Where have I been?

The last year was a whirlwind.  I can't believe it's the end of July already.  In June of 2010 I accepted the HUGE honor of Chairman of the Board for Run For The Wall, a motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to Washington D.C.

It was only after serving as Secretary for 4 years, and riding the event 8 years, that I would have been considered as the first lady Chairperson.  It was pretty routine for me really, but we had 3 new Board Members (out of 7) and 2 others who were new the year before.  So with the President called away much of the year with his job, I mean out of the country called away, I was stand in President, trainer, historian, research and development, blah, blah, blah.  Huge honor, tons of work.

Spending some of nearly every day working on the web page, the newsletter, correspondence or phone calls, I was covered up - learned so much about the Run, people's expectations, and my respect for the men and women who volunteer for this organization increased.

Now at the end of June I've stepped down, completing my term(s).  I can knit again while riding in the truck or camping at motorcycle events, I can write again, evenings once we're settled in, I can think about something besides RFTW.  I miss it - don't get me wrong, but I feel a great sense of creativity coming on!!  The same scarf is on my weaving loom since January ... it will be completed next month.  I've packed enough wool yarn to make at least 6 purses while we're on the road the next 3 weeks.

I'm fired up about something new I'm doing also.

I'm writing on SQUIDOO.  It's a free web page that allows you to add features called "modules" to your topics, giving people the opportunity to comment, purchase items of interest - it's kind of a glorified blog.  I've written 38 topics and have achieved several levels, and earned awards.   It's' very fulfilling.  Writing is definitely one of my passions, and I've already got a great start.

If you're interested, here's the link to my knitting Squidoo "Lens" DESIGNER BAGS KNIT & FELT

From there you can read my bio or visit my other "Lenses"

On Squidoo people design web-pages called LENSES or articles looking into specific topics.

Enjoy!

It is seriously time to get serious

If I'm going to have anything to put on the display tables at this fall's art and craft, fiber art fairs, I'm going to have to get over this "creative slump" and start knitting and felting.

I cannot sell "works-in-progress."

So, as I pack for a 3 week trip - I include a basket full of wool yarns, and embellishing yarns - don't know what colors I'll need, because I cannot be inspired ahead of time ... who can?

Here I go - I'm going to try to make at least 6 purses this next 3 weeks.

Only delay - using my wrist - I was stung by a wasp yesterday and have a stiff left wrist.  Ibuprofen and ice on the ready!

I have a few large bags ready for sale, one needs to be lined, one needs handles and lining, one and about 5 small bags ready - Large bags will go for $125.00 and smaller for $80.00 this year.  No more Mrs. nice lady, cause, these things are a lot of work and love!!

I broke down. I'm getting out the sewing machine.

I really have an aversion to using my sewing machine.  It's an amazing tool, but it seems just about every pattern I've ever tried - FAILS!!

Now, I'm breaking down.  I'm pretty determined to put pretty linings in some of my purses I'm designing.

Today I bought fabric.

It's a sickness I know.  The return of the "Fear of Failure."

At this point - if it doesn't cost a lot of money, I'm ready to experiment!!

This was a great purse.  It was ordered as a gift several months ago.  I decided to line it.  Another view shows it snapped closed.

Purse Handles, Knit, Felt, I-Cord, Crochet, Macrame - a variety of Strap Options

I've pulled together a collection of some my purse straps in pictures.

Pottery embellishment on this drawstring i-cord closure.

 The i-cord is the most common strap I knit for purses and bags.  I also have used my loom to weave straps and closures.

For small embellishments I use crochet or Macrame to finish a purse.

Handwoven (on loom) strap.  Sewn to the rings on a sewing machine.

 Another interesting concept is to add the strap to the bag while knitting.  It isn't difficult, but it takes planning.

I've embellished my purses with stones, pottery, polymer clay, buttons, and jewelry pieces.

Embellished with needle felt.

One of my first knit felt purses. I-Cord handle

Strap sewn to bag after completion, knit/purl rows with an added knit and tucked trim.

Strap knit as a part of the purse before felting.

another i-cord bag.

Over time, I've found the purse strap to be the biggest challenge when planning and knitting a felted bag.  The strap should be the first step, because you want enough matching yarn put back, or the strap created first, in order to match the bag

One of my knit felted purses, custom ordered. Almost finished with needle felting the Rose.

Purse 1 - knit felt, with needle felted rose. This is made in a heather pink with burgandy stripes knit into the fabrick.

I sold this purse last week, and got 4 purse orders by leaving the sold purse on my display table.

The purse below is my newer version of Purse 1.

The order was for a lighter pink with texture (and of course another needle felted Rose).

The Rose needs a little touch up and the grommets need to be added for the strap and walla, a duplicate, in lighter pink. I discovered a new method with this purse. I knit together wool, alpaca and acrylic yarns throughout! The acrylic yarn didn't felt, and that is what makes the nubbies all over the purse. Here's a close-jup pic of the knit piece before felting.

The Light Pink is Alpaca
The darker Pink is wool, and the white with pastels is Acrylic - I'm always amazed at how felting blends to colors ... love experimenting with this, out of over 40 items I've made I've only had one flop (I didn't know I wasn't using wool yarn for a large part of the item, bummer)