Retail Therapy and ThriftStore finds

Hello, I thought I would share some of my recent retail therapy and thrift store finds.  There is nothing like a little retail therapy to put me in a good mood!

First up, I couldn’t help myself when I saw this fabric at my local quilt store.  Perhaps it is the theme that reeled me in… after all, chocolate is my second favorite thing in the world.  LOL!

Another delightful shopping completed this week was at my favorite bead store- you know the one where I can dig for special beads in a large bin?  When I introduced Lynn to my favorite bead bin, she was instantly hooked, too! (click on the images for a close up look)

Next up is my thrift store finds.  I visited two thrift stores this week and found lots to share with you:

Some colorful dresses to recycle/reuse by converting them into purses:

See the pretty fabrics??

For the denim side of me:

And while I was there, I couldn’t help but buy these to display in my studio:

I’ve been working on my crochet purse using thrift store dresses tutorial, so keep watching for it.  Enjoy your day!!

Collage Purse & Bra elastic

What does bra elastic have to do with my collage purse I am working on? Bra elastic actually makes wonderful binding for this purse!! Here’s the proof:

The last time I visited my good pal, Lori Seavey-Christian- down in So Cal, we went to the Fiber Swap Meet with Capril and found some terrific elastic. This day was documented in Lori’s blog here.

Here’s the elastic….

and here it is used on my purse:

I am so glad to have finally found a good use for this stuff! I had tried crocheting with it, but it didn’t look right.

The purse is almost finished, but it still needs handles and embellishments! The flower is actually a 3D flower- which I like. It still needs some beadwork, too. Right now, to me the bag looks naked without some beading.

Does anyone out there in Blog-ville make and create your own purses or bags?? I would love to show some and showcase them next month on my blog. If you have something you want to share, just drop me a comment and I will contact you.

Regards, Carla

postscript: Here is a finished picture of the purse: