Art Bag

 Artsy, Crafty, Re-cycled fabrics, my own pattern &  Art Bag Creation.

Remember when I mentioned all those art bags & posted about all the wonderful inspiration? Well I haven't been in the painting mood lately, but I printed out something I painted onto muslin and created an art bag / purse using felt, burlap and fabric scraps I had laying around. I used some decorative machine embroidery. Although far from perfect my daughter Sammie fell in love with it. She asked me to make the straps so she could wear it from shoulder to hip. I thought I would share the results and a few steps I am going to take to make it better next time.

If you have ever printed something from your computer you will notice how sometimes the colors just don't match the image. That is just what happened here. It was pretty light on the muslin that I printed it on. But I used permanent felt tip markers to draw in shapes and color it up. I need to fix color prior to printing!

Well, you know how I hate to stop even where there are mistakes. I decided since I started and this was kind of like a pro to type any way to finish what I started instead of scrapping it. I love figuring out how to create patterns on my own. This image shared is the back where underneath the front flap is sewn in and connected.

Another thing I will change when I create my next one is the strap material. For this I didn't want to go out and purchase anything. I wanted to use felt I had, burlap from a recycled coffee sack, woven burlap scraps I had from the wedding table runner we made, and for the straps I had these great silk pants that were ripped which I cut and created them from. Added a vintage button from one of the grandma's stash & ta da.....

A happy girl modeling her new art bag with gnomes. I promise to share  my next one with you when I make it! & I hope I can even try painting directly on fabric when I get unstuck from my painting slump! Here is the acrylic painting completed which the art bag was made from.

 If you'd like to see my post about the art bag inspiration just click here. Also visit here to see the original post of the gnomes acrylic painting  and if like you can visit my link on the side bar where I have video of  how I finished the painting on You Tube.

Have you ever tried creating and sewing an art bag?  What art or crafts inspiring you right now? 

If you have never sewn a bag & need a pattern and instruction this might be something you would like. Amy Butler's Style Stitches.

Crafty Home Ideas

Honestly, after this long weekend today feels like a Monday! But here I am on Tuesday doing laundry and catching up on a house undone by a weekend of relaxing and grilling. I am hoping to get done with the straightening up then off to create, craft, sew or paint. What ever the time and muse allows later this afternoon. In the meantime here are a few things that may come in handy today and are my crafty inspiration......

Source: nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com via Theresa on Pinterest

Never Fails! There is always a lost sock! This is on my must make list! What about you?

Source: texasfreckles.com via Theresa on Pinterest

A table tray made portable and compact ironing board! This would be great for when I take my sewing to the kitchen, or ironing while watching a movie! How many times do you just leave your laundry in a basket to iron until you need that item?

Source: marthastewart.com via Theresa on Pinterest

I am always looking for pencils and pens to write on my grocery list. How about this crafty solution. I love the thought of using my favorite tea tins and making one for my fridge! Do you love pretty tins?

Source: elmundodelreciclaje.blogspot.com via Theresa on Pinterest

How many plastic milk cartons have you pitched into the recycle. Now here is a clever way to re-purpose them into storage containers. Who knew?

Hope you had a lovely long weekend! Now what diy item could you use at your house? Have you created a diy item that would help you around the house? If so, I would love to know. Tell us about it and leave a link if you wish!