Jessica Flores Design

Snazzy New Clutch

Check out this new clutch I finished today. It has wooden handles and is made from some gorgeous feedsack I just got from Ebay. Aren't the colors wonderful!? Perfect for spring. Headed to Nashville!

Can we be honest?

Have you seen some of those amazing craft blogs out there? When I began this one, I was on the Internet every day soaking in all of the wonders of sites like Heather Bailey's blog, Angry Chicken, Posey Gets Cozy, etc. Soon I lapsed into a deep depression, convinced that I'd never live up to their polished look with professionally-designed logos, pictures of their 1,200 sq. ft. boutique-cute craft rooms, and long list of press credits.

Lately, I've been asking myself, "Why should I?" My craft room is about 15 sq. ft. and also serves as the mud room, my husband's closet, and the computer room. It's in the running for one of the ugliest rooms in America. Luckily I have a nice view of the LP tank in the back yard from my sewing machine. Shouldn't I get an award for working conditions like this? Here's a pic no other self-respecting craft diva with her own line of fabric and toilet paper would post to her blog:

Speaking of getting real: How do those women with children actually find time to make those weekly heirloom quilts and ball gowns from yo-yos? Oh, of course--nannies. I have nap time and Blue's Clues videos. I grab an hour at a time (max) as I push the guilt down to the bottom of my gut and Nora sits transfixed in front of the TV, or the laundry goes undone. Here's what happens when she is left to her devices while I'm sewing or painting:

That's the ugly truth, people. In the midst of all of this chaos, I lose myself in the hum of the needle, the whimsy of the patterns that pop from behind the glass of my supply hutch, and the blossom of the paint across the paper. There are some quiet moments in every day--maybe just five minutes matching fabrics or following the erratic and poetic lines of a bird nest found in the back yard. I gather all of this inspiration together and let it flow into my work when the time finds itself. My blog is where I order it all and create a little reflection of my life in my mind's eye.

New batch of bags

Here is one of three new bags I've finished as part of my next order for the Nashville Clothing Co. Made from vintage tablecloth (exterior) and lined with Moda contemporary cotton. The dragonfly detail is hand appliqued with vintage fabrics. I'm waiting on a new batch of beautiful vintage fabrics from several Ebay auctions. Can't wait to get my hands on them, so I can get the last two bags in the order finished.