15 March 2013

Absolutely Tattered!!

Hello everyone and welcome to followers new and longstanding. I want to offer my heartfelt thanks for all the amazing comments you guys have been leaving me. It is truly humbling and such a boost to confidence. Please remember, I don't mind if you haven't the time every time you visit. As long as you are inspired, for me that's job done.
So, with that in mind here's my next offering.


Hallelujah for a sunny spell!! It could have proved so much more difficult to photograph this without the clouds parting for a while - good things do happen. Now to show you where I started with this.


Those who attended the Stitches show may recognise the freebie bag that was handed out. It is lovely and light with a rather convenient pocket at the front, but not the most attractive accessory on the planet (sorry Korbond, but I figured it could look a lot better!)


Tim's Tattered Floral challenge and the Eclectic Paperie Altered Fabric challenge provided the perfect starting point. There needed to be a base to the flower arrangement, so I took some lace net curtaining, cut it into workable shapes, and then used Distress Paints, water and my fingers to die it. Those paints do blend well when you work them a bit, and being acrylic I knew they wouldn't run if my bag were caught in the rain (we get a little of that in the UK!!!)


After dying and drying each of these shapes were hand stitched onto the bag as fabric spray wouldn't hold them securely enough. Then attention turned to the flowers. I was lucky enough to spend a few happy hours with my very good friend Rosie using the Tattered Florals dies to cut up various types of material including denim and more plain net curtaining. The latter also needed sloshing around in a watery mix of Distress Paints to give it a less harsh mottled look.


Making up the layers into flowers took a wee while as I had to create heavy cotton lace rosettes to support the flowers at the base and give them more dimension. They were then stitched together with buttons and sewn onto the bag.


Now I have a lovely looking bag to take to other shows, big enough to hold 'stuff' and light enough to be convenient! Hurrah! Hope you like it too. Hugs, Jenny xxx

34 comments:

  1. Beautiful Jenny. Can I give you my bag to do as well? Seriously this is a fabulous adornment for the bag, the flowers look so shabby and sit perfectly with the lace backing.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  2. Fabulous! My bag is still slung up a corner somewhere waiting to be put away!

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  3. Net curtains never looked so good :-)

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  4. Oh yes! This is absolutely gorgeous. Love the the layers of lace and the gorgeous colours you've achieved on that cascade of flowers x

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  5. Stunning bag Jenny - it must have taken you hours but it's well worth it!! Absolutely love it!!

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  6. Wow this is fabulous and what a wonderful way to decorate that multitude of bags with unattractive motifs on them!! This is certainly a great showcase for creativity and I'm sure heads will turn.

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  7. Morning Jenny, WOW, what a fabulous creation, the flowers look fantastic, you have turned a 'practical' item into a 'work of Art', stunning.
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

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  8. You certainly made the bag look amazing.So much work you must want to frame it.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  9. You will be happily swinging this gorgeous bag down the high street now I am sure Jenny. Gorgeous tattered flowers and lace!

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  10. An amazing piece of altering Jenny. Your flowers are just gorgeous and I can see that bag being in use rather a lot!
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  11. And look better it certainly does! Fabulous use for old net curtains, the hand stitched pieces are stunning and I love the mix of flowers you created. I would not be surprised if you get lots of commissions now....from those who also attended. A gorgeous creation Jenny! Hugs, Anne x

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  12. Jenny this bag looks amazing, what a transformation!!! Stunning the way you have layered the flowers on to their background and the flowers themselves look fantastic! I adore their colours and all the different textures!! I would love the know what die cutting machine you used to cut them, - was it a Vagabond or did the Big Shot do the job? The effect looks fantastic and I love their center buttons!

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  13. Jenny, all I can say is: WOW!!!! AMAZING!!!!!! STUNNING!!!!! Have a great weekend, and thanks for your feedback. Looking foward to your next creation. Cheers, Di

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  14. WOW great bag! Net curtains, what a great idea!

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  15. Fab make over Jenny :)
    Von ♥

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  16. I adore bags of any nature and to transform a bag yourself, it is surely satisfying. This is gorgeous. Layering the flowers onto the net curtain was so clever.
    You do know you will be stopped everywhere you go - they will all want to know where they can get such a bag.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  17. WOW!!!!! I LOVE it! Much love from Laura xxxxxxxx

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  18. Fabulous alteration, the lace backing is perfect for those lovely flowers.
    Avril xx

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  19. Brilliant transformation and beautifully done.

    Your florals with the lace from the curtains are lovely.

    Good luck

    Annie x

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  20. Hi Jenny,
    This has turned out fab, thanks for coming to play
    Rosie x

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  21. Wow, fantastic design you added to the bag, looks amazing! =)
    Hugs, Elenor

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  22. Oh, Jenny, what a stunning bag! You'll have to be careful an admirer doesn't accidentally pick it up. Your flowers are outstanding!

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  23. Like it... I love it... O my goodness I want one!! What a fabulous Transformation... Hold on to it tightly as it will be admired by many!! WOW!! Hugs May x x x

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  24. Totally and utterly fabulous... this is a truly amazing make! I love it...
    Alison xx

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  25. Oops, too stunned to remember to say it's lovely to have you play along with us at eclectic Paperie with this wonder!
    Alison xx

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  26. Gorgeous tattered florals and adding them to this tote is a fabulous idea...beautification!

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  27. Wow, lovely!

    That bag is fantastic! (Wish I was better at sewing ;).

    The perfect bag for shows! And the denim flower parts are absolutely cool!

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

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  28. Jenny, this is absolutely tattered indeed! Love your altered bag very much! Hugs, Sandra

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  29. This looks fabulous Jenny. That was a lot of stitching to do ... but so worth it. Those flowers are so tactile. Nicola x

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  30. Wow Jenny, what a transformation, I love your flowers - I can't imagine how long it must have taken you to do this xx

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  31. I am just amazed. That looks so intricate and it is gorgeous. LOVE how you took an ordinary bag and turned it into some extraordinary. Thanks so much for playing along with the E-Team in our Get Altered Challenge.

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  32. Wow gorgeous transformation on your bag.....loving your flowers!!
    Thank you for linking up at eclectic Paperie and good luck.
    Hugs
    Tracy
    Xxx

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  33. Holy Gorgeous! I love what you've done here what a fantastic transformation of a regular old bag...now looks pretty darn fab! Great use of the tattered florals!

    Amy*

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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