Purses

I've been busy again! Sewing purses this time...

Two down and two to go.
The best part? My beautiful model! Seriously, I wish I was a better photographer, she's gorgeous. Thanks Kayleigh for helping me show off my bags!

A step too far?

A friend of mine asked me to make a scripture tote for her tween daughter (for Christmas). She didn't give me too much direction, just that she wanted her to have something fun. Translated in my mind meant 'sassy and blingy!' I'm a little worried that I took it just one step too far though...I'm on the fence about the blinged out handle.
I didn't have a pattern to follow, so what you see is just some crazy concoction that I worked out in my mind.
When I dropped the tote off to my friend a few days ago, I was a little worried. Hoping that she would like it. Success! She loved it (or at least didn't want to hurt my feelings!) And said that if her daughter wasn't enthralled with it, than she would keep it for herself.Changes for next time, if there is a next time...
*The ruffle needs to be skinnier, not so wide.
*The stiff craft-bond interfacing was tough to work with, use regular interfacing next time and the craft bond on JUST the bottom.
*To bling the handle or not to bling the handle? That is the question!

Gathered Flower Purse

When I saw this purse and tutorial over at U create a few weeks ago, I knew I just HAD to make one!

So, here is my version of the Gathered Flower Purse...
and a little closerand even a bit closer shot of the flower.When I first saw the tutorial, I immediately knew that I wanted to make a 'fall version'. A houndstooth (is that spelling right?) pattern was what I first had in mind, but I couldn't find one I liked, so I ended up with this suiting material for the base of the bag. I used black pleather and jersey for the big ole' flower. I think the cute polka-dot interior of the bag is my favorite!
And because I just got back from an amazing week-long cruise with my family, here is a fun shot of me modeling my cute new purse!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

So, it's nothing too original, but for my mom's birthday last week she got this in the mail...
The pattern does not call for a strip of velcro on the inside, that was my addition. Grandma S is kind of obsessed with being able to close her purses/bags up!
The colors are not usually a pallet I would choose for myself, but the bag was for my awesome mom, not for me! The patterns and colors scream Grandma S!

In case you are not familiar with it, this pattern is Amy Butler's Birdie Sling. I'm in love with the pattern and bag. Back when I had Baby C, one was given to me as a gift for a diaper bag. I'm still using it. I've now made a couple of them as gifts for some of my favorite people. If you've never sewn a purse or bag before, this would be a great place to start. It is pretty basic. (Side note, just because it is basic does not mean it is cheap to make...after getting all the nice fabric there is a ton of interfacing, etc. to buy. It is worth it though.)

And of course I didn't take pictures, but I also included about a dozen various hand-made cards along with the bag for her to add to her stash.

Happy Monday!

another book-purse!

I tend to fall in love with something, and then can't resist making lots. Here is another book-purse that I finished last night...Even after making three of these bags (here is the first one...) I still love the novelty of them. The idea is so original and such a conversation piece.

Just like the last one, this purse is for a friend of ours that just graduated from high-school. While the purses are adorable, and oh so much fun, realistically they aren't too practical. It shouldn't be used if there is a chance of rain...because the outside really is just a hard cover book, and it can only carry small things, like a thin wallet, lip gloss, cell phone and small ring of keys. As a mom, I could get away using it only on girls nights out, when I don't have to bring the kitchen sink in a diaper bag, but for these younger ladies who don't have so much junk...perfect!

If you'd like to make one of these super fun purses yourself, click on the link above for the first book-purse I made, and that will take you to the tutorial.

Happy crafting!!

it's a book-purse!

It's a book...It's a purse...It's a book-purse!...I SO wish that I could claim this idea as my own. I think it is SO original and unique. But alas, like most things in the crafty blogosphere I got my idea from here. The tutorial is great. I wasn't sure how my first one would turn out, but I LOVE IT! I think I especially love the extra flowers and 'bling' that I added to the outside. It totally gives it an elegant 'pop'. (It's wierd, I am almost never attracted to floral prints, but for some reason this print just seemed perfect for the occasion. I might have to give florals more thought in the future!)
This book-purse is going to be part of a graduation gift for my niece. She's an adorable girl who loves bags and purses. This one should be different than all her others!

**Side note - I picked the books up at a local thrift store. I've also seen hardcovers on sale at the Library for like $.50 ea. I found the handles at JoAnn's.

it's totally divalicious!

So I finished this fun little purse last night...Some good friends of ours have a daughter graduating from high school this year. I made her two older sisters quilts for them to take off to college when they graduated. I knew that she'd be expecting something too. Knowing that she is a lot more girlie than the other two, I gave her the option of me making a quilt, or a handful of different bags and purses. She chose the second option! (A girl after my own heart!) She is a fun girl, totally cute, and totally divalicious. This little purse screams Michelle! I love the bling around the monogram...so fun.

And because I was having fun making it all fru-fru, I decided to make it two sided...
It's amazing how much 'pop' can be achieved by just adding a flower. I attached the flower with a pin, so she can either leave it on the bag, or use it as a broach, or what ever her little heart desires.

The first bag I made for her is cute and functional...this bag is a little over the top. I think she'll love it! Two down, two to go.

Handbag

Hooray! I finally got around to making something for myself! It seems like it has been forever. I've been working hard on lots of projects for other people and I finally took a little time for myself. I found this pattern online for free and thought it was super cute. I just used some fabric from my stash for my first try, but am loving how it turned out. I can't wait to make another one or two in more springy/summery colors. I'll adjust a few things here and there the next time around, but overall, the bag is adorable, I love it!

I think I'm done doing projects for my friends for a while. Hopefully I can get a few projects done in the next few weeks that I've got going. My baby is due in about three weeks, so wish me luck!