SHE CHARMED ME..........

                She has a little pout going on...................

Probably because she had to get her hair curled

within an inch of her life, and put that checkered dress on.

I bet she hated getting dressed up and having her picture taken.

This was fun to make because most

of the "charms" were gifts

from friends.

Besides the coins I included a crucifix from Lourdes ,

religious medals, watch fob, vintage bits of chain,

old steel cut links, rosary beads, Baltic amber,

and of course the old tintype of "Smiley".

                                                                    

'JUNKING BAG'

IT'S ESTATE SALE SEASON!!!

This past week or so I have been sewing, trying to come up with a bag

or two , each to fill a specific need. This one was the easiest  to make, so the first finished. 

I needed a new bag for junking..............I have another one I made that I really like....

This one.....my "ode to Robin" .....

(if she merged with Annie Oakley)

But I wanted one that was a bit more seasonal.

Inspired by a bag I saw in Anthropologie catalog, made by  

Leslie Oschmann, I used an oil painting found at GW

for the front of the bag. I made one of these bags last year as a gift 

and on that one used a canvas front and back . I couldn't find a canvas

that went well with this one so I used a dropcloth from Lowes for

the back.  The lining was fabric I had, but it was black and white so I dyed it.

I put it and the dye in a plastic tub in the sink and forgot about it for a day or so.

It didn't dye evenly which gave it a "batik" like look that I actually really like.

Sewing the coin purse in for a pocket was inspired by the shopping cart 

liner Amy Hanna made that was featured in Flea Market Magazine.

I have a shopping cart, but I don't use it much. In my area we don't have big fleas

and the shopping carts don't work well in small booths full of people. 

Much easier than sewing in a pocket and

zippers are not my friend!!!!!

The swivel hook is for keys.

Any excuse to use a tintype....I'm there!!

This little guys clothes are so cute!!

All in all, I am really happy with the way this bag turned out,

and I am just hoping I NEED one this big!! 

I just got an email from a estate sale co. about a sale in my area this weekend.

Some of the items in the photos are "my kinda thing"!!!

In order to go and MAYBE be able to score any of them , 

I am going to have to get up at bird fart dawn to get in line,

no time to shower, hiding under my baseball hat. 

So I am wondering.......

do you do that?

Do you roll out of bed , throw on your sweats , pull your hair back in a ponytail ,

hide under a baseball hat and behind your sunglasses,

hoping you don't see anyone you know????? 

I can't be the only one can I???  

EDITED TO ADD:

Took my bag to it's first sale yesterday.......

worked great.......was 27th on "the list"

OK, I showered first........but.......

there were others in my exact early estate sale garb!

I got what I was after, but probably paid too much.

When you are willing to bust it to get there and stand in line,

it doesn't leave much bargaining power. 

Going back tomorrow, 50% off,

hoping the gorgeous but totally overpriced saltillos will still be there.

                                                

Kneedeep In Half Done

Amber Tintype Necklace

One of my New Years resolutions was to dig out all unfinished projects and "get er done!"
The silver bezel on this necklace was a class project from a silver smith class I took. (don't ask when)       
This has been sitting on my workbench waiting for inspiration.  THEN in my stocking last Christmas
I found this amber colored antique bead and it all started coming together. I finally finished it last week.
I have been toying with the idea of pouring ICE RESIN over the top of the tintype to protect it. My concern is that it would give a glossy look to the tintype.  Have you ever used ICE RESIN? Any advice?