I know, I know...

...I'm supposed to be blogging about my "Verna" Totse project, but, it's Fall! That means it's lampwork torch time! (Both Spring and Fall are the best for working with my torch in the shop - summer is way too hot and winter is a problem for breaking glass - long story...)

Anyway, I haven't been able to get out of the shop or away from the flame...does that make me a bug? I digress... Here's some goodies I've been playing with for Halloween!

Boo! Hehe...

It's the "family of pumpkins"!

Yup, there's even a button in there (for an upcoming Halloween Totse for my boutique Poladora)! There's also a pine cone, candy corn, a spider, and an acorn...well, my interpretation of them anyways.

Trick or Treat! Now, where was that "Verna" project?...

The Journey Continues - Fabric Selection...

...for the top band and interior of the "Verna" designer Totse:

One of my favorite "Verna" coordinates, this whimsical paisley just had to be the top band for the totse. (I would just love to bead this fabric but, I'm afraid that with all of the glass beading already on the body of the totse, you wouldn't be able to lift it when finished!) Hmmm...perhaps a totse of its own... (I digress.)

Here's a closer look at this wonderful paisley with all of its swirls and dots and...well, you already know my weakness for these things so let's just say the colors are perfect!




Stay tuned, as you can witness the birth of this totse which will eventually end up for sale at my boutique Poladora.

Ahhhh...A Walk in the Woods...

...reveals too much rain! Yikes! Our area of WI has had its share of rainy weather and flooding! But out of bad always comes some good...and in this case its an opportunity to shoot some pictures of our remaining surviving morning glories - and yes - mushrooms!

My first thought when I saw this pair of mushroom was "Mommy, please shelter me from the sun!"

Then there was this "family of three"... look closely for "junior".

But probably one of my favorites, this illustrates the underside of the above mushrooms once their heads actually turned up toward the sky, went flat, and eventually fell over from their own weight.

Nature is a beautiful thing indeed...

The Journey Continues...

Out of bed and all better, I've been able to continue my project.

Above, you can see that I've completed the beading and embroidery I want prior to texturizing the panel (it will shrink about 30% in all directions).

While the beading and embroidery itself does create a texture of quilting all its own, texturizing it will make the flowers "pop" off the fabric in their own way.

 




















 Now steamed and texturized, the panel has changed its personality.

In the closeup, you can see this more clearly.

Stay tuned, as we're now onto assembly of other pieces necessary to make the Totse...

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...

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!

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!