Crafty craftiness, all around. Have I mentioned how much I love felt making? It's such a satisfying process. One minute you're creating a bed of plucked muppet fleece, and the next minute you've got a piece of felt. There might be something in between there, but it hardly seems like it.
Anyway, I needed a new pen case to tote around my favourite pens (which otherwise shuffle around at the bottom of my bag):
I actually made two -- one for me, and one for the shop. It's a sadly, sadly neglected 'shop,' but perhaps the pen holder can keep it company for a while.
Incidentally, the pen holder is going to go in my new bag, which I made last weekend:
I had planned on making an entirely different bag, but when I started going through my fabric, these pieces worked so well together that I couldn't resist. The print is from Liberty (Mariko got the other half in our trade); the faux suede (the side) is a leftover bit from my mom's bag; the lining is an Ikea apron (which I didn't want) that came packaged with hotpads (which I did want). The back is a linen coloured solid, with a big pocket for important things I don't want getting lost.
Lastly -- WHAT HAVE I DONE?! Okay, that's just red oil-based ink, but it was pretty stupid to rinse it into my porcelain sink (would you believe that I didn't use the SS sink in the kitchen because I couldn't be bothered to take out the dishes? Yes?). I eventually got the ink off, but I really wouldn't recommend dropping a lit match into that sink for a couple days.
Just in case you're in my flat any time soon. With a match.
The ink came from a little print shop in Southwark (where I'd like to live), which we just stumbled upon when we were wandering after Borough Market last weekend. The shop seemed to cater to every form of printing except letter pressing. And they didn't have Mastercarve blocks. So, they pretty much had everything except the few things I wanted. The guy recommended a relief ink to try with the Adana, and as soon as I put in on the plate, it was clear I needed to thin it out.
Since I didn't have anything to thin out the ink, I just used the plate like an inky stamp pad and played around. Ignoring the horrible mess it created, I really enjoyed making things that were anything but perfect. I also like all the red on the white, so I'll have to go back to that shop some day and buy extender (which I hope will thin it out -- ?).
And that's what I've been doing.
So many great things! I love the handbag - that is lovely fabric.
Hello Anna.
I have done alot of printing at my art school, and to thin out your ink you should use Burnt Plate Oil.
Extender only doubles your ink quanity, Burnt Plate Oil gives the ink a splendid consistancy. In addition, Burnt Plate Oil is rather inexpensive.
I hope thi works well for you. Printing is quite enjoyable. Lot's of love, and I'll see you over the holidays.
I love that bag...and your mother's too. I've been on the lookout for such a bag, as I've recently discovered that I have a need to haul an object starting with every letter of the alphabet. Unfortunately, the search isn't going so well...perhaps I ought to take a leaf from your book and create something that can hold both the xylophone and the yak with plenty of elbow room to spare.
love the printing - the red on white is simply stunning
that liberty print is rocking my lobster!
cool things! i love the felt, bag and prints!
:)
you have been BUSY!
Thats such a nifty bag! :D Do you use a reglar sewing machine and needle to sew through the suede?
cute bag, I love the print fabric.
ciao!
The bag is gorgeous! And I love your prints!
Thanks for the nice comments, everybody!
Catherine: Yes, I just used my regular machine + needle to sew the faux suede -- but I think the fact that it's not real makes a difference. It's sturdy, but I think the real stuff would be quite dense and might require something tougher. The poly stuff is friendlier, anyway!
nice bag!!
hello! I've somehow stumbled across your blog & I'd like to tell you that I love your bag & your felt pen cases, how did you do the felt? I sometimes needle felt, but I've never gotten it looking that smooth!! Do you mind if I link to you, I'd love to keep reading you!!
Hi there! I stumbled upon your blog too. I adore the fabric print. Is there a website or store you could direct me that sells Liberty fabric? I tried Googling it, but I keep getting American flag print fabric. =T
p.s.-- Your bag is lovely!
Leslie -- I buy my Liberty prints from the Liberty store in London; I think other retailers in the UK might carry them as well, but I'm not sure.
A quick search turns up several on-line retailers around the world who've imported a few prints (like here), and I'm sure glad I don't have to see the prices in dollars very often!
Your best bet is probably ebay, especially ebay.co.uk. There are usually quite a few auctions on for the traditional Tana Lawn prints from Liberty, though you might come across some of the more whimsical prints as well.
here I am again, I have no idea how you do it but when i'm down I come check out this site and the pictures are so pretty that they actually cheer me up! how bout that! you are so talented at making something out of nothing like scraps-I wish I could magically send u stuff-lol I have a box of my daughters baby tees and dresses that have lovely floral prints-I kept them to make a quilt/bag something now i'm thinking i'll cut them up and frame them-ugh but when??? how do u find the time to do all these projects of yours? however they get done there beautiful! keep up the good work!