My Bella Bag

Finally I get to make a bag for myself. For ages now I have been using the Slouchy Bag designed by ChrisW Designs. It's held up really well, in fact it still looks like it's been hardly used, I loved the bag design but wasn't keen on the colours so yesterday I finally finished the Bella Bag to replace Slouchy. Then in the evening decided to make me a wallet to match my bag. It's about time I treated myself. LOLL

This design is by wait for it....................... yes you guessed it, Chris W Designs. I can't help it if I like her patterns. LOLLL
If you'd like to make one too you can buy the pattern from here.

http://www.chriswdesigns.com/bella.htm

As you can see it has a pocket on the front and two at the sides.
The back also has a zipper pocket. The only thing I did different was the straps. Christine's design has grommets and egg-shape snap hooks to attach the straps. Mine were too small for the straps I had already made and as it was a holiday here and everywhere was closed I made my straps like this.

The whole of the bag has been free motion quilted. I'm really pleased how it turned out.
Inside there are two slip pockets and an extra slip pocket behind a zippered pocket.

After making Bella I decided I needed a wallet to match so I made this one. No it's not a Christine design. LOLLL This one is a Keyka Lou Design. It's the Zip Pocket Pouches pattern.
Here's the link if you want to make one.
http://www.michellepatterns.com/product/zip-pocket-pouches-sewing-pattern

The pattern uses a Velcro closure but I'm not too keen on Velcro so used a magnetic snap instead.
All that's left now is for me to go out shopping. Maybe some more fabric. LOLLL

One last thing. Just thought I'd show you my green runner beans that have just sprouted. I can't wait for the harvest. LOLL

I'm going to be making a clutch next so don't leave it too long before you check back.

Thanks for stopping by

~ Maria ~

Crazy Patchwork CD Wallet Tutorial

I've never done a tutorial before but have wanted to give it a try for some time now. It had to be something simple to start with and as I needed a CD wallet to store all the CD's I have scattered around my room, thought this was the perfect project.

It's a FREE tutorial. Here is the link.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8ZRbAGmrcVaTkR6WF9tal8ydm8

If you have any problems with the above link. Just send me an email, found in my profile, and I will send you a copy.

I hope you enjoy making the wallet. I've made two and could do with some more.

If you make one I'd love to see a photo of your creation.

NOTE   I don't mind what you do with the tutorial. You can sell the wallets you make from it, share it, make it for yourself or friends and family, all I ask is that you give me credit for the tutorial by linking back to my blog in some way.

Thank you.
Have fun

~ Maria ~
                                              

Sunglasses Case & Yo-yo key chain

I had some time to spare this morning, just enough to make a quick project, so I made a sunglasses case and a matching yo-yo key chain. The key chain was really supper quick. I'll definitely be making more of these.

The sunglasses case is a free tutorial that can be found here http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.de/2010/06/tutorial-summer-sunglasses-case.html and the yo-yo key chain is just basically two yo-yos sewn together with a tab sandwiched in between. What could be more simple.

~ Maria ~

Play Time

Hi

I was just taking a rest from sewing and decided to play. LOLLL My idea of playing is searching the internet for ideas and inspiration and came across a blog by Liz called 'Moments'. She's just made a post about pincushions and there are loads to choose from with links to all of them for you to make. In fact I'm dizzy just looking at them all. Liz has also made some lovely bags. When you have a some time to play grab a cup of tea or coffee and  go over to
                                                   
 http://liz-moments.blogspot.de/

 and take a look for yourself.

Another find was at Sew Sweetness where Sara has posted a tutorial with pattern pieces for 'The Underwater Stripes Bag', really pretty.
This is the link    

 http://www.sewsweetness.com/

This is the first in a series of blog hops brought to you by Canoe Ridge Creations that runs for two weeks and is called Festival of Half Square Triangles. I can't wait to see the other projects. You can grab a button on my right side bar.

Ok I'm off to do some more searching.
Hope you have fun playing too.

~ Maria ~

Matilda Dance Tote in Pleather

Hi
Remember the Matilda Dance Tote I tested for Christine well this is the pleather version also included in her pattern.
I made the larger size and am so pleased with it. Of course this is another one that my daughter has claimed. LOLLL
She took photos with her own camera and what a difference, so much nicer than my cell phone camera ones.

   Thanks for letting me test it for you Chris.

I have some left over pleather so may try to make a wallet to match.
Here is the link to Chris's blog where you can take a look at her pattern which will be available soon.   http://blog.chriswdesigns.com/


~ Maria ~