Quilted Purse

This is a quilted purse that I did for a purse swap. I have wanted to make a purse for years but never seemed to get around to it. I joined a purse swap because I knew that if I joined and had a comittment I would finish it. The pattern is from a Cindy Taylor Oates book. The book has 12 different bag styles including a yoga mat tote and a water bottle holder. I love the fabric that I used for the purse. I am not happy with the tie. It may be replaced before I send the purse out. The colors all worked before the purse was put together but now the green stands out like a sore (or green) thumb but it is the only piece of fabric that I had that was long enough to make the tie. It is lined with a pink/coral batik. I did not realize that all of the purses in the book were quilted. I have never quilted anything prior to this. I ended up drawing a grid pattern since my free motion quilting abilities are not the greatest. I have ordered something called a sew-slip for my machine that is supposed to make the fabric just glide right along. I will let you know how that works out.

ZOE

I am trying to post more often so for today, you get Zoe....lol This is a picture of her on Michelle's bed. Those Dachshunds sure do enjoy their covers. She is a little more hot natured so has to wiggle part way out sometimes. Cute tho, right?

Button Cards

These are the button cards that I made for Barb's swap on Fabric in Altered Art. I cut some Peltex to ATC size, fused my fabric to it, and finished the edges with a satin stitch. The buttons are fabric covered buttons. I have seen a few posts about a button maker that costs about $400 but I think I got a much better deal! I have always wanted to cover some buttons but for some reason thought it would be a real pain. It could not have been easier! There is a cheapo kit that you can buy for about $2 at Walmart. It includes 3 buttons and the two plastic "tools". You can also buy the refills which includes just 3 buttons. It is less than $1.50. I will definitely be buying more refills. These were a lot of fun.

New Swap on Fabric in Altered Art

Signups are open for a new swap on Fabric in Altered Art! We are calling it the Goodie Bag Challenge. Each swapper will place 5-10 items in a baggie and send it to their partner. They can send fabric, buttons, lace, ribbon, thread, etc. Anything they love or anything they hate. But - remember- what comes around goes around.....lol Their swap partner will use the items in the baggie to create Whatever they like. They can make postcards, a quiltie, a doll, one of those wonderful crows, etc. They will then send that piece of art back to their swap partner. I think it will be fun to send out a baggie of goodies and have no idea what I will receive in return! If you would like to join us e-mail at CathyJohnson42000@yahoo.com and I will send you an invite to the group.

Valentine Postcard

This is the Valentine Postcard I made for a swap. I actually made two for two different swaps but they are both similar. The two images are printed on an inkjet fabric sheet and the "true love" is a cardstock sticker. I love to sew on paper! The Feb.14 image was printed to the fabric from a transparency. Both images are from ArtChix.

Valentine Inchies

These are some of the Valentine Inchies that I made for my Fabric in Altered Arts yahoo group. They all started out with a strip of Peltex that was 1.5" X 12" that was covered with fabric, both front and back. After stitching along each side of the strip I cut them into 1.5" lengths which made them 1.5" X 1.5". They are called "inchies" but we make them a little larger since it makes it so much easier to work on them with a sewing machine. The words "love" and "kiss" were stitched before the other two sides were finished with a zig zag stitch. The lips were printed on a piece of inkjet fabric and that fabric became the front fabric for those inchies. As you can see, buttons were added to some and the little fabric heart with the rhinestone was cut from a piece of fabric backed with a fusible and just ironed right onto the inchie. These have been swapped out and it's now time for the crows to be swapped out and fly off to their new homes!