Sunday, September 29, 2013

It's My Day to Twist, Twist, Twist!

I've been getting some good vibrations from this blog hop so far, haven't you? Really, I'm having such a ball with all these throwback projects. I haven't done too much with batiks in the past, but now I'm a believer in the fun of batiks (especially after buying some microtex needles, ha!)! I'm so excited that I finally get to twist and shout with my 1960's inspired batik projects :)

I had no idea what I wanted to make when I signed up for this fab hop. I scoured Pinterest and Google searching for inspiration. Then, I thought, "You know, I think need a purse." So, that's what I planned on. Well, then I made this, and I didn't need a purse anymore - but I made another one anyways!

Here it is... the "Twisted Flower Purse."


After completing it, I realized that it could be a fun Christmas gift to my niece (she's in Kindergarten!). I just hope that her friends don't think she has the cooties with a homemade purse. Instead, I hope she feels decked out while wearing it. Once I determined it would be going to a young girl, I needed to shorten the straps.... thus, the need to create the bows :)


I think they are perfect for a little girl's purse! They even have her name stitched on them. I'll be sure to fill it will lots of fun pink and sparkly things for my favorite (and only) niece!


I used this free pattern for the purse, although I printed it at 75% instead of 100% to make it a bit smaller. I added the fold-over magnetic-button closure instead of using the button closure in the pattern.


Here's a close up of the "twisted flower" - finding this tutorial was one of the first inspirations I had once I decided on a purse... I mean, we are supposed to be "twisting" to the 60s, right?!


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"Fab Flowered Mug Rug"



Well, after completing the purse, I decided that I wanted to make a few more projects with my batik scraps, so I had to brainstorm. Finally, I thought I'd help my mother do some California dreamin in her classroom on such a winters day (you see, my brother's family lives in California, so I'm hoping this flower-powered mug rug can put a smile on my mom's face as she thinks of her two sweet grandsons on the beach in California...) I used fusible fleece and did a quick, sketchy reverse-applique flower. I also added some rough strips using a decorative stitch on my machine along with my mom's name to liven it up. Having the fun stitches on my machine helps me out when I don't have time to actually embroider!



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Flower Power Kerchief


My last project was inspired from all the pictures from the 1960s boards on Pinterest. I love the bandana/kerchief look, and now that I have short hair again, I needed something that can keep my hair out of my face while cooking, cleaning and giving "my girl" a bath... This was an experiment, since I couldn't find the right kind of tutorial; next time, I'll make it smaller, but it works for now :)

Now, after you send me a postcard... err, comment... (only if you want to, of course), make sure you head on out and pick your leader of the pack from amongst these other swell ladies! Just remember to stop in the name of love and cheer those ladies on with some lovely comments, too!


Banks of Frog Creek (You are here!)


Also, make sure you let Mdm Samm know that you are having a blast hopping along this blog hop - I know I appreciate all she does to organize and cheer us on! And specifically with this 60s hop, we need to go to Mary's blog and give her some skin of appreciation for being our cheerleader!



 After that, why don't you go dance to the music? I know you have at least one song from the 60s playing in your mind after reading this :) I think I'll go sit on the dock (bridge) of the... creek with my little ankle biter and sing her some good ol' oldies as we enjoy such a wonderful world.




PS: I don't have pictures from the actual 1960s, so this is the closest thing I can show you! These are from Homecoming Week dress-up days my freshman and sophomore years of high school (early 2000s). I made my bell-bottoms from an old pair of jeans, red corduroy and green fringe. The dress that I'm wearing in the top right picture was actually made by my mom in college (Home-Ec major). You can't see it in the picture, but the fabric actually has woman's heads on it surrounded by flowers - it made my friends laugh!

Thanks for stopping by.... now, peace out.




49 comments:

  1. Love your Batik purse and the twisted flower is a perfect addition! Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Heidi, great projects. I'm sure your niece will love her stylish bag. ;)

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  3. Your post was a blast! Love the bag AND the mug rug AND the kerchief/bandana! You did very well. I'm sure your niece will love her present. My God Chick is 16 now....so please NO home made items! Her sister is 14 and likes home made stuff.....inside the house only. Someone might see! Luckily I have nephews that LOVE quilts! There is always a silver lining!

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  4. I love everything that you have made. My favorite is of course the purse, as I am a bag lady. And your niece will love that purse.
    Thanks for sharing your creativity

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  5. You have such a fun post! Made me smile. Especially the photos of your dress up day in school. Love your twisted purse, mug rug and bandana!

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  6. Very cute bag. Your niece will love it. All your projects turned out very cool. Wonderful job and a very fun post.

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  7. Oh cute projects!! I love your homecoming pictures!!!

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  8. Wow, I love all your projects, but that purse is darn cute. She's going to love it.

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  9. Your purse is really nice! The twisted flower was a great idea.

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  10. Love that purse, and the twisted flower! All your projects are beautiful!!

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  11. What a precious little purse and twisted flower, she will love it! Fun projects and love the old photos!!

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  12. Compliments for weaving songlines in the text, they made my heart sing while reading your post. What a cute purse for your niece, her friends will want one too! The mug rug is super, to see and as a gift! and your kerchief, how handy is that, you will look adorable wearing it. Thanks for sharing the pictures, they are great!

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  13. What an adorable little purse! I'm sure your niece will love it!
    Cute post!

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  14. Great bag which your niece will certainly love. Thanks for sharing the photos.

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  15. I love the purse you made, and the kids now-a-days have probably never heard of a cootie (haven't heard that word for a long time) she will love the bright colors!

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  16. surely you know how to steal our hearts, you did it with your very neat pieces

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  17. Love your purse, that will be a nice gift to your niece. And I'm sure your mom will love the mug rug as well.

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  18. Anna will just love this purse.... I'll bet her little friends will be asking for one too! Love all your projects today and your photos at the end!

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  19. I love that purse...it is so cool! Great mug rug, kerchief, and groovy pics, too! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Sooo cute!!! The 60's were my era and I actually dressed like your kids!!
    Hugs
    Gmama Jane

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  21. Sooo cute!!! The 60's were my era and I actually dressed like your kids!!
    Hugs
    Gmama Jane

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  22. Your pictures are "Groovy"! I love your mug rug and the bandana . I forgot all about them.

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  23. Far-out! I lived through the 60's or should I say survived-lol! "Groovy" projects. From the city of "dock of the bay," thanks for sharing.

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  24. That bag is so sweet and I love the idea for shortening the straps.

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  25. Great job with your bag and all your other projects.

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  26. Great projects. I love the pictures! Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Loved all of your projects so bright and cheery, I loved all of the60's words that you used throughout. I haven't heard the word " cooties" in many years.LOL

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  28. Wow, I love your purse, kerchief and mug rug. Hope your mom loves it as well. You did a fantastic job on all the projects. Thanks for shairing.

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  29. I'm diggin' that cool purse with the twisted rose. Flower power mug rug is cool. Groovy threads you were wearing baby. Peace!

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  30. Cool projects! I really love the purse. I loved the way you made the straps shorter. Great idea. Thank you for sharing.

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  31. What a fun purse, and I love your bows on the straps. Once they get a bit bigger you could always let them out too! Your a genius! I am sure no one with think she has cooties, just a really cool Aunt. Love your mug rug too. Congrats for pick of the day! Well deserved!

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  32. Thank you for such a fun post this morning about the 60's. I love the purse, and so would my Anna--although she is 29--a little old for kindergarten. Great job!

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  33. You had me cracking up with your post! Ilove the purse and the mug rug. Both are terrific and the pictures were perfect to share.
    xo jan@sewandsowfarm

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  34. love the mug rug, everything is so pretty

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  35. Neat mugrug, the bag is great and your flower is really pretty.

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  36. Lovely projects - I'm sure Anna will love her little purse and hopefully won't get cooties :)

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  37. Great projects...love the pictures!

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  38. What a fun post, Heidi. I am sure that your niece is going to love that bag. I remember kerchiefs like that too. worked pretty well actually. You did well with all your projects.

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  39. Great job on the purse. I love the kerchief. We thought we were so cool wearing them, when they matched every outfit.

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  40. The kerchief you made really gave me a chuckle. I'd forgotten those and I even made a few way back then!! Ann will love her purse and the twisted flower is adorable. Groovey projects.

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  41. LOL My mother had a dress which was similar but it was black with a fuchsia pink, orangy/coral swirls and the head was white with an afro within it.

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  42. I lived through the 60's and your photo is so right-on I'm diggin it. Peace and Flower Power to your batik bag. Creative Stitching Bliss...

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  43. Thank you for twisting along on this blog hop. Love your purse.

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  44. Love the purse ... such bright happy colors. Your niece is going to love it.

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  45. All your projects are just fantastic! That is going to be one happy little girl, I bet!! The handles into bows idea was just perfect. I'll have to remember that one!

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  46. Wonderful projects and use of the Batik fabric. Lucky little girl. Now I am humming your songs. ;~}

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  47. Wonderful projects and use of the Batik fabric. Lucky little girl. Now I am humming your songs. ;~}

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  48. What a fantastic idea on how to shorten the handles, it is darling.

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