Work(s) in Progress

I have two works in progress. What was I thinking? I truly don't know. I just got so excited by the "Ribbon" purse that I started it and then came across a problem with the loose weave of the ribbon that I have to make a few changes. And while I was doing the changes, I decided that I needed a distraction. So I began something that I have wanted to do since I read my first Jane Austen novel at fourteen. I wanted to make a "Reticule". The dictionary definition is a lady's draw string bag. Somehow Jane Austen drew a picture of it for me with words. But I have never made one. This one is three different weaves of lace and the body is going to be taffeta. I dyed the lace and the "drawstring" so that they would all harmonize with each other. I wanted three different shades of orange. There is a lot of hand work to this but that seems natural, considering the era that I am trying to emulate.
The "Reticule" is giving me a lot of pleasure and the "Ribbon" bag is still giving me minor upsets.

Halloween Recap

Here is Pippi Longstocking*

Here is Astro Boy!*

*Wigs courtesy of Papa Crane

Light Hearted Tuesday

Years ago, when I was taking care of my father, working in the shop and shouldering life's problems, I felt overburdened. I probably was a burden to my sister, being so downhearted. Then one Saturday morning, I had gone to the local farmer's market to by strawberries. Strawberries were a favorite of my father's. I was in the kitchen rinsing and coring the strawberries. And out of the blue a very small Butterfly flew out of the basket. It was a blue Butterfly. It flew around the kitchen. As it flew, it gave me great hope that life would once again become free and happy. it showed me that I needed only to change how I looked at life to have life look better. The story of the Butterfly was so important to me that I could not delay in telling my sister about it. My sister commemorated this event in my life with this wonderful book mark.

Every time I see this bookmark, it reminds me that life is how we perceive it. It can be bad or it can be good. It is only a matter of perception.

The writing on the side of the book mark says "Strawberries give birth to Butterflies" Mother's Day 1994.

Inspiration!

I was reading mendofleur and I was getting very inspired to get in and organize, clean and (if necessary) discard in my studio. Then I received that huge, heavy box from my darling niece. Needless to say, I got off track and sat on the floor and played with the fabric. I do have a problem when I see wonderful fabric. I fall into imagining what I can do with this piece and that piece would be wonderful for this purpose. And I got very distracted. My studio is still in a mess because I have to finish my next project. And did I mention that I have a few more on the line?
What is wonderful about these samples is that they are heavy duty fabrics and will take a lot of abuse. So, for making purses they are ideal. What fun!!!

The Last Blush of Summer

I usually see this flower during late July or August. The blossom will last about 36 hours if the weather is perfect. The fragrance gets more intense during the middle hours and goes down hill fast. The fragrance would be the perfect perfume. Oh, how short the tome is to enjoy this lovely. It did not bloom until this week. I had almost missed the delight!

Pippie Longstocking - My Version

On Monday morning, I was asked to help with Pippi Longstocking for my granddaughter, Lucy. I was very enthusiastic about this change of costume. It was a "dead cheerleader". She is only 6, going on 7 and "Grandmother" approves of Pippi Longstocking! This little apron took yards and yards of bias seam binding, which I was able to make with my Clover seam binding gadget. Really the most inventive little sewing aid!

I had to put this over three days, as I ran back and forth to the shop. And then about 1:00 Wednesday (today for me). I realized that she needed this for school on Friday. I stopped answering phones and just worked. But it is going out today by UPS. I can now breathe easily. All is well in my world!

Here is a cute Utube of Pippi Longstocking!

Happy Halloween

I just looked at the date on this postcard. It is Oct 30, 1994. This is a testament to my stashing things away. It is from my darling niece and she had purchased it during a visit to Mexico.
I am deep into preparations for Halloween. I had finished my grandson's outfit of "Astro Boy" and then yesterday I heard that my granddaughter changed her mind from "dead cheerleader" to Pippi Longstocking. I have to say that this choice is much more to my liking. Now I have to sew a pinafore/apron in the spirit of what Pippi would wear. And still do my work in the shop. Oh well, life can't get any better when one is needed by the people one loves!
Happy Halloween