Take a pretty pattern...

add suitable fabrics...

and make it your own.

As I didn't have suitable ric rac or lace for my bright fabrics I just used binding for decoration.

No buckle - just use a band of  fabric and a button on the handle.

I actually used two buttons like the pattern to attach the two ends of the handle!

I am very happy with this bag and it is quite a good size, I'll take it to work this afternoon for a test drive.

Pattern from Handmade Vol 24 No 9 - Ready for Afternoon Tea by Ann Francene Dimmer.

I did of course alter the method of construction to obtain a cleaner finish on the bag, with the only hand sewing being the buttons.

The sun is shining outside and I have walked by the beach, not silly enough to go in like some.

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Anywhere Bag...

These pieces waited patiently for a couple of days while I pretended to be a responsible citizen of the world and went to the office!

Today was back to my latest routine - home during the day. It was a grey and rainy day for the most part, so I spent it indoors with my needles and threads.

OK, I put Nomee to work and she played very nice.

This bag is an excellent size for lots of things - see this is the inside.

Like a bucket really - the colour is better represented in the above photo it is a pretty gold colour which matches the flowers on the outer fabric, maybe because just this once I used two fabrics from the same range in a project. (A bit radical - I know!)

The construction of this bag means there is no trying to get the bulky outer through a small gap in the lining.

Instead the base is attached on the outside with binding - perfect really, especially good for making the base more solid.

A pretty button closure finishes the look nicely.

Just like with the perfect zip on Sunday - this button was in the stash and is a pretty wooden one that is a found item. Yay.

While the handle is not long the shaping at the top of the bag means that it is easy to wear on the shoulder.

I know this bag will be well used because the one I made for me three years ago is looking much the worse for wear, which is why I brought the fabric to make this one back in February. It took me until July to locate the pattern - Go Anywhere Bag design by Heather Waldron published in a Handmade Magazine before the end of 2008!

Playing along with Curly Pops Choose your own bag Adventure Sew Along.

There was some knitting today too - but that happens in little bits every day, even when I go to the office.

To finish off a lovely relaxed and productive day I went to NCB, for social crafting, in my case more knitting.

Hope your Wednesday was full of stitches.

Simply Red Bag

I finally remembered how to finish the handles on the bag I started a few weeks ago and 30 minutes later it was all done, just in time for it's first outing today.

My version of the Simply Chic bag pattern by Colleen Archbold which was published in Handmade magazine Vol 23 No 2.

The instructions are very clear but the handle thing was not working for me - sometimes I just like to make things more difficult than they need to be.

Not only did my red bag survive its first outing it received complimentary comments as well, (my audiologist may soon have a new hobby).

When I got home I finished this little snow piece, quite the opposite of the hot humid weather we have been experiencing here.

Design by Esther over here where there are a number of free cross stitch patterns.

Hope you enjoyed creating today.

Sewing, stitching and shopping

Taking advantage of the extra day off last week - I put Nomee to work and made two more triangle pouches.

I completed the Blue polka dot squares at NCB last Wednesday and they are still waiting for another turn at the action. That is another Biscornu pincushion there - just because I could.

The weekend saw me stitch the little Christmas Tree which was already traced - thanks June. It is Gail Pan's free Tree from 2010.

Saturday I took myself to the Eastern suburbs to participate in Fabric Frolic - I added just a few new pieces to the stash.

And today because I organised a long weekend I sewed the fabric I collected last week on my bonus day off.

Presenting Summer Tote a project designed by Jody Anderson which appeared in Handmade Vol28No4.

Some fabrics just work together!

Hope your Monday has been perfect.

FNSI -

let me make enough progress on my projects that I was able to complete them after work today.

The jewellery pouches were not pictured yesterday as they were all sewn up just waiting for their ribbons.

A Christmas centrepiece made using the blocks I sewed earlier in the week.

Two more biscornu pin cushions now that I know how easy they are to make.

Four finished jewellery pouches, I even purchased a little something to put in each one.

So the snowman and Santa are incomplete but they now have stuffing and should be done in no time.

Wishing you all some time in your creative space between the celebrations.

Sew fest

Monday night when I got home from work I decided Nomee needed a work out - she has been taking it easy lately, just a little bit here and there.

This is serious and I had been cutting after work this past week so I had plenty of projects ready to go - well can I just say we had a very successful session and concluded with a finish and an almost finish before midnight.

As work has gotten exceptionally busy with a major deadline looming I have been spending too much time there to get very creative with Christmas presents so my five nieces will all be getting a variation on the same theme this year.

I used some of the blocks cut from the Christmas panel to make these two patchwork blocks which will become part of a bigger project.

I made this Biscornu pincushion just because the pattern was there and it looked much easier to construct than I had previously imagined - it was a breeze. Yay a finish - well it was the almost last night as I neglected the button, but I fixed that this morning first thing. I have today off to go to my craft group Christmas break up - a girls gotta get some time out for good behaviour.

Here is the first finish - a small jewellery pouch only four more to go, but three more are already started in the picture above.

All of these projects were inspired by projects in one magazine - convenient that I didn't have to shuffle. Handmade Vol28 No4 from sometime in 2010.

Best get myself sorted and make something for afternoon tea then I can sew some more.

Hope you get to share with friends this week.

Beach Picnic

Miss Maree and I went to the beach for our picnic today in the sunshine.

Miss Maree has a twin sister, as the first one I made was a 40th birthday present for MsJ, but I liked her so much I made one the same for my collection.

The pattern for this bear is from a Handmade magazine 2003/4 the project is called Sara and the designer is Sharone Peacock.

We had a visit from some pretty Mermaids.

These are part of the Art in Public places Under the Sea exhibition at the local community centre.

A very nice picnic today. Hope you can join us.

Thanks to Melody for letting us play along.

Wishing you sunshine on this the last day of March.

Secret Santa Swap

The post people really are doing there thing this time.

As my Secret Santa recipient does not celebrate Christmas there is no need to keep anyone in suspense any longer - her package has been received and opened.

Here is where the cat package embroidery ended up - as a bib on this apron.

I included her name instead of the greeting on the original design by Lesley Purdon which appeared in Handmade magazine - Vol27No3.

The other goodies I included were some sweets, one of the many wash cloths I crocheted and a lavender hanger embroidered with her initial.

Thanks to Rebecca for this fun swap.

Santa's helpers in the mail service delivered my package in this swap this week, with strict instructions of no peeking before December 25th. So I have put it somewhere for safe keeping and will delight in the surprise on Christmas morning.

Thanks to my Secret Santa whose identity will not be revealed until Christmas.

Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend and staying safe.

Happy Creating

Kitty's star garden

Here's kitty playing in a garden of stars - sure is nice to have some bright ones around here.

This stitchery project is by Lesley Purdon and appeared in Handmade Vol27 No3.

All ready to be included in the finished project - need to put Nomee to work again.

Have a great Monday - may there be some time in your day for creating.

Happy Crafting

V, T, J, cat

It seems I don't know my A, B, C after all.

More stitching ready for making into gifts for Christmas giving.

I started this cat in a box, I really like her simplicity and perfect for a Gift.

Design by Lesley Purdon printed in Handmade Vol27, No3.

Hope your week has been a good one with lots of creativity.

Next stop the weekend.

Happy Crafting