MY CANVAS SHOPPING BAG

Yippee! The bag is finished

Had to make a quick trip to buy some thick iron on Vilene this morning - couldn't find my stash!!! - because I'd hoped the bag would stand up on its own but it wouldn't. Trying to incorporate the stiffening into a half sewn bag was a challenge to say the least and really had I known I needed it, I would have ironed it on before I even contemplated sewing. It sort of worked but to ensure it stayed in place, I sewed some of the flowers.

Also, my idea was to line the bag by pulling the bag through the lining once sewn round the top. With the extra thickness and the stiff base I doubted that would work, so I decided to place the lining inside the bag and sew it alltogether then add a binding to the top edge.

 My quilting clips were perfect for holding everything together.

I used some left over material from a quilt I made as a Christmas present and it matched like a dream.

It was all a bit of a challenge but the end result is a success.

There you have it. A waterproof lined shopping bag made without a pattern. One tick for me then.

SHOPPING BAG

After a morning of doing the 'H' word, I'm having a play with my sewing machine again. This time I am trying to make a shopping bag. 

I say 'trying' because I'm making it up as I go along so it could turn into something completely different!!!

I bought an off cut of patterned canvas, some strapping and water proof lining.

I decided to make a firm base to go between the in and outside pieces so I've covered a piece of mount board in some black material. The idea is to sew this in place along one of the short side panels of the bag at the base.

See, all this is in my head with a lovely strong shopping bag at the end of my endeavours. However, when I started to write the instructions down, I could see problems and the construction wouldn't have worked. I've now just decided to go for it and see what happens. I do have my quick unpick at the ready though!!!! LOL. 

A SEWING AFTERNOON

Decided to get my sewing machine out today. I have so many projects ready to sew and lots of luscious material to prep for other projects still in my head. Just look at all this.

Eclectic Elements fat quarters. 

I hope to make a rag throw with it and the plan is not to waste any!

I made a few things as Xmas presents but don't appear to have taken photos. My step son is a biker and I found some fab material so I made him a bed quilt and pillow cases. These are a couple of the other things I made.

This is a 'squashy' cushion.

A tote bag to save a few pence on plastic carriers.

A little thread catcher which can be used for anything. 

I had a lot of fun making these items but am now on with another throw, this time for the garden benches. I'm using all the scraps left over from the cushions I made last year. A long way to go with this project though.

That's it for today. The light has gone and - it's raining again!!! 

12 TAGS OF 2016 - JANUARY

The link to Tim's first tag of 2016 can be found HERE. Hooray! 12 tags has begun another year. What a brilliant idea to combine a couple of techniques from previous tags. Something to 'jog' our memories. All the items required for this tag were at my finger tips from making the 2 previous tags Tim chose to combine, so that made for a really good start to this years set.

I used my 'Limitations' stamp and die set and the large embossing folder from the Springtime set. As I am having great difficulty with Blogger at the moment, I'm going to try and publish before my computer goes out of the window!!!!

CRAZY BIRDS TUTU CANVAS - by KASSA HAYSELDEN - MY HAPPY VERSION

Before I go any further, I just have to tell you - I've finished my version of Karen's canvas albeit, the nearest I could manage following her fabby tutorial. 

To be perfectly honest, I am quite emotional because I just LOVE IT.

For those of you who know me, I am not talented nor professional in paper or mixed media art but I am an avid enthusiastic hobby crafter. I follow those who CAN because I CANT and gain my 'expertise' that way. Karen's tutorial on the Ranger blog was my 'kick' into action for 2016 after a lack of enthusiasm - for many reasons - during 2015.

Thank you to those of you who have encouraged me through this project, least of all Karen herself. 

So, today I had to make tutus. My hat goes off to those who make life-size versions, because working with net is a nightmare. 

I stitched and jabbed my fingers and stitched again, OK! Not Karen's fault, I have a very large arthritic  right thumb joint which annoyed me rotten because I couldn't keep hold of the thread. Haha! You won't beat me. 

That was difficult but I got there in the end.

I decided to complete the little extra touches to my canvas before sticking the crazy birds down as I just knew I would stamp those tutus.

I just can't believe the outcome of this. I know it's mine but I love how it looks. One lesson here is to 'just go for it' but pick your colours first. Having said that, you could always Gesso the whole lot out if it didn't work!!

Well folk, the time arrived. LEGS.  I did consider these

quite a 'cop out' really and a big upset for Karen that I wasn't going the 'full hog' and completing her tutorial. - BUT I can't draw, seriously, I can't draw. How on earth can I free hand draw legs for my ballerina crazy birds??? This is how,

Waste not want not. My Ranger specialist stamping card is just too good to waste.

Every little bit used.

Well, I did it, me who can't draw - DREW

So the assembly is ready. The white bits around the legs have been gone over with my black soot Distress marker. 

I hope you like my finished canvas. 

I make no apologies for 3 photos of it because I am absolutely thrilled to 'little mint balls' with it.

A great big THANK YOU to Karen Haysleden for the amazing tutorial and to Ranger (#rangerink) for publishing it.

I got a revised 'crafty kick' to start off 2016 and am grateful for it - and the BIG smile.