Peacock & Pieces...

I had so much fun making this peacock bag with all my bits & pieces from vintage fabrics...

The peacock machine embroidery design was free at Free Embroidery Designs. 

Click HERE or on the picture for a link to the free design. 

As you can see I don't follow the rules when it comes to color, I made up my own peacock colors.

 

   The lining is a magical royal purple satin that they don't make anymore.  I only a a little left.  I'll admit I am a fabric hoarder.  I don't think I'll find myself on tv yet, but I do have a good stash.  I am about to bust it loose on some more of these bags though.  I put myself to sleep 2 nights in a row thinking of bags I can make! haha I am working on several now & hope to get them finished in the next few days. On has a Heart Locket w/ keyhole that has wings from Urban Threads, I am also working on a Butterfly bag. and I hand died white cotton fabric today for a Cherry or Strawberry bag that I want to make.  

 I died the fabric by floating oil paints on water, then dipping it in, making pretty marbling that looks so fun! Suminagashi  style. I hope it works, I've never tried it. I figure I will iron it, then wash it with Dawn and see what happens.....if it works you will see it on a new bag!  When it comes to sewing every seam has to be perfect. It has to be cut perfectly, no mistakes, so this is a good exercise to let go of some of that OCD that keeps me from creating at times. No Fear - if I wreck it - it's gone!

I have had peacocks in my brain since our little trip to Daffodil Hill where they had lots of them including a pure white peacock!

 

I hope this inspires you to create something new!

Blessings!

Happy New Year Again!

Chinese New Year starts Feb 10th. When I'm not painting I'm sewing or have some kind of needle in my hand. I have so much fabric it's shameful. I decided I better start doing something with it or else... This is the project I just finished and can't wait to start the next one! Some of my next projects may include painted fabric or some of my art printed on fabric.

"Happy New Year"

A beautiful butterfly soars & red Chinese lanterns flutter in the wind over a quaint Chinese village celebrating the New Year.

I was inspired by a piece of designer fabric by Kaufmann, a Chinese Toile.  It started a daydream. The print looks like a rural chinese festival & tea party.

I started with a vintage GUESS George Marciano denim jacket I was lucky to find at the local 2nd hand store.

 

I cut red circles out of fabric then bleached a portion of them for the bottom of the lanterns. Free motion embroidery was used to attach the strings & to complete the lanterns. I added sequins & rhinestones. A pretty blue denim butterfly was on a piece of fabric my sister had sent me that matched perfect! I added it for a little perspective. We are soaring over the festival! I attached  the entire piece as close to the seam as possible with a black machine blanket stitch. The lanterns swing from strings of vintage black velvet that has a glitter print that just twinkles in the light, sequins & diamond like rhinestones top the lanterns.  I used different colored sequins for the strings of the lanterns.  I had put a butterfly at the top of the jacket too but I ended up removing it.  Maybe I will make me one too, I would wear it to San Francisco when we go have Dim Sum!

I hope this inspires you to dive right in & cut something up!

Happy Chinese New Year!