Flex Frame Update

I was way up early this morning (4 AM) and was working on my 'flex frame' pockets.
The thought hit me ( don't you just love early morning revelations)that if I used a thinner fabric where the frame actually is, it might just open easier.
(You may remember I showed you the two coin purses I had made using the 3.5 inch flex frames, that were  a little hard to open .)  Thinner fabrics are the key. I took a needle felted base, cut it down to size, added a lining to it, then folded the tops down, sewed it together, and pushed the frame in place.
Of coarse it wasn't that easy, the pin that is used to hold the frame in place got stuck about half way in.
Anatomy of a flex frame pin (Pic.A)

assorted flex frame pins and cotter pins (pic.A)

is this: made of brass, it is slightly larger then the base it goes into, and has a crosshatch pattern about mid way through ( I suppose to help grip the edges and hold together better), the thing is; once you start to set the piece, and it's going in you CANNOT back it back out to start over. I pushed on it, I pulled on it, I pushed , and pushed and finally SNAP it went into place. Yahoo!
You can choose to use hardware store cotter pins instead of the brass or zinc that came with them , or if you loose one, just remember to take one with you to get the correct size and that you will have to trim it with bolt or wire cutters. An advantage to using the cotter pin is you have a nice little handle joint at the top, great for wristlets, backpack pulls etc.
I guess I should mention that on this project I did use a 4.5 frame instead of a 3.5 (pic.B)  , on the smaller one I added a wool sleeve onto the pocket, whereas on the larger one the lining made up the frame sleeve.

4.5 and 3.5  pockets with flex frame (pic.B)

Thinking on it, also made me realize that the longer length may have helped on the opening and closing of it too.

See how easy it opened, and Yes, that is metallic thread, pretty huh?

Tricky as it may be I love metallic thread. I didn't use it on this project but at the end of this post I'll show you one I did.

Almost finished, still have to sew the sided, which I will hand sew with  #8 Perle thread.

If your not familiar with Perle thread it is a heavier hand embroidery thread that the strands are wound together so that you do not separate to use. It comes in various thicknesses, I like the #8 use all the time & #10 (which is harder to find) DMC makes a great selection of colors. If you can't find it, craft embroidery thread like for friendship bracelets works well too.

As promised here is a needle felted piece that I used metallic thread on, it was a Madeira Gold variegated.
The piece here on the right shows the metallic thread on a flat surface, you can make out the color and a little sparkle.

This one shows the entire piece , you get the depth but because i used it on a needle felted piece with heavy roving, you loose the thread, with only a glimmer of flash. The top picture and this one are on the same piece. I will often use both regular rayon thread and metallic on my pieces. If you free motion stitch you can really create some interesting designs. The key is to go at a medium speed and not to pull on your fabric, just let it glide under your fingers. With time and practice just about any effect can be created.

One more Flex frame purse finished this afternoon.
(5 PM)
You'll notice it was the same piece I was going to use a sew on kiss frame with, that didn't happen as I couldn't get it to match up and look nice. I salvaged it and made this instead. The lining is a opalescent teal faux satin that changes color when light hits it.
It came out kind of cute. Unlike the previous brown one above, this one was a lot tighter in the sleeve & has a better closure to the frame.

-TNfrmgrl

Shop, Yearling & Morel Hunting

Good Morning. Its an overcast cloudy Tuesday in TN. Warm today in the mid to high 80's with a chance of thunderstorms. Typical southern spring day.

We went on Saturday and looked at the small shop where I am going to have my clutch purses sold at. They have a lot of work to do if they are going to open on May 11th.  It is small. I have a feeling, they will outgrow it soon. For me its an easy drive to get to it, no interstates and probably about a twenty drive from home. The road it sits on is four lane and in a really populated area between thrift stores, nurseries, barber shops, hardware and major department stores.  Below is a picture of the store front.
The owners Steven & Rebecca Jones are very enthusiastic, and have lots of ideas for making it come together and be a success.

'A Jones of all Trade'

 Farm note: I wanted to show a picture of a yearling(deer) we have on the property, Not sure what he was watching in this picture, but he gave us his best Bambi stance. 

  

Mushroom Hunting: We (HK and Pops)went Morel hunting on Sunday afternoon. HK found about 10 small Half Free Morels (morchella semilibera), I would show you a picture, but we soaked them in salt water overnight, then fried them up. To say they were yummy, would be an understatement. They were gone BEFORE I could take a picture. But here is what they looked like from my Mushroom book. 

Taken from "The Mushroom Book' By Laessoe, Conte and Lincoff

If you go mushroom hunting, KNOW what you pick before you eat it. Morels are fairly easy to identify, but there are some that look close to each other and are deadly. 

Here in TN it is the time for them to be popping out (mid April-mid May), we will probably go each weekend for next few weeks. Especially, now that we know where on the farm our honey hole (place where they grow) is.

Needle Felting: 

I have been working on new items for several weeks now. The flex frame pieces are coming together slowly, but are coming together. (no pictures as of yet). I Finished on extra large clutch yesterday, needle felted and free stitched only on the flap.

I have several others I am working on, but not sure if I want to make clutches from them  or turn them into something else

. 

Today; I plan to work on painting my scarves, stay tuned, as I'll take pictures as I go, turn it into a tutorial of sorts.

have a great day.

-Tnfrmgrl

BIG News

This tulip has showed up for almost fifteen years
and never bloomed until this year. Pretty!

I am so excited. About a week or so ago I was invited to have my items included/ listed at a local consignment shop. We set the ball in motion today; going tomorrow and signing contract for three months of booth space.
This is a huge deal for little Ole me. I enjoy the craft shows but my name as a fiber artist isn't really out there. Now the potential has increased.  The shop is located in MT. Juliet TN about thirty minutes from our home in Nashville.  The shop is small, but will only carry local handmade items, local being made in TN and such.
It is called ' A Jones of all Trades' cute name and the name of one of the owners.
I have been rushing around trying to find at least twenty items to take with me. Some (and I guess it was meant to be) expired on my Etsy site tonight, so I included them too. I also made three NEW items just for them.
It has been a busy afternoon here, the storms didn't come up to what the weather people thought, just heavy rain, not lightning in our area or strong winds. Today has been bright and sunny if not a little cool at 60 degrees, compared to our whopping 86 just two days before.

Stormy day 4-11-13

Something New 1

Something New 2

 Working on one more piece , since I seem to have tulips on my mind .It will be pink tulip interpretations with butterflies. I'll post as it comes together.

-TNfrmgrl

Purse Flex Frames, Kiss frames and Monkey frames

 Flex frame use them , like them, love them. For this crafter the verdict is still out.
 If your a crafter you have probably seen these little gems . They are flexible metal (kinda like what you find in slap bracelets) but have a pin or cotter joint pin as a post on the ends. You slide them into a sleeve and VIOLA! you have yourself a closeable pocket. They come in a wide selection of sizes or should I say lengths. I have been working with the smaller end, 3-4.5 inches in size.


Assorted Frames (B)

 Wow, that's the word, once encased into their sleeve and sewn into place, I can bearly open them. They are super strong. I made two coin purses from a re purposed needle felted clutch that I had made several years ago. My first thought was hmm.. I have put them in backwards. But if you really look at them ,there is only one way they can go and fit together nicely. I suppose, because they are so small, that whats makes them as strong as they are. If your point was NOT to lose your coins in the bottom of your purse. You will have a winner here.They are not impossible to get into, but watch your fingers as the re-snap is quick if you let go. pic.(D)



Flex frame coin purses (D)



This small purse will have a sewn on kiss frame. (C)



First try with sew on kiss frame (A)

The sewn in kiss frames are fairly easy to use. Draw around the frame to make pattern before you begin. I even found that as you get you purse made you may need to make adjustments as you start to sew it in place. Although not shown on piece below (C) I did use a simple over under running stitch , all the way to the end then back around to completely sew it in place. My first time doing it, it was really tight in in the opening joint see picture (A) I will probably take it out and remake the purse part of it.

 I was wondering why they call  monkey frames,, monkey frames. (assorted frame picture pic (B) in background) They don't look like a monkey. Something to ponder I guess. I purchased these from an Etsy shop that was going out of business.I have seen some really cute handbags made using them. Simple to do just create the bottom of your bag, make a  long small sleeve at the top, slip the unscrewed bar in and screw back together, 'interchangeable' perfect for the girl who can never have too many purse options.

Just one crafters view on trying to change things up and make some new and fun items for my Etsy shop and craft shows.   Enjoy! - TNfrmgrl
 











Happy April : Purple Obsession clutch & Easter Handbag

Wow, can you really believe that we are in month four of the year already.
We spent most of yesterday at the farm , prepping the garden for this next season. We are a few weeks behind, TN and the south has had some crazy stormy weather this year. Mother nature can't seem to make up her mind on if she wants it to be winter, spring, summer or all of the above, Today for instance we are under severe storm warnings, the sun is kind of shinning but dark clouds are on the horizon.The wind had picked up and a cool chill is in the air. Something is brewing.

Hopefully tomorrow I will semi be back on my feet. I got my CAM cast (removable about ten days ago), sure is nice to let the piggies breath. Still can't wiggle them much. Tomorrow I hope my doc. will get me up and let me try walking. We can only hope. I thought having a knee walker would be cool, but I'm slightly clumsy and have the bruises to show for it. Better then crutches I think??!!

Just got in a mad amount of purse supplies, so I really need to get cracking on making some new items. Flex frames might be fun; along with some sew in frames and two kiss clasp frames. A little different then my standard magnetic snap clutches.

I wrote about doing alcohol ink on scarves back last summer, we'll that didn't go like I thought it would, haven't completely given it up. I read several tutorials on ink/ dye resists on scarves, so we will try it again. armed with better info.  I am going to take the scarves I made then , put a resist on them , then dye them, wash out the resist, so only some of the colors from the first time come out. It really can't be that hard. Stay tuned.

This is the Purple Obsession clutch , it is listed on Etsy site. It is Extra large in size. Needle felted with a Merino Romney mixed fleece , then thread painted in a abstract pattern.

Easter Purse, made from camel brown felt , then needle felted, wet felted then sewn onto bag to create a lovely 3D effect.

- Tnfrmgrl