Fun with handbags!

I forget how absolutely crazy it is at the beginning of a new school year. Hence the lazy blogging. I've got several show and tells I'd like to post. So rather than put everyone to sleep with one enormous long post, I'll be putting you to sleep with several moderately long ones instead! Here's the first...

After trying several of the projects from Bend the Rules Sewing, I finally worked up the courage to try out the Charming Handbag. It is one of the more adorable projects in the book that I really wanted to try, but it appeared difficult so I didn't bother for a few weeks(why put undo stress on myself?). However, after whipping up some monsters, a couple other bags, a few words of encouragement from a crafty blogger, and seeing a zillion inspiring versions on the flickr pool, I decided to give it a go. Here is the result. And it is, indeed, charming! SOOOOO much easier than I thought! Took just a couple of hours and I don't recall pulling any hair out in the process!

I'm feeling pretty confident after this one, so I decide to revisit the simple tote bag. I used one of the dish towels I came across on a KMart spree. Got funky with this one and added a lemon appliqué--first time attempting this. It took me 45 minutes to figure out how to do the blanket stitch, but I did it! Well, even after this addition it wasn't quite gaudy enough for me, so I embroidered "Make Lemonade" to the front as well. I added two long straps and it is a bit bigger than the pattern in the book. Looking at it now, there are some things I'd have done differently, but I'm pretty happy with it! I've been carrying it and have had several compliments...which is kinda nice!




This towel fabric is so fun that I had to do something else with it. I thought it might make a cute market bag and asked Jackie if that was something she might use. She was all over the idea so we tried it using the orange print towel. All I did was sew up the two edges, flatten the bottom and add the straps on the outside. Here's Jack with her bag.I have two more of these fruity towels...I think my own grocery runs to Kroger may be a bit more fashionable & fun in the very near future!

If you are wondering, and I'm just certain you are...I have not abandoned my apron obsession! Am currently in the process of making an apron for Jack from this fun fabric.Also planning to make aprons for a couple other family members, as well as a super-cute Halloween apron using these:

That's it for me, for now! I've got some birthday goodies, cookbook news and a fabric shopping spree I'll be sharing a bit later!