I came across this republished article yesterday. It's about the contents of womens handbags in 1945.
I was rather amused by it and thought you would enjoy it as well.
In Victorian days, it was considered "lady-like" to carry as little as possible. Hmmmmm....how interesting! I would have fit right in then! I only carry my wallet, my keys and a chapstick in my purse. I guess that's why I can get away with a small handbag. And by now, I'm sure you know my motto when it comes to purses:
If it isn't embellished, what's the point!!!
Enjoy!
Cross Stitch Patterns inspired by nature, animals and the holidays by designer Pamela Kellogg of Kitty And Me Designs
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
Questions For My Readers
In hopes for offering new and fun ideas, tips and inspiration to my readers, I would like to ask you a few questions. Please take a moment to leave your answers in the comments section for me.
1. What kind of stitching do you do? Are you a cross-stitcher, a crazy-quilter, an embroiderer (such as vintage transfers), a sewer or a multi-media stitcher?
2. How often do you come to my blog?
3. What do you enjoy about my blog?
4. Is there anything you don't like about my blog?
5. What type of information would you like to see more of?
Thank you everyone! I'm looking for input so that I can share with you more of what you come here for.
1. What kind of stitching do you do? Are you a cross-stitcher, a crazy-quilter, an embroiderer (such as vintage transfers), a sewer or a multi-media stitcher?
2. How often do you come to my blog?
3. What do you enjoy about my blog?
4. Is there anything you don't like about my blog?
5. What type of information would you like to see more of?
Thank you everyone! I'm looking for input so that I can share with you more of what you come here for.
Ocean Garden Cellphone Pouch Continued
I'm constant search of new names for my "Seascapes"! You may be wondering why I do so many of these? It's because I find them very peaceful to work on. Just like watching fish swim in an aquarium. There's something soothing about creating under water themed pieces.
I started with some purple eyelash yarn, tacking it at the bottom and then twisting it, tacking at the twists. I added just a bit of feather stitching to the right, some other purple yarn in the middle and then a piece of mint green vintage trim. The metallic gold piece that you see is a vintage tassel which I fanned out and then sewed on.
This piece is really more about couching and embellishing than stitching. It's kind of fun to experiment with different yarns and trims.
Scott drilled holes in a bunch of seashells for me so those are the next do-dads to go on and then beads and sequins. As you can see, I've already added my cat. I tend to forget about adding him on the seascapes. I try to make him blend into the background.
I started with some purple eyelash yarn, tacking it at the bottom and then twisting it, tacking at the twists. I added just a bit of feather stitching to the right, some other purple yarn in the middle and then a piece of mint green vintage trim. The metallic gold piece that you see is a vintage tassel which I fanned out and then sewed on.
This piece is really more about couching and embellishing than stitching. It's kind of fun to experiment with different yarns and trims.
Scott drilled holes in a bunch of seashells for me so those are the next do-dads to go on and then beads and sequins. As you can see, I've already added my cat. I tend to forget about adding him on the seascapes. I try to make him blend into the background.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Special Effects For Needlework & Mixed Media Projects
Since I'm getting ready to start on another Seascape, I thought this would be a good time to share with you some fun things you can use for "special effects".
This is a piece of China Silk which I hand-painted and applied to the foundation fabric with Heat & Bond:
The image is a bit fuzzy. You know that photography is not my medium! But it's enough for you to see.
I then added a "special effects" layer which consists of Angelina Fibers, Silk Rods and some metallic gold mesh:
Angelina Fiber is a very fine "light reflective" as well as "light refractive" fiber. It is extremely luminescent and comes in a wide range of colors.
Angelina is a loose, fusible fiber meaning that when heated, it bonds to itself creating a sheer, non-woven fabric which can then be applied to an unlimited range of projects. It can be used in paper arts such as hand-made paper, scrapbooking and greeting cards. It can used with wool for felting and as you can see here, it will make for a lovely background to my Seascape.
Silk Rods are another really fun "special effect" item that can be used in all mixed media applications. The only limit is one's own imagination:
I purchased my Silk Rods from Grace at Larkspur Funny Farm, another wonderful Etsy shop owner! Since I am rather clueless about silk worms, I am going to quote Grace from her description of the Silk Rods:
"Carrier Silk Rods are the by product of reeling silk from the cocoon. As the silk filament is unraveled from the cocoons into a skein that is carried over a rod. Silk builds up on this carrier rod and must be removed. This silk is then slit and removed. These slit tubes still have the sericin. The rods can be dyed, separated into layers, sprayed with water and ironed flat or degummed. They have been used in paper making, jewelry, spinning, felting, altered art, textural stitching and silk fusion. The rods vary in shapes and sizes."
So here is what I did with my piece:
Working on a sheet of Freezer paper, I sprinkled on some purple and mint green Angelina. I then added some snippets of metallic gold fabric mesh.
I pulled off some small pieces of the silk rod, spritzed it with water, pressed it with my iron and laid that on top of my fiber and gold mesh. I then sprinkled a bit more of the mint green and the purple Angelina on top, covered it with my Freezer paper and pressed it. This all fused together in what I call a "fiber sandwich". At the moment, it's just laying on top of my China Silk but will be held in place with my stitching and embellishments which I will be starting on here shortly.
Grace is currently sold out of her Silk Rods but I spoke with her last week and expect to see new listings soon so if you're interested in purchasing some of these, please bookmark her shop and keep checking back.
There are many online sources for Angelina Fibers but I recommend Textura Trading. For the direct link to the Angelina Fiber page, click here.
This is a piece of China Silk which I hand-painted and applied to the foundation fabric with Heat & Bond:
The image is a bit fuzzy. You know that photography is not my medium! But it's enough for you to see.
I then added a "special effects" layer which consists of Angelina Fibers, Silk Rods and some metallic gold mesh:
Angelina Fiber is a very fine "light reflective" as well as "light refractive" fiber. It is extremely luminescent and comes in a wide range of colors.
Angelina is a loose, fusible fiber meaning that when heated, it bonds to itself creating a sheer, non-woven fabric which can then be applied to an unlimited range of projects. It can be used in paper arts such as hand-made paper, scrapbooking and greeting cards. It can used with wool for felting and as you can see here, it will make for a lovely background to my Seascape.
Silk Rods are another really fun "special effect" item that can be used in all mixed media applications. The only limit is one's own imagination:
I purchased my Silk Rods from Grace at Larkspur Funny Farm, another wonderful Etsy shop owner! Since I am rather clueless about silk worms, I am going to quote Grace from her description of the Silk Rods:
"Carrier Silk Rods are the by product of reeling silk from the cocoon. As the silk filament is unraveled from the cocoons into a skein that is carried over a rod. Silk builds up on this carrier rod and must be removed. This silk is then slit and removed. These slit tubes still have the sericin. The rods can be dyed, separated into layers, sprayed with water and ironed flat or degummed. They have been used in paper making, jewelry, spinning, felting, altered art, textural stitching and silk fusion. The rods vary in shapes and sizes."
So here is what I did with my piece:
Working on a sheet of Freezer paper, I sprinkled on some purple and mint green Angelina. I then added some snippets of metallic gold fabric mesh.
I pulled off some small pieces of the silk rod, spritzed it with water, pressed it with my iron and laid that on top of my fiber and gold mesh. I then sprinkled a bit more of the mint green and the purple Angelina on top, covered it with my Freezer paper and pressed it. This all fused together in what I call a "fiber sandwich". At the moment, it's just laying on top of my China Silk but will be held in place with my stitching and embellishments which I will be starting on here shortly.
Grace is currently sold out of her Silk Rods but I spoke with her last week and expect to see new listings soon so if you're interested in purchasing some of these, please bookmark her shop and keep checking back.
There are many online sources for Angelina Fibers but I recommend Textura Trading. For the direct link to the Angelina Fiber page, click here.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Dragonfly Purse & More!
Ok, who ordered snow? According to my calender it's the middle of April! Yes, it's snowing here but I'll try to think "Spring" thoughts and hope that it comes back very soon!
First, I want to update you on my little Flicker birdie. He's fine! He sat in the same spot on my maple tree for about 2 1/2 hours yesterday. Every little while, he would stretch his wings and look around a bit. After a couple of hours, he called out to his friends! 2 more Flickers came and landed in the tree by him. A few minutes later, all 3 of them flew off into the woods together!
I can't begin to tell you what an amazing experience it was to touch this gorgeous bird! I would never wish his trauma on any bird. He hit that window very hard and knocked the wind out of himself but to see him so up close and to touch him was amazing. I'm thrilled that I was here to help him and that he was able to recover from the shock.
So now, onto some finishes! I finished up my Dragonfly purse yesterday. And for those of you who counted 5 dragonflies, 2 butterflies and a spider yes, you are correct! Here's a photo of the finished purse:
I just listed this in my Etsy shop.
My next finish is the black Autism pouch:
I trimmed the bottom of this pouch with some crocheted beaded edging that my mom made for me. She does this to thank me for taking the time sell some of her things for her.
Anyway, that's my news for today! I plan to start another CQ piece later today and I want to get my list of needed supplies together for my custom apron order so I can pick up what I need and get started on that. Stop by tomorrow to see what I decide to work on.
First, I want to update you on my little Flicker birdie. He's fine! He sat in the same spot on my maple tree for about 2 1/2 hours yesterday. Every little while, he would stretch his wings and look around a bit. After a couple of hours, he called out to his friends! 2 more Flickers came and landed in the tree by him. A few minutes later, all 3 of them flew off into the woods together!
I can't begin to tell you what an amazing experience it was to touch this gorgeous bird! I would never wish his trauma on any bird. He hit that window very hard and knocked the wind out of himself but to see him so up close and to touch him was amazing. I'm thrilled that I was here to help him and that he was able to recover from the shock.
So now, onto some finishes! I finished up my Dragonfly purse yesterday. And for those of you who counted 5 dragonflies, 2 butterflies and a spider yes, you are correct! Here's a photo of the finished purse:
I just listed this in my Etsy shop.
My next finish is the black Autism pouch:
I trimmed the bottom of this pouch with some crocheted beaded edging that my mom made for me. She does this to thank me for taking the time sell some of her things for her.
Anyway, that's my news for today! I plan to start another CQ piece later today and I want to get my list of needed supplies together for my custom apron order so I can pick up what I need and get started on that. Stop by tomorrow to see what I decide to work on.
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