Monday, June 21, 2010

Keeping Creatively Cool or 'How to Avoid Mowing the Lawn When It Is 90 Degrees'

Hello friends, I hope your weekend was a good one. It was pretty darn hot here in beautiful Virginia, the thermometer rested right around 90 degrees most of the time. This week is supposed to be much of the same. When it gets this warm , I prefer to stay comfortably cool in my studio with the ceiling fan rotating gently above.....Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Add to that a huge glass of homemade lemonade to sip on and I'm content. 
I spent the weekend working on a new handbag for my Etsy shop. I saw a photo of a very pretty bag and made a mental note of it. I made some creative changes, hopefully for the better and here is the end result. I hope you like her.
I love the soft robins egg blue.
I added elastic in the top edge casing and gave her a strap handle instead of plastic tubing like the original... softer on your shoulder.
I loved the little bits of green in the floral print so I decided to fashion a lining using this wonderful green quilting cotton. I love opening a handbag and being surprised by a lovely 'POP' of color. I embellished my bag with a shabby rose that I created from leftover  shear ribbon, fabric scraps and vintage eyelet lace. I think she came out quite nicely. Very summery for sure.  Guess what she started life as?...........a thrift store Target shower curtain! I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love thrift stores!!! 
What have you been working on lately??
Until next time... be kind and stay creative.

16 comments:

Aprons and More said...

Love the purse! What a great way to pass the time on hot days! It has been so hot here...upper 90 with heat indexes in the 110's. Too hot for spring...if it is this hot now, how hot will it be in August??

Keep cool and make more!!
Katy :)

Dar said...

Your tote is lovely...and so me...I love the elastic and the straps. And who doesn't love Robin Egg Blue. Great piece.
I've been busy gardening., all weekend. I have blisters to prove it and achy joints. Today I rest. A couple GrandLoves are sick so we will make Flat Stanleys cousin, Flat Fanny for them to have as summer traveling friends.
Have a Creative Week

The Little Fox said...

My, that is an exquisite tote indeed! Love love love it!
xoxo

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

We've been near 90 around here a couple of times recently. I think hot is just hot and at a point you can't tell if it's a bit hotter than usual.

I love the bag too - very airy and makes me feel cool just looking at it!

Marie said...

The bag is great and so are you! So talented. It hit 100 yesterday around 3:30 - I can hardly wait for the two hot months of the year. This whole spring has been upside down.

Hugs - Marie

Annette said...

Ooooh what a pretty bag! I love the colors inside and out! It's way hot here too but when I remember the back to back blizzards in February, I choose hot!!

w said...

that's a very pretty purse. all your items are amazing. you're amazing. no. i'm not drunk this early in the morning.

Mona said...

Hi! I'm a new reader of your blog. I love it and it inspires me. I absolutely love the new purse you made. So girly and flirty. My daughter would love it. Thanks for the inspiration and calmness your blog provides. ttyl Mona

Lisalulu said...

love the bag, love the colors, LOVE the flower! A++ for you my dear.

Unknown said...

SOOOOO sweet! I love the robins egg, too. Light and cool and fresh. Beautiful piece of ARTwork. :)Pam

Kathleen Grace said...

Too cute Janet! I can't believe it was a shower curtain in its former life. I love contrasting linings too, it's like a pretty little surprise when you open the bag:>)

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

That's really very pretty . I love the flower , the perfect finishing touch !
Still not summery here , in fact it's downright cold , but I'm living in hope ...

Danielle said...

That bag is adorable! I beat the heat by...making the husband mow the lawn ;) I've been working on training and raising a good puppy. Hopefully I'll have more crafty action very soon. I still have your rhubarb pie on my to-do list!

My Life Under the Bus said...

Fabric is fantastic !!! Beautiful colors so soothing.

Rebekah Greiman said...

Thanks for stopping by www.potholesandpantyhose.com! I LOVE this bag. you are so stinking creative! I'll be back, don't you worry!

K-Sue said...

This is an interesting shape. I think it would be fun to use. Very pretty.