Handmade Quilt

This is a quilt that I finished making just a few days ago.

Here's a few of the finished steps; first ironing the top of the quilt, 

Then taping the matting down to the ground, with the base of the quilt underneath 

And taping the top of the quilt over it.  

Next I did lots of knots with colorful yarn, to attach the front to the back.

And here is it!  The finished quilt.  

Good fall colors. 

I took it to Mother and Child today, in NE 

 Portland, as a donation.

Mother and Child is a center in the Hollywood District that provides assistance to mothers in need!  

New 'Sarah' Ruffle Purse

This post is about the genelogy, if you will, of this 

new "sarah" ruffle purse!  
 

The purse design first started out looking like this 

it had five ruffles across the front,

A handle that attached at the end of the zipper

Plus a pocket in the back!  I liked this design, so 

created this purse, out of a skirt that my friend Andi gave me, of 

'Andrea Lynne photography"  (we vend together at the Art Court)

It was a nice purse; one of the major flaws, however, was 

the back pocket, it stretched all the way across  the purse

 and so was just a little too large.  

Finally, I came up with this purse.  I like that it has three ruffles, meaning

that it takes less time to make.  

And an interior pocket that can also hold a pen.  

Plus, the back pocket is a little bit smaller; it only stretches about 2/3 of the was

across the back, so is a good size for keys or cell phone,

or those small pieces of paper that have a way of 

accumulating.  

Here she is; I just made this one this week.  Two of these purses are for sale on etsy, 

and I will also be selling some at the Beaverton Art Court on Saturday.  

Love Sonnet

Naked, you are simple as one of your hands,
Smooth, earthy, small, transparent, round:

you have moon-lines, apple-pathways:
naked, you are slender as a naked grain of wheat

Naked, you are blue as a night in Cuba;
you have vines and stars in your hair;
naked you are spacious and yellow
as summer in a golden church.

Naked, you are tiny as one of your nails--
Curved, subtle, rosy, til the day is born
and you withdraw to the underground world,

as if down a long tunnel of clothing and of chores:
your clear light dims, gets dressed--drops its leaves--
and becomes a naked hand again.

Pablo Neruda

Crave Portland ~ ME Spread

So I know that I already wrote about Crave Portland in a previous post, but I am just so stoked about this book that I thought that I had to write a little bit more.

This is the MegExpressions spread that is included in the book, featuring

photography by Kelly of June Lion (isn't she great?)

The Crave Portland book has a similar spread for dozens of Portland women

business owners.   

The book is for sale right here, at my website.  

This is a checkbook holder that I finished making on Tuesday.

Handmade checkbook holder

it is a new design....here's a little bit about the process that I 

went through to make it!  

First, I started out just making a checkbook design out of 

white sheet; something really simple, and outlined where the jean,

stripes, and MegExpressions stamp would be.

Next, I put this together.  I liked it, but felt like the 

lip was a little bit too oval at the edges.  

So next, I came up with this design, very similar, except 

that the lip is slightly wider on the edges.  

Here's the interior, where i've put the ME Tag,

 

And inside the pocket, where you can see I've sewn an additional

card pocket.  

This is the back; more of the striped pattern, and some 

jean as well!

Already have some of these for sale in my etsy shop  

New Purse

Here's an experiment with a larger purse that 

uses the three ruffle pattern that I've been putting into some smaller purses.  

Something about it didn't seem quite right.  

So I worked with stripes instead, and came up with this purse.  

It has a pocket in the back, with a the ME tag and logo stamped onto it.  

Here's a close up; I've been using this bag and it works OK.

just a simple tote, will probably make a few more 

to add to my etsy shop!  

Pencil Pouch

The adorable boy who I have been a nanny for these past 2.5 years.  

He was upset at me in this one for taking the photograph.  

Here's the pencil pouch I made for him (to help him succeed with his

pre-school career)  

And a close up of the pencil pouch.  Should I make more of these?

I can't tell.......

Women with Moxie

Earlier this week I attended the Women with Moxie Mixer

it was a fun girl's night out 

The evening featured jewelry by Cookie Lee; 

who mostly sells her jewelry in home shows.  

Women with Moxie is a networking group started by a woman

in Sarasota.  It was a fun evening.  

Morning's Crafting

Here's some crafting that I just finished this morning.  

I loved this white sheet with the crocheted edge.  It was hard to cut into this.  

All of the materials, lined up and ready for stitching!  

Here's the pouches just before I trimmed them down and added the zipper.  

And here's the finished product!  

These Lizzy's have been a popular item at shows this summer.

They are the right size for cards plus the base ruffle adds a fun touch!  

signing off~