Lillian's Purse

This summer I had the pleasure of helping three children in the Durand family create projects in my studio. The first was my 8-year old great-niece, Lillian, who made this ...

 

 "Lillian's Purse" - 11"x 12"

When her family visited the cottage in June I was still engrossed in making the small purse quilts. Lillian helped me to make several design decisions for this one ...

...which I ended up calling "Lillian's Purple Purse" ... which is also the title of a book she had recently read.

There was no hesitation when I asked if she'd like make a purse quilt. Lillian keeps a journal that she draws and/or writes in daily. She drew a picture of what she had in mind to make ...

Using her drawing as reference, I sorted through the huge pile of fabric samples that I've been working from to give her a selection of about dozen different pieces to choose from for the body, the flap, and the background.

The purses are constructed by sewing a lining and purse fabric wrong sides together, then turning them right side out so there is a finished smooth edge to applique onto the background. Lillian sewed those seams following the drawn lines on the lining layer with a bit of verbal guidance from me sitting right behind her at the sewing machine. Later I machine appliqued them in place as well as stitching the edge of the flap so the dark lining showed a bit.

In the meantime, Lillian quilted the background all on her own ...

There was no problem selecting the trimmings for the handle and "closure". However, when it came to choosing the yarns for finishing the outside edge, none that I thought would be good were what she had in mind. I got a "that's IT" when I came up with that variegated chenille one.

Lillian and I both signed the back ...

Lillian is no stranger to Studio North. At about 18-months she was helping her mom, Diane, with the pins for this piece created by Diane created during that summer vacation in my studio.

 

The next two posts will feature each of the other Durand kids projects.

ArtPrize 2011 Entry

Once again, I'm pleased to announce that I'm an ArtPrize artist and this is my entry ...

"Imelda's Dream II" - 70"x 70"

Some of you may recognize it. The purses give it a new life for its debut in the ArtPrize exhibition. It had been rolled up in storage waiting for a home in a health care setting as a distraction for women waiting for "procedures." That had not happened, so it will once again see the light of day come September 21st. I hope the audience of ArtPrize goers will find it as appealing as do my cyber friends who have left comments on the posts leading up to this reveal.

ArtPrize is a world-wide art exhibition that takes place September 21 thru October 9th. This year's show features 1,582 artists from 36 countries and 43 states who will show their work in 164 venues within three-square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The venue where my entry can be seen is the DeVos Place Convention Center ... the same venue that featured "The Lake" in last years show.

Fifth Purse

This fifth purse is the last one made for this project. It's my favorite ...

This beaded beauty gets paired with the "Beach Ball" shoe in the quilt ...

It also goes well with the "Patchwork" shoe ...

"Kiss My Foot" ...

"Rock'n Roll"...

"Winged Foot"...

"Ebony & Ivory" ...

"Dicey"...

"Fruit LOOP"...

and "Deco Dancing"...

Fourth Purse Added

This fourth purse features graceful lines and stacked antique glass buttons.

It is paired with this shoe in "Imelda's Dream II" quilt ...

But it would also go with the "Bearfoot" shoe ...

the "Winged Foot" shoe ...

as well as the "Turning Leaf" one ...

There's one more purse to go before my reveal of the purpose of this project.

Third Purse Added

This elegant purse features the tiniest antique silk covered buttons that came with the stash I was gifted at the end of last year.

It is displayed with the "Vegging Out" shoe display on the big quilt.

This purse also coordinates with the "Turning Leaf" shoe ...

the "Winged Foot" shoe ...

and the "Bear Foot" shoe ...

Again, the red-lettered shoe titles are live links. Click on them to read the posts written about them.

Stay tuned for two more purses added to my shoe quilt.

Second Purse Added

Back when I was thinking pink, this purse was created.

It is "displayed" in the big quilt with the "FrOOtlOOp" shoe.

The making of this shoe can be read here.

That purse would also go with the "Pretty in Pink" shoe ...

the "Vegging Out" shoe ...


as well as the "Vamp" shoe.


The red lettered words are links that will take you to the posts written about the making of each of those shoe blocks.

First Added Purse

The purse quilts that I made previously were the result of "playing" with my friend, Alicia. Initially I had planned to make envelope style evening bags to add to this shoe quilt while she played.

Imelda's Dream - 70"x 70"

I was envious until I gave myself permission to play, too. That letting loose to make those 6 previous purses with no limitations got me in the groove to more easily create ones to co-ordinate with the shoes in my quilt.

 I suspect these may have ended up matched to a particular pair of shoes without my experience in making the others.  I like that each purse will go with other shoes in the quilt besides the one with which it's displayed.

To read about this shoe block go here.

The other purses for this quilt will be revealed throughout this next week.

The Shoes Are Back

Remember my shoe quilt? You'll be seeing more of it.  Here's a study I made recently to test out the addition of purses ...

Run for the Roses - 17" x 17"

Stay tuned for more ...

Think Pink

Once upon a time pink was not one of my favored colors.  That is until I thoroughly explored its many shades, tints, and hues during my years of intensive color studies.  Since then, I've grown quite fond of it and have been thinking pink for several recent projects.

Nellie's Purse #5

I fell in love with that shiny pink background fabric.  There's a lot of strength to it and is the perfect foil to this classic evening bag made with neutral brocade and velvet fabrics trimmed with jet beads and button. 

While I'm on the subject of this purse project, here's Alicia's purse #5.  Go here to see the previous four each of us have created.

All these shades of pink in this bird appeal to me. You may recall seeing

her before.  She's been gussied up with jewels to become a show bird. 

I like pink and shades of orange together.  The bird in the photo below  has is building her nest of yarn and fabric scraps in her new home. 

 How do you feel about pink?

PS: Arrgh! Blogger has made a mess of this post.  Seventeen hours after it was posted I noticed that all I had written was not published.  Now Blogger won't allow me to format it the way I like it.  I hope Blogger's new and improved format changes are worth the effort.  I was happy with the way it was.

Purses - #4

This one is my favorite ... so far.

 

Nellie's Purse #4

I looooove those polka dotted Guinea Hen feathers that Alicia brought.  They're sewn onto a strip of fabric.  I cannot imagine them adorning clothing ... or even a functioning purse.  The cat's face is a lone earring that was part of my favorite pair once upon a time.

Alicia loves paisley.  Quilting it is beyond her sewing skill, so I got to do that part.  The flap is velvet and it's decorated with a silk knotted cuff link.

Alicia's Purse #4

A Couple of More Purses

This time I used one of those beautiful silk fabric samples for the background ...

Nellie's Purse #3

The purse is made from two textured synthetic fabrics chosen from a whole book of just green ones.  The fabrics in the clutch bag that I made (featured in the first of these posts) came from that book as well.  Alicia's purse #3 features one of those green samples, too.

Alicia's Purse #3

The velvet flap is from a book of just velvets ... all plain with no patterning.  You'll be seeing more of those.

I'm still struggling with titles for these beauties.  Any suggestions are, and will be appreciated.

Two More Purse Quilts

The silk decorator fabric samples are sumptuous.  I love them, but there's no place for them in our decor ... nor is it a"style" I would have in my wardrobe.  I'm glad there are no limits in dreaming up ways to make art with it ... especially these fanciful purses ... or should these be called "evening bags"?

Alicia's Purse #2

Alicia decorated hers with nearly 100 year old silk ribbon roses saved from her mother's wedding dress plus a silk fabric covered button from my mother-in-law's clothing.

Nellie's Purse #2

My thanks to those who left comments on the first post about these purses.  I'm serious about my request for your input of titles on my purse quilts ... Alicia has no desire to name hers.  I like Susan's suggestion for "Sow's Ear" (as in "you can't make silk purse out a sow's ear) and think it may be the title for the one pictured above.

Purses - A New Project

During my absence from Blogland, I was getting ready for the annual  ten day visit to Tennessee of my friend, Alicia.  And then, it was a whirl of activities and fun with her ... a day in the mountains, pedicures, shopping, two parties, and a new project ... purses.  Here are the first ones we made.

Alicia's Purse

Nellie's Purse

These are small wall hangings that measure about 12" x 11".  The background as well as the purse materials are interior decorator fabric samples.  We spent the better part of one day outside taking a bunch of fabric books apart so we could more easily mix and match our choices.  The purses are decorated with buttons and trims from my stash of "stuff".

I want to title my pieces.  So far, the only thing I can think of for this one is "Going Green".  I'm open for suggestions.  So if you have one, please leave it in a comment.

During this next week, I'll post photos each day of the rest of the purse wall hangings we each created.