Yarn Bags

These are the bags I made for my friend's open house. The design is very similar to an old fashioned hand-bag or 'reticule'. The idea was that you could put your ball of yarn in the bag and work on your project while walking around.

 The bags on the left were made by another friend and my bags are hanging on the right. Her bags were gorgeous! :) 

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Large Necklaces

These are the longest necklaces I made for the open house. The remind me of a rosary in style though they aren't even close! I loved all of theses and will be re-making some of them for myself.

This first one has a clock pendant. I liked the feeling of antique and "old" that it has.

This dragonfly necklace is a copy of one I made several months ago with my mom in mind. She loves dragonflies!

This one was on the harder side to make. I was running out of beads and trying to mix and match the ones I had. This is the result.

The colors gave me the feeling of a forest. The blue of the sky, brown of the trees, green of the leaves, and the cool dark gray of the shadows.

This one was my top choice. I love the way it's refined, sparkly, and versatile! I'm making on like this for myself! :)

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Small Necklaces

These necklaces are shorter and a little more versatile in that they can be dressy or casual.

My favorite charm to do with this style are initials.

 

The swirls on these two were really neat!

 Hobby Lobby had these really pretty circle pendants with different designs inside.

There are two necklaces here. Though I have done a few multi-strand necklaces, but that's another post.

I even did some seasonal ones for the up-coming holidays.

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Cluster Necklaces

I made these cluster necklaces for an open house some friends of mine had. The approached me with making jewelry and a sewing project which I talk about in this post.

Anyway, these necklaces are made with a main drop crystal in the center with a cluster of smaller crystals around it. They hang at the end of an 18" chain and these all close with magnetic clasps.

This one is clear and blue.

 

This one here is very festive. It's red,green, clear and gold.

 

The necklace pictured below is dusty gray, clear and blue.

This one is very patriotic with it's red, white (clear) and blue.

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First Upholstery Job

That's right! A neighbor heard from one of my brothers that I took an upholstery class and asked if I'd be interested on doing a chair for her. So I told her I'd try but that I've only taken one class at which I had the help of 15 or so other girls and had someone who knew what she was doing there. She said that was fine and I'll just try to remember all I was taught (where did this piece go again? :P)

Anyway, here are the before pictures and I'll add after pictures when I'm done.

 Our cute new kitty was helping me. :)

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Brown Argyle/Polka Dot Messanger Bag

This bag I made as a birthday present for one of my friends. This bag is my medium size which measures 11 1/2"d x 5"w x 13"l. I also made this before I started doing pockets.

The strap I covered with brown ribbon so that it would match better. I liked the way it turned out so much that I have used it for several more of the bags I've made since.

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Floral/Dot Messenger Bag

This is my reversible messenger bag.

These are perfect for school and overnight stays,

and you could even use one as a diaper bag.

I make these bags in three different sizes.

The bag pictured here is for my own personal use.

This is the medium-sized bag which measures 11 1/2"d x 5"w x 13"l.

I made this bag with a floral print on one side

and a coordinating dots pattern on the reverse side.

 

This bag has four pockets--two inside and two outside.

 

The straps on my bags are made with black nylon webbing

and are reinforced with crossing stitches.

This one is covered with brown ribbon to better coordinate with the bag.

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Emerald Jewelry Set

This earring and necklace set was made to go with my Maid Marion dress.

The colors are emerald and silver.

I was trying to get a Celtic look, and the charms I found seem to capture that. 

The earrings are simply the charm from which is dangling an emerald.

 

The necklace has three charms with crystals dangling inside

and five "emeralds," one of which is hanging from the center charm.

Emerald green seed beads and small glass beads

provide the finishing touch to set off the charms and emeralds.

The clasp (not shown)
is magnetic with a "diamond" in the center of it.

Magnetic clasps are perfect for anyone for whom spring clasps are challenging.
Those who have little ones who pull on their jewelry,
those who seem to always be in a hurry,
or those who just don't like having to fight with normal clasps
will appreciate magnetic clasps as well!

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Medieval Dress

This dress was made for a Masquerade Ball I attended this past spring as Maid Marion.

The dress is styled after the Renaissance period with a long full skirt,

long sleeves and a slight train.

The train can be pulled up as needed so it doesn't get stepped on.

The dress is made in two layers that can also be interchanged with other dresses, if desired.

The sleeveless underdress is cream-colored satin and zips up the back,

and the overdress is made of light green chiffon.

Emerald green satin was used to create the belt,

which was then hand-embroidered using patterns I found online.

I added snaps to hold the two layers together,

and I designed a special hidden holder to secure undergarment straps to keep them from showing.

 

The dress is closed in the back with alternating buttons and hooks.

 

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