GREAT finds!

This week I discovered a new consignment shop in Jackson. Of course, now I can't remember the name of it; I'll have to add it later. The items there are in great shape and the prices are pretty good. I found this cute skirt, that I just had to get to see what I could create with it. It looks brand new and is the perfect size for a nice large bag.

When I got home I started going through the stash - what did I have that I could use for the lining?

I was really excited to find the fabric below, right there in the crate containing the black fabrics. PERFECT! The skull even matches. Now I can't wait to get started on it; just as soon as I finish the pet bandanas, this is the next creation!

I haven't decided on the straps yet - possibly the same fabric as the lining, or maybe a solid black. I want to leave the pink ribbon belt in place, and I think I would have a hard time matching it. I am ready to get finished with the bandanas now, so I can get started on this bag. It's like that for me when I get something new that I am excited about. I have a hard time finishing what I'm working on in my excitement about the new creation. I'll post a photo soon of the finished product.

Pet Creations

With 4 craft shows coming up in the next 6 weeks, I've been pretty busy! For the week, I have been concentrating on my four-legged customers, creating over 75 new pet bandanas, in 4 sizes. I plan on making at least 25 more, and will be more selective with the fabric on these. I want to do some in college prints, john deere, and some others. For the first 75, I was using up a LOT of scraps in my stash. What you see here is the largest size (20" from point to point at the top of the triangle) and the smallest (7" across the top).

This is a unique pattern that Alison helped me develop. She had bought one for my grand-dog, Penny, that had a casing at the top, to fit over the collar. She asked if there was a way I could add a way to make the "ring" on the collar (where the leash attached) come through the bandana. As you know if you've ever put a bandana on a dog, it ends up under his chin, becoming more of a bib than a bandana! So, I added a buttonhole and we tried it out on Penny - it worked! I've sold quite a few through the years, but really needed to replenish my stock for the shows.

The one in this picture is the one I thought Carrie was going to take home tonight for another of my grand-dogs, Mumble. The colorful peace symbols will look great against his black coat, and it matches the new purse that I gave Carrie while she was home. She picked it out from some I had made; the top of it is the same fabric as the bandana. I'm going to drop it in the mail to her, I think she just forgot that she hadn't packed it. They'll look great out taking a walk! Here's a couple of shots of Carrie's new bag. When I saw this fabric in an online store, Hawthorne Threads, I knew I had to have it for fall! The buttons are vintage, that I bought at an estate sale - aren't they great?