We live in Mardi Gras.  We live “IN” Mardi Gras.  Our building is situated inside the borders of the perimeter of ticket booths and fences.  So…we catch the elevator down, race out the front door, and catch beads from the passing parades.  In between parades, I sew!  Well, sometimes we grab a glass of bubbly at open house parties with neighbors or offer champagne at ours–then I sew!

I love sewing in an environment of music and madness.  So, I present to you the most recent creations from an atmosphere of raucous partying. 🙂 Cheers!

This bag was inspired by the yellow flowers I purchased at Mood Fabrics over the holidays.  The leaves were rolled into shape from pleated moss-green fabric in my inventory, and I believe the “spotted” fabric is from Interior Fabrics, Houston.  The pattern is the Lucille Bag from Abbey Lane and the handle is from Studio Mio.

Made from faux crocodile, laminated cotton and a watch, this bag is called Hickory Dickory Croc. 🙂  The pattern is Amy Barickman and the doll pendant/zipper pull is Laliberi.  Fabric from Fabric Decor, Houston.

“Springtime Splendor” is fashioned from a laminated Kaffe Fassett cotton and adorned with a fuchsia fringe from M & J Trimming, another fabulous NYC shop.  Pattern by Amy Butler.

This lovely designer fabric is Belle Rose by London Portfolio for Michael Miller.  The gusset and strap is an embossed faux leather and the pattern is Cindy Taylor Oates.  But the most interesting feature is the flower which I purchased in a shop near Warner Brother Studios in L.A.  They sell items from movie and TV shows, and this flower was worn on “Switched at Birth.”

I really wanted to keep this bag.  The fabrics are a combo of oil cloth and golden faux leather and the pattern is the mini messenger bag by Ali Foster.

Now here’s a wild bag for the lady who really wants to make a statement.  I named it, “Too Much To Dream Last Night” but the actual name of the fabric was Mystic Forest which I also like as a title.  The fringe is from Mood and the pattern is the Caroline Bag by Cindy Taylor Oates.

“We’ll Always Have Paris” was created from a laminated cotton called Remember by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake Designs.  I love the “chandelier” effect which I embellished with a jeweled cross and a flower sewn by me in a class I took from Faye Labanaris at International Quilt Festival.  Pattern by Amy Butler.

I was excited to try the “Tie Front Tote” by Ali Foster and the pattern came together easily.  I’d like to use it again someday soon.  The fabric is called Madhuri for Riley Blake Designs and I added floral trim purchased on Etsy.

“Urban Garden” is a wonderful size purse from CraftApple called “The Chemisette  Handbag.”  The fabric is laminated cotton and the leather flower is from Michael Levine in L.A.  The jumbo rickrack is from Indygo Junction.  My understanding is that this purse, as well as the previous “Happy Dance” purse, now resides in Wisconsin. 🙂

This is a fun pattern that I’ve been wanting to try for a long time.  It’s called the Tulip Bag but I call this one “Razzle Dazzle.”  The fabric is Bella Epoch by Kaffe Fassett.  The embellishment brooch and trim are from Trims on Wheels.

“Midnight in Paris” is my Anny Clutch design and it was actually created and sold at the end of the year.  The velvets are from Mood, the doll pendant from Laliberi, and the rich tassel trim is from Roma Decor in L.A.  There is a skinny leather optional strap hidden inside for added functionality.

In January I created a birthday present bag for my granddaughter who loves Frida Kahlo. This is another CraftApple design called “The Knotted Bag.”  It’s large enough to carry sketches.  The fabric is “Frida’s Garden” for Alexander Henry and I combined it with velvets from Cowgirls and Lace in Dripping Springs.  Madison was lucky to have visited the Frida exhibit in Austin, and we saw a few of her paintings in NYC at MoMA.

“Tangerine Dream” combines a laminated cotton with coral faux crocodile.  I love this Charlie’s Aunt pattern by Emma Brennan called the “Chattisham Clutch Bag.”

And speaking of clutches:

I am hugely excited about this pattern by Sara Lawson.  It’s called the Arabesque Bag but I have modified it from a tote to a large clutch with a wrist strap.  It’s approximately 10 x 13 inches.  The most exciting part for me is learning to sew better with purse zippers.  When I had a question, Sara actually emailed me back.  I was super impressed because she is huge in the purse-making world and I really appreciated her responding and very quickly.  Coral faux crocodile, Mood flowers, and Laliberi doll pendant/zipper pull all make for a stylish and functional purse for spring.

And now, this is why I’m so excited about the previous pattern.  Would you believe that this is the same pattern?!  Completely different style generated from the same pattern–one is sleek and contemporary and the other lush and romantic.  That’s why sewing is ever so versatile, fun, and inspiring!  The dreamy fabric is an elegantly embroidered chenille from Cowgirls and Lace, and the fringe and subtly shaded flower are from Miss Rose Sister Violet from Australia.

Obviously, the possibilities are endless, and I have fabric fever!  Tons of ideas floating in my brain that my fingers must bring to fruition.  So it’s good-bye Mardi Gras and on with the Parade of Purses!