artsy-crafty babe

an itty bitty bag

I want to have a smallish bag in my spring collection, something smaller than my tote, but I think I went a little too far with this one.  I thought about ditching it as soon as I got the body sewn together, but decided to carry it through just to be sure.

Oh, it's cute alright, but it's so tiny!  I guess in reality it isn't all THAT small - it fits my wallet and the essentials, but being a big bag girl, it seems minuscule. 

As of now I'm planning on tweaking the pattern to make it a bit bigger, maybe give it some more shape (i think it's a little boring).  I don't know, what do you think?

i think i'll leave it alone

Here it is, the little painting I started last week.  I wasn't sure if I would show you or not, but I decided to face my fears and put it out there.  It is an uncomfortable feeling for sure, but one that I feel the need to face.

It is a tiny little painting, about 5" x 5", mixed media, abstract.  I love abstract painting.  The mingling of color, texture, and line speaks to me.  This painting was inspired by a photo of a utility pole and power lines.

It has been a real pleasure escaping up to my studio to paint.  I'm always amazed at how quickly the time passes.  It seems as though hours disappear in an instant and before I know it, it's midnight.  If I didn't have to get up at 5:30 am, I'm sure I would keep going.  So for now, this is a little treat that I can only indulge in occasionally.  Unlike sewing, which I am able to do in bits and pieces in various spots of the house with chaos all around me, painting requires me to focus.  It's a nice change.  Of all my various creative outlets, I think this is the most relaxing of all.

No, it isn't a masterpiece or anything, just me playing around, but you have to start somewhere, right?  I had fun doing it, which is all that really matters. 

in the works

Though it's exciting for me to see my spring collection come together as I make each piece, it sure makes for boring blog material.  With my first batch of clutches complete (which I keep moving around my studio just because I like the look of them grouped in different spots), I've moved on to the totes.  I have to stop myself from taking pictures of the stacks of bag bodies at each step of the process - all those colors, flowers, and dots are so pretty to me!  I'm sure bunches of bag parts isn't too exciting to you.

This whole process has demonstrated to me that I have the attention span of a gnat.  As soon as I complete one step, I'm tempted to flit off to something new, then I have to bring myself back to the task at hand.  I've never done a whole collection of anything before, so this is all new.  It sure takes a lot more reserve than the instant gratification of making one thing at a time that I'm used to.  I suppose this is why I've never done any sort of craft show - how in the world would I have the willpower to make enough inventory?

I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to blog about each fabric combination I've come up with, about how cute x + y will be in xyz style, but I'd only be able to show you two pieces of fabric.  If only you could see the finished products in my mind...but then there would be no anticipation for the big reveal, right?

*sigh* If only I had a little sweat shop working for me, cranking bags out as quickly as I could dream them up.  But no, it's just me, sewing late into the night after the kiddos go to bed.  I'm still shooting for mid march, if I'm lucky.   I'll be sure to let you know when I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

a year ago

Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?  It was a year ago today that Little Miss Mischief did the unthinkable - remember this?  I know it's only hair, but I cried.  My sweet baby girl looked like a boy!!!  It later came to light that Ava wasn't the one who did the damage, it was Alex, but they were in it together.  It took a few many months for the truth to come out.  Can you believe those stinkers held out on us that long?  You'd think all that would have made an impression on her, but it didn't.  This summer she gave it a try herself, making scalp length bangs, I guess a lesson wasn't learned.

What a difference a year makes!  Look, her hair is now long enough for piggy tails (her favorite) and a pony tail.  Her bangs even look intentional at this point.  We try our best to keep the scissors away from her, but with 2 older siblings and a crafty mama, that can be hard.  She likes to cut.  I've had moments of panic more than once over this past year thinking that she did it again, because really, I wouldn't put it past her.

That girl, couldn't you just eat her up??  Um, yeah, I should probably take that knitting needle away from her, ya think?  Don't worry, no harm was done.

*Ruby's hair has grown out too :-)