This Bag's For ME!!

Okay, so I made another bag yesterday. It's like the prototype I posted yesterday, and hasn't been named yet. But I really like that bag, so decided to make one for myself. I have quite a bit of vintage barkcloth and have been saving this one piece especially to make something for myself. This bag was the perfect project for that fabric, and I love how it turned out.

The front is adorned with a large silver ring (heavy) to give the flap weight so it keeps the bag closed. But I also added two magnetic snaps inside for added security. The strap is made so that it ties at the top so you can shorten or lengthen it as desired.

The back is plain and simple to showcase the beauty of the barkcloth.

I used a quilter's cotton from the Durham Roses collection by Lecien for the lining. Inside features four pockets on one side and a zipper pocket on the other. As you can see, there is a lot of room in this bag, so it would be great for those of you who like a little bit of a larger purse. But it's not too big, coming in at 12 inches tall (excluding the strap) x 14 inches wide, by 5.5 inches deep. I added a plastic canvas piece in the bottom to add structure and help keep it from sagging.

I think I'm going to call this bag "Doris Jean" after my grandmother. She was a fantastic seamstress and sewed all the time when I was young. She passed away a few years after I moved to Ohio, so I'd like to honor her memory with this bag. I think she'd be surprised that I can sew at all! :o) By the way, did I mention that I really love this bag?

My New Wallet

Yesterday, when I should have been working on a project I'm doing for a friend, I decided to make something for myself. I already have a bunch of wallets that I've made for myself - many more in fact than I have bags. But I bought this fabric last summer at a quilt show and have been wanting to make a wallet with it. So, I did! :o)

My lack-luster photo skills make it look all wonky, but it's really not. It's nice and straight and neat. I love these colors!

I'm Loving this Bag!

Okay, so here's another new bag. I really like this one. It's large, but not too large. I believe it can be used as an every day bag, or as a market bag, beach bag, baby bag, etc. This is the prototype so I didn't put any pockets inside...but since the style is making the cut, I'll put pockets in the next one. The bag is 12 inches tall (excluding the strap) x 14 inches wide x 6 inches deep. I made the strap so that it ties at the top, so you can shorten/lengthen it if desired

I can't wait to make the next one!

A Beaded Give-Away

My friend and fabulous jewelry-maker Deb led me to the blog of a very talented woman that makes beads. Oh my goodness, they are so unique and beautiful. Well, she is having a give away of a bowl full of her beaded beauties! Go check it out at summersstudio.blogspot.com. I sure hope I win...I'd love to have some of those gorgeous beads on a few of my bags! :o)

Say Hello to Betty Ann

This is my newest design and I'm calling her "Betty Ann". This particular bag is made using two prints from the "Hello Betty" line by Momo for Moda Fabrics. The fabrics in this line are all reproductions of 1930's prints, and I absolutely love them!

Betty Ann is kinda low slung. She measures 10.5" tall (to the top of the strap tab) x 13.5" wide x 2.5' deep. I have put a 7" zipper pocket on the back; three interior slip pockets, and a 7" interior zip pocket. There is a magnetic snap closure tab on the exterior, plus two interior magnetic snaps for added security. The strap on this particular bag is 36" long, and is enhanced by two silver "D" rings.

Like all my bags, pockets and straps are totally customizable, and zips will be accompanied by pretty beaded zipper pulls made by my friend, Deb. Betty Ann sells for $35.00.

A Sigh of Relief

Wow! What a relief to have this bag and wallet finished. I am terribly ashamed and embarrassed to admit how long I have kept the woman who ordered this bag waiting! She has been very patient, and I hope that the outcome was worth her wait.

This is my Abbey Bag made in Michael Miller's Dragonfly Dancers. I used a blue with white polka dot quilter's cotton from JoAnn Fabrics for the lining. The bag has two exterior slip pockets on front, a 7" zipped pocket on back ~ complete with one of Deb's lovely zipper pulls ~ and four pockets inside. The bag closes with two magnetic snaps inside, plus a button tab on the outside. The finished bag measures 11" tall (excluding strap) x 13" wide x 3" deep. This one sports a 36" strap.

The wallet is in the same fabrics and is my standard tri-fold wallet with cash pocket, zipper pocket for coins (also sporting a zip pull from "Deb the Beading Wonder"), 6 credit card slots, and a pocket for your check book, receipts, etc.

The Abbey Bag sells for $35.00; the wallet for $17.50.

Special Order - Lighthouse

This bag is a special order for Susan K. She saw the snowman lighthouse bag that I made for Vicki for Christmas and liked what she saw so wanted her own bag (thanks, Susan! :o)

This is made in the small Scout Messenger style. The flap is made from a lighthouse tapestry fabric; the body of the bag is faded denim; the lining is a quilter's cotton from JoAnn Fabrics.

Front view of bag. NOTE: The top of the lighthouse is NOT cut off...it's just on the top part of the flap.

Back view: 7" zipper pocket

Under flap: 7" zipper pocket. Flap closes with a magnetic snap.

Inside view: four slip pockets on one side; a 7" zipper pocket on the other. Main bag closes with magnetic snap.

All that's left is for Deb to make the zipper pulls and put them on. Hope you enjoy the bag, Susan!