This is another bag created for my friend Sue....it is crocheted and machine felted with black wool yarn and then lined with a lovely green/black silk dress that was her mom's. I hand beaded a spiral rope handle and then did my first try at the "triangle fringe bead" on the flap. It really turned out nicely and my friend loved it. I'm wondering if she gave it to her mom, niece, sister, daughter...or kept it for herself! What a great idea to re-create heirlooms from vintage dresses hanging in the closet never to be seen again!

This bag is an heirloom! My friend Sue gave me a dress that her 80 year old mom wore as a young woman! Along with another beautiful silk dress, this velvet dream was hanging in my friends closet, and she gave it to me to "recycle" into handbags to be used, enjoyed, treasured and loved. We took this velvet dress and made this little pouch bag, and then did a double row of hand beaded fringe with a picot beading along the top. It turned out to be absolutely gorgeous...and certainly an heirloom to be handed down the Hodges/Stone lineage. My friend was touched and thrilled to see, feel and own the bag!

This little sweetheart is crocheted and machine felted in a lovely blue with "fun fur" multi at the top. The flap has a magnetic closure and sea glass embellisment. It's lined with a cotton exploding with cardinals, chickadees and bluebirds...very springlike. I love the process of starting with a ball of yarn and crochet hook or needles...seeing what shape emerges and then from there, throwing it in the washing machine to see what comes out! The color and shape dictate to me the lining, embellisments and handles...every bag is unique and fun and flirty. Any felters out there, share your secrets and thoughts!

Finished bags

My friend Di and I finished our custom order for bags recreated from a friend's vintage dress. I'm excited to show my friend the results. Pics to come!

What a gorgeous weekend in Maine - spring like and well deserved. Mainers are starting to get a bit antsy for less snow and more sun - with daylight savings we can convince ourselves that it's only around the corner.
Cooking a traditional baked bean dinner for friends was fun Saturday night - and a tennis tournament finished out the weekend.
Ever had a "Baked Bean Suppah?"