Pattern Testing, anyone?

Don't worry, the bow is optional.  :-)   I've run out of photos of my new pattern because I posted them all in the last post, but here's a refresher:

I have worked out all the kinks that I can find in the Pocket Purse pattern - now it's up to you to make it bullet-proof!  If you would like to be a pattern tester for this bag, leave a comment telling me so (or email me if you're having trouble commenting by clicking on the Contact Me in the sidebar).

I will leave it open for comments for the next 24 hours or so, then will randomly select 3 people as testers.  The bag is probably an Intermediate skill level because of the gazillion pieces (slight exaggeration) of fabric and interfacing and the precision required to put it together well.  I've got another wedding to help with this weekend (3 friend's daughters tied the knot this summer = busy, busy) so I'd like to get the patterns farmed out by Friday.

On an entirely separate note, look what I found in my college portfolio!  I dug my trusty (dusty) old large portfolio case out of the closet today, and found several student drawings from my days as an art student at BYU Utah.

Dinosaur bones, anyone?  Wow, look at that date...I can't believe it has been nearly 20 years since I was a freshman in college.  My signature needs work, but it's pretty hard to sign one's name legibly with vine charcoal.  And yes, my maiden name was Mendenhall.

These drawings were done in one of my favorite classes I had there.  Each class period (3 hours long) we would go to either the Bean Life Museum (which housed an extensive collection of taxidermied animals) or the local dinosaur museum and draw things.  Like bones and stuffed animals, as you can see.  There were 2 rules:  we could only draw with vine charcoal (the burnt twigs with no wooden casing surrounding the charcoal) and NO ERASING ALLOWED.  EVER. 

The point was to force us to evaluate the form as a whole and map out the proportions before obsessing about one particular part of the object, not to mention mucking up the paper with excessive eraser smudges.  We had to really concentrate on where our lines were going before diving in because once a line was there, it was THERE.  Using vine charcoal made us acutely aware of line quality, and we learned where to make thin lines and where they needed to be dark and bold.

Oh, man, looking at these brings back so many memories.  And it makes me crave drawing with vine charcoal - that is my favorite drawing tool by far.  With all the other hats I'm wearing right now I just don't have the time to put my "fine art" hat on right now, but believe me, I have plenty of drawings and paintings planned in my head for when I do.

This was from a different class, one about shading and light sources.  We were only allowed to use pencils in this class, so we learned about the different hardnesses of pencils and when to use which pencil.  For this assignment, we each had an egg in front of us on a white piece of paper.  The only light source was from the wall of windows on one side of the room.  We studied the gradation of shadow and the different depths of shadow.  Also note the reflected light on the very back of the egg - it doesn't just keep getting darker even though the direct light is not falling there at all, due to the white paper it's sitting on.

This egg, in reality, was plain white.  But we had to pretend it was white on one side, grey in the middle, and black on the other end and draw it accordingly.  There were also multiple light sources on this egg, which is why you see multiple shadows.

This was a large piece of paper that the professor had tacked up to the wall as another exercise in light and shadow.  Ahh, I sure miss those college art class days.  Since the art department was relatively small and studio class sizes were, at most, 15 or 20, we all got to know eachother really well.  I had a great relationship with several of my professors, and they became my friends more than instructors in many cases.  Good times, good times.

Okay, I have to share one story with you.  The professor for the shading class, Haagen Haltern, was a native of Germany and was typically very quiet and seemed pretty serious.  I discovered he had quite the sense of humor, however, when he caught me dozing at my drawing bench (I didn't sleep much in college because of a heavy class load, and morning classes killed me).  He snuck up behind me and, grabbing my ankle, let out a series of very convincing - and loud - dog barks. 

Oh, you can well imagine how high I jumped and how loudly I shrieked...and how utterly surprised and delighted my classmates were!  Haagen thought it was pretty darn funny too - we were all cracking up laughing for quite some time.  I'll never forget that day, needless to say.  And from then on, I tried a lot harder to stay awake in his class.

Well, my friends, it's late again.  I'll post the pattern testing "winners" either tomorrow night or sometime on Friday.  Thanks in advance! 

 
  
  

Comments

[Sona Jacob]

Hi!

Wonder if you remember me? I had offered to make vector files of your fabric patterns...

I am so glad to see that you got them done and have submitted them. Look forward to seeing the fabric.

Love all the new bag patterns, too.

Wishing you the best.

Regards,

Sona

[Cara]

I would LOVE to test out the patterns! I am only an beginner-intermediate sewer, but, i can follow a pattern!!
Thank you for the blog by the way, your stuff is always an inspiration to me. One day i will be able to create like you can Xo

[Cara]

Oh and WOW your sketches are amazing, you are Sooooo talented!

[Andrea]

I would love to try out your pattern. Such a darling bag. Love it!

[Kymberly]

I'd love the opportunity to be a pattern tester. Your bags are always amazing and those sketches, WOW!

[Lindsay]

I love love love your patterns!
And I would love love love to be a tester.

[Anjuli]

I would love to be a pattern tester. Hopefully I am not to late and you haven't all ready picked someone.

[Stacie Sanders]

I'd love to test your pattern.. it looks great!

[Greta Gutshall]

Hi Shelley! I would absolutely LOVE to test this pattern for you. (I can even do bows!) :)

Greta

[Greta]

I would love to be a pattern tester for you! That bag looks just the right size for me to use too since I have to carry all of the kids stuff in my bag as well! LOL Thanks for the opportunity!

[Rachel]

I'd love to test your pattern! The bag is adorable!

[Lisa]

Would love to test this SUPER sweet pattern for you!

Lisa

[Kim]

I would love to be a pattern tester. Your bag is beautiful.

[Jenna Hansen]

I tried to post but I guess it didnt work :( but i would love to test a pattern for you! I have been following your blog since i think i found your curtains on sewing gossip. The bag is super cute i love bags with outside pockets for cell phone, keys, things you need quick! Thanks for the chance!! :)

[Leah]

this looks like a great bag! I'd love to try out the pattern! :)

[May]

I know I'm totally being redundant here but everytime I look at your blog I am amazed! You are so talented and I wish you all the love and success you deserve for your hard work. You should really think about making a business from your talent. Not just fabric wise but even as an event planner or interior decorator. My friend, you are pretty darn awesome. Hope you and your family are doing well.