I have to start by saying that this is probably the ONLY thing that hasn't blown up in my face this week. I found this little purse template (to hold note cards or other gifts) here http://www.creationsbyar.com/HAUTE-TOTE_p_8.html and thought I could make something work with these colors.
I scored the diamond quilt pattern on my SU! scoring thingie. What I think made the biggest different was using my tiny mosaic EF (that I LITERALLY had to order from England...on ebay!) on the handles and bottom, then using clear embossing powder. It gives the appearance of leather! I had an SU! frame and punched the pool party for the front embellishment and also did the leather effect. The flower is technically a Bachelor Button, but I punched all of it in Cajun Craze and used the same ink to give it color variation. The 'coin purse' template is also included and can be made to actually hold something.
Trust me when I say, I NEEDED this to work. As I said before, all of these little things kept going wrong. A sick kid who had to be picked up, making me miss an appt, rain, more rain (which kept the kids indoors this weekend, as well as make my hair transition from spiral curly into a full-on Afro) and other annoying things.
But the last straw was when my Peerless Watercolors arrived 2 days ago.
I was delighted, to say the least. Even though they were really just a bunch of old-looking rectangles, I'd heard EVERYONE rave about how splendid they were and I'd been DYING to get some!! It had taken several weeks of embezzling from the grocery budget, so my expectation were over the top. The first thing I did was begin arranging them in a portfolio. Granted, the colors looked dull, but I knew they would explode when I got them on paper. Imagine my surprise when I barely got any color and the the piece holding the color began to pill up!!! The colors were terrible...weak and not vibrant. I was devastated.
I wrote to the place from where I purchased the Peerless and explained my situation. I even included a short video, showing what was happening as I tried to pick up color-in vain.
This morning, I received a response via email. I thought they would either offer me a refund or exchange...I would've bet they wanted me to ship mine back since they were obviously defective!
I opened the email and here's what it said:
"HI Carmen,
You are using the wrong side of the watercolors. You need to flip the squares over, and use the side the has the pigments on it. The pigmented side doesnÂ’t reflect the color, so it may look a little funny, but that is where all the color is, and why you are having such poor results."
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
To be fair, you'd think that the color would be on the side of, well, the COLOR. But let me be your cautionary tale (for the thousandth time) regarding your Peerless. ;)
Despite everything, I really felt this was a great color challenge...don't you agree??? I included more pics in my gallery. Once again...ty for asking me to be a guest designer!! I'm having a BLAST!
Date: Monday, September 8, 2014 GMT Views: 2071
Favorited:12
Registered: April 22, 2005 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 14382
Mon, Sep 08, 2014 @ 7:47 PM
Carmen, this is the most perfect looking handbag I have ever seen here on SCS! I love the colors and the beautiful look of the leather. And the little attached coin purse is just perfect.
Hope the rest of your week works smooth as silk!
Registered: October 19, 2007 Location: Packer Country, WI Posts: 71902
Mon, Sep 08, 2014 @ 8:57 PM
First your project is precious! I appreciate all the detail. Secondly....thanks for the story.....needed a good laugh......it's something I would do. Tfs
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Splitcoast Challenge Hostess The Charmed Life
Registered: November 19, 2005 Location: Bethel Park, Pa Posts: 37082
Mon, Sep 08, 2014 @ 9:16 PM
WOW Carmen this is fabulous-a great gift bag-it would be hard to give it away though-your story is too funny-embezzling money from your grocery budget-oh the things we do to get our stamp product-myself included (lol)!!-2nd week is a bigger hit than the first
------------------------------ Mary Marsh SCS Color Challenge DT Coordinator My Blog- The Charmed Life
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Mon, Sep 08, 2014 @ 10:10 PM
Oh my gosh I love this! I am familiar with that site and even tried one long ago. YOU have patience and added so much more texture to this!!! I love that you got the embossing folder from England too! The detail and scoring on the bag is just fantastic, Carmen! This is Awesome! And once again, thanks for the chuckle! I was give some Peerless but haven't used them so I WILL remember which side to use!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: April 18, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 51844
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 3:51 AM
WooHoo this is wonderful, thanks for such a detailed description. Your story is so funny, I especially loved the grocery embezzlement tip. Thanks my friend.
------------------------------ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.
Registered: June 9, 2006 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 55665
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 5:46 AM
I am in awe of your bag and coin purse!! I can never believe it when people make 3D things. I just don't. I have before and loved it, but it is out of my comfort zone, and I am so about being comfortable. Thanks for sharing your story about the watercolors. Things just can't be taken for granted. My friend tried to make jello with cold water. (It doesn't say hot on the box.) Thanks for sharing your beautiful creation with us too.