I made this bag so we could all  sign it.  The shell is khaki  canvas, with silk trim from a  thrift store men’s shirt.  The  handle can be doubled and  carried short, or carried single  as a shoulder bag.

We will never forget Rosemary’s kindness, enthusiasm, and wonderful sense of humor.  And thanks to a permanent marker, maybe she won’t forget us either.

I found a pink and green striped cotton fabric and trimmed it with pink silk.  I had a bit left over, and made a matching wristlet that can be attached to the inside of the purse or carried separately.

And since it’s an uno, she will never see anyone else carrying her purse.  Linda, let’s hear you!

 Emma liked Kika’s purse, but wanted a smaller bag.  She chose a red and cream toile, which we coordinated  with a deep red silk.  The lining is ecru silk, with  pockets and a key fob.  A vintage button adds the  finishing touch.

 Thank you, Emma, for carrying a sumo.  You  rock.

One of the greatest gifts the Universe ever gave me was when it put Tahra into a house on my street.  I have no doubt that she magically appeared, just down the block, so that she could be a sort of guardian angel for me.

In addition to helping me find my creativity and myself, and teaching me a lot of different things, she increased my cool factor by about a zillion per cent.  She gave, and still gives, the most incredible gifts.  (How else could Yours Truly be wearing a purple denim jacket with an anatomically correct bluesman pin on the lapel?)

She has also introduced me to some of the neatest people, like the gorgeous, talented, and hilarious Victoria, also known as Mama.  Why are Californians so damn beautiful?

She taught me the joys of camping, helped my drive a stick-shift, and even put me to work at a children’s carnival.  Which, surprisingly enough, I did very well at.

Can she:

Write a song, dance, sing?  Play guitar, ukelele, dulcimer, and mandolin?   OMG yes!

Make a roux, crochet a scarf, drive a huge RV like it was the family sedan?  Seriously.

Adjust your back, cut your hair, or help you bury your dead pet? Yes, and she will give the eulogy too.

Tell me where all past years are, and who cleft the devil’s foot?  I would not be the slightest bit surprised. 

Her judgement is keen.  Her opinion is straightforward and she can back it up objectively.   And don’t even ask her if these pants make your ass look fat!

There isn’t much Tahra can’t do.  Pretty good qualifications for a guardian angel. Happy birthday Tahra.  I love you.

I made three into pillows, but couldn’t complete the project without making at least one handbag.  Here are the before and after pics.

If you need a custom web designer or social network marketer, Linda can be reached at: lindawoods1@bellsouth.net.

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I made it into a purse for myself, which I am carrying this winter.  I love the navy, teal, and gold with just a touch of tan and red.

The icing is a flattened “evil eye” glass bead.  My friend Carrie (who writes a highly entertaining blog, “bilingual in the boonies”) brought it to me from Greece.  The bead is a perfect complement to the fabric, and I attached it to the top as a closure device.  I just flip it over to open and close the bag.

Thanks to two friends, I have a one-of-a-kind purse.  And really, shouldn’t sumo have an uno by sumo?

p.s. Check out “bilingual in the boonies”, even if, like me, you know nada espanol.

p.p.s. Did I mention that Tahra is a TV star?  She is the star of TahraTime, which is syndicated on many PBS stations.  How cool is that?

double-click on image to enlarge

bridesmaids threaten to throw down

When my sister got married 35 years ago (yikes!), these were the bridesmaids’ dresses we wore. I recently found my skirt in my mom’s attic, and thought it would be cool to make Sis a purse from the floral skirt fabric.

I used a tip from Mary Mulari, Queen of ReFashion, to make a handle that can be carried short and doubled, or long for a shoulder strap. I made belt loops and used scrumptious yarns to tie around the bag. Inside, the usual: zipper pocket, key fob, and big deep pockets.

When I proudly presented the purse to my sister, she didn’t recognize the fabric. Well, it has been 35 years. Yikes!

The shell is made of black & white cotton toile with black dupioni silk, bonded to cotton canvas.  The front features a removable drop of black and red beads.

The lining is black & white poly/cotton gingham, with a key fob, zippered pocket, and three large deep pockets.  

Dimensions are 13 x 4 x 10.5 inches.  

Kika, your new purse is on its way!

a peek inside

These handbags are basically the same, except for the fabric and trim.  Each is one of a kind, because I won’t make another bag of the same type in the same fabric choice.

I call them uno by sumo, which is the guarantee that nobody else will be carrying your bag.

Each bag features a print fabric bonded to canvas for strength and durability.  I like to use silk for a contrast trim, but sometimes use another coordinating fabric, as in the bamboo bag on the left. 

The inside has a keyfob, a zippered pocket, and three large deep pockets whick keep small items from disappearing into the bottom of the bag.

Dimensions are 11 x 13 x 3.5 inches, perfect for carrying one cat or two small kittens.

Mimi at rest

Don’t let this sweet face fool you; Mimi is a tiger inside. She stalks, she crouches, she hides.

Someone gave me a cute but very large scrub top in a cat print. Since I already have no less than six cat print tops to wear, I chose to make this one into a pet bed. Mimi says that it fits just fine.