ruffles.  You can't have enough ruffles, really.

I'm still enjoying the color in my garden.  I'm eagerly awaiting my first tomatoes to ripen - they're so, so close. I've picked a few cucumbers, but due to my current oral condition I've only been able to enjoy them sliced in a glass of ice water, which is quite nice.  I think that may be my new favorite summertime beverage. 

Stitching, gardening, and flushing my mouth craters with warm salt water, that pretty much sums up my life these days...no complaints, it could be worse :)  And now friends, the weekend is upon us again *woohoo*.  Have a great one!!

slow summer stitching :: week 1

basic tools & techinques

If you're going to do some hand sewing, you need needles and thread.  Have you ever gone to the fabric store and seen the selection?  It can be overwhelming.  I am no expert by any means, but when I've worked on hand sewing knits, the needles I use are sharps (I believe Natalie Chanin talks about this in the Alabama Stitch book).  On my first skirt, I did experiment with other needles, such as craft needles and embroidery needles, because that's what I had, but the sharps did indeed work the best.  If you are working with a woven or some type of project there are other needles best suited for the job.  A good article on the subject is at CraftStylish, Know Your (Hand-Sewing) Needles.

I quickly searched for an article on thread with no luck (i'm sure there are some out there, but i didn't have the time to do too much searching!).  Personally, I like to use all purpose thread for basic applique and buttonhole thread for seams.  I've tried using the buttonhole thread for applique, but I found it to be too stiff, though it does work well for outlining the lines of reverse applique.  I use embroidery thread (or floss) for decorative stitches.  My best advice is to experiment with what you have on hand to see what works best for you.

In my experience with reverse applique and regular applique, a sharp pair of embroidery scissors are a must.  They work great on snipping those tight little corners and crevices and usually make a clean cut on your thread.

The two stitches I've used the most in my hand sewing are the running stitch and the back stitch.  I'm currently using a whip stitch to apply an applique to a top I'm working on, but an alternative is a blanket stitch.  Below are some links to basic hand stitches along with a hand sewing needle guide:

running stitch

basting stitches

hand stitches

basic hand stitches

hand sewing needle guide

I know there is a ton more information to share, if you have some helpful links please list them in the comments below.  I've turned on threaded comments so that we can have a conversation in the comments.