altered bag collaborative
Details: The Altered Purse/Altered Bag Collaborative
This RR exchange is run like an altered book RR except we will alter a BAG and have a wonderful collaborative fabric piece at the end of this exchange! Each participant has chosen a bag to be altered and embellished, created from scratch or purchased. To read more details about this swap, see here.
Lenna's Bag: MY BAG IS HOME!! 6/23/06
This is what my bag looked like originally. A satchel/ backpack type of bag that had
frayed handles because I had loved it and used it so much . . . below is
how I added to it before sending it to Chris 2/20/06. I did lots of reinforcing of the
handles, added a new black cord and also an
ARTchix
studio fabric image!
After Chris received my bag, she got to work right away and added a beautiful shell motif that's just perfect for this bag! See below. Thank you, Chris : )
~ lenna 2/28/06 -See her addition to my bag below: click on any image for a full-size picture.
#3. On March 18th, Marla sent us a photo of the alterations and additions she made to my bag, working on the other side of the bag from Chris' shell motif. Marla had just finished working on Chris' bag and decided to open the envelope that held my bag. Marla writes, "The next thing I knew, it had fish, waves and shell buttons on it! I just couldn't help myself." I am so glad! ~lenna 3/20/06
(Ann has this bag now and is working on it - due home to me soon!!) ~lenna 06/18/06
#11. 6/24/06! My bag has returned home!!!
close-up of Ann's shells. . . . .
Chris' shell and Marla's fishes!
Oh, I just LOVE this bag!! I can't wait to use it again.
Thank you all so much for doing this exchange with me! ~Lenna 06/24/06
Ann's Bag:
Here's Ann's bag with the handles (in front) that are not
attached yet. Ann sent the bag she made from upholstery scrap fabrics and did
not attach the lining to make it easier for us to do our altering . . . . at
least I think so?! Yes! Ann wrote to us on February 8th:
"I'll be using the tote bag as a lining -- and will
send it along with the bag, but *won't* attach the handles or the lining
to the actual bag to make it easier for you to embellish. When it
comes back to me all embellished I'll add a top panel, attach the
lining and the handles and voila -- it will be HOT!!! Especially
with talented wonderful divas such as yourselves laying your creative
little mitts on it!! The upholstery fabric is fabulous --- it's
sturdy and durable enough that it doesn't need facing to hold up ---
but it's still easily embellished (I see decorative ribbons, braid,
fringe, rickrack, buttons, beading --- especially where needed to
cover up my clumsily sewn seams!)."
Well, those seams look pretty good to me! But, I do think this bag is going to be HOT by the time we are all done altering it! I will be adding to this bag next and will have photos for you soon. ~lenna 2/28/06
#1. March 12, 2006: Here's a sample of what the side of Ann's bag that I worked on looked like, before I added anything to it. I started working on the seams -- embellishing them, as that is what Ann had mentioned she thought needed some attention. I had a whole lot of fun and will share what I added to Ann's bag, below:
Ann's
Bag 3/10/06
I added a variety of trims, buttons and charms, some lace and ribbon, even gold
sequin trim to Ann's bag!! Some of the items were things that Ann gave me
herself; the Blue Fabric ATC on the top left quarter of the bag was one of a
bunch that Ann made and gave to me. You'll find another one on my favorite
Fabric Collage.
It's layered on a square of blue dog fabric that also came to me
from Ann. I love using things Ann has made, whether it's in my own work, or
working it into an exchange piece that will find it's way back to her!! The 'Nitro
Dog' label below the ATC also came from Ann. It was on the front of a paper bag
that held dog treats - I had saved it for years! I coated it with gel medium,
let it dry and then sewed it to the bag with embroidery thread. I cannot
wait to see what Chris and Marla add to Ann's bag! ~ lenna 03/12/06
Ann's bag - lenna #5. Next, Chris adds to Ann's bag ~ Close-up!
Marla has this bag now & is working on it - due to Ann later this month!
#9. WOW! Marla has worked her magic on Ann's bag & sent it home to her!
This was Ann's response:
"I'M SO IN LOVE WITH THIS BAG I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!!!!!!
What a fulfilling, fun and low-stress exchange this has been!!! WAY TO GO, BAG LADIES O' MINE!!!!!
'enuff said!!
~lenna 06/03/06
Marla's Bag:
Marla started with a plain canvas bag and added a quilt square to both sides. One side has a pocket so she had to improvise. She wrote to us earlier this month, "Had to make myself stop to leave some creative space for all of you." Sounds good to me! ~lenna 2/28/06
Front
pocket side
#6. Ann added a fabulous array of fabrics to the front of Marla's bag at the end of March - ooh la la! Ann writes us: "Marla's use of color is so lovely (I'm crazy about the pale lilac and sage green) and her design space is so inviting, I did indeed challenge myself to try to follow through with something that flowed from the precision of her artwork, yet accommodated my own love of the asymmetrical and variations found in nature. I ended up adding four geometrical "quilt" blocks to the corners of her large square--- but I drew them out freehand before cutting the fabric, not using a ruler, so they're close, but not "quite" identical. I also sewed "half-moons" of pleated fabric and "eye-balled" when shaping them --- so they, too, have very slight variations in shape. Added couching and freehand stitching across the pleats created texture and dimension --- oh boy oh boy oh. Not to mention the creative time spent picking out all the twenty or so fabrics used for the 'half-moons' --- it was all really fun." Here's what Ann whipped up:
~ Ann's additions to Marla's bag! ~ A close-up
#4. I also added to Marla's bag! You'll find a strip of cotton lace added to the top of the pocket side, I added a fabric image from Alpha Stamps, some buttons were sewn on, and a secret pocket was added to the inside of the bag! ~ Lenna 04/16/06
6/18/06 Chris has finished this bag now and it is home in Marla's hands! Marla writes . . . . "My most wonderful, beautiful, creatively decorated altered bag is home. I can't thank each and everyone of you enough for all of the awesome additions you added to my bag. I can't wait to take it to work on Monday and show it off. This has been a wonderful exchange of creative energy. Thanks for organizing it Lenna. It is a great way to keep in touch." : ) Here is Chris' beautiful addition, wow!!
Chris' Bag:
Wow! Chris Peden made this bag! She said she used a "Pattern for Dummies" but I
don't know if I believe her!!
Then she did a bit of altering to her own bag before sending it off to Marla, see below. I love her addition. Awesome work!! Can't wait to see more ~lenna 2/28/06
#2. Marla added a little sunshine to Chris' bag (literally!) along with some polka dotted eggs and a nest. What fun! Marla also sewed on some tiny alphabet beads to the handles that say "inspiration" and "create". Mmmmm! I love it! ~ lenna 3/17/06
#7.
Ann
has added to Chris' bag! She sent me a scan of a butterfly she created for
Chris' bag on March 29, 2006. Ann writes, "The
next thing I know a great big bug-eyed polka dot butterfly has flown into the
fabric forest and attached itself to the other side of the bag!! What's a Bag
Lady to do?" Seems like these bags are creating
themselves - enjoy! ~ lenna 4/16/06
#8. I received Chris' bag earlier this month from Ann, and was surprised at how large it was! Here's two photos of what Chris' bag looked like when I received it (note the ruler at the bottom):
Click on any image for a full-size picture!
And here is what I added to Chris' bag to finish it off . . . . . It will be heading home to her tomorrow, wow!
I did some embroidery, added some hand-dyed lace and copied Marla's beaded words idea. It might be hard to see, but on the straps Marla added INSPIRATION and CREATE . . . I followed her lead and added PLAY and FRIENDSHIP : ) This was very fun to do, I hope you enjoy, Chris!
- On 5/19/06 Chris writes, "I got home from Kansas City today-and here is my bag already!!!!! It is so neat, and I thank you all!!!!! I love it!!!"
xo lenna 06/03/06
The "Altered Bag Lady" RR started on February 20th, 2006. Participants mailed their own bag, preferences questionnaire, and whatever else they wanted to include (trims or fabric for their bag), to their mailing person by Feb. 20th. The receiving participant worked on the bag and mailed it on to her mailing person by March 20th (April 20th, May 20th) - we all contribute to each bag. At the end of the exchange the bag is sent back home to it's owner! No rules; participants may alter the bag in any way - following the wishes of the bag's owner from her preferences questionnaire. Participants could also create something additional to go inside the bag like a change purse, eyeglass case, address book, dog collar or . . . ? You could even stash little gifts for the recipient in her own bag! Four mailings: Feb. 20th, March 20th, April 20th, and May 20th. Participants: Lenna Andrews, Chris Peden, Marla Rosenlieb and Ann Peterson. Thank you so much, Marla, Chris & Ann for doing this Round Robin with me! Fantastic! ~ lenna 06/24/06
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