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I had a nice day and spent some time on this little baby. The front panel of the wristlet is shaped and has a small change or lip balm pocket with a zipper closure across the front. The next time I pick up this project I will cut and shape the back panel, create a lining out of the black sueded twill and assemble the purse with a top zipper and pull strap. The trick with a wristlet is to attach one end of the pull strap to the zipper pull and stitch the other end in a side seam.
These are terrific little bags - you can carry it alone for errand or a date with your sweetie, or attach it to the inside of a larger purse, keeping your essentials handy. I'm even going to make card pockets in the inner liner to make it even more functional. Nite nite for now...
The process of creating is one of taking one step or process and continually building upon the preceding foundation until the desired result is achieved. It's never really complete because there's always more perfecting that could be done. Rather, I choose a point in the process where I decide it tells my story well enough, and I move on. Today I have ended working on the drawings for this project in its 2 dimensional form. It's likely I will do some fine tuning once I have cut it and basted it together but all the major shapes and value relationships have been worked out. Tomorrow I cut it and sew it and make into a 3 dimensional purse...something to look forward to.
One of the best things about living a creative life is that every day there is something to look forward to and something to do. Add in my many 'someones' to love and I count myself blessed. That, my friends, is my recipe for a happy life.
This little purse is going to be lined with a beautiful sueded black cotton so I am going to leave the artwork in grisaille. I have only a little bit of the front completed, and most of the back is done. Tomorrow I hope to finish the drawing, then I will cut out the lining, interfacing and shell fabric and baste it together. Once it is 3 dimensional, I can decide if the designs needs to be re-worked or more details added to complement the purse. I love making something functional from a odd piece of fabric, a few zippers and an idea.
Sometime the ideas are overwhelming, and I accomplish nothing because I am unable to narrow my focus. I'm not the only creative person to struggle with this so I don't feel all alone. When we moved into this home, I created a storage system that has worked well for me. Each project I'm currently working on is stored in its own bin. This makes it easy to move from one to another, and maintain order in my home studio. Today, the wristlet is on the table. When I finish up for the day it goes back in its bin. Tomorrow, the encaustic paintings or dew drop dollies may make an appearance. This system allows me to easily move from one project to the next and have a clean work space at the end of each day.
Time to call this day finished. Thanks for stopping by.
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I shifted course today, and went to work on 3 paintings in my encaustic series of seasonal studies. I thought it might me interesting to show how the paintings evolve from the hues and tones laid down in the underpainting, to the final color palette once the encaustic painting is completed. The underpainting on these 3 small works is done. Working on unprimed hardwood panels (these are 3 by 5 inches) I build layers of watercolor washes. Once the underpainting is completely dry, the watercolor paint doesn't inhibit the encaustic paint from bonding to the panel in the final phase. Working with an underpainting is a traditional painting technique and allows me to work out the value relationships and composition for the story I want to tell. Next comes the fun part - heating up the beeswax medium and the palette of handmade encaustic paints. When the paintings are completed I'll post them to this blog, and on my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/composegrace
I'll work some more on the wristlet drawings on cotton twill later tonight, and post the updates over the weekend.
Bookmark me and check back to see these projects evolve. Your comments or questions are welcomed!
Woke today with a list of tasks to accomplish. I dressed and took care of family administrative duties, then saddled up on my 1978 Schwinn Suburban bicycle. I road down along the river for a quarter mile, then crossed the bridge and road about 2 miles to do some shopping and banking. Back across the river to the Post Office and grocery store, before heading for home. 1 1/2 hours later, I walk up the front steps with a clear mind, lifted spirits and energized body. What a glorious day to be out with sun shining bright and a cool spring wind pushing me along, or giving me a challenge depending on my direction.
I came home ready to attack some business planning and goal setting, and take care of correspondence. With that successfully completed, I sat down at the table to spend some time with my drawing project. It seems like this floral motif is deciding to be in grisaille (a style of monochromatic painting in shades of gray.) I can always wash bright clear color over the underdrawing if I decide to later on. I am digging the grays right now. I also drafted a pattern for turning this piece of fabric into a wristlet purse.
Thanks for visiting - see you tomorrow.
It has been awhile since I have created much more than meals for my family in this home and studio on a beautiful Pennsylvania river. Too many days pass without working, and it becomes more and more difficult to get back to it.
Today I began drawing on a remnant of ivory twill with a vision of making a small little purse - a wristlet or such. I made a series of purses ten years ago with original paintings of flora and fauna on coated canvas. This may be an updated revision of those bags, though I'm not sure about that just yet.
I am going to record each day's work on this project and see how that goes. Check back and watch it unfold...
The love of my life and I, together with Perle the Cat, will travel next week to our home across the state to be with family for Thanksgiving. Today I am making lists of what I want to remember to pack, turning my mind not only to feast preparation but also the coming Advent and Christmas season. The day after Thanksgiving is a day when the three sisters hang out doing girl-things, and our men (including Dad) do something manly together. At the end of the day we all gather for a simple meal, and to play some games (maybe Quiddler!)
I have pulled out my granny's cookie cutters and will stash them in my tote, just in case I can convince my sisters we should begin holiday baking that Friday. It is an unlikely long shot. I can already hear them. "We just had Thanksgiving! Don't rush it, already." Still, I'm going for safe rather than sorry. They take up very little room and using Granny's cookie cutters is all part of the magic of holiday baking for me. One of her tips for the best sugar cookies in the world is to add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough, and be generous with the flour when you roll them out. That makes for a cookie that is perfect for dunking in a cup of tea!
