Saturday, December 28, 2013

The Mystery of Adding a Clasp

Well really not a mystery like a Sherlock Holmes mystery but believe you me if you don't know how to put one of the little things on your work it is indeed a giant mystery.

Now I am not an instructor, if I were to tell you how you would scratch your head and say WHAT did she just say?   Hubby and Grandkids say sometimes I have my own language.   I agree with them totally.   I wonder sometimes if it wasn't a combination of how my Mother talked while I was growing up.  Mother was English and  I didn't realize she said sentences sometimes differently or that she even had an accent at all.  A few years ago and also here while back Hubby said yes she had a very strong accent.  Funny what you don't notice when you are raised with it isn't it? 

My best way to tell about putting on a clasp is just giving links to how and where.   I have had several inquiries about it so here goes my friends.

Pat Winter is where I was first taught the Crazy Quilting, well or addicted to it I guess.   Almost as good as chocolate I would say.  She creates a magazine once a quarter and this is the magazine  article about attaching a clasp.  You can order digital issues or I think the old fashion paper ones so you can take with you and touch the paper.   Sorry trees .
 
http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/661091?__r=84546 



This is the link to the magazine for the Winter 2011 issue that has the tut in it.  


http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/301030


 
This is the magazine that has the instructions for adding a purse clasp.   Pretty magazine cover isn't it and has so much eye candy inside of it.   I do have to admit I have some of my pieces in some of the later articles.     June of 2012 is when I got addicted to this beautiful art and getting to see other people from around the world's creations.


 
Part of the article in the magazine.  
 
Pat also has a DVD for sale on her Etsy store about the clasp and the sweetest little purse instructions if you really really want to play.  
 
 
There are all kinds and sizes of clasps, some ornate, some antique finishes, some with bling and all shapes.  Whew makes your head spin and of course we have to try them all.   Some with the sweet little beads to attach, some with a plate and you use screws to attach them  ( you gotta be tough to do this or have your Hubby help you  and that is my choice of how to attach them).
 
Now where do you get the clasps?  Well JoAnn's did carry some plain Jane ones and ours now no longer carry them.  Can you image that?  Don't know why but I think I bought the last one in captivity here in town.   You can order online and I have done that a time or two but there is a shop in Michigan   Tisha's Needle Art Studio   810-678-8191.   She has a treasure of clasps and of course supplies.  She does not have a web site but a very unique way of running her shop.  You call and tell that precious lady what you want or need and she sends a package to you.  You choose or keep it all and what you don't want send it back. and then she runs your credit card.  Eazy Peazy shopping.   Of course I can honestly say I have never sent a thing back.  My stash supply is new so I have to have it grow.  Isn't that what a lady is suppose to do?  
 
My friend Nelda use to say she who has the most when they die wins.  LOL be it quilting supplies, china painting supplies, beads or whatever strikes your fancy.  We always joked about that but you know as well as I do material things isn't really what you should be collecting but was a fun saying when we went shopping. 
 
Now this precious clasp is one I am being shellfish with and going to keep for myself.   The clasp is one to sew in and off you go.   Now sometimes my measuring and the clasp don't play well together but usually and most of the time I win.  Most of the time.   It is from Tisha's also.   Don't you love the little shoes?  She also has back issues of Pat's magazine  if you don't want to go to McCloud. 
 
 
 
There you go about the clasps, I hope that answers some questions about them.
 
Thanks for stopping by and seeing what is going on in my world today.
 
OXXOXO
Annette

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Transformation

I just thought I would share the finished piece I teased you with the other day.   I always love making the CQ pieces, they are a lot like life.  You start with the basics and then just keep adding and adding layers and see where they wind up.  You really never know it is finished.  Each and every piece takes on it's own personality.   I don't plan one stitch or embellishment at all. Nope not one.   Even the material I sew on doesn't get planned at all.  Kind of like Hubby and I go thru life. 

A lot of the times when we go on a trip, nothing is planned.  Nothing ----we get in the car and see where our steel stallion takes us.  Which direction and all.  We just know we will wander and site see and then when absolutely tired come home.   That is it.  

  CQ is lots of layers and sometimes it is hard to know when to stop.   Dear Hubby is my guide sometimes, he asks do you have a 1000 pounds of beads on it yet?   You know I don't actually have 1000 pounds on them but close.  

Here is the purse from the other day.   I had already added some trims but it was not finished by my standards ---far from it.   

 
 
Here it is transformed Texas style.  Stitches, beads, ribbon work and just some treasures added.  Pieces of jewelry and oh did I mention beads?   I wanted to of course add beads to the faerie also.  



There you go the transformation and a little guardian angel charm added just for good measure. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Merry Christmas and oh what 2014 will bring to us all.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing what is going on in my world today.

                                                              XOXOXO
                                                               Annette

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Merry Christmas Y'all

Can you believe it is already Christmas?   I know when you have smaller children you are reminded nearly hourly but when you are a tad older like we are you still enjoy Christmas and all it stands for.  Well 50% of us do in our duo household.  The furbabies don't care as long as they are loved, petted and fed and give us the "stare" often.  You know the one.

I just wanted to wish you all Merry Christmas and see what we create for 2014.   I know it will be a great and creative year.  Soooooooooo        
       
    Merry Christmas Y'all and a Happy 2014 !!!!!






 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 




 
 
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by and seeing what is going on in my world.  
 
Merry Christmas
 
xoxoox

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

WIP Funny little letters aren't they?

Abbreviations,  such funny little things and odd letters but we seem to know what they mean don't we?    Now the abbreviations on the texting world, some of those critters you have to really really really work to figure what they mean.  At least I have to.   Now I could get on my soap box about the texting and living with the phone in your hand but I promise I won't do that. 

WIP,   my work in progress on the crazy quilting.    When I piece a block or purse or whatever I am making together I think this is the homeliest thing in the whole world.    Now a saying is you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear might be wrong on this art.   Because my little sow's ears evolve like crazy.   From a homely piece to a beautiful peacock.  

I am worried though because this piece, not finished, I am liking it.   See what I mean?  Is that a kiss of death for this little sow's ear?   I will let you be the judge of that.

 
So here it is the sow's ear evolving.   Probably the reason I like it at this point is maybe the bling already on it?   I don't know and I promise you right now it has 100 pounds of bling on it now after working on it last night.    You know looking at the shape, if I pointed it a tad it could look like a piggy's ear.  No that may be stretching it.  
 
Alright I have rambled enough.   I will post the finished project in a couple of days.   Putting the clasp on is the part I don't like but it is a present so have to get it done.
 
Thanks for stopping by and seeing what is going on in my world today.
 
XOOXXO
Annette