Friday, March 25, 2011

SHAKERS AND MOVERS...


The past three weeks have found me down with the "crud".  Last Saturday (two weeks in), a short, quick trip in the car turned into an episode of frantically finding a place to pull over to "settle" a severely upset stomach, and I realized it was probably more than just sinus problems.  Needing an entire day to settle the stomach after that, but ending up in pretty much the same condition upon entering the car Sunday morning, I drug myself to a Quick Care, where I was diagnosed with not only the inner ear infection that I knew I had at that point, but a sinus infection AND, acute bronchitis.

Haven't felt much like doing anything more than sitting around coughing into my sleeve, but did manage to squeeze in a few hours of sewing time, here and there...just enough to finish up two birthday bags for some pretty great friends, to end off the month of March.  Lacking any sun outside this morning, and fighting hellacious gale force winds, I was forced to resort to pictures on the dining room table...bad lighting, but I did want to snap a few.  This big bag went to Colleen M...ever our eclectic, bohemian friend.  She has a color pallet that would make most people's hair stand on end...and she can make it work like no other.  Orange, purple and lime green - that's our Myler Colleen, and she delights us to no end!
Orange brocade home dec fabric (custom free-motion quilted); soft purple velveteen; the requisite lime green thrown in, for good measure; and finished off with a large, celluloid, antique coat button - you will see her coming a mile off, but this is SO her.  I would actually carry this one myself.
The second bag went to delightful, spunky, "Zumba Chica" Pat.  I figured Pat could shake the bag right along with everything else...one of my favorite patterns for a fun, flirty summer bag, with lots and lots of ruffles.  Pat loves red, coupled with black, and she also has a thing for ROOSTERS - how lucky was I to dig through "the stash" and come up with a color combination that featured those three elements (strange though it may seem), with a little white and gold thrown in for good measure?!  LOVE the base fabric used on this - black with red embroidery.
The lining even got the rooster treatment, with a large pocket for all her girly things; hanging from big bamboo handles, it's a shaker and a mover...just like Pat.

If you ever see something here you might like, but can't find it in the etsy shop (I am trying to get back to my sewing roots this year, and am working towards actually getting a few bags back in the store), just drop me a line.  I always welcome custom orders.

And because that fluffy, flirty, shaky purse (and Pat's Zumba) got me thinking of it (and just to make myself feel better)...Harry Belafonte, and clips from one of my favorite movies...what could be better, besides Bobby Flay?  Shake something up this weekend! 

14 comments:

Jillayne said...

Oh my goodness, your bags are gorgeous! I can't decide which I like better - they are both fun in their own ways.
I knew a woman with colour sense like that - she could do combinations that worked amazingly well, and if anyone else had tried them, they would have been a disaster. Funny how that is??

Julia said...

before I came down my stairs just a minute ago, I was thinking that as soon as I get my grands' doll clothes made, it's my turn. I need a new purse and I absolutely adore that one you made for Colleen. I would most definitely carry it!!! i love the colors. I have a closet full of upholstery samples that someone gave my cousin that she didn't want. I made one purse, but I made it in such a hurry that it is not what I want. I am going to make one similar to Colleen's if you don't mind. i don't have those pretty colors, but I'm sure I'll find some I like almost as much in my closet. Thanks for the inspiration!!!!! Talk about a talented lady!!!!

oldgreymare said...

What you accomplish while "under the weather" is astounding.

Sounds like you caught what I had last year that ended with me in the emergency room.

Hope you are feeling perky real soon.

xx
z

Jackie said...

Beautiful bags, you are so giving of your talent, I am so glad you are going to start taking orders! I would like to order a ruffle purse for summer! I now have two of your bags for winter wear, so I really need a summer bag!! I don't care what the cost, your bags are awesome!! I will pester you with fabric choices soon enough...

The Primitive Bucket said...

Wow even sick as a dog you do amazing work!!! lol... Love you sis and hope you are feeling better... imagine the possibility when you actually feel good!! You are so very talented and I have a few items to prove it!! I hope you get bombarded with orders.. that will show ya!! lol.. Talk to you soon!! Take care..

Mosaic Magpie said...

Great looking purses! The colors are great together and give the purses eye catching appeal. Love the stitching on the handle.
Deb

Ronna said...

Love, love, love your purses! Such a talented lady and even when you are under the weather. I would like one or two or three (a girl can never have enough purses, right?). Can't wait to have mine so I can show it off to everyone! You rock! Feel better soon.

By the Bluegrass said...

These are just lovely! I think my favorite is the orange and purple! Very nice look and different! Hope you feel better soon.
xo,
Sena

Lynn at Cottage and Creek said...

I hope you are feeling better. Wow, quite the sickness, I'd say. But even despite being ill, you accomplished so much! Such beautiful work. I love the first one. Your fabric choices are so very pretty and spunky. I can't wait to get back to sewing. Curtains are on my agenda - spring fever has hit! Thanks for visiting me at Cottage and Creek. Your work is delightful!
~Lynn

bj said...

ooo, so sorry you aren;t feeling well. We had a round of it, too. I hope you are better soon.
These bags are so adorable..

Colleen Mcgraw said...

Of course I love all your purses but I LOVE MINE the best! Hey that Wynonna can really Zumba can't she?

Anonymous said...

Both purses are gorgeous...love color so the first one really rocks me! I'm going to have to remember to check your Esty...this may be the purse I've been looking for all my life!

Hopewell Creek Designs said...

This is what you accomplished while sick....I can only imagine what all you do when you feeling well. I love the handbags. Do you sell them on Etsy or somewhere else.
Thank you so very much for the necklace,she will be shocked! It is just perfect for her dress and you are the most generous person I've ever known to do this for her. And on top of that WOW are you talented!!!

Colleen said...

OMG! I didn't realize that you were that sick making Pat's and my purse and you did fantastic - I absolutely love my purse and I get so many compliments on it - my sister keeps trying to steal it from me - I will place an order for her birthday in July!!!

You are just so talented that I can't stand it and I am so jealous and I know that the only thing you can't do is tap dance!!!!

I also love my smaller Asian Purse and, of course, I have received many compliments on that one as well!

I will get you many more orders at FULL PRICE and I think you are pricing your purses too low! How about the small purses at $50 and the large one at $70 or $80? What do you think?

Great job, my chica friend!!!!!!!