... exploring

I love the basic O*Wristlet shape because of its simple, "clean" lines. When I was thinking of a base for an appliqué - it seemed like a good choice. I've cut free-hand shapes and mounted it to get an effect of a 3D floral and leaves appliqué. It has some "freedom" and a slight "movement" which is what I like about it. That's actually my second time trying this technique... the first time was on the orange vinyl bag .
This O-Wristlet color is chocolate- brown ... I associate it with warmth and the winter color of the earth. It is very practical as it will settle nicely with any colors of wardrobe.

Below is another recent work that involves the "movement" element - a skirt I made for myself without a pattern... it took me forever to finish!:) here I also used a "wintry" color of gray - moss linen blend. The medium-weight of the fabric gives the skirt some "heaviness", especially at the inner ruffles. By it's color and weight it can only be a skirt for sunny winter days, and it works great with knee - high boots! :) YAY! love boots...

Mike Brant

Thirty two years ago you jumped to your death in April 1975. We're still missing you and aching your loss.

Here's a few great moments of you, superstar, that I like so much! as a joker, and a great singer...

You'll be in our hearts and minds forever!


Mike Brant - his amazing life story.

My favorite song...

Enjoy!

Ta Da!!!

My vinyl bags are finally sewn :))

After staring at those rolls of delicious vinyls for weeks, I've actually had - just HAD to get it out of my system!

Here's a wonderful "Burnt Orange" vinyl with stitched appliqué I did on my beloved Bernina.
I put this This bag also in my new Etsy banner I love this orang so much!!!
I'll take more pictures of the other bags very soon.

My hubby took these pictures of me while my boys were waiting in the car to go on a bicycle ride.... I was so glad that the sunshine was peaking this morning (for a change) for a few hours :) ... you can also see Cherry, our new puppy - we're in love with her!

Another bag...

So I took a picture of myself... don't even ask me how I did it :) couldn't figure out the timer thing on my camera, and was too lazy to dig the manual out - I'm glad it came out in focus though.
I love this beautiful print of flowers and animals - just lovely!

I'm back!

And it feels SO good :)... I was actually on my blog all the time, but I couldn't log in!!! I put my username list somewhere and couldn't find it :(... this morning it just happened!!!! the computer Gods decided that I could just-like-that log-in when I hit the B icon on my screen :)) YAY!!! and thanks for the comment you guys added :), that was a nice surprise.

Usually, I use my first sample for my own use (bags, wallets etc...) . This time I've decided to be good to myself and show the world WHAT i DO in the best way possible :) I treated myself to this first - sample handbag with the actual good fabric, and not boring scraps. I'm working on a few more bags like this one at the moment, to list at the shop and have some more O - Wristlets with a slightly new silhouette to finish as well.

Here are a few pictures of my bag (or as I call it my security bag as in security blanket :))... haven't decided on a name for it yet....

Please don't freak out....

It's only me playing around with Photoshop :)
I took this picture a few years ago, and just discovered it again in one of my old files. I was tempted to add the background and the reddish shade (my hair was kind of an eggplant shade back than).

Some Pursonal time with my sewing machine

Finally this project is completed and soon I'll be showcasing all those Pursonals :)
These are made from the same fabric on the outside and inside for the pockets, something I've done only once before.

Two Good Things or Three

If I were to describe my mood, I'd say "busy" is appropriate. I don't know why, but my best inspirational moments come when I'm up to my head with work!!!

... so while sewing up my custom work, I knew I just HAD to make this pouch, and due to some technical challenges it was a bumpy road, cause my first two ones found their way to the trash. Saying that, I'm so so happy with this one! it was worth the effort :)The other good thing is that after about 3 years of not - making - clothes at all, I've sewn up a top. It's very feminine with a back tie - I'd wear it with low rise dark skinny denim and my burgundy shoes. The top is made of a sheet remnant I got at Ikea, just to make the first sample out of the pattern I've drafted. I just can't wait to use the fabrics, I kept for so long, to use on project like this one.

Stuffies :)

I'm re introducing this item this time with its own appropriate name :) ... I don't think I've presented its full potential in the first round. I've been using one for a good few months - and I LOVE it. Especially in the car, as you see in the picture.
I can make these in any fabric that I have - just ask!:)

pretty

I' not sure what I love best, taking picture of my creations or the actual process of making... Beautiful things are so inspiring, and taking pictures of them is a great joy for me. Here's two beautiful things (%

soak it up

the beauty.... it is all around me. I usually drive around my tiny town, not that I really have to - but today I just walked, and had the time to look around and see all the beautiful things that grow around me. I find this huge, tall bush (?) to be amazingly beautiful and very inspiring in color, shape and the free pattern of the bloom. I just loveit!

A bit of this and a bit of that...

Today was a very special day for me! I've finally USED my vinyls :) I don't have much news, just wanted to share my first piece that incorporates both fabric and vinyl. I think this marrige works...

"less theme and just a design..."

So simple - yet so complicated! What makes a good design? are there ANY rules at all? are my pieces "designed" or just "sewn"?

I'm a maker, a sewer, a stitcher... whatever you name it! but, am I a "designer? hmm... to answer myself, I don't think anyone can call themselves a "designer"... I see so many amazing things on Etsy, and sometimes I see a piece that touches me in a special way. When that happens I just know that the creator IS a designer... to me.

I find that everyday, ordinary things, are my best inspiration. I keep loving those things even though I've seen it and used it so many times - I see it as the magic of a great "design".

I LOVE my mugs! they are huge, and I've been using it forever. They came from the dollar store and I hope they don't kill me slowly because of lead poisoning (lead = beautiful colors!). I always think to myself that it would make such a great picture subject. They are so beautiful!... don't you think so? :)

Speaking of great things, here's a snap shot of some quality time with my older boy. We were making chocolate balls together. It's very easy and lots of fun to make! :))

How to:

1. In a large ball break biscuits/ cookies (Oreo style) broken into small pieces, you can add leftovers of chocolate or any other sponge cake, raisins, broken heath bar (it will make anything better!).
2. Melt about 1/4 of a cup butter, add to the mixing bowl.
3. The last thing is milk/liqueur/flavoring extract - add slowly as much as needed to make the mixture come together.
4. For a yummy look, try to roll the balls in coconut flakes (I like the unsweetened), or candy sprinklers.
5. For the final touch, serve them in a tiny (muffin) paper cups.

Enjoy!

I can get no satisfaction...

Well, I can be satisfied, but not for long!
My appetite for Japanese fabrics is ever growing with every fabric that makes my blood pressure rise. Why, oh why Japan is SO far away!!!!

I was very lucky to receive a box full of goodies and this time I have a few more traditional Japanese prints, as oppose to only kawaii ones. I just couldn't wait, and as soon as I opened the box - my fingers just wanted to hold, cut and sew the new fabric that has arrived from the magic land Japan!
I managed to whip up a few new O - Wristlets ... and I might use the rest of the fabrics to make some new "Pursonals".

Push your buttons

I must confess... this blog was cooking in my head for about a year or so now.
I've never gotten around to it, and there was always a good reason why. when there wasn't a reason - my brain was just too tired (two small kids...)to cope with what goes into having to put up a proper blog. Deep inside, like in everything else in my life , I knew that when the right time will come, it will just happen ... and thankfully it did :)

In the course of just figuring out how this blog "thing" works (never had time to actually read blogs), I knew that I needed a few things for my blog: a life to tell about, an RSS button (cause it's all-the-rage now) and a spell check, which luckily for me, comes with the setup of the blog.
I've been swimming in the deep sea of HTML/Java scripts (very scary!!!) for a while, FYI I'm a total illiterate as far as composing my own cods goes - b u t, I've figured this one out *all by myself* and I'm so proud!!! my heart jumped out of joy when this button actually worked :))

I wanted a cute little button (flowery of course...) for my "contact me"/ "email me" button. When clicked - this button opens a new window with my email.
First, I've created the image in jpg format, and uploaded it to a free photo-sharing site. I've used the URL of the picture from that site and plugged it into this code:




This is a basic code, and I'm sure there's more to add if you need spam protection etc... hope this helps.

Make sure the uRL starts with http... and ends with .jpg

What do you do now with this code?
Click on "customize" ---> "Add a Page Element" click on "HTML/JavaScript" now you can just paste it into the large window --> save

Good Luck! (%

back into the groove

The groove of making messenger bags of course! I didn't plan on it actually... my boy begged three days for a " Charlie bag", the one from "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (original version!)... what he wanted was a "messenger bag" to wear across his little body :)

I took a quick snapshot of him wearing the bag before going to school (getting a thick coat of Sunblock to protect this pink skin of his).
Here are some bags I've made a long time ago, and now they all have other loving owners :)

You can click for a bigger picture...

Lambs and wolfs

I'm wondering if it is some kind of a nature's law - you're either a wolf or a lamb ... well, maybe I'm wrong, but one thing is for sure - this fabric is adorable!
It has been a while since I've sewn up a PocketWallet that is not "Red Owl" or "Porcupine on green". I've been starting to miss the excitement of seeing a new fabric taking the shape of my vision, and this little one turned out great. I love it :)

beyond time and place

I've just finished reading "The Red Tent"(fiction) by Anita Diamant- I enjoyed it very much. In this fictional book the biblical Dina tells her life story.
Reading this book was like a time-travel experience to ancient times or like watching a good movie (in the least). It made me think about my concept of "family", coming to terms with my mortality, and the essence of my life. Recommended!

It's a "Pursonal" thing...

I'm building up my confidence, writing down in English... for good or bad, at the moment, I write the way I speak :) I actually haven't been "writing to self" since I was keeping a daily diary at the age of 12 (hmmm... if I could only find this little notebook now!).

Talking of writing, I just got a surprise email from a class mate (silk screening class) in the US - which brings me back to silk - screening! I'm a total chicken... I have ALL the equipment I need and still can't bring myself to start again. I have lots of new ideas of design and color - stories, but all of it is still waiting on my computer to see the light of day (someday hopefully soon).

in the photo, the first screen - printing I did, it got great response from lots of folks - thanks for your support :)


in aqua



...I guess it's a "Pursonal thing", I mean, what I have in my purse.
It all started one busy morning at my local old "Sav - On"... I was just about to pay at the cashier stand, as I quickly pulled out my "PocketWallet", and along came out (and onto the floor... and to the feet of the guy that was standing next to me!!!) pads, tampons and whatnot...
I don't know how I felt at that moment... I guess I was kinda surprised in a bad way.

Since that incident I was working out the "Pursonal" design in my head for a while. I really don't feel like picking - up my inessentials from the floor ever again, and it's a great way for me to stay organized as well.

Getting started :)

Well...how would I start my blog? I guess I'll just say a quick hello and thanks for popping in.

I managed to update my profile at the shop, to make it a bit more personalised, so here it is, a few words about me with some extras.

I'm Rina, a mommy, a crafter... you've probably read it a million times :)
I've lived for eleven years in the States, and came back home with my family to Israel recently.
When I was a kid I made cardboard shoes, loved to make clothes for my Barbie, and soft "Old House in the Prairie" style sock dolls. I'm a 70's kid and my best memories are of groovy fabrics, summer time at the beach and great BosaNova music (that's were my heart takes me when I'm looking at those wonderful yellowing 70's pictures). Mid - Century design really gets me... also 50's little naive prints.

I got my formal education in "Fashion Design", and would love to explore textile and glass making as well.

Here's a fish-eye picture of hubby and me - trying out Sunglasses in Palm Springs :)