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.

Gnomes, A Story and Free Valentines Printables

Gnome Books

Do you ever feel like you need a gnome? What is the definition of a gnome any way?
A legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure.
So you are wondering why I am asking you this?

 Well for 1. I have always loved images of these little creatures, men. 2. I could of used a guard to protect my buried treasure on my computer and blog. OK, I may of lost you but let me reel you back in. I had a whim, yes the kind that blows in with a breeze and takes over like a hurricane. My whim was to redo my header, but what does that have to do with gnomes? Well, you see I misplaced in my 11,000 images my header. Yep, then I tried to retrieve it from the original place and it didn't fit properly, then I tried to re size it. Are you starting to see where I am going with this? Well, suffice to say nothing was going my way. So temporarily until I decide if I am going to just to an entire blog makeover or locate my original header and make it fit it will be like it is. I won't say I am happy, but the next time I am having a whim I am asking a gnome for some protective help!

Now back to some crafty goodness. Yes, I wouldn't do a post without sharing something of value.  I came across this free printable. Perfect for Valentines! Sweet and Creative~

So just click here and go to visit and grab your free printable~  & click here to visit Jamie the crafter behind the printable  and her link up with other crafty goodness. You are sure to find more great inspiration!

Have you ever lost your header? What size is the right size for blogger any way for a proper fit? If you know I'd love to know so I can make my own! ~ Next post I have a easy and tasty recipe for you. Until then...
Happy Creating and Crafting~