JANUARY PROMISES

 DON'T MAKE PROMISES YOU CAN'T KEEP

I heard the bird lady in the movie 'Home Alone II' saying this as I wrote it, and it is true. That's one of the reasons why I don't make new year's resolutions. I don't like to make promises at all. I don't like failing at keeping them.

A resolution is 'resolving' something, right? I'm not out to resolve anything but I am going to try to do more things that I've not done before! Some things that I've wanted to do, like finally paint the bathroom, redecorate it, and some things will be things I've never tried yet, or don't know about yet. BUT, (there's always a 'but' for safety net) I won't make any promises to myself or to anyone that this will be.

I have good intentions. I want to learn new things, experiment with new art, new crafts, make things and learn things that are new to me. The first step is getting inspired though!

I've run across a woman named Marion who lives in the UK and she is my inspiration lady! She's a fine woman and is so interesting to listen to and to watch as she does her day-to-day things which is most often crafting! My kind of person!

Don't know how I ran across her but I always feel that we are introduced to the people we need in our lives. I believe that wholeheartedly. I've seen the comments on her YouTube page and lots of people feel the same way. They are truly inspired by her and I can see there are so many good reasons why.

I won't try to explain Marion (named for the 'maid Marion' in the Robinhood story, per her telling us this on one of her videos.) You can view Marion at 'Marion's World' (her dear deceased husband coined that phrase) and here is the link.

MARION'S WORLD at YouTube

I loved joining Marion on the new year's eve video, I was there waiting and then went to some other site or forgot about it and then I missed it! So, I watched it the next morning and it was so fun watching her and listening to her 'chittering' on as she called it.

Bringing people together and making it feel like we are all friends in 'real' life is precious to me. Even though I'm an introvert, I like my alone-ness, I do enjoy having online friends. Online friends are there when you need them and not just popping in when it's inconvenient. It's not a selfish or mean way to be but it keeps me content and not worrying about having to put on for others. I don't mean to seem snobberish or rude, but I am not sure how else to explain that.

So, getting back to making promises, I promise to keep trying to be inspired by others or by myself to try new things, new crafts, do different things or pick up things I've not done in a long time and loved doing ... like playing my guitar! I am promising myself this, to try to live mindfully and FULLY with keeping myself active and feeding myself new ideas and new ways to live my life better. I feel like volunteering myself somewhere too. I'm not sure where, or what that would be, but I need to give to others. It feels so great to give!

I don't know if Marion will ever see this blog, but if YOU DO, Marion, thank YOU for being so fun. For sharing your videos showing your crafts and handwork, for your chats and information and for sharing your precious TIME with us here in the online world!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS MERRY NEW YEAR!

 Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season and a beautiful new year with blessings upon blessings bestowed upon you!

HANDMADE PURSES

 PURSES, TOTES, POUCHES and HANDBAGS

Reversible Tapestry and Faux Suede Shoulder Bag

The names of purses has changed over the years, many times I'm sure! I don't really know what they call purses nowadays and I suppose it depends on the size really. It probably depends on the style as well. The 'bag' above is what I call a 'shoulder bag' but I've seen them called hobo bags. 

Hobo bags can have all the things, zippered closure, pocket, detachable handles and all of that jazz, but I like a bag that you just throw your stuff in and go! For a quick shopping trip or for throwing in stuff for an overnight stay, there is no fuss and everything is right there.

This style of bag has a handle that you can tie long or shorter, depending on how it hangs and what feels best for you. I like it a bit long. It doesn't have a closure but I use a scarf to tie around the bottom of the handles, to ties it shut. Looks cool too!

I've had this pattern since my high school days, in late sixties and I have always loved it! The pattern has five various bags to make and some day I will make them all. But, I thought this was the best one to make to sell. Hopefully, I will find a good place to sell them! I missed the markets this year, we have a couple of them near me, so next year I'll prepare sooner.

I purchased this white coat tree for a great price and it's very sturdy! It screws together with it having three pieces so it fits in my car just fine if I take off the top section. The dowls fit snuggly into the base pole. It will be fine to display my bags! I do need to weigh it down if there is wind though.

Fabric Beads

BANGLES and BEADS

I am having a fine time making fabric beads for my purses, for the dangles I'll be designing. I just love them! Been wanting to make these out of paper for a very long while and have found that making them out of fabric is so much fun. Easy and relaxing hand work at night, while I'm watching Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot or Disney.

My method is proving to work well and it's a bit different from all the YouTube tutorials I've seen. I make mine without a pattern and without sewing but I do want to try putting some beadwork on them and glitter glue. I want to really 'jazz' them up and make dangles that easily attach to the purse, perhaps with a large sized key ring, so you can put both handles together and it will act as a closure for the bag.

I'm going to continue making these bags this winter, get ready for the spring markets, and will try to make more variety to them. I'll try adding pockets with hidden zippers, or Velcro. 

I also want to make a tutorial for YouTube too, so I'll try to work on that very soon.