The summer Bliss Bags are in! The Hawaii bags were inspired by a series of dreams. They combine all my favorite things: color, free motion quilting, hidden messages, raw edge applique, and functional art.
One bag, two looks. STRIPES SIDE: Each stripe is free-motion quilted with abstract Hawaiian designs (flora, maps, waves, earth, sky, water, sun), and the word "Hawaii" is hidden in quilting somewhere on the bag, as are hearts (because you are loved). Raw edge applique finishes the top edge of the bag - shabby chic look. It will fray slightly, giving the bag more texture, as you use it.
SIDE TWO: Flip the bag over for a second look. Fabric print with art pocket feature - perfect for cell phone or camera. (On this bag, the flower is the pocket.)
Top edges are finished with a raw edge applique technique of overlapping squares. These are so much fun to stitch up. Lots and lots and lots of thread!
Your perfect bag for summer, or to keep up your sunny disposition all year long. Interior fabric is a bright orange print of sliced oranges.
Organizer zippy pouches, in matching colors!
cosmetic
money
clutch bag
camera bag
tunes
receipts or punch cards.
NEXT UP: Same style of bag in Oceania blues and blue greens!
I love Spring in Oregon. My trees are kind enough to take turns blooming, so there's weeks and weeks of pink or white petals to view out back.
March and April are a "new years" time in Bliss Monkey Studio. The holiday sales slow down in Feb, I get a chance to Spring clean office and studio. (I plan to show before and after pics of these events! LOL!). And it's a time to think about the year ahead as well as develop new products.
Most of you know that I have three stores. My products for Bliss Monkey are cyclical, while Charmish beads and Bliss Forest plush are similar product lines year round.
What is next? See my new Super Girl bag? I made it for myself, but it's an experiment for 2010 Bliss Bags. I do a summer line every year and its fun to invent something totally new. 
The blooms smell gorgeous, and I can hear the hum of many honey bees hard at work.
This is the back side with angled pocket for cell phone. Are you like me and can not HEAR your phone ring if it's down inside your bag? Plush this bag is HUGE, to hold water, snack and change of clothes for gym or pool.
I have recently become intrigued with hot pink and orange, and saved up a heap of fq to play with. 
The close up shows the amount of free motion quilting (my fav part!) and the raw edge trianges that I trimmed the bag with. 
The Super Girl print/applique was made for me by artist friend, Helisengezer, in Istanbul. I've saved her for over a year before finding the right project to feature her in. I love this print because she looks like she's done her Super work for the day. Cape dirty and job well done, she heads home for a snack.
Bliss Bags are up in my etsy store. The collection is made up of bags, magazine totes, and pouches.
Bliss Bag: "Wildwood"
This bag features Erin McMorris fabrics and my quilted leaf motif. Bliss Bags are solid cotton, including quilted cotton middle layer. No crinkly, plastic, iron-on stiffener, just soft sturdy washable cotton. The perfect summer bag!
Magazine totes: "Run".
Grab and go .....
-your towel and book and snack for the park.
-with your book and water bottle to the Dr office.
-your towel and gym clothes.
-your notebook and pens for a walk through the new museum exhibit.
Whatever it is, you'll be ready with your cute tote! 
Bliss Pouches have many uses:
- great for a camera and money clutch purse for a walk to the coffee shop,
- keep your tunes and cords from tangling in your purse,
- make up bag,
- I use mine to keep my check book, my punch cards, gift certificates, and receipts in which lightens the load on my wallet and keeps it all organized.
I'm still listing these, so if you don't see the perfect one yet, check back tomorrow!
Local folks can find me at the Meet Your Maker show this Friday. I'm releasing my summer line of bags and pouches!
Friday: 5-8pm
Broadway Winebar downtown Eugene
It's First Friday, so visit all the gallery openings, THEN come to the Meet Your Maker venue where you can actually afford something! All the handmade goodness is at your fingertips. Bring home a piece of wearable art, functional art, or simple cuteness. Shop for a unique gift for the teacher or grad in your life.
Do NOT forget to score some raffle tickets! Always a great prize package.
I love this craft show with the mini tables packed with great work. The vendors change each time, but there is always a great variety of indie crafts. I try to get around and see all the wares and make my purchases early in the evening.

Come see my teeny tiny toothfairy pouches. They are as small as I could get them, and still have a readable silk screen image on. I can't wait to blog about them, once I get a photo.
Here we are at the Meet Your Maker June show, at Midtown Wine bar. It's a GREAT venue and lots of fun. Nice to get out of the studio and sell in person, meet other artists/crafters, and visitors.
Franks and Beans, I was pleased to find out, makes a great living spinning, dying and selling her beautiful yarns. I drooled over them all evening!
You can just see my display in this photo. So lit from the back! I brought my coffee "stand", little bags, and teapot with flowers to go with my teakettle art bags.
One of the best things, was finding my "Hey Banana Breath" chosen to be the ad for the show in the Eugene Weekly. Nice! Thanks so much.
I need to make a nice, big vendor's sign for my table.
Ashly of Bullfight showing off her amazing undies made of recycled tshirts. Ok, I bought one of these undies...... and I'm going to need another. They are so comfortable! Look so cute, I could mow the lawn in them (well the backyard maybe), wear great under clothes, and stay up without squeezing! Love them! You must get some! And I'm certain you need a magnetic moustache for your fridge photos to go with.
My new Tea Kettle art bag. Can be used or displayed. It comes with real lavender sachet disguised as a tea bag, and bean bag weight to hold bag upright if the bag is meant for a shelf display. I have two, and one will go onto my etsy shop tomorrow.
Back side of bag. Backing fabric and inside made of vintage American cotton. Lavender sachet "tea bag" seen here.
xoxo
SIDE TWO: Flip the bag over for a second look. Fabric print with art pocket feature - perfect for cell phone or camera. (On this bag, the flower is the pocket.)
Top edges are finished with a raw edge applique technique of overlapping squares. These are so much fun to stitch up. Lots and lots and lots of thread!
Your perfect bag for summer, or to keep up your sunny disposition all year long. Interior fabric is a bright orange print of sliced oranges.
Organizer zippy pouches, in matching colors! 
