PACKRAT-ITIS

I am a packrat, a saver. It’s such an obsession and as a seamstress, I always have a “use” for whatever it is, therefore, it’s added to the subcategory-of-a-mountain it belongs on. I’ve worried in the past, that I would die an eccentric, old, saver-lady. And even though I’m gone, the thought of my kids shoveling my scrap pile (exasperatingly shaking their heads) into a dumpster is more than I can bear to think about on several levels.
About a year or so ago, I opened up an old suitcase and entered a whole new plane! It was a trip back to the early “90’s”, a time when I began combining tapestry and leather, sewing handbags, and marketing them through a circuit of shows around southern California and beyond. What fond memories surged to the forefront! That gypsy spirit within me resurfaced. And the wheels in my brain started to turn……………
I laid a few pieces side by side, enjoying the visual. It was like a favorite old song. I was transported back in time to when, where, and what was going on in my creative life! I was loving the flashbacks, and then the vision of what to do with my scrap heaps came into focus!
To create unique, functional, (often) one of a kind handbags, is my new obsession! Playing in the scrap piles with my imagination is where I like to lose myself these days. I have reinvented myself as a fabric collage artist/seamstress, thrilled to pieces (no pun intended) that resourcefulness combined with my abilities has brought my products fashion forward!

CITY KITTY

City Kitty........With her head held high, never under dressed, socially connected, and ready for that next photo op, this gal's stepping out with purpose and lofty goals! I created the bulk of this shoulder bag using an upholstery weight chenille. The front pocket and flap are a collage of fuzzy and textured chenille, fringe, tapestry, beads and a croc embossed belt. Black leather bottom and strap add reinforcement where needed. Croc embossed lamb wrap arounds and buckle strap covers add accent and dimension. Wear this cutie dangling from your shoulder or comfortably cross-wise on the body.

FROGS KEEP CHANNELING THROUGH ME!!!

Being a big fan of frogs this, that, and every which way, (except to eat, blagh! And don't tell me it tastes like chicken!), I've wanted, for some time now, to create a folk artsy collage of fabric and leather and incorporate it into a shoulder bag. I finally sketched a simple pattern, cut out some scraps, and the ball got rolling and picked up momentum and now I'm on my 5th bag, two of which were snatched up quickly and went to new homes I'm thrilled to say!!! This has been such a fun ride, a romp in the bog, a great diversion from my "to do" list!!