A Finish And A Meet-Up...

BW Linen Clothesline Bag

Yesterday was perfectly delightful. I completed my second linen Clothesline Bag as planned, and spent part of my day meeting an online friend with whom I've corresponded since 2013. (You can find the handbag listed in my shop HERE.

Jacque of BrownDogPrims.blogspot.com

I first "met" Jacque when we were involved in an online strawberry pincushion swap that I wrote about HERE. I later learned that she had a sweet chocolate Labrador who shared his name with a certain short, criminal Corgi. Both our dogs were named Tag! 

She lived in Madison, WI, so I figured we could get together when I moved back up north. Shortly before we came back, Jacque moved from Wisconsin to Colorado to be near her mum. Wonderful for her, but it thwarted my plans to meet with Jacque.

Some time ago, Jacque made vacation plans to visit Wisconsin and we made plans to meet while she was here. With so much in common, I knew we'd hit it off and I was anxious to meet her. I couldn't have been more right.

Felted Acorn Pins

We met for lunch, and I'm sure we sat at the table for nearly two hours. I took a jar of Hickory Hill Farm pears and Fresh Basil Pesto for her, and she gave me a set of gorgeous, hand felted acorn-topped pins for me. They have real acorn caps that have been sealed. Aren't they fabulous? I brought them home and installed them in one of the pincushions I made. They'll sit in a place of honor in my studio.

 

After our extended lunch, we left the restaurant and traveled a whole half mile to a Royce Quilt Shop in West Bend, WI. Of course, we both found a few things we had to have!

We visited, we shopped, we hugged and too soon went our separate ways. I'm so glad that Jacque made time for me during her vacation. It was a truly grand day with a beautiful friend who I feel like I've known forever. I'll look forward to our next visit when Jacque again vacations in Wisconsin.

Sidetracked...

Clothesline Bag II - In Progress

 

I almost finished this one yesterday. The lining and straps are complete and the exterior is done. I just need to put them together and it will be finished.

 

I didn't spend as much time on it as I'd planned because I was watching the weather reports, and then corresponding or calling some of my Florida friends. We're closely tracking the path of Hurricane Irma and praying that it goes back out to sea to avoid harming anyone currently in its way.

I'll keep the television on weather networks today as I finish up this bag and list it in my shop. I have a diaper bag to make this week, too, for a baby shower on Sunday, so I need to finish the Clothesline Bag first.

I have a full appointment book this week, so I suspect this week is going to fly by. I'd better get busy.

This Is What's Next...

Clothesline Bag - Pocket Detail

I started working on the next Clothesline Bag using natural linen and beautiful fabrics in patterns and shades of true red. I'm looking forward to seeing this bag progress.

The Next Clothesline Bag In Progress

I made my little garments for the clothesline yesterday, and then stitched them down onto the front pocket fabric piece.

The Next Clothesline Bag In Progress - Completed Applique' On Front Pocket

I had the stitching completed by the end of the afternoon, and it's now ready for when I start assembling the Clothesline Bag. I'll work on it over the weekend, but I've been blessed with more garden gifts, which need my attention first.

 

Weekend Canning Vegetables

 

Shelly told me the tomatoes in their garden are coming faster than they can deal with them, so I'll be canning tomatoes (and the rest of the pears!) this weekend. I'm also going to preserve banana peppers, green peppers, more basil and cucumbers, many of which were given to me. Of course, I'll share the jars of preserved vegetables with them when I'm finished.

 

The farm has gifted our two families with a great bounty this year. I'm committed to not letting anything go to waste this fall. I'll be canning today, and look forward to sharing the results.

The Clothesline Bag...

Detail of Clothes and Flowers

This is my latest finish. I began by creating the little articles of clothing to go on the line. The dress is 3" long, and the pantaloons are each 2.5" long. After I made them, I stitched them down to the pocket fabric, which is black linen with a Pellon SF101 black woven stabilizer to help keep its shape.

I did the applique' work on Monday, and I finished creating this handbag yesterday. I thought about adding tiny clothespins, but am leaving that option for my client.

Completed Clothesline Bag - Front

This is the completed bag, showing the entire front. My client requested black and bright colors. She did not want pastels.

I chose black linen, a sage dot fabric and Laurel Burch bright-colored fabrics for this piece. The completed bag measures approximately 12.5" at the bottom, 9.5" tall and 5" deep. The black linen portion on the front is actually a large pocket, lined in the same green dot.

Completed Clothesline Bag -Back

There is also a large pocket on the back (with a nickel piece on the bottom corner that reads "Made For Me"), and a zippered pocket with a "Handcrafted" zipper pull.

Completed Clothesline Bag -Rear Zipper Pocket and Tag

I used a sweet yellow dot fabric for the zipper pocket lining.

Completed Clothesline Bag - Interior

The interior is finished with a Laurel Burch multicolor cotton. I also included a slip pocket on the inside.

My client has already seen pictures of her completed handbag and said she can't wait to receive it. I'll treat it with Scotchgard™ today and send it off tomorrow after it's completely dry.

The Next Fabric Combination

 

I've already chosen the fabric for another bag in this same design. This is my color palette, and my plan is that others will be special order to the client's taste.

Today is a stitching day with my pal, Kathy D. We're starting a series from Kathy Schmitz, which I'll share with you tomorrow. I'm looking forward to just sitting and visiting with her for an afternoon.