A Little Trip To Paris!!

Don't get too excited about that title ... I didn't need my passport ... unfortunately! :0) How have you welcomed in 2015? Since I'm still enjoying my break from work, my lovely Husky sewing machine and I have been spending some quality time together ... AAAAAHHHHHH! BLISS!! :0)

After finishing putting my new flannel blankie together (sorry ... haven't uploaded those pics yet!) I decided to treat myself to a little bit of fabricky fun ...

... A piece of GORGEOUS Paris inspired fabric gifted to me by the lovely Marion with the instructions to that it was to "play with and make something for yourself ... not a pattern!". :0) Add some yummy script fabric that I've been hoarding for a special occasion, some bright and cheery blue and white dotty fabric and giant rick-rack ... Paris, polka-dots and rick-rack ... you can't go wrong, really, can you?! :0) So ... after some thinking, some playing, a few texted photos back and forth to my designing buddy Toni Alexander the result was ...

Ta Da!  I new every-day shoulder bag for yours truly! I'm too ashamed to share photos, but my old bag has definitely seen better days ... its actually worn through the fabric to the wadding in a couple of spots and VERY grubby from being carted everywhere with me. BLUSH!! Every time Marion has seen it for the last six months or so (you can't rush into these things, after all! Tee! Hee! Hee!) she has shaken her head at me and said something along the lines of ... "You design beautiful bags for patterns and your own bag looks like THAT????" :0) Problem solved, now! Don't you just LOVE that Paris fabric?! I feel like I want to buy metres and metres of it to make doona covers and cushions ... and curtains ... and ...! :0) 

I kept my bag design pretty simple because it will be dragged everywhere with me, so I didn't want lots of fussy bits and it's a nice BIG bag to fit everything in that I habitually carry with me. My brother refers to my handbag (in all its different incarnations!!) as "The TARDIS" ... Dr Who fans will know what he means! :0)

After tossing up about a few different colours for the rick-rack (and consulting my second-opinion-consultant Toni! :0) ) I settled on the brighter red to pick out the red hearts in the Paris print fabric. I also added a length of it down the centre of the handle ... not only to had a splash or bright colour to it, but also to quilt through the handle to help it keep its shape ... hopefully. :0) Then I needed something to add a bit of  a splash to the front of the bag. After playing around, this double rosette seemed perfect ... and it does double-duty of covering the rick-rack join. :0) The lace is the last little bit left over from my wedding dress, so a bit sentimental too. :0)

I'm pretty chuffed with my new handbag ... so much so that I'm rather tempted to write it up as a pattern .... SHHHHH!! Don't tell Marion! Tee! Hee! Hee!

So ... the year is young and I already have a pretty finish to add to my list of finishes ... I'll have to update my sidebar and add a new OPAM list for 2015, won't I? :0) And if you want a low-stress, fun way to keep track of your finishes and encourage you to finish at least one project each month of the year (no penalties if life gets in the way and you miss a month ... or two ... or three!!) Don't forget to keep checking in with my GORGEOUS Partner-In-Crime Sweet Peg and me because ...

OPAM 2015

... WILL be happening! YAY! Sign up will be in the last week of January ... opening date to be finalised. Sweet Peg is a VERY busy gal and I'm still in holiday mode, so we will organise details in the next week or so and let you know. Are you going to join us for a fun year of sewing One Project A Month? Newbies and Repeat-Offenders all welcome! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Right ... I think it's time to go and make myself a nice cup of tea (I know that surprises you all no end! NOT!! Tee! Hee! Hee!) and help the Aussie cricket team for a while before I head back to spend some more quality time with my dear Husky. What are you all up to for the first week of the year? Are you stitching up a storm? Have the holidays kick-started your sewing mojo? Or is your mojo still holidaying without you on a Caribbean island somewhere?! :0) Would love to know what everyone's up to!! Whether working or playing, take care and remember to be kind to yourself. :0) Til next time ...

NEW YEAR BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!
KRIS