Creating Romantic Purses book review.....

"Family Album" purse, page 18-19 in book, how beautiful is that?

 Creating Romantic Purses by Marilyn Green & Carole Cree is such an inspiring book. They wow you with gorgeous color combinations and to die for embellishments. The directions are very practical. My inspiration levels soar when looking at the pictures.
I highly recommend this book. You can buy it thru, Flights of Fancy Boutiques .

I got a bit more on my "Prairie" #3 sewing kit done. Some embroidery and another silk yo yo sewed down.
Keep yourself inspired, keep the artist within alive!!

 Visit Sharon B's Work in Progress Wednesday for some great encouragement and inspiration.

I added some beads and orange french knots and the silk yo yo; right.

I added beading around the big turquoise bead on the pocket.

Crazy Quilt style "Prairie" sewing kit, more embellishment added...

Close-up of embroidery, feather stitch, french knots and beads.

 Progress is being made on crazy quilt style, "Prairie" #3 sewing kit. Beading and french knots can be a little tedious, especially beading. I use a threading tool to get the thread thru the tiny eye of the beading needle. The threader is a bit temperamental, everything has to be done just right.
So to get inspiration and encouragement I visit Sharon B's,
http://pintangle.com/category/projects/work-in-progress-wednesdays/ .

Chevron Stitch added here.

Silk Embroidery on new crazy quilt sewing kit....

Weather is cooling, I have to get in a couple more swims....

ahhhhhhh.........

I got in and swam around in the pool this morning, a couple of more weeks and only the bravest will be still be doing that.
I also got silk embroidery started on my newest crazy quilt sewing kit made of silks, taffeta, etc. I haven't titled this series yet. Maybe, Strawberries and Chocolate?
Happy Friday, enjoy something beautiful today!

Silk embroidery started on my newest crazy quilt sewing kit.

More hand embroidery here...feather and stem stitch.....

Embellishing sewing kit with beads and hand embroidery......

beads added around silk yoyos and feather stitch

Turquoise bead added, right, blue beads on left....

Feather stitch added here.

 I've had time to get some embroidery and beads added. The big turquoise bead went in and the little blue Czech beads, which I really like for the sparkle.

I get attached to my embellishments so I spend some time making sure they go in just the right place. The glass crystal vintage button was hard for me to "give up", rare and well made. It sets off the silk yoyos with the white netting. More embellishing to come.

Crystal vintage button added to yoyos here.

"Prairie" #3 sewing kit embellishing with hand embroidery....

Silk yo-yos have been sewn down..

Pocket close-up, felted wool needle keep on left.

Hand embroidery, buttons, beads, netting and silk yo-yos added.

October is here! The temperatures have finally dropped, it's still hot here in September.  I paid bills today, cleaned bathrooms and got a little embroidery done on "Prairie" #3 sewing kit, whew.
Check out Sharon's WIP Wednesday for inspiration and encouragement getting those projects done.

Sketchbook ideas for design experiments...

Ideas for color, embellishments, stitched onto card stock...

These will be mounted into a ledger full of ideas.

 I have been working on design ideas with art paper and
embellishments sewn onto card stock. I will add ink, hand embroidery and and maybe water colors. Inspiration from Karen Ruane who makes such beautiful ledgers and sketchbooks full of her inspirations; wonderful, and ideas; many. My theme is winter, always such a beautiful mysterious time of the year for me. A time of rest, and pulling back, a time of dreaming about future beginnings..

Winter design ideas...

Silk yo-yos, embellishing "Prairie" sewing kit

Silk yo-yos, turquoise, cream will be sewn on pocket here.

Silk yo-yo's will be add here.

 I'm layering the embellishments onto #3 in a series, "Prairie" crazy quilt style sewing kits. I've sold the first two, remembering of course to write down measurements and take photos so I can make more.
The pin cushion china creamer is one of my many experiments in embellishing, keeping the inspiration flowing not stagnating. Trying different approaches  helps you focus on what is important and then you can let go of the stuff that bogs you down.
Check out Sharon B's for interesting inspiration and projects.

Silk yo-yos with netting sewn down on bottom left corner.

I collect china creamers, this one I made into a pin cushion.