Painting with markers

After seeing so many marker drawings get ruined by water I considered the possability that markers could be used more like paint.  I embossed this stamp image onto an ATC and then colored in the  areas using Crayola markers (that's right...the same ones little kids use).  Then I used a wet paint brush to liquify the ink and blend the colors together.

My first Sewing Machine...Can I make a purse?

Why yes, I think I can!  I used red craft felt, artificial fall leaves, some silky brown fabric for the lining, and scraps from my livingroom curtains for the handle.  I think this purse is about 5" X 8" with a small pocket inside.  This being my first time using a sewing machine in about 16 years...I forgot, at one point, to put the foot down when I was sewing...oops.  It got easier when I remembered that the foot should be down.  I could have done better on the handles because I failed to fold the raw edges inside.  Maybe I can sew a ribbon over those edges to prevent more fraying.  I have gotten much better since this trial run.