Two girlfriends, both of whom are amazingly creative and artistic, joined me for an afternoon with old bags in need of a makeover, wine in need of drinking and S'mores in need of eating (My Guy was kind enough to make some of these treats in our oven to share with one friend who'd never previously tasted a S'more).
Anyhow, let's get to the art details because I know most of you dear readers are here to see what we've created for the Artful Bag, not to read a bunch of bloggy blathering.
We have three bags that none of us remembered to photograph the bags until we'd already started sewing, painting and gluing so the "plain" photographs are the backsides of our creations.
The bamboo-style bag with the tiki men is my bag for July, and the black rhinestone-covered and tan flower-embellished bags are from my friends who shall remain nameless as I do not have their permission to include names (nor are they bloggers, so, sorry no links either).
The tiki men are painted with acrylics, then higlighted and detailed with Sharpie paint pens. The metal flower has embossed and folded layers coated in alcohol inks, paint pen and plain old marker.
We had a great time creating our bags, perhaps occasionally feeling the effects of a whole lot of toxic adhesive fumes, and definitely discovering a few things about one another.
The black bag is completely awesome, isn't it? Don't you need one for girls' night at the wine walk? And can you believe my friend did that beautiful work without any layout or "test" design? I know ... had it been me the rhinestones would be all wonky and ugly.
And the tan bag, all except one style of flowers here are handmade by another friend who pulled them together with scraps and random stuff from my leftovers bin. She is a native of Russia who has lived in the United States since about 2004, and said she used to teach kindergarten aged children to make things by hand.
I remember having pipe cleaners and old lace in the kindergarten craft bins, but I don't remember anyone showing me how to make something this awesome with that old stuff.
Ah well, the grass is always greener on the side of the planet where kindergarten crafts are serious business.
I hope all of you have had, or are having, as much fun creating your Artful Bags as we did!
See you next month for the Frosted Petunias Artful Bag challenge!
What a fun way to spend some time! Love all the bags, each is so unique and awesome! Now we see your friends, but where oh where are you?? I actually have a purse/bag hanging on a door handle. Trying to get ideas! Have a great evening!
ReplyDeleteWOW these are fabulous! all this great work despite the wine! XOXO Zoe
ReplyDeleteTerrific bags and can see everyone had a great time.
ReplyDeleteIncrivelmente belas.
ReplyDeleteUau!!!!
I like all of them!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a fun way to pass the time. Great bags.
ReplyDeleteThea are all beautiful and i love, love, love the tiki men painting. (:o) Elly
ReplyDeleteWow! How fun to have a crafty group to play with! I wish our Artful Bag Challenge group could get together and play with our bags for real. All the bags are adorable. Love the tiki men, the black sparkly bag is so elegant and the tan retro purse is too cute with all the flowers. I love them all! Thank you so much for sharing your bags and your fun get together with all of us :)
ReplyDeleteAnna