French Inspired Burlap Bag

Happy Monday - the weekend always comes and goes to quickly even if one is considered retired.
Do hope your weekend was a relaxing one.

With the hot and dry conditions here in the Ozarks, the garden needs constantly watered as does the flowers and shrubs.  I am struggling to keep control of all the weeds, which seem to sprout up faster than I can pull them.

 The garden is producing cucumbers, assorted peppers, a few tomatoes and green beans, along with pretty basil.  The sunflowers are blooming too.  I love sunflowers!

I had not been crafting for a few weeks, so decided to spend part of the afternoon in the sewing room, which is in our metal shop out in the back yard.

 I found this burlap fabric in Jo Ann's Store this Spring along with the fun fringe, which I thought
would all go together.  I dream of going to Paris some day.  I really liked the French designs on the burlap, and even better, I could use my coupon to save some $$$$$.

I cut my own pattern for the main bag along with the flap.  As I was cutting the burlap I noticed what looked like some stains, however, after examining closer, the spots were in the fabric, so the dyes may have bled.

After thinking whether I should just stop cutting, I decided the fabric looked like it may have been pulled from an old trunk, and the more I looked at the burlap, I decided it looked old......Here is the finished bag, and it is large enough to carry everything.  The lining is black quilted fabric and I also used an interfacing, to add  structure and weight to the bag.  I had an old black button used on coats, so finished off the flap with it.

Large enough to hold everything a gal needs.

Until next time.  "Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself."


                                                                     -Oprah Winfrey

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Vintage Sun Bonnet Girl Quilt Pieces

Yesterday I was looking through some old keepsakes of my Grandmother, Minnie Emma.  I can remember as a little girl sitting beside her at night as she hand stitched quilt pieces.

 

Grandma kept these quilt pieces in an old sewing basket, but never did get the Sun Bonnet Girl quilt done before she passed on.  I just love the old fabrics and all the delicate patterns. The colors are still so beautiful, even after all these years.

 

Although I never learned to quilt, and do admire the art of quilting, I really need to work on a project to complete the lovely little "girls" to pass on to my two granddaughters.

 

I hope you enjoy some of the photos of all the vintage fabrics.  I am sure some were clothing and Grandma recycled for the quilt pieces.  

 

Growing up, Grandma Minnie made most of our cloths.  I never fully appreciated "handmade" until I was older.  I still miss my wonderful Grandma, she was the best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decorative Steer Skull

My husband brought home two steer skulls on the back of his Harley he found from a rancher in Oklahoma.  He drew quite the attention.  No doubt one does not see a Harley rider very often packing steer skulls down interstate highways.

Last week I worked on decorating the skull  using turquoise nuggets, glass stones I found at the craft store, old buttons and sea glass.  I had some leather which I glued around the horns to embellish.  You may notice the horns  do not match--- well this is due to the skull only having one horn.  I added a horn that I had left  from making a floral arrangement until I can find another near the same size and color.

Not sure yet if I am finished with this project, as I may do some additional painting.  I used tile glue and tile grout that I had left from another project.  It is so much fun experimenting not really knowing how the project will turn out.

 

 

 

 

                                                    

                                               You're never to old to do goofy stuff.
                                                           -Ward Cleaver-

       Wishing you a great week!!!
              Sharon