Tuesday, June 7, 2016

A gift for my niece, and an entry into Simply Neutrals Tuesday!  : )
 Hi there!  and welcome to my blog!
I am sharing today a large "library" bag that I made for a niece of mine.
 (I call them "library bags" because they are strong and large sized.  The first one I made was for my daughter & grandkids to use to carry books back and forth. )
* [I posted about some of the other bags I've made in the past; and I hope I can make this link: --->http://roosterheaddesigns.blogspot.com/2015/09/some-of-my-canvas-bags-creations-over.html#comment-form  take you there! : ]
  I am still so 'green'; such a rookie at understanding the in's and outs of blogging~  But my very 'Blog
Knowledgeable'  friend Wen, @ Apple Apricot (blog) is helping me to "learn the ropes!"
She is the hostess for the By-weekly party  "Simply Neutrals Tuesday" Weekly linky party http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/   where you will always find inspiration and encouragement in the creative field of neutrals~   I will be sharing my bag/shoulder tote  over there today!

I heard of a savvy way of creating with canvas (on a blog I read somewhere ; )  using canvas (painters) drop cloths for your projects!  I purchased this one at Home Depot in the paint department.
They are much less expensive than purchasing canvas by the yard (like I used to do) at the fabric store,  and they come with hemmed edges; which make finishing a breeze.
One drop cloth will give you several bags. 

Here's the one I made last week:
  It is about 16"X18"
The straps are 'ripped' and then triple zig-zag stitched along the long edges to prevent fraying.
I forgot to take a picture, but there are 2 pockets (1-Lg. & 1-Sm.)  inside the tote bag as well.
Most of the laces and trim are new; purchased from Prima Marketing or Maya Road.
I did make the  'pleated strip' under the Prima rosette's,  and  the flower is a piece of doily and a hand made flower center. 

Different lighting below, but neither photo is very true!!  It is a cool shade of greyish tan, IRL ; )


That is about all I have today.  Thank you for stopping in!  I am so thankful for this blessed warm weather
 and I am busy these days with backyard projects~
I will be having several weeks of out-of-town family coming to stay; in June and July! Hurray : ) !!
Wishing you many blessings yourself, for a great summer ahead~
Hugs,   Karen


22 comments:

  1. What a beautiful bag, Karen. It would be nice to make some to take to the grocery story and do some "fancy food shopping", not for anything that would leak, though. Imagine the look on peoples' faces when they saw such class in the supermarket. Thanks for sharing such beauty with us. Hugs, Sue

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    1. Hi Sue, I appreciate your comments! you're a peach~ Yes, I should make more of these bags! They would make wonderful shopping bags; although I might need to alert the store manager, or someone might thing I was shop-lifting!! : ) LOL Have a great week and I'll get over to see you soon~ Karen

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  2. Oh my, I love this gorgeous bag Karen!! You are so very clever to make this .. love the neutral colours and the vintage look. The lace and that lovely doily flower add the perfect finishing touch. I'm sure your niece will treasure it always. I'm off to take a peek at 'Simply Neutrals Tuesdays'. Hope you have a wonderful week. hugs xx

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    1. Hi Margaret! Always so nice to have you stop in. I do love to make canvas bags : ) and probably should do that more often; as they make great gifts. I hope you too have a great week ahead~ Karen

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  3. Hi Karen! How are you doing? I have been thinking about you!!! I absolutely love your gorgeous bag and I know your niece must love it, too. How can you go wrong going to the library with this amazing book bag??? And it is perfect for the simply neutral challenge, too. Hugs to you, my friend!

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    1. Thank you Sharon! I think of you too and always always enjoy seeing your work! I am busy right now, but that is good for me; keeping my mind occupied~ Will have company this Summer, my kids and grands! So looking forward to that~ Take care friend, Karen

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  4. Hallo Karen, Deine Tasche ist wirklich sehr, sehr schön geworden, Du hast immer wunderschöne Ideen und ich schaue mich sehr gern bei Dir im Blog um! Alles Gute und Liebe Grüße Sylvia

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    1. Vielen Dank Sylvia! Es ist immer eine schöne Überraschung und glückliche Zeit, wenn ich sehe, Sie besucht:) Ich Sie zu schätzen wissen. Hab eine schöne Woche. Wie ist das Wetter? Wir sind schließlich warm und schön. Am besten Sie, Karen O

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    2. Hi Karen , with us is the weather , as always , a lot of rain and some sunshine and little warm , but the rain makes the garden so many beautiful flowers , but it is also good! Have a good time and love greetings Sylvia
      Thank you for your tip to "simply neutrals tuesday " which is a beautiful site ! I will also vistite this page as often as your site ! Much greetigs fron Sylvia

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  5. Hello Dear friend..
    What gorgeous work you've one here! And so creative making it out of drop cloth (and frugal too). You remind me of the Proverbs 31 woman <3 And your embellishments are so pretty..Ruffles ..roses and is that a doily? I love the tone on tone layering.
    I am so happy to be back to visit with you. I look forward to seeing more of your bags. You're doing wonderfully with your blogging! And how sweet of Wen to help you. Your summer sounds like it's going to be full and special! Family... YAY <3
    Well, lovely friend I hope your cup is filled to over-flowing this week.

    Hugs,
    Tamara

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting dear friend!! I appreciate you~ Enjoy the week ahead! ~Karen

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  6. Hi Karen, what a wonderful and darling bag you have created. Your niece is going to love it. The neutrals are lovely and this is a bag for all times. I am always inspired by your designs. What a talent you are!! Have a nice evening. xo

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    1. Thank you so so much Celeste! Your visits and comments always inspire me! Have a blessed week! Karen

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  7. Dear Karen, hello ,how are you ?
    Wonderful with warm summer for you, here it is lovely,too- but very dry!
    I think it maybe is your girls coming for summer, and am happy for you!!
    The bag you created from drop cloth looks so beautiful, with the ruffled embellishment and sweet roseribbon, and flower, and I love all the neutral tones, dear.
    Sending you warm hugs from Dorthe

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    1. Hi Dorthe! And thanks for the comment about the canvas bag I created~ You are always so kind to me friend : ) Yes, both my daughters and families are coming soon! I am busy getting ready for them all : )!!
      Have a great week dear Dorthe! Karen

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  8. Oh Karen this is just beautiful, and thanks for the tip for buying the fabric at the home store, I so love your pleating on it, that is just gorgeous and perfectly done, lovely flower and lace too, it is always great to have pockets in those too and I am sure it is so nice and sturdy!! Have a great weekend and fun with all the visitors you will be having :)

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    1. Hi Connie and thanks for visiting and commenting about my canvas bag!! Appreciate you Connie~ They are fun to make and usually not too difficult : J Hope you have a great week ahead! Karen

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  9. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I LOVE IT! Such a gorgeous bag Karen. You really know how to use the trim to highlight it too! It is supposed to hit 90 here in Michigan today (WAH) so I will be hiding again with the air on! Have a great weekend dear!!!

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    1. Hello Nancy, and thank you for taking time to comment about my canvas bag! Soo glad you liked it; that means a lot to me! : ) yikes! 90 deg's ? Bless your heart do keep tucked away with the AC! ; ) Hugs, Karen

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  10. Such a gorgeous bag you made, dear Karen! And the other bags you made are so gorgeous too! And such a great idea, using the cloth from the painters. Thank you so much, sweetie, for mentioning me :) I received your email and will get back to you asap. Meanwhile I'm wishing you a wonderful time with your loved ones! Big hugs xx

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    1. Thank you Wen! It is always a blessing to have you visit and leave a comment; these canvas bags are always so rewarding! (especially when they're finished! LOL Have a wonderful week. My company should start arriving in a week or so; and I will have some here till mid July! : ) Hugs, Karen

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  11. Love the bag so shabby chic!!! Gorgeous!!

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