Patchwork and Lace

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Wendy

Patchwork Sampler Wristlet

I have been playing around recently with some different ideas for sewing, and made a couple of small wristlets out of some fabric sample squares that I had sewn together and then let them sit around for almost 2 years. That is not unusual- I will sometimes start a project and put it aside at some stage because I am not thrilled with the direction things are going. Then one day, it all comes together again and the piece gets finished. I love when that happens!

Bird Stripe and Vintage Lace Cosmetic Zipper Pouch

The bird fabric in the cosmetic pouch above is the last of a long piece that I had left, and there was enough to use it as the front of 2 separate pouches. It has a lovely antique look to it and the colors are beautiful. The narrow strip of lace on the pouch was taken form a big shirt box filled with all kinds of vintage lace that was given to me by my 95-year-old mother-in-law. She cannot remember exactly where the lace came from, but said that some of it was handmade in Germany by her mother and grandmother. That makes it somewhere around the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Most of the lace is in very good condition, except for a few pieces that have discolored a bit with age. I plan to use bits of the lace in some upcoming projects. It is too nice to sit in a box forever!

The items in this post are available in my etsy shop Bags of a Feather, and you can click on the picture to go to the listing with all the description details and additional pictures.

Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather- Toucans

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Wendy

This weeks’ installment of Wednesday Wings From Bags of a Feather features toucans!

Keel-billed toucan

Toucans and toucannettes are parrots native to Latin America, and are instantly recognizable by their enormous beaks. In some species of toucans, the beak measures more than half the length of the body. Despite its size, the toucan’s bill is very light, being composed of bone struts filled with spongy tissue of keratin between them. They eat mostly fruit, but will also eat small lizards and insects, and sometimes raid the nests of smaller bird species for the eggs.

Keel-Billed Toucan

Toucans dwell in hollowed-out cavities of trees excavated by other animals such as woodpeckers—the toucan bill has very limited use as an excavation tool. When the eggs hatch, the young emerge completely naked, without any down. Toucans are resident breeders and do not migrate. Toucans are usually found in pairs or small flocks. They sometimes fence with their bills and wrestle, which scientists hypothesize they do to establish dominance hierarchies.

Toucans kept in captivity need large aviaries or flights to provide the exercise they need. They can be very curious and will try to eat almost anything.

Nesting red-breasted toucan

Toucan fabric can be hard to find. I am always on the lookout for unusual parrot or bird fabrics, including toucans. I do have some beautiful toucan fabric coasters in my etsy shop:

Toucan Fabric Coaster Set

Some Bright and Colorful New Bags From Bags of a Feather

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Wendy

Maybe it is the long and drawn-out winter here in western Massachusetts, but I have been not seeing any color when I look out the window (other than brown, gray, and white). There are a few green bulb shoots coming up through the ground, but htere are also big piles of snow that are going to take forever to melt. Last year at this time, we had a very early spring and temperatures in the 80s by the end of March. Not this year- it is still very cold at night and has been in the 30s the last couple of days with a coating of fresh snow on the ground in the morning. I love New England, but I am ready for spring!

Big snow piles

My latest sewing projects have involved some very bright and colorful fabrics from my fabric stash. Nothing subtle or understated here! I guess if Mother Nature wants to take her time showing some spring colors, I will have to create my own color in the sewing studio. Here are a few new things available in my Bags of a Feather etsy shop (click on the picture to see more pictures and a full description):

Pink Batik Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

Bold Floral Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

Lush Flower Garden Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

All About Anti Tarnish Silvercloth

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Wendy

Silvercloth or anti-tarnish cloth is a special fabric is made from heavy weight 100% cotton flannel. The cloth is impregnated with a non-toxic tarnish preventing compound. Silver surfaces attract sulfur, which in turn causes silver objects to develop tarnish. Silver anti-tarnish cloths contain either small particles of zinc or silver. They absorb sulfur before the surface of the protected silver object does, preventing tarnish. Silvercloth will not lose its effectiveness unless it is wet or washed.

Many companies sell anti-tarnish cloth by the yard so that it can be cut to size for storage of individual pieces of jewelry or silver serving dishes. Some people seal small pieces of the cloth inside plastic bags to store jewelry, or cut larger pieces to wrap silver serving platters or dishes. Other uses for silvercloth include lining silver storage drawers, jewelry boxes, and cabinets.

Anti tarnish Silverware Box

This product can either eliminate or greatly reduce the need to polish silver. This is an excellent idea if you have a lot of silver jewelry, especially with intricate designs or small stones. Turquoise and silver American Indian jewelry can be hard to polish without getting the chemicals on the turquoise.

I have a section in my Bags of a Feather etsy shop with a selection of jewelry bags that have either an inside lining or inner pocket made of anti-tarnish silver cloth. This unique design from Bags of a Feather features an inner lining or pocket made of a dark gray flannel anti-tarnish silver cloth fabric. This jewelry pouch or zipper pouch makes the perfect storage or travel bag for silver earrings, bracelets, rings, or necklaces. For an extra surprise gift, tuck a special piece of silver jewelry inside the pouch!

Antique bird print anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

Wallpaper Bird Nest Stripe Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

Butterfly Jewels Pouch with anti-tarnish inner pocket

Birdsong Garden Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

I recently purchased some silvercloth in a deep royal blue color, and will be making some new bags with the blue lining, as well as more pouches with the dark gray linings. Custom orders are always welcome!

Blue anti-tarnish silvercloth

Some New Things From Bags of a Feather

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Wendy

100% Organic Cotton Forest Animals pouch with anti-tarnish lining

Although I have not been doing a lot of sewing lately, I still have been slowly whittling away at the pile of bags all cut out, interfaced, and ready to put together. I usually get a burst of sewing “inspiration” and cut out the outer sections, linings, and interfacing for approximately 6-9 bags at one time. Sometimes I will fuse the interfacing all in one shot, and then put the pile next to the sewing machine until I am further motivated to begin sewing them together. It is rare that I cut out, interface, and sew a bag from start to finish in one shot. I do like to have something that is ready to assemble when I get the urge to sew something.

With over 150 available items in the Bags of a Feather etsy shop, I usually don’t feel a a great sense of urgency to frantically sew up new things. It is nice to use new fabrics, or to find a treasure among my fabric stash that is just begging to be sewn into something new and different. I like to play it by ear, and sew when I feel like it, and not try to turn sewing into a chore or a big production effort. That is just no fun!

Here are a few new things that I have recently listed in my etsy shop (click on the picture to go to the etsy listing and more pictures and descriptions):

Hand-dyed Pink and Purple Zipper Pouch

Linen and Cotton Bird print Jewelry Pouch with anti-tarnish lining

Retro Fruit Stand Cellphone Pouch or Coin Purse

Random Glimpses Into the Bags of a Feather Studio

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Wendy

A pictorial glimpse into the inner workings at Bags of a Feather, including the mess created by cutting up pieces of fabric and sewing them back together. Most of the following pictures were taken a couple of years ago and sent to an online venue for approval as a “certified handmade artisan” designation. I passed with flying colors- they determined that I was not a factory that was mass-producing bags all day long and passing them off as handmade.

It is messy at times, but I usually know where everything is. Sewing supplies take up a lot of room, especially when you just cannot say no to a beautiful new piece of fabric or a length of unique ribbon!

Sewing a bag lining on the trusty Janome sewing machine

Sewing thread and ribbon and cord storage

Fabrics for a coaster set and ironing area

Thread, bobbin holders, pinking shears and a big bag of zippers

Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather- Butterflies

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Wendy

This weeks’ installment of Wednesday Wings From Bags of a Feather features butterflies!

Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

In the dead of winter, those beautiful and magical butterflies seem like a distant memory- swooping among the flowers in the garden and alighting here and their to feed and flutter their wings.

I have quite a few butterfly-themed fabrics in my etsy shop, including Asian-inpired prints, whimsical designs, and colorful jewel-toned prints.

Butterfly facts from wikipedia:

“Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers. Some also derive nourishment from pollen,^[23] tree sap, rotting fruit, dung, decaying flesh, and dissolved minerals in wet sand or dirt. Butterflies are important as pollinators for some species of plants although in general they do not carry as much pollen load as bees. They are however capable of moving pollen over greater distances. Vision is well developed in butterflies and most species are sensitive to the ultraviolet spectrum….

Monarch Butterfly

Many butterflies, such as the Monarch butterfly, are migratory and capable of long distance flights. They migrate during the day and use the sun to orient themselves. They also perceive polarized light and use it for orientation when the sun is hidden.

Many species of butterfly maintain territories and actively chase other species or individuals that may stray into them. Some species will bask or perch on chosen perches. The flight styles of butterflies are often characteristic and some species have courtship flight displays. Basking is an activity which is more common in the cooler hours of the morning. Many species will orient themselves to gather heat from the sun. Some species have evolved dark wingbases to help in gathering more heat and this is especially evident in alpine forms.

Many butterflies migrate over long distances. Particularly famous migrations are those of the Monarch butterfly from Mexico to northern USA and southern Canada, a distance of about 4000 to 4800 km (2500–3000 miles). Butterflies have been shown to navigate using time compensated sun compasses. They can see polarized light and therefore orient even in cloudy conditions. The polarized light in the region close to the ultraviolet spectrum is suggested to be particularly important”

Some butterfly-themed creations available in the Bags of a Feather etsy shop:

butterfly jewels pouch

Ivory and Black Butterfly pouch

Lime and Black Batik Butterfly pouch

Spearmint Batik Butterfly pouch

More New Anti-tarnish Jewelry Bags From Bags of a Feather

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wendy

Some more new anti-tarnish jewelry bags from Bags of a Feather!

Red and White Gingko Blossom Anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

I have been making all different sizes, including some small ones that would make lovely, reusable gift card holders or special bridesmaid gifts with a piece of silver jewelry tucked inside. These jewelry bags are also great for silver coins or cosmetics or cellphones.

Pink Floral Anti-tarnish Jewelry Pouch

This unique design from Bags of a Feather features an inner lining made completely of a dark gray flannel anti-tarnish silver cloth fabric. This jewelry pouch or zipper pouch makes the perfect travel or storage bag for silver earrings, bracelets, rings, or necklaces.

Millefiori Mediterranean Print Anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

Check out the complete selection of my anti-tarnish jewelry bags here. I am always working on new things, and if you see another fabric in my shop that you would like to have made as an anti-tarnish jewelery bag, just send me a message and let me know what you are looking for.

Purple and Black Bird Anti-tarnish jewelry pouch

Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather- Macaws

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Wendy

Another in a regular feature from Bags of a Feather called Wednesday Wings from Bags of a Feather. This week I am featuring MACAWS!

We have shared our home with a Blue & Gold macaw named BeeGee since August of 2007, and she is sweet and playful and a true joy to have around. She was adopted from a rescue in Philadelphia, and we know very little of her background. Her adoption story was featured on a great blog called From Alone to Home. Read the complete story here.

BeeGee- Blue & Gold Macaw

More facts about macaws from Wikipedia:

“Macaws are small to large, long tailed, often colourful New World parrots.^[1] Of the many different Psittacidae (true parrots) genera, six are classified as macaws: Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Primolius, Orthopsittaca, and Diopsittaca. Macaws are native to Mexico, Central America, South America, and formerly the Caribbean. Most species are associated with forests, especially rainforests, but others prefer woodland or savannah-like habitats.^[3]

Large, dark (usually black) beaks, and relatively bare, light coloured, medial (facial patch) areas distinguish macaws. Sometimes the facial patch is smaller in some species, and limited to a yellow patch around the eyes and a second patch near the base of the beak in the members of the genus Anodorhynchus, or Hyacinth Macaw. A macaw’s facial feather pattern is as unique as a fingerprint.^[4]

Some of the macaw species are known for their impressive size. The largest parrot in length and wingspan is the Hyacinth Macaw. ”

Hyacinth macaw- photo by Mato Grosso

Macaws eat a variety of foods including fruits, palm fruits, nuts, leaves, seeds, flowers, and stems. Wild species may forage widely, over 100 km (62 mi) for some of the larger species such as Ara araurana (blue & yellow macaw) and Ara ambigua (great green macaw), in search of seasonally available foods. Some foods eaten by macaws in the wild contain toxic or caustic substances which they are able to digest. It has been suggested that parrots and macaws in the Amazon basin eat clay from exposed river banks to neutralize these toxins.^[11] In the western Amazon hundreds of macaws and other parrots descend to exposed river banks to consume clay on an almost daily basis^[12] – except on rainy days.

parrots at a clay lick- Tambopata National Reserve- Peru

I have a fairly large collection of parrot fabrics in my fabric stash, including some macaw fabrics. Here are few of the macaw fabric items available in my etsy shop:

Deep Violet Parrot Zipper Pouch

Full description and more pictures here.

Parrot Montage kindle or E-reader Cover

Parrot kindle cover listing is here.

Meet the Bags of a Feather Staff

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Wendy

It is hard work to run a small business- you have to be head of marketing, chief financial officer, CEO, designer, shipper, and accountant all rolled into one! Bags of a Feather is no exception-it is truly a one-woman show. Well, it is a one-woman and four-bird show.

Although I have no human assistants, I have 4 parrots ranging in size from very small to very large. They have their own space downstairs, and I can hear them from all over the house. If I am working at home all day, I usually do some work on the computer for a while and then go uncover them and wake them up anywhere from 9 Am to 10:30 AM. They are definitely NOT early risers. I will often do a workout shortly after getting them up and fed and watered,.

Moe Green the moustached parakeet is the Workout Trainer and Assistant. His contribution is to imitate my huffing and puffing when lifting weights, which makes me laugh. He imitates my laugh perfectly, so it kind of turns into a laugh session instead of a workout.

Moe Green- Workout Trainer

Bambu the Senegal Parrot is the Chief Carrot Shredder (and Trouble- Maker). He will fly around wildly, attempt to land on top of the macaw, and scream with wild abandon. He absolutely loves carrots, and spends the first part of his morning shredding a piece of raw carrot into tiny little pieces. I find carrot shreds on the bottoms of my shoes, in the bathtub, and other strange places in the house. If i ask him for a “smacky kiss” he knows exactly what I mean and responds with a big kissy noise. He can also turn up the cuteness factor and likes to demonstrate the exact spot that needs a head scritch- NOW:

Bambu- Chief Carrot Shredder

BeeGee the Blue & Gold Macaw is the Head Nutshell Flinger and Toothpick Maker of the household. She has the “Nut-bucket” on top of her large stainless steel cage, and heads up there first thing for a few walnuts, almonds or Brazil nuts. The preferred nut for flinging purposes is the walnut, which can roll great distances and hide under furniture. I do NOT walk around barefoot in the bird area! She will chew some wooden toys and make some toothpicks when she feels like it, but surprisingly, a big toy lasts her a very long time:

BeeGee and toy that Dad made

The final staff member is Boomer the blue and white lacewing budgie, who is the official Outdoor Bird Sentry. She will squawk when the wild birds feed outside in the winter, just in case nobody else is paying attention. She is very shy when it comes to the camera, and declined to sit still to have her picture taken. She is quite vocal about the flocks of wild turkeys that come to feed on the ground under the bird feeder outside. Bambu has a special alarm call he uses only for the turkeys and he thinks of them as “turkey monsters”:

Wild Turkeys

The parrot flock keeps me entertained and are wonderful to have around. The “payroll” consists of a few apple slices or some nuts, they never complain about the hours or working condition, they nap every afternoon, and are the perfect “employees” for Bags of a Feather!

BagsOfAFeather

Avuan and nature-inspired fabric creations

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