While I’d dearly love to snap up a gazillion dollars worth of J. Crew goodness…it’s not in the cards this year. So, I decided to do the next best thing–make something I already have work! I purchased this necklace at da-da-da-daaaaa: Walmart for about $5 a couple years ago, and it just wasn’t sitting right with me as-is. It’s cute-ish, but just a little too bulky and blah at the same time:

I fiddled with the necklace until it had the drape I wanted, then tacked black grosgrain ribbons to the links:

And just for fun, I attempted a little self-portait. (OK, that was harder than I thought it would be!) I’m LOVING my new trinket, especially the fact that it cost nothing and took literally minutes to do!

Back to sewing now…I’ve got some fun things to share soon!
Audrey

P.S. Disclaimer: I’m *not* the professional photographer in the family, so please don’t judge Kayla’s work on my blurry, blotchy photos!! )

Someone special dropped by today for a quick lesson in flower-making, resulting in this huge 8″ blossom…it was nice to actually complete a project, as I’m literally swimming in dozens of unfinished tasks!

I’m so behind I think I’ll just keep swimming…
Audrey

Hey! Guess what?!?!

Give up?

Today’s post is Sage Meadow Studio’s 100th! To celebrate, one lucky reader will receive this fun, summery, floral tote sewn by moi (Audrey)…it features a stripey contrast lining, a multi-color polka dot print interior pocket, and a flower pin you’ve seen before. Want it? Just share your favorite inspirational quote/motivational thought with us…the winner will be chosen at random from all comments on this post received by 10 p.m. on Tuesday the 14th (one entry per person please ).

Can’t wait to soak up all your inspiration–good luck!
Audrey

My mom “surprised” me with this necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs for my birthday (thanks Mom!), and I’ve worn it constantly since. I love it’s simplicity, the meaning of the three little initials, the hammered texture of the silver discs, the luminous pearl charm. I’ve been wanting some cute earrings to wear with it, and finally found some time to sit down and make these little babies:

They came together in about three minutes (once I gathered the items I needed), and they look perfect with my favorite necklace. Here’s how they work:

Items needed:
1 pair silver french hook earwires
2 freshwater pearls
2 silver 2″ headpins
1 pair round nose pliers
1 pair needle nose pliers

Thread the head pin through the hole in the pearl, form a loop using the round nose pliers, slip the earwire onto the loop, then wrap the rest of the pin around the base of the loop using the needle nose pliers. (You might need to trim a little bit off.) Since I forgot to take pictures of the process, here’s a good demonstration of the technique.

Last week, my little sister requested a birthday treat for her good friend, so I played around with a new version of my music tote bags and ended up with this pretty little carry-all. (Hope you like it Heather!) I was getting low on inspiring fabric, but a trip to the nearest big town took care of that little problem this week. No excuses now, got to get more sewing done!

I’m heading out for a fun family gathering today and won’t be back ’till Sunday, but wanted to leave you with a picture of the last of the niece birthday bags…with its matching hat and skirt. I think I might be having too much fun with these, I just can’t get enough!

I bought the fabric for these sweet little drawstring bags last summer with the intention of making one for each of my nieces for Christmas 2007. They’ve turned into birthday gifts for this year (we won’t delve into my procrastination issues just now). These two are the most recently finished…so quick and easy, and they are the perfect size for toting around a little snack, a book or two, or a handful of Polly Pockets. 

Two of my nieces are taking piano lessons (Yay! I wish them much more success than I achieved on the lovely instrument!), and my sister in-law asked if I’d have time to make some bags to tote their music books. It took much longer than I intended to get them finished…but I had a lot of fun with them.

The initial appliques were an inspiration. I thought for a long time about how to personalize the bags, and then the answer just popped into my head. I love it when that happens. As a bonus, I really enjoyed quilting around the letters. Hand-work always makes me feel happy and calm and entertained.

I’ve enjoyed making a few necklaces for my kindergartner this year…this is one of a set of three for her and some friends, and I love how they turned out. Simple, sweet, and best of all–fast! Is it bad that I want to wear it? I just might!