Octagonal Green Floral Origami Bag

This is the reverse side of this green floral octagonal bag.

The fabric used is a fairly heavyweight cotton with discreet green stripes in an almost sage hue, with superimposed floral details in a more vivid green.

You can see the floral fabric of the other side peeking through in this picture.

Blue Denim

OK, this is not a new bag.

It was made for this challenge a while back.

But it's a new picture and I really wanted to show it off......

I kept this one for myself and I wear it a lot when I don't need the giant oversized bag that fits everything.

It's quite practical.

Maybe next time I'll add a zip to close it instead of a magnetic snap.

Then again, maybe I won't.

Linked to:

Homework

Denim Notions Bag - Take 2

Here are some better pictures of my entry for the Naughty Notions Bag Challlenge by Rikka of Ricochet and Away and Keren of Sew la Vie blogs.

This one I actually made for myself.

I don't make many bags for myself. I make about one a season. If it turns out the way  I wanted, I keep it. If it's not, I give it away and make another one. If that's a hit, I usually carry it around for about a year -at least.

That's why I embellished it with many of my stashed away notion keepsakes.

And that's why there are pockets just about everywhere -though I usually have more on a larger bag.

 There's three deep pockets on the outside and three flat ones on the inside.

The back is left much plainer, though I couldn't resist some shabby vintage material scraps and a ribbon from my stash doubling as key-ring.

The flower is one of my black and white organza flower brooches and it's detachable.

And a couple of close ups.

All the challenge entries are here, where you can also vote for your favourite bag.

The Naughty Notions Bag

Yes, once more I find myself uploading the pictures of my bag challenge entry at the last minute -and vowing I will not do this again next time....

The good news is that, while,, literally finished at the last minute, it is exactly what I had imagined.

The pictures weren't the best -at the setting of the sun, it was no wonder

...but I hope you get the idea....

Most of these labels, buttons and various notions have a sentimental value and have been lurking in dark places for a project such as this.

For example, the little white daisy with the hanging beads adorned my mother's wedding dress....

I'll get some better pictures tomorrow, but for now, here is the front and below is the back of my entry.

Here is were you can see the rest of the bags in the challenge.

Linked to:

PetiteHermine,Homework

More Circles

Here are a few more Circle Brooches that I've made recently and actualy photographed:

This fabric with the green flowers is proving a real hit.

I'm glad I've got some of it left.

The red fabric on the other brooch is also quite wonderful.

It's a fabulous cotton I just can't get enough of.

I love working with it.

And I love it in this nautical-looking combination paired with denim and plain canvas.

Linked to:

Our Creative Spaces, AnneMarie'sBrieblog,  Zsazsazsu, Day And Age Design, IHeart Naptime, Petite Hermione

My Creative Space- Leaf Experiments

I've been working on my mother-daughter organza flowers a lot lately.

I've already confessed an addiction to making them.

Now I have to confess to yet another one....

It's the leaves...

I can't stop making those either.

I've been experimenting with different colours,  textures and sizes.

Different silks, denim, canvas, cotton, jersey and lace have all being given a go.

I have to admit to being slightly partial to the shantung silk but I do love them all.

These are the very latest version. Silk on denim.

I can't wait to see them fray....

For many , wonderful creative projects just click on Our Creative Spaces.

Also linked to Day and Age Designs

How to make a Circle Brooch Tutorial

The Circle Brooch Tutorial -or How to make a Circle Brooch- is now up over on the EtsyGreekStreetTeam blog.

This is my very first tutorial. Ever. That 's why I started with a simple one -to ease me into it gently.

So I'm very excited  (as well as a tiny bit apprehensive....).

I will freely admit that I'm addicted to these little circle brooches.

 So it's no wonder they are my very first contribution to tutorial-writing.

They are very easy to make but do not underestimate their power to totaly transform a look as well as your mood.

Depending on your choice of fabrics as well as colours they can turn out surprisingly different in style and look.

They originated from my need to keep little keepsakes of favourite clothing which -for a variety of reasons- couldn't be worn, saved or gifted and they seem to be almost all I wear lately.

I get a lot of requests for them.

Unprepossessing as they may seem to some, they win you over the minute you attach them to any single item of your clothing on your actual person....
Honestly, I've seen it happen to their harshest critics..to their least-likely-to-appeal-to candidates...
It's uncanny.


I'd love it if you sent me pictures of your version of these brooches to show in a seperate post somewhere down the track.


Linked to OurCreativeSpaces, TeaRoseHome, Homework, Today'sCretiveBlog, I heart Naptime, Petite Hermine, Nifty Thrifty Things

My Creative Space- Circles

For hundreds of ultra-creative spaces visit Our Creative Spaces.
But be warned! You'll wish for many,  many  hours to go through each and every one of them.

Recycled Green Circle Brooch

This is one of the accessories that I've been wearing a lot lately.

It's a collage of some of my favourite materials from pre-loved clothes that I couldn't bear to part with.

That shabby chic look is part of the design and is enhanced by wearing.

There are also various other versions of this brooch that it gets teamed up with on occassion and according to mood.

But this green one is one of my favourites.