Tag Archives: Cowgirls and Lace

Dec21

Sew, Travel, Sew, Travel, Sew…

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Anny

This month we are fortunate to visit my two favorite cities: L.A. and NYC! Just returned from a short trip to L.A. to celebrate the engagement of our son, Bryan, and his fiancee, Liz. We spent some quality time in Marina Del Ray and saw the wedding and rehearsal dinner venues for June. Looking forward to an awesome event! This week we are having fun with our other son, Eric, and his girlfriend, Jill. Then Friday, it’s off to Austin to visit Jennifer, Tate, and the girls. Loving the holiday family fun times!

While in L.A., I dashed down to the Fashion District for a visit to Michael Levine and Mood. I spotted some brightly colored fabrics, anticipating spring/summer bagmaking. 🙂 We’ll be visiting NYC next week and our boutique hotel will be in the Garment District! Oh, darn–ha ha. Since many of my blog posts are about travel, you probably wonder when I have time to make bags. Well that’s coming up in January, but I did manage to finish a few after the China trip and Quilt Festival, and I’ll share those with you now…

Loretta Loves Leopard

Rumor has it that Loretta Loves Leopard was purchased by a lady named Loretta. I’m so happy! This faux fur textured bag’s pattern had extra room on the sides where you see I added two pockets. Fancied the top with a little gold fringe and a cute doll accessory, then added leather gold handles. Voila!

Beyond the Nest

Beyond the Nest was one of those purses that I secretly hoped wouldn’t sell–but it did. I love this bag! It is my own Jenny pattern design, created from a fur/feathery fabric from Michael Levine. The band is vintage crushed velour and I placed a beautiful brooch from Trims on Wheels. The handle is an easy-to-apply and fashionable clip-on that I love from Studio Mio.

Cowabunga!

Cowabunga is a snazzy little Western bag that will be perfect for Texas Hill Country. The faux cow-hide is from Cowgirls and Lace, and I simply added black and red fringe, dripping Western beads, and a few flowers to give it a chic yet country vibe. 🙂

London Flat again makes use of the crushed velour, plus a furry leopard, and beautifully textured golden upholstery fabric. A large flower and clip on handles complete the look. This is actually a pattern designed by Stephanie Prescott of A Quilter’s Dream that I had noticed at Quilt Festival where it was fashioned from cotton. I decided to use denser fabric and create a fall/winter look using the same pieces, and adding more interior pockets.

After returning from China, I couldn’t wait to finish Shades of Shanghai. This is also from the quilt world, a pattern from Pink Sand Beach called the Mahattan Handbag. I like to fancy it up and since this had an Asian vibe, I added bamboo handles and a frog closure just for decoration. The fabrics were a fat quarter bundle from long ago. This is why you purchase fabric that grabs you. I bought this not knowing what in the world I would use it for and it has become a stylish purse. 🙂

Now this is the same pattern, using another fat quarter bundle purchased long ago, but I added delicate dripping black beads, crushed velour gusset and handles, and sewed a purchased flower to one I made from faux leather. I named her Vintage Victorian.

Boho Chic is created from a Cindy Taylor Oates pattern called the Lakehouse Bag. I used a mod design fabric that has a denim feel and added a large boho style flower. I knew when I saw these beautiful Hippie look beads that they would accessorize it perfectly, with a little braid sewn on top in the same shade of green. A very fun bag!

We have a newborn in the family now from my nephew and his wife, and since she’s a gorgeous little girl, I had to make her a “first purse,” right? Fashioned from vintage chenille, this simple bag has cording for a handle and a ribbon closure. Of course it has a pocket and an “It’s Sew Anny” label inside. 🙂 Something tells me she’ll be receiving many more over the years…

Okay, don’t faint…this bag is for me! I had a very similar one I had sewn over four years ago and used every winter. A few beads had fallen by the wayside and it had some fading, so I whipped up a new version and enjoy it so much! This is from the same Cindy Taylor Oates book, but a style called “Caroline’s Bag.”

And that’s it for now–off to find more fabric in the Big Apple! Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Sep14

Business is Booming!

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Anny

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How happy I am to announce that Business is Booming! A HUGE shout-out to the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Texas, who will now be displaying and selling my bags! I am supremely honored to be a part of their fabulous organization. Julie, the Museum Director, shares my love of lush fabric and we had a marvelous time deciding which of my bags would complement upcoming museum exhibits. The museum is comprised of several galleries showcasing masterpiece quilts. Leaders in the international quilt community display and lecture in the historic buildings from 1890. Exhibits from all over the world change every three months. For gardeners and garden lovers, Grandmother’s Flower Garden is adjacent to the museum which is a period garden that would be typical of Central Texas flower gardens around 1890. A 13 x 85 foot mural, depicting 15 traditional 19th century quilts, adorns the outdoor garden wall of the museum. Not to mention, there is a wonderful quilt shop right next door to the museum. What more could you want? If you need more information, just visit texasquiltmuseum.org.

And now let me show you the latest bags from It’s Sew Anny Designs.

You just can’t beat a lovely clutch. Based on an Ali Foster design, I paired a royal blue crushed velvet with a lime green suede to create “Sapphire and Diamonds.” The interior is Dupioni silk from SoHo Fabrics. Adorned with a faux mother of pearl and rhinestone broach, she’s ready to party! Yes, she was difficult to part with, but she’s already been adopted. 🙂

Velvet Gold was fashioned from an olive/golden velvety fabric I discovered at the Round Top Antique Festival. Complementing the floral paisley is a velvet green bow formed from Mood Fabric that I purchased in L.A. (More about that trip later…) The handles had been in my stash for a time, waiting for just the right bag. The pattern was from Charlie’s Aunt called “The Brief Encounter” bag. It was the first time I’d used this pattern and I know it won’t be the last. Love it!

You see two views of the bag called “Inside Out” which is completely reversible. I even added a pocket on each side. One handle simply loops through the other for easy access, and you have a lightweight functional bag that offers two colors and designs for a versatile accessory. Fabrics from Cowgirls and Lace, Dripping Springs.

Welcome Fall with Autumn Gold! She’s a marriage of golden hues from Michael Levine (Los Angeles) and Cowgirls and Lace. The Chemisette Handbag is a pattern from Craftapple Designs and is a delight to sew! I had the perfect flower to enhance autumn tones so I simply added a broach pin to the back and the bag was complete. The perfect size for those daytime jaunts.

“Chocolate Luxe” is a plush bag made from a watercolor chocolate velvet from Mood Fabrics. Dripping beads, a jeweled emblem, and a lush faux fur collar all combine to make this one of my all-time favorites. This is my personal design, “The Jenny Bag.”

An Amy Barickman pattern, the Rachel Bag, is one that uniquely opens from a zipper in the back.

I chose to call her “Lucy Goes to Town” and a close-up of the zipper pull reveals a little lady with her purse and heels on just ready to Go To Town. 🙂

I created another version called “Chasing Sunny” with a red suede handle and a zipper pull that adds a bit of bling with a rhinestone key. The red faux crocodile fabric was discovered at Fabric Decor in Houston. I used a golden faux leather to design the flower with a center button from Tender Buttons on New York’s Upper East Side. This is why you must purchase items you fall in love with when you travel. #l) You’ll eventually use them and/or fondly recall the happy memory of said travels, and, #2) If you don’t bring them home, you may be longingly recalling the “one that got away.” Some things just bring you joy. 🙂

Oh, my, oh my… I should have kept this bag. The fabric is another version of that silky velvet, only this time it is a teal blue from High Fashion Fabrics in Houston. The band is a velvet suede-like fabric from Michael Levine, L.A. The leather flower was also purchased at Michael Levine. I happened to have the perfect shade of blue beads in my stash. Happy Day!

A while back I discovered this magnificent fabric just rolled up on a table at High Fashion like someone forgot it. No one claimed it and I happily snapped it up. I have enjoyed making two purses from the textured medallion embroidery. This one is named “Tribal Fibers” and I enhanced it with a fringed leather key fob. The handles looked appropriately rustic to me so I fashioned loops to accommodate them. The faux ostrich is another Michael Levine purchase from our L.A. trip.

This time the medallion fabric was paired with a faux embossed leather from Cowgirls and Lace in Dripping Springs. The leather handles were from Shirley in Switzerland purchased on the internet. Adorning the bag with a little lady swinging from repurposed jewelry gave it a whole different vibe. I named it “Maddie Medallion.” Both bags were created from a pattern by ithinksew.com.

“Vintage Autumn” is such a sweet bag. I feel like the handles have a vintage vibe, as well as the jeweled flower. I believe the beautifully textured fabric was from Britex in San Francisco. Beadwork is from Interior Fabrics in Houston. And the pattern is another Ali Foster, called the Lucy Tote.

I chose to name this bag “Royal Velvet.” It is a mini Jenny bag, fashioned from a rich velvety fabric from Mood in L.A. The Greek coin button was found at International Quilt Festival, as well as the handles from Studio Mio. The tassel trim is from Interior Fabrics. An ensemble from many “in search of fabric” trips. 🙂

So, as you see, I’ve been mega busy. But, another very happy aspect to my growing business is Cheryl. Cheryl is a friend who has joined in my venture and is not new to the sewing world. She is a former entrepreneur in the custom dress shop field. You should have seen us last week as she cut and pressed and I designed and sewed. We are an awesome team!

Cheryl is a lady of many talents. She will live here and pet sit for us while we are in China. China? you say. Yes, I need silk. Just joking–it was on our bucket list to stand on the Great Wall. But will I cast glances in hope of fabric for sale? You betcha!

Until the next adventure tales,

Love, Anny

Jun12

Purses Have Feelings Too…

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Anny

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When my sister and I were little girls on a road trip vacation from Indiana to Texas, we would bring toys in the car, of course. One of our favorites was the game Cootie. With Cootie, the object was to be the first to build a bug-like object using a variety of plastic body parts. Unfortunately, while traveling through Arkansas, one of the body parts landed out the car window. Now it only made sense to us that if a body part was laying out on the ground in a far away state, we would have to deliberately throw out another body part to keep that one company. Everything has feelings…

All that being said is to introduce you to a few bags that were created last year and didn’t make it into the blog. We wouldn’t want a bag to have its feelings hurt, would we? So before I go off to a therapy session, here are the omitted bags. 🙂

I actually made two bags from a Charlie’s Aunt pattern called the High Tea Clutch Bag. The first one I call “She Wore Blue Velvet.” The velvet, inside and out, is from Mood Fabrics. Then I added a beaded ribbon.

She Wore Blue Velvet

The other is titled “Hidden Butterfly.” That’s because I randomly sewed two little metal butterflies to the front, along with an upcycled jewelry piece. I believe the fabric was from Britex Fabrics in San Francisco and has lovely textured suede flowers on ivory linen.

Hidden Butterfly

Next is a bag that was sold before it was even placed on the shelf–“Confetti Candy.” I’m showing both front and back to display a variety of fabrics and trims. On the front side I used a suede-like tangerine fabric from Mood. Added to the front was a pocket of Kaffe Fassett floral with colorful popcorn fringe and a sparkling pink broach from Trims on Wheels. The reverse side featured a magenta upholstery weight fabric from High Fashion, with a ribbon embellishment from Renaissance Ribbons. Surrounding the bag is multicolor confetti loop fringe from Cowgirls and Lace. The pattern is one of my favorites from Cindy Taylor Oates.

Confetti Candy

“Venetian Dream” is created from my original pattern, The Jenny Bag. The fabric, from Michael Levine in L.A., is embellished with a heavily beaded trim and an elegant tassel.

Venetian Dream

I wanted to try my hand at using new purse hardware, which is what attracted me to a purse kit and pattern by Penny Sturges and Darci Wright found at Quilt Festival last fall. It turned out well, and I learned to install a twist lock closure. The pattern is Mini Messenger, and I named the bag “Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth

Last year, after viewing gypsy bags on Pinterest, I was inspired to design a romantic creation. “Gypsy Rose” is fashioned from the magenta fabric used on Confetti Candy, a coordinating pink faux ostrich, and a leather flower from Michael Levine. It features a multicolor loop fringe from Cowgirls and Lace, a pocket of antique cut velvet, and a strap of vintage moss green velvet and leopard. I still have not parted with this purse.

Gypsy Rose

One of the most popular patterns I use is the Rachel Bag from Bag Boutique by Amy Barickman. I wish I could remember where I purchased the zebra–perhaps Interior Fabrics in Houston. The purse is accessed through a zipper down the backside and carried by a simple black bamboo handle. The back features an organdy ribbon attaching a rhinestone heart-shaped key, hence the name “Wild at Heart.” To create the front embellishment, I layered two buttons and looped over a silky black tassel.

Wild at Heart

By the Sea is a fun bag I created from scraps of thick tropical themed fabric from a local Galveston upholsterer, distressed denim from Indygo Junction, faux ostrich from Michael Levine, and a plush vintage velvet ribbon from Los Angeles Antiques. I sewed small beads on the eyes of the seahorses, and the crab and fish on the back. The pattern is from Kati Cupcake Pattern Company and has twelve pockets. Such a challenge it was, using grommets with heavy thick fabric. The problem is, the grommets are added at the very end, so you’re basically cutting large holes in your finished bag, and hoping that the grommets install properly. And it’s actually hard to cut with your fingers crossed! 🙂

By The Sea

Cowgirl Chic was fashioned from faux cowhide and leather from Cowgirls and Lace. The lush fringe was from Interior Fabrics in Houston. Not sure I can part with this bag, either.

Cowgirl Chic

The last two bags really are for me. They will accompany me on a Mediterranean Cruise this summer. I needed a hands-free, cross-body bag for shore excursions. Not large–just large enough for essentials. The perfect pattern for this is the Chattisham Clutch Bag from Charlie’s Aunt. Bright red faux crocodile is from Fabric Decor in Houston. I did not embellish it, as the fabric speaks for itself. The zebra bag’s flap is sewn from a vintage crushed velvet found on Etsy, and the ruby bauble is upcycled jewelry.

Tomorrow my granddaughter, Madison, arrives. She just earned her driver’s license, so when we’re not beaching, shopping, or creating, I’m sure she will be happy to chauffeur us anywhere we travel. And until next time, happy summer travels to you!

Love, Anny

Mar24

PURSES, PURSES, PURSES!

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Anny

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As you may know, we moved twice last year and that put a dent in my sewing (and blogging.) Drat! But Tina’s on the Strand invited me to be the Featured Artist for Artwalk last fall and I was determined to keep my commitment so I managed to sew a dozen fall purses which never made it into the blog. I dearly love the plushness of fall fabric, velvets, vegan leather, faux fur, and tapestry combined with fringe, full tassels, and dazzling embellishments like lush flowers and beautiful beading. So for those of you who follow this blog for sewing inspiration, I now present to you:

A Gallery of My Fall Collection:

BEADS OF A FEATHER

Beads of a Feather

A pattern I love from Ali Foster, this tapestry bag was embellished with dripping beads and feathers. The handle is from Studio Mio and SO easy to apply.

FRINGE BENEFITS

Fringe Benefits

Fringe Benefits is a Cindy Taylor Oates design, created from tapestry fabric, accented with faux fur adjustable straps, trimmed with tassels from Interior Fabrics and 12 inch chainette fringe from Mood.

MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN

Midnight in the Garden

Honestly, I don’t remember where I purchased this gorgeous textured, embroidered fabric but I’d like to find it again. The pattern was a modified version of an Abbey Lane pattern called Lucille. I added the gold braided piping, then attached a plush flower and dotted leather handles. Almost all my handles are from Studio Mio.

AUTUMN GARDEN

Autumn Garden

This sweet bag was a combination of patterns from books and YouTube. I experimented with the round dotted brown handles which paired so well with the autumn floral linen fabric called Ballad Bouquet.

CASABLANCA

Casablanca

Linen floral and a zebra print fashioned into a Cindy Taylor Oates bag, embellished with golden loop fringe and ruby red beading.

KEYS TO PARIS

Keys to Paris

This is one of my all time favorite bags and sold very quickly. The pattern is actually from the quilting world, called Pasadena, from “A Quilter’s Dream.” Normally sewn with cotton fabrics, I instead substituted a vintage crushed flock velvet from Etsy with alternating copper and silver fabric that had a soft texture. I added a purchased bamboo handle, plus a large flower and sparkly keys from Miss Rose Sister Violet.

COWGIRL CHIC

Cowgirl Chic

A fun messenger style bag, Cowgirl Chic sports faux leather fabrics from Cowgirls and Lace in Dripping Springs, Texas. The lady who purchased this bag said it reminded her of her mother’s real cowhide purse many years ago.

TINSELTOWN

Tinseltown

I named this bag Tinseltown because it is glamorous! It shimmers with a velvet textured silver fabric, complemented by black velvet (my fall favorite) and an amazing tassel trim from Cowgirls and Lace.

GIDDY-UP!

Giddy-Up!

Giddy-Up! is similar to Fringe Benefits but fashioned from faux leather, fringe and tassels. The exterior features a faux leather boot which I designed and appliqued to the pocket.

SAFARI SPLENDOR

Safari Splendor

This is a huge purse with twelve, yes twelve pockets–six exterior, six interior. The exterior is created from an embroidered faux leather, paired with a sturdy textured leopard print. The tie is a dark chocolate velvet with a fine gold etched thread throughout. The pattern is, again, from the quilting world, and is called My Favorite Bag from Kati Cupcake Pattern Company. Not an easy bag to make because instead of making it from soft cotton fabrics, I chose to use sturdier fall fabrics. And that’s a pain when grommets are involved…

MOROCCAN DREAM

Moroccan Dream

Such a joy to construct. This is another pattern from Abbey Lane. I modified it by using a vintage French ribbon down the middle instead of gathered fabric. I happened to have the perfect size ribbon from an antique shop in Los Angeles so I was able to apply it here, along with a sturdy, yet softly textured black velour, fancy tassels, and a braided handle made from a drapery tie-back. 🙂

LOTUS BLOSSOM

Lotus Blossom

Lotus blossom is an Amy Barickman pattern called the Rachel Bag. The back side is a heavily textured black fabric with a zipper down the middle for accessing the purse. A unique silhouette makes for a very charming bag. 🙂

Knowing I would be featured in the fall Artwalk show was the impetus for creating twelve purses beginning mid-summer. This was actually a wonderful opportunity to sew up a storm in that newly styled loft sewing room. I’m still enjoying my brightly lit sewing room with the brilliant colors, brick walls, and fabulous views!

Dec5

Hill Country Thanksgiving

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Anny

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Our Hill Country Thanksgiving started with cooking and feasting on a scrumptious meal at our daughter’s home in Austin. That is where we met George, our newest sweet grand-dog! He’s called a Goldendoodle.

Black Friday did involve a bit of shopping in Fredericksburg, Texas. Even though the weather was miserable, shoppers didn’t seem to care while they explored this historical quaint town. Our first stop was Carol Hicks Bolton, a huge, fabulous store featuring Bella Notte linens and French antiques. I scored a few French pharmacy items and financial documents from Paris, 1891. Greeting you were scenes like these:

Having worked up an appetite, we visited Vaudeville:

Where you can dine downstairs…

Then shop upstairs. 🙂

We returned to Austin by way of Johnson City to view the amazing Christmas lights! Behold!

The following day, I took time to visit one of my favorite fabric store, Cowgirls and Lace, in Dripping Springs. On the way, I spotted a quilt shop I’d never noticed before, and I’m so glad I stopped!

Colorful fabrics including many Kaffe Fassett, gifts, books, patterns, classes, and even refreshments!

But, alas, it was time to say good-bye to Austin and family. Aww, sad to go, Georgie:

One more stop for Granny and Gramps in beautiful San Antonio. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Contessa on the Riverwalk. And capped off our trip with a riverboat tour of the holiday lights before returning to Galveston.

Never a dull moment. Time to pull out the costumes we wear to Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand. More about that later… Happy Holidays!

Oct3

Sleep? What sleep?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Anny

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Imagine my surprise to find I’d been nominated for the Good Neighbor Blog Award! Katherine from Pillows A-La-Mode (an awesome site) requested nominations for someone in the blogging world that you would most want to live next door to! The winner was a fabulous blogger, Crafty Staci, that you will certainly enjoy reading. And to the person(s) who nominated me, I send my deepest gratitude! I consider myself fairly new to blogging and as they say in Hollywood, “It’s an honor just to be nominated.” Amen to that! Just for being nominated, I get to display a Good Neighbor Award button on my blog, and you will be seeing that just as soon as I learn how to display it. 🙂 Yep, I still have lots to learn about blogging, my friend. So in this world of widgets, buttons, and stats, please just bear with me!

This is Wednesday night and Saturday is my trunk show at Tina’s for Artwalk Galveston. As noted in my last blog, I thought my fall collection was finished. 🙂 Oh, silly me! They had requested 15 bags and I had 16 bags. But when I mentioned that there was not an Anny Bag in the collection, I could read the disappointment in their faces. While I consider the Anny Bag as something more suited to a Spring/Summer collection, apparently the customers have been requesting the Anny Bag, so… In the last four days, I have designed four Anny Bags! Sleep? What sleep? I needed to find fall/winter type fabric that would also be able to drape for those ruffles. I am pleased to say that without shopping, I managed to come up with the fabrics and trims I needed. (That should tell you something about my stash. Shh! ) Anyway, today I planned to make the tags (see previous blog) but after lunch, Tina’s called. The newspaper needed a photo preview of my presentation by day’s end. Whaaaat?? I know NOTHING about photo shoots. So you should have seen me schlepping bags and lamps all over the house trying to figure out what to do next. Too much light! Too little light! Too many bags! Too few bags! Too much background distraction! I was mainly working with two coat racks. After taking about 30 pics, I decided less is more, and since they just wanted a sneak preview, here is the photo that will be published:

Bag #16 is a pattern I designed called the Jenny Bag. (Publishing it is on my “to do” list.) 🙂 Here it is, fashioned from that sumptuous copper velvety fabric from Cowgirls and Lace, and the Roma Deco upholstery fabric I picked up in L.A. in silver and gold tones. Embellished with four glass beaded tassels, and a beaded golden applique, I’m not sure what to name it. Any suggestions?

So…the four Anny Bags. The first is created mostly from velvet and a leopard faux fur. (Can you tell I relish that copper fabric?) I had purchased the leopard flower but added a brooch from my stash from Trims on Wheels for the center. This whole bag is so velvety smooth I could just eat it up!

THE FANCY ANNY

The Western Anny was fashioned from faux leathers and a furry leopard print. Yes, I had these western looking leather straps in my stash from Cindy’s Button Company. The fringe completes the western look. Would you believe the beautiful dangle on the front was from a broken necklace? Don’t you just love repurposing!! Yeehaw!

THE WESTERN ANNY

The Autumn Anny (sorry about the pic lighting) is actually made of gold, tan, deep red, and rich chocolate brown floral linens. The linens were purchased from various sources but worked well together. The trim features alternating glass gold beads and silky tassels. The tan leather strap was another past purchase from Cindy’s Button Company. There is a gold brooch flower pendant that I’m making into a removable pin that has the same beads as the trim but it isn’t in this picture because I haven’t quite finished it. Last minute idea. Yikes!

THE AUTUMN ANNY

I had fun choosing fabric for the Denim Anny. After pairing two shades of denim with a blue leopard, I spotted a feathery trim from Mood Fabrics. Perfect! But, I’ve also been saving this sequined/beaded applique in shades of blue that I discovered last summer at the Pasadena Flea Market in L.A. where a lady was selling vintage fabric items. It made the perfect focal point! I wanted to leave the edges on the denim ruffles raw. If I tried to hem them, they wouldn’t drape, plus I just think it works as a fun denim look. After washing, they came out nicely frayed, so I sewed an invisible row of stitching just above the fraying to lock it in. I honestly don’t remember where I scored the handle fabric. It was funky and totally matched the style of the denim look but the back was a little wonky looking. The fix? Take a navy webbing from my stash and sew the two strips back to back. Voila! Handles! Dang! My Job Is Fun!!!

THE DENIM ANNY

So, I now have one day left to make five tags, which normally I can finish two per day. Okay then… It’s all a learning experience right? Everything needs to be turned in Friday for readying the display and pricing. Think I’m going to have to shift some priorities tomorrow…

But Hallelujah! On Friday morning, Jen, Madison and Gracie arrive and I will be basking in goodness and laughter and fun! They are my good luck charms for a Successful Artwalk Show! Hope to see you there!

Jul2

Oh! The Sparkle of it All!

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Anny

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Release me! That’s what my new Anny Clutch Pattern kept saying, but I kept editing and testing and editing and testing and getting help from my computer guru (aka Hubby) until finally today (Yes! Today!) I was able to put the new pattern on my Etsy Shoppe for sale! Hallelujah! Like birthin’ a baby! 🙂 I added more pictures with the directions this time and a template for the main part of the bag. This new creation has a choice of button/loop closure or magnetic snap, three pockets, and is actually a generous size for a clutch. Width – 11 inches, height 8 inches, and depth at the bottom 3-1/2 inches. Here’s a pic of the new Anny Clutch and my sweet, granddaughter, Madison, who modeled it for me:

Fashioned from Michael Miller quilting weight cotton, this bag will be calling my closet home because I always keep the prototype for my pattern in case there are any questions from customers. (That’s what I tell myself. Could it be that I have separation anxiety and/or would love to use this clutch? Moi?) Since this was the prototype, it features both a magnetic closure and a loop closure with a button I covered from my stash.

However, my second test of the pattern will be for sale on my Etsy Shoppe (remember, Its Sew Anny–no apostrophe) and here is a picture. Hard to part with…uh-oh. No, this baby’s already listed, and I’m sure it will find a great home. Styled from Anna Maria Horner’s Field Study Collection (and a little Moda thrown in for good measure), this clutch is sturdy enough to stand alone because these beautiful fabrics are actually linen! I chose a floral removable pin with distressed ribbon for embellishing, and there is a magnetic snap and three pockets. Someday soon I’m going to experiment with creating my own fabric flowers. Here is a pic. Too bad Madison’s not here to model for me…

Along with fabric floral experiments, my near future plans include a foray into Victorian type purses and perhaps some gypsy upholstered boho/chic type bags. These lend themselves to the fall season, and although we haven’t seen Independence Day yet, with temps in the 100+ range, I fantasize about fall everyday! Speaking of Fourth of July, here is a pic of my current redwork. I had visions of it becoming a pillow before the Fourth of July but I guess we’re looking at 2014. 🙂 I had forgotten what a stress reliever redwork is! Love it!

In other news, we had a quick trip to Austin last week, with a stop along the way to visit the LaGrange property so that Rick could introduce me to his pride and joy–the new Kubota tractor (and all its many attachments.) He coaxed me up into the seat and took my picture which I should probably publish before he does…but here is the proud new owner and operator himself. The mean machine has actually cleared quite a lot of land already!

Also along the way, he showed me an old farmhouse that we may move from a nearby town to our property. Stay tuned…

Once we finally made it to Austin, we had a super visit! The first evening we headed out to a fabulous Italian restaurant (with gelato!) and threw an early birthday party for Gracie. Grandpa put together the awesome dollhouse that is bigger than she is! That was a lot of work, Grandpa!

The next day I snagged a chance to visit my ultimate home dec fabric shop, Cowgirls and Lace, in Dripping Springs, Texas. You should see the exquisite fabrics I gathered, and trims! Actually, you’ll spy quite a few in the fall season bags I’m planning. A quick trip but such fun! Shortly after we arrived home, I felt something stuck under my shoe. A rock? A tack? No… Now where were we the last few days? Oh yeah, with our crafty, artsy granddaughters!

But of course! It’s a lovely fuchsia stick-on craft jewel! Oh, the sparkle of it all…:) And speaking of sparkles, I hope you all have a fabulous Fourth of July with plenty of Fireworks Sparkles!

It's Sew Anny!

Do what makes your heart sing! A blog about Sewing and Traveling

Tag Archives: Cowgirls and Lace

Sew, Travel, Sew, Travel, Sew…

Business is Booming!

Purses Have Feelings Too…

PURSES, PURSES, PURSES!

Hill Country Thanksgiving

Sleep? What sleep?

Oh! The Sparkle of it All!

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