Hi Everybody!
Today has been very hot and humid, and this evening the thunder clouds are building, and we even had a little rain. The weather should get more normal by Thursday, I just hope the weather forecast people are right.
Today I am sharing pics from another art tote I made these past days. I started it 2 weeks ago in art-group, inspired by a dress I saw in a shop window. I used a large sheet of heavy water-colour paper, 18" x 14", using acrylic paints and an Edding to finish the circles. This was as far as I got during class:
This dress and shop window were my inspiration:
Later I stamped some small circles and coloured them with brush pens before sewing it with red and yellow thread to a large sheet of recycled card, which I had edged with some wide tape in turquoise:
I folded the edge of the cardboard down about an inch to strengthen it and secured it with DS tape. Then I hammered in eyelets and hit my thumb with a hammer. Tip - don't watch TV when you are hammering eyelets into something....
I sewed another piece of cardboard in the same size to make the back of the bag. This was hard going as the machine did not want to sew through so many layers - but in the end, it was done. I first tried it with some blue denim handles, but didn't like it:
So I changed the handles to white cord which I found in my stash:
I will not normally be carrying it around, it is just meant as a storage tote for large journal pages etc:
And here it is hanging on my closet door for a photo:
I am quite happy with the results. It's not perfect, but it doesn't have to be!
I have also finished an album I started at art group, that will be shown in another post. I am trying to make things which I can use.
Some photos from this week - sunrise:
I love the furrows in the fields:
The fire-brigade boat:
Coffee at the market place on Tuesday morning:
Have a great day, take care,
and thanks a lot for coming by!
Love your new tote...wow, the time and work that you put into it!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about you hitting your thumb and please forgive me but I didn't expect to read that and I admit that a chuckle slipped out :)
I like the white handles, too.
Always gorgeous photos!!!
Hugs 🔨
I laughed about it afterwards - when the worst pain had subsided - it was just such a stuuuuuuuuuuuuuupid thing to do!
DeleteLoving those coffee mugs Valerie!
ReplyDeleteWow, the art tote colours are gorgeous and bright - a great start to our Aussie morning :D) Ouch, with the hammer though... you suffer for your art! I love the white handles and the little words of wisdom you added. Thanks for those process shots. You look very smart carrying your tote.
Love your tote art! Enjoyed today's photos too!
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie oh i do love your tote its so happy and colourful,well done my friend on your beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteLove your pics especially of the market,looks like a fun place to visit,hope your day is a good one my friend xx
NICE tote. It will make a great storage bag, and very very stylish too. Hope your finger is feeling better too. happy Wednesday. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteGreat colourful post and love those coffee cups in your header...go girl, kick ass..xxxx
ReplyDeleteI am glad you showed the tote with you in the photo. I was really surprised it was as large as it was until I saw you with it. It's a beauty, too. Sorry about your thumb. I've had near misses before, but once I got a crop-a-dile, I didn't have to worry. It will make a great tote for storage and for art class, too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the fields. Is it my imagination, or is the river quite low right now?
I have a crop-a-dile, but the eyelets I needed for the tote were too big for it, so had to resort to the old method! The river is indeed low, the weather has been very hot and mostly dry and we have only had about 54% of the usual rain amount.
DeleteThe new tote is fabulous! You're so clever. I always enjoy your photos, too. Have a good day
ReplyDeleteLove the new fun blog header with the cups Valerie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great bag and cool design - just brilliant - but not so good if you hammered a finger - ouch! - hope that not too sore.
As always great photos to see - you have so many wonderful places to see where you live. I'm trying to persuade Dave we should move.. thinking about Colchester area .. so much more going on there and things to see etc... by the way to answer your question.. I can't lend Dave out at present .. because...he hasn't got a passport :)
Have a great day... Gill xx
What a disappointment, sigh!
DeleteBest tote maker ever!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Thanks a lot!
DeleteWow, what a fabulous tote bag for your journals! I love the design and I remember the dress from a previous post, I can see why it inspired you 😁. Such a lovely sunrise and you chose a lovely place to relax and have a drink too! Happy and creative wishes! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteThanks, I fell in love with the whole window display, it was magnificent.
DeleteWow! Your new tote is fantastic Valerie! I love your design. Great photos too!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Love the colours and design of your new tote … lovely picture of you with it too.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Your new tote is so much fun! It's happy and colorful and really makes me smile! You should market that design!
ReplyDeleteNever thought about that before!
DeleteI hope your thumb is ok!!! I love your art tote!! It is so much fun! I actually love that heart dress and purse! Great picture of you! Gorgeous photos!!! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThe dress and purse were just extremely expensive, several thousand euro!
DeleteI forgot to say, love your mugs in your banner! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow,that looks great,those colors are amazing and I love how creative you are, you get inspired from many things☺
ReplyDeleteno, no, it _is_ perfect! I love your design and the quote you used. I think it's frameable :) Nice!
ReplyDeleteYour river views are a treat, and I'd gladly join you for coffee at that marketplace cafe. Such a wonderful people-watching opportunity :) I also see a couple of plants I wouldn't mind bringing home ;)
Thanks for the compliment. I had fun making it. The flower shops here are very tempting! And people watching is always great fun!
DeleteDeine schöne Tasche ist ein echtes Kunstwerk und sollte auch benutzt werden und sichtbar bleiben. Dein Motiv wäre auch toll auf einem Kissenbezug mit Stoffmallfarbe gemalt.
ReplyDeleteSchön auch wieder die Fotos, mein Liebling ist der Blumenladen.
Ganz liebe Grüße
Sabine
Gorgeous Tote, Love the colors and pattern, so cheerful!
ReplyDeleteoh I love how you pulled inspiration from the dress! That's totally creative and very inspirational. Love the little lovely market and beautiful boats. A beautiful place! Your post is lovely. Happy PPF! Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteValerie what a fabulous tote! So happy and colourful - a little bit like your thumb -OUCH! I can't imagine paying thousands of Euro for a dress and a handbag, and my bum would definitely look big in that! Take care, Sue xx
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, I was worried my bum might look too big, that's probably why I didn't whip out my credit card and buy one!
DeleteLove the new tote, you are very clever using your art for a practical purpose. Hope the finger is better after the hammer incident!! I see the red boat is the fire boat, hence the bright colour...I am catching up here and have gone backwards!! Your market place coffee stop looks like and interesting place. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDelete