Another "summer sunset" purse

Here's another of my summer handbags sewn with Tina Givens fabric. This large, roomy, handmade pocket purse has it all, and is sure to be noticed!

*Sewn with 5 different fabrics, 4 of which are 100% high quality cotton fabric.

*Outer fabric on front/back has aqua scrolls on a marvelous pink background. Look closely and you'll see PEACOCKS worked into the scrollwork design.

Back view:

*Three inside pockets:
*1 large and roomy ZIPPERED pocket.
*3 envelope pockets (1 with a pen/pencil slot).

*Zipper closer for the main bag.
*Outer pocket is held closed with attached Velcro.

*Bottom is reinforced with plastic mesh to resist sagging.

*Handle is long enough to be worn as a shoulder or arm bag. Could be worn across-the-body on petite ladies.

*Bag size - 12" tall, (30.5 cm), 13" wide at top, (33cm), 4" deep. (10 cm).

*Handles stand ~ 13.25" (33.5cm) above the top of the purse.

As is the case with all my purses, the fabric used in this purse has been pre-washed. To clean this particular purse, spot clean or dry clean. Iron with cotton setting as needed.

**Like this purse style, but in different fabric, and with more pockets, different strap length, zipper, no zipper, etc? Please convo me and I'll be happy to discuss the details in creating your personalized dream purse.

Seaside Sunset - summer inspired handmade fabric pocket bag with pockets, zipper closure and zip pocket.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45212301/seaside-sunset-summer-inspired-handmade

My shops:
http://www.gladraggz.etsy.com/
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.1000markets.com/
http://www.gladraggz.shophandmade.com/
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.artfire.com/
 

Seaside Sunset - summer inspired handmade fabric messenger purse.

I've fallen in love with designer Tina Givens' fabrics! Not only are her styles romantic and appealing, but her COLORS are so cheerful and bright!

This summer fabric collection is called "Olivia's Holiday". The colors are reminiscent of a holiday by the sea, and I'm equally inspired because they remind me of a beautiful sunset of multi colored pinks across a clear blue sky, and reflected against an emerald green sea.

My first bag in my "summer series" is this large messenger style bag sewn with 5 different fabrics. The outside front and back, is composed of a pink chandelier pattern over a sky blue background, as shown here:

And, the flap is a composed of pink and green fleur-de-lis motifs over a background of blue and green stripes.

The inside is lined in hot pink satin, as well as a third Tina Givens fabric.

There are three inside pockets - one large and roomy zippered pocket, and two envelope pockets - one in hot pink satin and the other in candy pink taffeta. Both are decorated with a band of fancy machine stitching across the top. Pens or pencils store inside the larger pocket, and keys store inside the smaller on a small attached swivel clip.

2 magnetic snaps are used - one for closing the main bag, and a smaller one for holding the flap securely closed.

The handle, made from two complimentary fabrics, is adjustable, allowing it to be worn as a shoulder purse, (across-the-body on petite ladies), as a shorter shoulder strap, an arm strap, and also as a waist purse, as shown.

If you like the bag, please stop by my shop to see more. I'll be featuring more of my latest creations in the days ahead.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

My shops:
http://www.gladraggz.etsy.com/
http://www.gladraggz.shophandmade.com/
http://www.carpetbaggercreations.1000markets.com/

Jane Walker - the artist behind the finished product.

I want to share more about my Penny's new collars, (previous post), which is really a fascinating story all by itself. So many times, even though a creation is handmade, we forget about the artist behind the necessary raw materials. 

Jane Walker, artist and Greyhound lover, derives the most satisfaction in creating the basic materials for artisans to use in their own finished product. In this case, athough they're "basic", the materials are far from plain! As the former maker of glass eyes for miniature doll sculptors, Jane will always love seeing "her" eyes in the amazing tiny figures!

She's now moved from glass eyes to other mediums, including paper ornament kits, Greyhound and non Greyhound designed fabrics, cat, floral, mandala, bird, and other colorful artwork and photography.

All designs are availble through her website, where she has a very nice selection that includes non-greyhound themed designs.  Just contact her and let her know what you want the design on (card, mug, fabric, clothing, etc).

Besides her printed collar material and other artwork, Jane is preparing the release of a new yard goods line. The new design collection, which consists of Greyhound geometrics designs, (seen here and at the very top), will be available as yardage, 5" quilting squares, and for those who don't sew, specially designed bandanas, handkerchiefs. Because she' not fond of sewing herself, Jane says that she looks forward to seeing what her customers will fashion from her fabric.

Jane's fabrics are printed-on-demand for her by Spoonflower, a tiny business with a huge client-base of artisans, located in South Carolina. She's excited by the fact that she has an available palette of 965 colors, which allows her to offer fabrics in virtually any color imaginable. All a customer has to do is send her samples of the colors they want, and she'll create a custom color for them!

In addition to the collar fabric, Jane's Etsy shop has non-greyhound fabric, and even kits for making pretty mandala designed Passover and Easter ornaments.

And, for Greyhound lovers who want to know, Jane proudly shares that her own 9 year young Greyhound, Greta, is the model used for her artwork silhouettes.

Happily, Greta is still as peppy and spry as she was when coming to Jane 6 years ago!

So, if you have a Greyhound, know someone who does, or love to sew, please watch for the release of Jane's new product line!

You can see samples of all of Jane's artwork, including the new Greyhound fabrics on Jane's website:
http://jane.walkerillustration.com/

Jane's Etsy shop:
http://www.artbyjanewalker.etsy.com/

Hounds Closet - fabulous canine collars!

As you all know, I really love dogs - especially my Greyhounds. Every March, our GPA, (Greyhound Pets of America), has a weekend long celebration called the "Howlidays". Our family always attends the Sunday event, where there is food, lots of things for sale, games, raffles, and just the feeling of joy being surrounded by a sea of retired racing Greyhounds.

This year, among the goodies offered for raffle were 2 of the most gorgeous Martingale collars I've ever seen! Martingale collars are special collars designed to keep the dogs, (particularly sight hounds), from slipping out of his or her collar when on lead.

Greyhounds and sight hounds have thick, strong necks, wider than their long, streamlined heads, and without a special collar, they can wiggle free and be out of site in an instant. This photo shows how the collar looks as it's being worn:

Anyway, these collars were made by Jan, a very talented lady, and were raffled for a handsome sum. I managed to trace the collars to the HOUNDS CLOSET Etsy site, and promptly purchased two of these precious collars! Here are our Penny (and her former foster brother, "Charlie"), modeling Penny's newest additions to her wardrobe!

I found Jan's shop to be loaded with a lovely assortment of colorful and tasteful collars I've seen in a long time. She has a great eye for color and design when she chooses her fabrics. I especially like the fabric of these particular collars, which is made by a very talented artist, Jane Walker.

Here are just a few samples of what else is for sale - aren't they adorable?!

Jan sells 3 styles of collars - regular Martingale, Martingales with buckle and regular buckle collars.

I might add that the workmanship is top notch - these collars will last several lifetimes, and are a bargain at their competitive price. If you have sight hounds or just like pretty and special dog collars, this is the shop for you! Please stop by!

http://www.houndscloset.etsy.com/

"Wedding Wednesday"

Etsy shop merchant, Jenn, surprised me with the announcement that she has featured my pink biwa pearl necklace and earring set on her blog. Forgive me for the wonky screen shots - it changes form when I import it into Blogger...

The feature is entitled "Wedding Wednesday, and can be seen here:
http://amodern-housewife.blogspot.com/

Also, please be sure to stop by Jenn's lovely blog and shop to see more precious wedding ideas, and her shop, where you'll find a nice selection of beaded jewelry, and even some nice knitting!
Jenn's Etsy shop:
http://www.likealilyamongthorns.etsy.com/

Have a nice weekend, everyone!

Thank you Etsy Finds!

For the first time ever, Etsy Finds featured one of my creations - my multi-purposed tote that can be used as a market bag, picnic tote, crafts, or any kind of tote bag you wish.

It sold just a few hours after hitting the mailing list. 

After a long dry spell of no sales, I can only say THANK YOU SO MUCH, Etsy!