A Quick Project [+Raffle]

/ May 29, 2017

30 days of RA Challenge behind me, I should get to the last post in the series. But a letter to RA? That takes time and much thought, and I don’t want it to be over, yet. So I am postponing it until tomorrow or another day, to keep me entertained on my trip to London. (Heading over to work from the headquarters again for the next few days… and as always I am really looking forward to it, especially as the weather is tipped to be better over there than here…)

Meanwhile, I was engaged in doing what I like least – editing photographs. After photographing an event a couple of months ago, I had to photoshop the images to get them ready for a photo book. I love having the finished object in my hands, but getting there is painful… Especially so, when it isn’t landscape but people photography. There is a clear cause-effect relationship here why my *own* photographs rarely contain people… Red carpets excluded. I love those. But only if there is a particular someone on them. Anyway, in my usual avoidance mode, I embarked on a different project instead.

No, I didn’t make this design. That has already been around for a little while, although I hadn’t shown you yet. So what do you think? It’s the third version of the previous “whimsical” designs – can you figure out who the various symbols represent? 

I uploaded the design to Woven Monkey a month ago (you can find it – and the other two designs – HERE), and the first batch of the printed fabric arrived a couple of weeks ago. Until now, I didn’t have time to play with it, but today inspiration struck and I rustled up a cutesy little handbag.

It is fastened with a custom-made button – pssst, that was actually the result of some improvisation on my part because I forgot to sew the closure into the flap…

handbag

However, the big feature of the bag is, that it is reversible. What is the wipeable, oilcloth inside of the bag as shown above 👆🏻, can be turned into the outside as seen below 👇, depending on what you like better. The seams are hidden, so the bag looks finished from both sides.

It’s got a long cross-body/shoulder strap, and it either works as a cute little handbag with a wipeable outside, or a fancy lunchbag with a wipeable inside. It comfortably holds a wallet + sunglasses + mobile phone + Kindle.

What do you think? Hope you like it.

It was great fun – and surprisingly quick – making this bag. I have also stocked up on the other two fabrics again and bought lots of cute ribbons and bits and pieces to sew with – which means I need more projects. A raffle is ideal – also as a way to say thank you for reading and taking part in the RA Challenge, by discussing the various questions here and on other blogs. The challenge would not have been as much fun, if you hadn’t responded to it. Thank you for reading me and for sharing your thoughts on my blog!

So if you leave me a comment, I’ll raffle an item of your choice (handbag, zipper pouch, lunchbag, or pillow case) in the fabric of your choice (blue, black or grey) among all participants. Raffle is open for comments until 11.59pm (GMT Summer), Thursday, 1st June 2017.

Good luck!

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89 thoughts on “A Quick Project [+Raffle]”

  2. Very beautiful! And very well crafted, kudos to you. As for the images, do they refer to Monet, Gary Fuller and Paul Andrews? 😉

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  5. Oh, that’s something every lady should have 😀 ❤

    p.s. still haven't started on my letter – there's always something getting in the way and letter really should have head and tail 😛

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  6. Ahh! I love that your designs always come with a bit of a character guessing game. Every project is stylish as well as functional. Bravo! The newest color combo is my fave so far. Thanks for another great raffle. ❤️

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  7. I love your fabrics. Lilacs for Proctor, socks for Paul, scarf for Ricky, tornado for Gary, paintbrushes for Monet. With your lovely Hobbit era silhouette, complete with napecurls as a cherry on top of chocolate ice cream. 💝

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  8. “Just whipped up a little, reversible handbag made out of fabric I designed myself” – words never likely to come from my mouth lol! You are very talented! The bag is gorgeous and I love the grey/lilac combo, my favourite of the three I think.

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    • Ah, thanks for the kind words, but really, this is a very easy project. A few straight lines to sew, that’s all. Mind you, I *am* pleased it turned out well. I’ll probably try this kind of design for a slightly bigger bag, too; something to fit my laptop.
      I like that colour combination, too…

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    • Thank you Radioactive 🙂 – and cool, you bought some of the fabric? Hehe, I had to laugh about your comment. I do the same thing so often. I buy fabric or ribbon or other crafting materials and then never work with them because I am waiting for that *one* special project… Silly. Go and use it – I am sure you’ll make something nice.

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  11. You’ve done a fantastic job with this bag. It’s funny you should mention letters to Richard because last night I found a print out of one I wrote to him in 2013. It’s probably the only one I’ve ever mailed. Of course, he probably never even read it but it’s not like I’m going to meet the man one day and talk to him, so it’s okay. 😉

    Thank you for always being generous to the fandom.

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    • Thank you – it’s a pleasure and a source of great satisfaction to me. PLus, it is fun to send out love (and gifts).
      How did it feel, reading through your old fan letter? From 2013? That was relatively early on our journey. Good thing I don’t write fan letters *grins* – I think I would cringe so hard…

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      • It was kind of strange, actually. I asked him if he received the ‘Blurb’ hardcover book that Jenna and Ga spearheaded for his 41st birthday, which had contributions from most of us. I also told her about a young fan who didn’t kill herself because she thought about how disappointed Thorin would be if she gave up while the going was tough (she’s still alive, BTW). Oh, and I obnoxiously asked him to stop with the “my face doesn’t lend itself to me playing the romantic lead” comment. Ha! Yes, I was a pain in the butt – or in his case, the peaches.

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  13. You did say whose 11:59 mine or yours. When I first saw your fabric I did realize the cameo was a silhouette of Mr Armitage. Your imagination is a wonder. Thank you for keep us informed.

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    • Oh damn, thanks for pointing that out, Dele – I shall edit that in at once. All times always my own, i.e. GMT (summer time).
      Yep, I couldn’t resist putting RA’s silhouette (including nape curls and quiff) in there. He was just so extra yummy back then…

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  15. What a cute practical work of art. You are amazing. The lilacs are beautiful and so is the profile you chose. Also love the cross body style. Maybe the lucky winner can ask RA to autograph it at the next stage door, wherever that may be.

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    • Practical + beautiful. I love that kind of combination. The profile really adds value to any project *hehe*.
      You know, I was actually thinking that re. autographing the bag. The wipeable oilcloth really lends itself to that.

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  16. Is there anything you can’t do? You’ve stumped me on the lilacs…but I am sure it will come to me. (once I’ve actually engaged the ole brain.)

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    • Hehehe, yes, there are plenty of things I can’t do. Like drawing. (Although my attempts at drawing socks, scarves and paintbrushes turned out alright in this case.)
      The lilacs – here’s the quote: “It’s winter in here yet. On Sunday let you come with me, and we’ll walk the
      farm together; I never see such a load of flowers on the earth. Lilacs have a purple smell. Lilac is
      the smell of nightfall, I think. Massachusetts is a beauty in the spring!”

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    • Hehe, hey, I am glad you like this…
      Die Socken – ich weiß, die sind schon ein bisschen anzüglich *höhö*. Aber da sieht man dann eben auch wieder, wer sich auskennt, und wer nicht 😉

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  19. The little bag is gorgeous and the button is the cherry on the cake! You are very talented and we all benefit from your talent. I’m glad I saw this before ordering the new material, the drill looks so good in this color. Btw, I know (reading between the lines) that the socks are for Paul, but still no idea why 🙂 don’t tell me, I will figure out!

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  20. The new design and the bag looks amazing. I think I need to order piece of that fabric at some point. I already have pieces of those two other fabrics, still waiting what my sister is going to do for me.

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  21. I really love the button! And the bag itself, of course!
    40 minutes? It would probably take me many days to make that! I do not have fond memories of my Home Economics classes at school. Turned me off of it forever.
    But your projects turn out so well!

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    • I never had home economics in school – what a pity, I was always a crafty sort of child. I would’ve enjoyed that. And I would’ve liked to learn sewing properly – rather than dilettanting around like I do 😉

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  22. You are a speedy seamstress, it took me ages to make two items in the blue fabric I am pleased with them however lol
    I love the new fabric as well.

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    • Ah, it’s not about speed, though. Maybe it is about courage? I usually jump straight in, and wait where the inspiration is going to take me. Sometimes it actually takes me nowhere 🤣

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  23. OmG you are so talented.Massachusetts is nice,BUT,upstate NY is nicer and my lilacs smell oh so nice.Love the bag.I guessed all 5..

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  24. Wow. You are speedy! I love the button. You could make a bunch and sell them as needle minders. This colour combo is beautiful.
    I think I’m going to buy a piece. I have an interesting idea 😀

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    • Well, it’s a small bag, so it really doesn’t take that long.
      “Needle minders” – what a cool word. And cool idea. I am even thinking I could put a small but strong magnet in there, for picking up needles…
      Ooooh, and now I am curious what your idea is…

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  25. Wow! Love the fabric! It’s beautiful & vibrant! 😊 👍 Your creations are amazing! I know that you do lots of cute stuff, so I’m curious to know, what’s your favorite one (of your creations) and why?

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    • Thanks for your kind comment, Marlene.
      Oh wow, that’s a tough, tough question. I kind of see most of my creations a bit like an artist. (I don’t mean to say that I am one – I am a dilettante and a hobbyist, nothing more than that) That means, at the time of making something, I always think that that particular item is the best thing I ever made 😄.
      If pushed, I’d probably say that my pocket shrines are my favourite creations – mainly because they are all completely unique, and also probably because they take a lot of time and can’t really be done in a rush. However, I find it really difficult to pick out a favourite of my pocket shrines… Let me have a quick look at my gallery… … … Hm, so I looked but am still undecided. Even though he is not my fave character, I quite like the Francis Dolarhyde shrines. Oh, and I really really like the miniRAPS #16. Just because I love the photography by Blair Getz Mezibov, and because the shrine was really fiddly and difficult to make. Oh, and for vanity reasons – my own picture of RA is in it…

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  26. OMG the bag is lovely! Congratulation on your new creation. It is nice to have Monet and Ricky in your design as well the socks (lol).
    I wanted to order the black design to sew a little shopper,- no not me, a friend who loves sewing will do this for me- but now your new fabric in grey/lila……hm….maybe I need two different shopper bags?
    Btw 40 minutes- you are kidding

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    • Thank you B – and well done for identifying all the characters, particularly the ‘socked one’!
      Grey/lilac has become my new favourite, too. You know what – the shopper bag is a great idea. I should make a few and auction them off for charity, too.
      And yes, 40mins is no lie. That was a small bag (about 20x20cm), so it was quickly sewn.

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  30. Just a bag she says!! Can’t believe it was 40 min!!!! i wouldn’t even know where to begin! I adore all elements and i like the combo on each fabric of funny, secretive and romantic! Lilacs are particularly sweet.. it’s in that particular scene and probably with those words that i fell in love with Proctor. as he reveals himself to be deep down vulnerable and quite romantic… sigh…. Only danger with these beautiful things is one keeps tracing ones fingers across the pattern all the time :-))))

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