Wordless Wednesday

Grammie Flower Bag

Well, hello! I have a pretty bag to share with you today. What I love most about it is the wonderful exterior fabric. Not long ago, my husband and I took a little jaunt into downtown Toronto. It is only a short drive from where we live, but we don't venture that way often. That particular day, we decided to visit a few of our favourite downtown haunts. One of my happy places is King Textiles on Spadina.   It is two levels of delicious fabrics, notions, and all things sewing. My brain goes into overdrive, and I begin to envision all of the marvellous things I need to create! My find that day was some great denim in a soft, washed grey. Up close, it almost has a linen like appearance, however, it is firmer and more durable. It has made the perfect backdrop for a few embroidery designs.

The inside of this tote bag was lined with another of my favourite fabric patterns, toile. I love the whimsy of toile,and how every design is different, but somehow the same! Usually pastoral in nature, and very delicate in its overall design, toile is classic and fresh. I paired it with a vivid red for this project, and added a silver thread to the center of the flower for emphasis. The result is a crisp and sophisticated bag for a special grandma.

I am working on a couple of end of school year tote bags, and a really fun birthday bag. I just have to get back into my sewing room instead of hanging out in my garden! 

Mason Jars and Flowers

Anyone else love mason jars? I sure do, and I especially love the Ball glass turquoise ones. They are so pretty, and I prefer the true vintage ones. I actually have one that I found at a thrift shop in Arizona a couple of years ago while visiting my mom and dad. I made my parents drive it all the way back to Ontario - I'm pretty sure my dad couldn't see the meaning in that! It's just a jar after all. But I just couldn't see taking this precious cargo on the airplane in my carry-on bag. It made a safe journey north and it sure looks nice sitting in my sewing room full of buttons. So thanks, Mom and Dad, for hauling it home for me! Here it is, full of yummy vintage buttons, so pretty. 

That brings me to the design of this next Mother's Day bag. A sweet mason jar with a couple of happy looking flowers peeking out. I had the perfect turquoise fabric for the jar, and I added some purple and green to really make it pop. A purple and green polka dot lining finishes off this cheery tote. Mason jars and flowers. What could be better? 

Have a great day!

Spring Flowers

Spring flowers to share today! This tote is on its way to a Mother's Day celebration this weekend. The  woman who will be receiving the tote has three grandchildren so the three flowers are the perfect thing. 

It's hard to see in the photos, but the flowers on this bag are finished with "raggy" edges. It is one of my favourite ways to add some depth to an embroidery design, and is especially nice with flowers and leaves. Once the fabric is tacked down, I cut the edges (carefully! I speak from experience) with about 1/4 inch outside of the design. Then the fun part - ragging the edges! You just run your finger along the edges of the fabric and it becomes soft and ruffly. This replaces a satin stitch border and adds a little bit of shabby chic to the design. Here are a couple of close ups, and I hope you can see it a bit better.

Have a lovely evening!

A Bag, A Bib, and a Blankie

Happy Friday! It has been a long week, and tonight I am looking forward to ordering pizza and watching a movie with my family. Before I head off on my Friday night adventures, I thought I would share a couple of items that I made as a new baby gift. These items were sent off to a family member, and I am hoping that they come in handy for new baby Rose. She will certainly be colour coordinated!

I have always been partial to a pink and black combo as it is so fresh and crisp. For this set, I added Rose's name in large black and white floral fabric. I added her monogram to a bib and blanket to round out the set. I just happened to have the perfect black and pink flannel, and a coordinating polka dot fabric to line the back of the blanket, along with the back of the bib. I love adding a flannel lining to a bib because it is so easy to wipe little faces with minimum effort! Here are a couple of pictures of both front and back of the bib. I also used a durable snap that will stand up to lots of use and washings.

Every baby need plenty of blankets so I got to work on a soft and cozy flannel wrap for Rose. The flannel washes up nicely, and the blanket is light and soft. Perfect for car trips or walks in the stroller. I added the "R" to the front in the same fabric as I used for the tote bag.

I lined the back of the blanket with the same flannel that I used for the bib so it makes a lovely coordinated set.

Last but not least is the bright pink tote bag. I purchased several of these bags as they looked just perfect for embellishing with names and initials. I usually make all of my bags, but I thought these ones were worth a try. I was not disappointed! With a couple of pockets, and durable handles, this bag will be very useful. While I missed creating the bag from scratch, I think this type of bag would be perfect for carrying swimming lesson gear as the material is water resistant. It would also make a fabulous beach bag regardless of age. I think I might make one for myself in anticipation of summer. 

A pretty bag for Rose Grace

Speaking of roses....my brother and his family sent me the most beautiful flower arrangement to thank me for hosting the baby shower for Lucas. They look so pretty in the front hall. What a treat to have fresh flowers to greet us as we come in the door. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Mother's Day Tote Bags

 Happy May 1st! I don't think Mother Nature got the message here in southern Ontario though. It has been raining and cold all week long. We will be celebrating Mother's Day soon, and I have several bags to share with you. I have been very busy with the creation of large tote bags that are heading off to some special women. Here they are! Don't the colours make you think of spring?

Busy bag lady is at it again! 

Over the next few days, I will share a couple of pictures of each of these colourful tote bags here on the blog. Each bag is quite generous in size (approximately 16x20) so I added wide fabric handles in coordinating colours to accommodate the amount of stuff that can be carried. Each bag was made to reflect the personality of the recipient, such as their favourite colours and fabric patterns.

Today's bag is an eye catching combination of pinks and greens. The flower is a multi-layered appliqué, and the handles are lined with bright pink polka dot fabrics.  You can't see it very well in the photo, but the leaf is done in a celery green with silver sparkles. It is fresh, crisp and oh, so cute! The lining of the bag is a large paisley print which incorporates plenty of pink and touches of green.  Each bag has one cute little addition - a bit of ribbon on the side. I just thought it added a bit of whimsy to these bags. A coordinating "Handmade" tag finishes off the back of the tote. Have a look!

Pink, green, and polka dots. Yummy!

I'm sure that the recipient will enjoy using her bag, and what a lovely Mother's Day gift. Check back in soon as I will be sharing the details of another bag. Have a lovely day!