Inspiration...

I don't usually post other people's images, but I have been drooling over these bags all morning! I found them at Totem- and I can't find much more info....

but I absolutely love the salvaged vibe- the mix of rustic textiles and feminine needlepoint. The leather and button details....

...drooling...

...still drooling.....these bags are so inspiring to me because I'm not a pattern maker- I just love vintage textiles...

That's all. I just wanted to share these wonderful images, and hope that something is inspiring you today!

Linen Leaves & Birds...

Just a quick post....this is the last of my vintage fabric leaf pillows. I love making these and they sell well, but it's time to move on. I have more leaf designs in the works- trees, mushrooms, woodland scenes...

I made my first petite bird pillow almost a year ago- I was using up little scraps of linen and made a teal one with a blue calico bird very last minute before a show. It was the first thing that sold- to a sweet woman who attends the show every year. She's very petite herself, and seems very shy- much like a bird. I always think of her when making these.

Maybe I'll share that with her this year. These last bird pillows now have a handful of organic lavender in the stuffing.

That's all for now. I put my sewing machine away for several weeks to concentrate on the new leather pieces. AND- I'm off to North Carolina!!!

Peace.

Work in Progress.....

Here's what's on my work table this week....just playing around with leather. I started stitching and beading deerskin- it's so nice to work with. Unlike cowhide, it's soft and pliable like a textile.

...just a few stitches here and there, a few tiny stitched beads. I'm trying to focus on the leather as the main design element, rather than the stones. I love working on intricately detailed textiles, so I'm trying to get more of that aspect of my aesthetic in this new work. These are just the first pieces...

I'm taking baby steps, I know. The more intricate stitched leather bands aren't ready yet- still working out some kinks. I need to figure out how to layer the leather- leather glue? Is there such a thing? I also started tooling some retro tattoo images on wider bands. I really need to stay focused on these new leather pieces. So much fun!

Several different leather colors, mixing metals, etc..

Did I say I LOVE what I'm doing!