I’m just back from another wonderful scrapbookers’ weekend retreat where a dozen of us lodged, laughed and created in the beautiful Lydia House of St. Dorothy’s Retreat at Camp Meeker, California. Beautiful lodge, beautiful weather, beautiful group of women.
I was completely unplugged from phone and internet for a solid 72 hours. Although I was the only non-scrapper on board, as before, I was embraced by 11 other incredibly creative and darling women from all around our area. Movies, martinis, brainstorming, great mess-hall food, and lots and lots of belly-laughs along with many productive hours of craftiness.
I brought along my sewing machine and a few suitcases of vintage and random fabric. I also brought a few vintage toys on wheels to make into pincushions. There’s a previous tutorial I created on making unique pin cushions HERE, however, for these, I did a bit more sewing and less gathering of fabric.
I had a burlap bean bag that made great cushions for a trailer and wagon.
This little yellow truck holds a cushion made from vintage feedsack fabric of an unfinished quilt piecing. This pincushion became a gift for our awesome retreat hostess and dear friend, Lori O’Donnell.
My blog friend Karen, The Graphics Fairy, sent me some goodies recently, including a wonderful vintage, (but unfortunately stained) blouse, knowing I could make something from it. And of course, what better project for this pin cushion print than a pin cushion?!
And the last one is a little red fire truck with a sweet floral print.
I also brought some 12″ x 12″ free fabric swatches from a wonderful local furnishings store, Mayfield & Co. of Petaluma, and began another project by sketching out ideas for them.
Luckily I had a few zippers and purse hardware in my stash.
I made a unique cross-shoulder purse modeled here by one of the lovely scrappers on scene, Jennifer Simpson.
Sorry, I won’t be posting a tutorial on this one, I have no idea how I made it and could probably never do it again. A stitch here, a seam rip or two there, all in all, completely winged. It’s one of those projects that could have gone either way. Luckily, it all came together. Each section of the bag was cut and sewn from a different swatch. The front flap was finished off with a vintage skeleton key for tucking into a little fabric loop.
I used a two way zipper to keep contents from falling out. There’s also an inside “lip gloss” pocket.
I added side pockets for a cell phone and keys. Scrapper friend, Jennifer Navarro, suggested I make an eyeglass case with some remaining fabric, brilliant idea!
Once home I gave the bag to my daughter, Sarah, who just loved it.
HERE is my retreat crafting post of projects from last year. Kinda makes you want to retreat with a few of your crafty friends, doesn’t it?! So…make it happen!
I'm so jealous of your lucky daughter! I love that bag – well done for doing it 'off the cuff' & its certainly a one off!!
Love those bags and pin cushions–fabulous! Thanks for sharing these!
OMG! Those pin cushions are to die for!
if you ever want to sell the california truck, let me know! they are all so stinkin cute!
great purses! Those pin cushions are sooo cute.
Lucky you to be able to get away like that. Sounds like a great time.
gail
Oh Cathe that is just GORGEOUS!!
and I love the pincushion trucks!!
I'm so glad you had such a wonderful weekend away!!
Those pin cushions are adorable!
Who would of thought?
Love the bag too.
Melinda
The pin cushions are SO devine! Brilliant idea – you are so clever!
Those pin cushions in toy truck beds are very cute.
I retreat scrapped with friends this weekend and so know what you mean! Nothing like focused craft time. YOur projects are amazing!
Lovin the purses! I'm a purse junkie, and those are SO original and cute. Fabulous job.
When I'm in Paris, I completely unplug… there's just nothing like it!
Glad you had fun on the retreat. I don't comment often, but I love your blog… so inspired!
It sounds like you had the most wonderful retreat. Lucky you, it sounds like heaven!! How great idea it is to make pincushions out of old cars and wagons! Love that! Your bag is just fabolous! Great design and colors!
I am so glad I am a follower of your blog I wouldn't of wanted to miss this post how lovely all your makes are the bags are super great idea for the materal swatches didn't know they came in 12×12 and the vintage pin cusions so darling love 'em
Love Dawn xx
Awesome purse!
The pincushions are just something else. LOVE using the toys as bases.
You had a great weekend I love those pin cushions. They are so cute I would love one of those eventhough I don't sew but still I like them. That sure is a cute little shoulder bag. I bet ya'll had a lot of fun and so relaxing.
You are "sew" very clever. I love the antique metal toys used for pin cushions. What a fabulous job you did with the "mixed bag" using fabric swatches. Fabulous Fun! Happy creating…
I love those pin cushions! And your daughter is so lucky!
Absolutely amazing! Do your daughters wait at the door for your return every year?
I'm motivated now to keep my eye out for old toy trucks & trailers!
your pincushions are (making me giddy with delight) wonderful! i remember when you first showed us how to make them and i've wanted to give it a try ever since…now, more than ever i'd like to!!
Hi Cathe,
I came upon your site from your tutorial on Etsy. When I grow up I want to be you, truly. (I'm not saying I'm younger, by any means.) Some people are crafty, some are skilled, but you breathe creatively. Thanks for sharing all your inspiring ideas with us.
I would literally buy anything I've ever seen you make. These are no exception!!
That lodge looks wonnnderful! And I adore your toy truck pincushions! Brilliant!
Your creativity and talent never ceases to amaze me. I adore the pin cushions. Love your blog! Hugs, kathleen
Love the purse and enjoyed reading about the details of production! Totally, absolutely, incredibly, inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing! The pin cushions are fab too.
I am head over heels for your little truck pin cushions!!! So stinkin' cute. Do you have an Etsy shop?
That is an amazing bag, I wish my mind worked like that. What a clever use of wonderful vintage toys! Again the mind – you use yours so well
adorable bag, those pin cushions are amazing!
Sweeeeeeeeeet ! That bag if Awesome !!!
Everything is cute!
Those pincushions are so awesome! Unfortunately my truck-obsessed toddler would HAVE to try to play with those if they were around. I'll have to stick with a vegetable pincushion — he'd never touch that!!
Those pin cushions are so cool! And then I scrolled down to see the purses…GORGEOUS!!!!
Love the bag and the pincushions what a fabulous job!!
The pin cushions are beyond awesome! I am now on the hunt for the perfect "vehicle" for a pincushion…
I just love those pin cushions! My dad may have a few little tractors and trucks that I can talk him out of. And the little key purse clasp, so cute!
LOVE the bag! Those are the cutest pin cushions too. What a fun idea.
That bag is gorgeous! And the pin cushions are super cool!
Oh, that retreat sounds like so much fun, and I LOVE the pin cushions! Can't decide what is better, the trucks or the one with the pincushion fabric! So sweet!
Great pin cushions! Totally inspiring
Pingback: Flat Friends: Mrs. Jacka’s Cherubs | Just Something I Made
Great pincushions, lovely bag!! I love the stories about each of the truck/trailer pincushions. I found you from flickr, you are so creative! I love it!
These pin cushions are super adorable.
Pingback: Imagens que amamos: costura « Mesa de luz
Pingback: Handmade Pincushions » Pixie Blossoms
Love the pin cushions! So fun!