Saturday, September 18, 2010

Sleep is a Good Thing...

...especially when you're sick! I started with a sore throat (for a solid week), then it turned into a head cold, and now I'm coughing my way through the night - not a good thing for sleep!

Am I whining? You bet. But! I have not stopped working on my projects - between cups of hot tea and snuggles from my mini-dox "Teddy".




About those projects... 
Here's an example of the backside of my work. Yikes! (I know - nobody shows that!) But in the spirit of "I have nothing to hide", and "look how much work this is!", I'm breaking rules again and showing you my backside - well, sorta...

I think I need some "SISSY" cuddles...

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Totses - the Journey...


...not the destination. Since I've started posting my Totses (pronounced "tote-SEE") on Poladora, my Etsy boutique, I've gotten a lot of favorable feedback. But I thought that since the item is so unique (I know, I know, how unique can a tote be?...), that I would show you some of the process so that you can see what goes into making one. You'll also see why they take so long.

Almost everything about the Totse (combination TOTe and purSE), is different than traditional thinking - but that's who I am. I like to break the rules in my creations and the Totse does that. First, no two Totses will ever be exactly the same. So, if you're looking to buy something unique to carry but you don't mind seeing someone else with it, then buy a Coach or Vera Bradley. Both great in their own way - high quality, beautiful patterns, soft and quilted... but, if I'm going to buy something relatively expensive and unique in some way, I don't want to see it coming and going down the street while I'm carrying it on my arm. Plus, the Totse is nearly all hand made, except for some seaming.

The first thing I do when creating a Totse, is to select the fabric (I have to love it - it's my rule), for its ability to be texturized, quilted, and/or beaded in some way to accent its personality. Then, I cut a square larger than I need, since I will be "shrinking" the piece as part of the texturizing process. I then attach that fabric to the same size piece of Warm & Natural all cotton unbleached cotton and a piece of texturizing material. So now I have three layers and it's time to begin the slow process of hand embroidering/quilting/beading/whatever prior to shrinking the material.

These pictures illustrate the stitching and beading process of one of my latest selections - one of the coordinates of a collection by Moda called "Verna". (Don't let the close up fool you - there are tons of flowers on this piece! Yikes!) The top photo shows a flower that is finished next to one that hasn't been started yet.

I will continue this series as I make progress... I hope you're patient!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

It Sounds a Little Fishy...

...but I do keep my promises - everyone should. Well, a long time ago, I promised to post a lampworks glass fish that I made myself  - on "Facebook". Well, a little late, and the wrong venue...but! here's the fish! (I'll share this on Facebook of course.)

I will be placing some of these on Poladora - my Etsy Boutique - for sale.

Now there's a typical fish story! 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

I'm been busy!

First, there's that pain in my head we can't seem to get our arms around - not even after seven doctors! Oh well - I'll keep plugging along until I get some answers.

Then there's the addition of a new son-in-law Eric! He's a great guy and we're very happy for our daughter.

Oh yes, and then there's this little thing called being a "Grandma"... 

Here's a little cutie named "Hannah" (she's just one of six grandchildren I might add - not bragging at all!). I helped watch Hannah and her brother with one of my daughters while her hubby was away. She sure loves Grandma's yogurt! "Can I have more?"
 

Aren't I cute? (Of course, ALL of my grandchildren are adorable - but again, I am certainly not bragging at all!)

So if you've been wondering where I've been...well, there's more but I won't bore you with the details.

The good news is that I have not stopped making wonderful things for my boutique on Etsy - Poladora. I'll soon post some sneak peeks.

In the meantime, check out my latest promo - anything in my "featured" block (four items that change from week to week), for free shipping (domestic), on any item. No minimum!

Hmmmm...Fall is in the air...could be lampwork torch time!