Monday, January 10, 2011

the evolution of an idea

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Once in a while around here I like to share what I call "the evolution of an idea" (see here and here and here) it is like a peek inside my brain, my process and where ideas begin and how they evolve into something else. As important as the internet and technology is for my business, I typically seek inspiration for my own projects off the web and out in the world- my favorite place is the beach.

My last post from the weekend was yet another look at my obsessive beach combing hobby. My recent walk by the sea got me inspired to create a simple bag that I can take with me on my beach combing expeditions, a place to stash all my treasure and a way to keep sand out of my backpack and my pockets!

Here is a peek into the evolution of the process-


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When I come home from the beach, I spread out all of my treasures and take a little time to draw some of my favorites. I was inspired to take these sketches a little further.


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Using plain white muslin, backed with interfacing- I used my sewing machine to free motion draw shells with my beach combing sketches as the inspiration.


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This whole process can be challenging and take a lot of practice to work up to drawing with a sewing machine and drawing "free hand"


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but the outcome is so worth it!!


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I filled the surface with all kinds of sea inspired images


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and even added words.


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I used another piece of muslin and filled the surface with more ocean inspired words.


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I used mesh fabric in combo with my pieces of free motion fabric to create a long skinny bag.


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Complete with a strap- long enough to fit across my body.
Then I put my new bag to use!



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I hunted,


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discovered,


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and used my new bag to collect treasures.



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Someday soon I will show you what I do with all my treasure once they are sorted and cleaned :)

48 comments:

Mindy said...

That is simply amazing. I'm a relatively new sewer, and I have experimented with free sewing, but cannot seem to control the machine in a way that would create such beautiful images. You inspire me to practie more!

Kristine@thefoleyfam said...

FABULOUS!!! I love the drawings!!!

Tracie said...

Incredibly beautiful! Great idea Alisa and dang you're good with that sewing machine!

susans said...

Beautiful, Your beachcomber bag inspires me to add more shell motifs & sea words to my WIP painted purse. It has a tropical sea theme, just love palm trees. I'm adding inspiring words such as my word of the 2011, Play. I enjoy all that you make & you show me fun places to create art. Thanks, for such an interesting & inspiring blog. Sues

Bee Yourself Fabrics said...

Awesome! You come up with the most incredible ideas!
Just had to tell you, that you are AMAZING! Thanks for the inspirations!

Yael said...

Wonderful enjoyable post Alisa!
I feel like I was with you on the beach, and I collected some treasures myself - now let's see if you can teach me to draw a little - oh, of course you can, the question is if I am teachable! :-)
Looking forward to your class!!

Daisy Girl said...

You are seriously such an AMAZING artist!! It blows me away at the different things you share. You're such an inspiration to so many.. :)

Michelle said...

Wow, that is incredible! You are sooo creative and talented!

Miss Marple said...

I adore that bag. I grew up at the seaside and can imagine your fascination for strolling along the coast and searching for treasures. You are sooo lucky!
*lol* I thought the workshop already started on last saturday and could not understand why the email said something about Monday, 7th...untill I figured out that we were still in January and not in February yet...Oh bummer, now I have to wait another month for the workshop...But I am sooo looking forward to it!
Irma

Jenni C's said...

my shells end up in the washing machine...will try the bag...but will just have to pretend it has beautiful...stitching...;)

Joan Princing Art said...

Throughout reading this post, I just keep saying to myself..."Oh My Gosh"!

This is SO cool!!! Totally wonderful. I simply can not believe how you can free motion sew so excellently! You make it look so easy.

Anonymous said...

This must have been a moment of pure bliss, starting out beachcombing with the perfect, beautiful, handmade bag. Have fun!

Salvaged said...

Absolutly beautiful!!! What kind of sewing machine did you use?

KB Design said...

So gute Idee - muss ich mir auch machen für die Ferien! Nur so schöne Muscheln wie du, habe ich noch nie gefunden!!!

Liebe Grüsse
Brigitte

la.daridari said...

you are an absolut artist with that sewing machine!

Ro Bruhn said...

What a brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing. I usually load my pockets up with shells and beach glass and have come close to losing them (yes my trousers) from the weight of the shells.

Sharne Gregory said...

What a great idea. I love your stitched drawings.

Irel said...

Nice, great fun ideas you have, thank you for the inspiration :)

Jamie Blare said...

Very interesting and unique work of art. You really have the talent. Keep it up and good luck.

Dianne said...

Thanks so much for sharing your process. That's often more interesting than the outcome. Although your bag is useful and gorgeous!

Dianne said...

Thanks so much for sharing your process. That's often more interesting than the outcome. Although your bag is useful and gorgeous!

Hele said...

great!!!
i love all your projects, and I envy the great beach next to your home...

hugs from Spain

whyducks said...

That is brilliant, but sadly I lack the skill to do something as wonderful as this project. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the shells now as I inherited a lot of beautiful shells when my Aunt died which I don't know what to do with!

Anonymous said...

What a brilliant idea and a beautiful result. A beautiful bag of treasures! I love it!

Shelley in SC said...

Absolutely stunningly beautiful and amazing. What a fun bag!

Christina Tryon said...

Wow! Beautiful stitching-it is truly amazing what you are able to accomplish with your machine-I love it!

Jane LaFazio said...

great idea! I'm always stuffing my pockets and my husbands and the mesh bag is great. and your draw stitching divine.

Janet Ghio said...

It's like a Christmas stocking--full of goodies!

diana said...

Alisa!
BRAVO!!!!
xoxox, di

Antoinette said...

I love sand between my toes, but I hate it in my pockets! Great bag. The mesh makes it perfect for collecting treasures while beach combing.

mindy said...

oh my goodness. this is an amazing project! i can't even imagine how hard it is to free draw with a sewing machine!! wow...

beautiful pictures.

mindy said...

oh my goodness. this is an amazing project! i can't even imagine how hard it is to free draw with a sewing machine!! wow...

beautiful pictures.

Ariadne said...

What an amazing bag! As an avid sea glass collector I would definitely make one for my beach expeditions! I think you should pattent that!It is amazing.A beach collector's bag!Wow!It will sell like crazy!AriadnefromGreece!

Penny said...

Brilliant idea, I am always getting sand in my pockets, must make one.

Angie Platten said...

You're killing me!

Jill said...

totally inspired!

tutto a posto said...

What a great bag! I am impressed with the free hand sewing and the overall design of the bag.

Dylana Suarez said...

This is so amazing! You are so talented!

xoxo,

colormenana.blogspot.com

Lisa H said...

I hope that the Product Designers from some huge company sweep up your Brilliant Self.

Kim @ Everything Etsy said...

I love collecting shells and your bag is just perfect! If you're ever in Florida we can go out to the islands and pick shells together. It's one of my favorite things!

~Kim

MODERN Prairie Girl said...

You never seize to amaze me with your ideas...truly fabulous, Alisa!
Lara

Denco said...

This is so amazing! I love the drawings.

Anonymous said...

You are beyond creative......

noell said...

Hey, Alicia. I don't comment a lot, but I come every day to get inspired by you. I just wanted you to know how much I love it when you share the process of turning your inspiration into actual art and projects.

Thanks so much! This bag is awesome!

giveto said...

hello, i love your blog!! it's a lot of good idea!! can you tell me the name of your sewing machine, i dream to sewing my draw!!
sorry for my english and thank you very much
véro

Anonymous said...

That is awesome in so many ways it makes me sick =D

Sarah said...

I really love this! I might make these for my children and myself. I may paint the top design though, since I have only done basic sewing. But the freehand sewing would be fun to try! I noticed your sewing foot is circular. I will need to get one of those!

fraufertig said...

Beautiful! (I wish I could work "free hand") I love your sketches and ocean pictures too. Thanks a lot for sharing!

from germany
fraufertig

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