Tag Archives: faux leather

Jun12

Purses Have Feelings Too…

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Anny

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

Jan15

DOWNTON ANNY

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Anny

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Are you a Downton Abbey fan? After fighting the mobs at Quilt Market this year for the official Downton Abbey fabric (exclusively licensed to Andover Fabrics) I was determined to fashion a bag for Downton fans. Thus, the DOWNTON ANNY was created! Adding a feather embellishment to the band, and adorning it with a rhinestone crown, I whisked it off to Tina’s just in time for the Season 4 Premiere. The faux leather handle is from Studio Mio and the interior is lined with the quintessential castle fabric seen here in the first ruffle layer.

And so, still feeling those royal vibes, I designed my next bag, “Lady Berkeley.” I’m so in love with the vibrant colors and textured body of this lovely bag, parting was such sweet sorrow. Fashioned from upholstery fabric from Cowgirls & Lace, faux leather for the gusset, and a bold vintage tassel, this bag would feel just as comfortable on the Berkeley campus as it would at tea in Berkeley Square!

So until next time, I’m wishing you Happy Times in the Kingdom!

Love,

Lady Anny

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!

Sep16

Wow! Those YouTube Videos Are Addictive!

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Anny

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Just had my two week knee check-up and I’m healing great! AND I’ve managed to complete bags number fourteen and fifteen for the Artwalk Show! Bag #14 shall be named Merry Messenger. It’s the same Ali Foster mini-messenger pattern that I used a few weeks ago and loved. This time I stitched from an embroidered floral faux leather from Cowgirls and Lace, and just for fun, added a textured leopard print strap and a laser cut button.

For Bag #15 I modified my Anny Clutch pattern, including adding a tan and turquoise beaded purchased handle. After studying several YouTube videos on making fabric flowers I tried my hand at creating one. Using a teal and tan French wire ribbon, I gathered it into a flower shape adding a vintage aqua and gold button. A little netting that I happened to have on hand was an added touch, plus a circle of felt to cover the back and a pin so it could be removable. There are so many awesome videos out there that it was exceptionally hard to quit watching them and actually try it! (Just Google “Making Fabric Flowers.” Oh, my! A plethora of flowers–fabric, felt, ribbon, lace, sewn, glued–you name it! ) And this last bag was where I gathered the courage to cut that luscious silk velvet from Mood Fabrics, both the teal and soft floral taupe that seem to have an antique look. Forever in Velvet is the name of this bag. But honestly, If you could touch that velvet, you would want to wrap yourself in it. So yummy!

Oh, yes, and I transformed my sewing room. I don’t know what got into me but the night before my knee surgery I felt the need to rearrange that room. I’m sure part of it was that Rick is building me a bench with drawers (Farmer Rick is also Retired Engineer/Woodworker Rick) and you know how that goes. Once you have a great new item, it starts that domino effect and suddenly you want to organize, purge, donate, and make everything more functional. I did that, including the entire walk-in closet, and I’m very happy! Sometime I’ll have to give you a virtual tour of my room. 🙂

So with three weeks to Showtime, I have “finished” my Fall collection. Hmm, do we actually believe I won’t try to slip in another or another? Anyway, I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before but with every bag comes a handmade tag. And by tag I mean this is how I keep my hand in the scrapbooking department. 🙂 I compose a little blurb about the bag, then print on scrapbook paper and embellish with sparkles, florals, ribbon, whatever strikes my fancy to give it dimension. Sometimes I incorporate some of the fabric from the bag. Last night I stayed up very late (so what else is new?) and composed the tags. Just composed the writing. Now I need to turn them into little works of art. That’s what I’ll be doing this week. Here are a few samples from past bags:

Talk to you soon, after I get things just a little more under control. But for now I’m off to catch just a few more tutorials before bed! Darn those YouTube tutorials! They’re as addictive as Pinterest! 🙂

Sep30

Rockin’ the Leather

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Anny

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Well it seems Ann Romney wasn’t the only one rockin’ leather this week. The most beautiful leather (okay, faux leather) fabric has been rolled up in my sewing space just beckoning to me for months. I’ll admit I was intimidated , not having sewn with that thickness before but my Bernina (Betsy) was up to the challenge, especially when I put her Teflon shoe on. She felt so special. She and I gained enough confidence to not only sew with the leather but installed a zipper! Amy Barickman has a sensational book called Bag Boutique with several awesome patterns. The one I used for my “leather” bag is called the Rachel Bag. I decided to use both “leathers,” the front being a red and gold floral design richly embroidered on a deep chocolate brown, and the back is a crackled deep red. Needless to say, texture had quite an impact on this bag. (See photos) The lining is a silky golden with more red floral embroidery. The zipper was a WHOLE lot easier to install than I thought it would be and I had a pretty textured ceramic heart for a zipper pull that I believe I found at Anthropologie in NYC. The narrow top is guided through a closed loop handle and I was able to stitch the tassel by hand all the way through the layers. So today it was all ready to turn in except for a tag and I had an idea. I printed out the text on rustic scrapbook paper then machine sewed it to leftover leather that I cut into the same shape as the bag. Voila!