Saturday, April 30, 2011

Finished the hooked purse and some gardening!

Mom's 82nd birthday and purse 024

I finished the purse just in time for my mom’s birthday on the 27th! Crunch time. It only took a little while to hook~I mean FAST. But putting it together with the metal frame took a little longer since I had never done that. Here’s a pic with the hinges open. I like it and have ordered more hinges. I started out making this for me, than at the birthday dinner my sister said she wants one for her b.day in August.

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I tried something other than the pattern directions (imagine ME doing that!) and braided 3 pieces of wool for the loops for the handles to go through. I love the way it looks. The pattern is Karen’s of Primitive Spirit and she had used embroidery thread for the loops. It just didn’t look strong enough to me.

Mom's 82nd birthday and purse 008Mom's 82nd birthday and purse 026

You can also see in the following picture the strap itself. I did 4 rows of a decorative S shape stitches on it. Makes it look sturdier too! All this for a purse that’s only about 10” long and 7-8” tall! Mom's 82nd birthday and purse 033

Mom's 82nd birthday and purse 015

A friend hooked this pattern a few years ago and I have always wanted to. Her colors are more “me”. Mickey looked at my hooking and said, “WHAT are you doing?” He’s never seen me use these muted colors that much either!

Renee's purse 003

And Renee’ is getting ready to put the lining in hers. I love seeing the same pattern hooked by different people!

Renee's purse 002

Renee's purse 001

Remember Mick’s friend who is working on his parents house for an estate sale? Well, he told me I could go over any time and dig plants too! Stupid on my part (because of my health), but what fun I had.

plants from Don's 002

plants from Don's 003plants from Don's 004plants from Don's 006plants from Don's 010

Until this…..Remember those cute black clogs I hand painted? Well little miss priss was wearing those to dig in! I fell on our uneven brick patio. I cuss that thing every year. This year I’m covering it with river pebbles!

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And doesn’t everyone wear their best jeans to garden in???

plants from Dons and cut knee 004

That was the only clean pair I had left as our basement was flooded and had a small river running through it. Guess where our laundry room is?

Then to top off that perfectly lovely day (until I got home, anyway) I fixed myself a plate of leftovers from Logan’s Steakhouse from the b.day party. Brought it to the living room, sat the tray on the coffee table and watched it in S L O W motion fall on the carpet~face down!! Ate it anyway!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Peace,

Sheri

14 comments:

summersundays-jw said...

I've had one of those WEEKS. Had water in my basement & garage. Love your purse. I bought one of Dulcy's & it's like a work of art. Sorry about your jeans & knee but looks like you're getting some gardening work done. Good luck!

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

That purse is fantastic! I've seen that pattern and long for one myself. I like what you did for the handles...very clever. Looks like you got some great plants there...despite the crazy outcomes for poor knees and pants!
Take care!
Courtney

Julia said...

Your mom will love that purse for sure. Very nice handle too.

Oh my, you have your work cut out for you. But just think of the beautiful flower garden you will have and all free.

Sorry you hurt your knee and ruined your good jeans but your knee will heal and you can always use those jeans to garden now. Let us see your progress on this flower bed or beds.

I LOVE flowers. Have a great week. JB

Anonymous said...

I love that you changed the purse handles a bit so it would be stronger and your own design. It's fantasic and a lovely gift. i understand those uneven brick sidewalks! I have gotten bitten by mine too! Heal quick and keep posting about your garden progress.

Tammy Burks said...

Sheri,
With all those things combined, I think that's what you call being a "hot mess"! NO wonder you were too worn out to go to the open hooking with us!

Kathy (woolfind) said...

The purse is great and your Mom will love it! Thanks for sharing your tips with us on how you changed things.
Oh my what a time you had. Don't you just hate those kind of days. It's always one thing after another, and usually I can't wait to go to bed that night so I can start a new day lol.
I couldn't help but giggle when the dinner went down.. That would have topped it all off for me. But I'm with you..... 10 second rule lol.
You will have so much fun with your plants. Hope you share them all planted.

Cathy G. said...

Sheri,
Wow! I've been waiting to see that purse and I must say it is totally awesome! Love the braiding and the clever way you stitched the handle! The colors are a delight!
Mom is going to LOVE it!!
I am smiling at ALL those plants and I know all too well the feeling while digging and the feeling afterward for a few days( and even longer)! So hope you can take it easy for a few days now...... your knee needs TLC!!
Thanks for sharing the process on the purse too.... I am working on a small clutch too right now and just winging the construction part!
Hugs!
Cathy G

Taos Sunflower said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Taos Sunflower said...

Cool purse!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Sheri ~
What a great purse. Your mom will just love it ~ I know I do!
What a treasure trove of flowers. With the price of perennials, free ones are the best.
I hope you heal quickly!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

What a day you had!!! Several years ago, I fell in the garden and broke my ankle and had to have metal plates and screws to put it back together and ~ I was wearing GARDENING CLOGS!!! I threw them out and always wear tennis shoes how ~ I felt those shoes contributed to my fall ~ don't wear you cute shoes to garden anymore!! Love your purses ~ and I'm interested in those metal hinge things ~ can you enlighten me? I hope your week is uneventful!

Larkrise garden girl said...

Oh My gosh Sheri your a plant lover it must be a Cheri thing. I love gardening.My girlfriend and I are always going to nurserys.I love your purse it looks good. I always use to fall on my knees when I was in a hurry looking at something, Lol Cheri

Joanne said...

Oh Sheri what a time you had - Hope your week went better. What a wonderful gift for your Mom - thanks for sharing the "how to" on how you put it together - that kinda stuff scares me! I can do the hooking but putting things together - not so much!

Thistle House Primitives said...

Wonderful purse and lucky Mom to be getting it!!
Terri