ANOTHER ROAD TRIP ?????

After a couple of fun road trips it is time for yet another one, only this time it is by air and no art involved, only family and friends.  The suitcase has not been unpacked but dirty clothes have been laundered and I am ready to head out again.  After visiting some grandchildren on this last trip I am really looking forward to seeing more of them.  I miss these little guys so much and never realize how much until I do see them and with any luck I'll have a few come to visit this summer as well.

 I showed you my "bandana" bag I made for my last road trip and after I got home I knew I wanted to make a few changes and as the hubby said "I knew you couldn't not start up those sewing machines".  He's right I love making things and Anne is after new merchandise, but I will not start any new projects for several weeks.  Although I really enjoyed my new "big" bag I filled it up and wished I could put it on my shoulder and had time to think about how much I like a little bling, so changes I made.

 

First I took off the store bought black handles and replaced them with an old worn belt that I had cut in two thereby making the handles long and supple enough to be able to carry the bag on my shoulder.

I then added a concho to each side and some rhinestones that I glued on to the fabric.

I now have a big enough, shoulder carrying blinged up bag for my next trip as well as many adventures to come.

A TIME FOR REFLECTION...AND A TIME FOR FUN........

When it's time to grieve I believe one needs to take all the time they need, not to force the smiles or hide the tears.  Some may not understand your way, but we all need to take the time we need which is exactly what I have done this past week, however, I now feel it is time to get up off my couch and work my way back into my life as a road trip I have been looking forward to for some time is only a matter of hours away.  These last few years it's been all about the "ART" and I feel fortunate to combine art shows with some fun.

I get to spend the next art auction celebrating Wild Bill Hickok days and while contemplating all the things I wanted to see I knew I wanted to make a statement doing it.  A couple of months ago while digging through some of my secret stashes I came up with some bandana's I had purchased years ago.  I used a few of them to make a bag for sale in the mercantile, but knew I wanted to keep the next one I made.  So with two bandanas, some batting, lining and interfacing I will have a bag big enough to carry all the new treasures I plan on finding.

 

Although "Jack Daniel's" is not something I can drink I love the way I was able to work the bandanas so that I was able to create this wonderful border all the way around the bag.

 

As another trip is planned immediately after this one it's going to be awhile before I get back into special room but I'll give you a sneak peek as to what I'll be working with next and I do hope to find many treasures to re-work as Anne keeps asking for more merchandise for the mercantile.

 

 

Always remember to always look at things not for what they are but for what they could be !!

I LOVE A CHALLENGE.......

I have been fortunate enough to have been given a few challenges in the last few months and I love a creative challenge.  After having delivered magnets to our little mercantile I was asked to come up with some "Montana" magnets.  Taking this challenge with me on my latest road trip I was able to come up with not only an idea but also found the supplies I needed.

 

I couldn't wait to get home to get started on these and am very pleased with the final result.

 

Now that this challenge is complete it will be a short while before I can begin my next challenge as I have a few projects I need to complete before the road calls my name again.