My SIL called up several days ago and asked if I would take an order of a tote from a friend. Since I love sewing bags I didn't need much persuasion :-)

However in my haste to get it done quickly (she would probably be coming down over the long weekend to pick it up), I got the pockets sewn up the wrong way! AAAAGH! More time wasted!

Finally, all done :-) And I'm real pleased with the patchwork, especially how the combination turned out.

A closer look at the button which I felt hard-pressed to part with. It's a HUGE wooden one from some shop in Malacca, courtesy of a friend who went there to visit her daughter.

 Here's the back. I felt really inspired by the front piece so I had to have a patchwork patch here too... and yes, not forgetting the handles :-)

...the inside pockets are also patchworked. It was A LOT OF work but the end product justified the time spent.

It's nice to know that the bag is going off to someone who appreciates handwork. It makes the parting easier :-)

Labels: 2011, Bags, Patchwork Bag

That's because my 2-week holiday is fast coming to an end! Wouldn't it be great if we could do a rewind? ;-D Sigh, it's back to the grind stone tomorrow, hence the frenzied crafting for the past few days. Remember the piles of test papers I mentioned at the start of the semester break? For the coming week, it's going to be pay-back time for recalcitrant me ;-P ...and with no regrets mind you!!!


Today's post concerns my Shabby Chic tote which is going to be my last bag - for a while at least ;-) They say the last is the best. I couldn't agree more. To use my students' lingo, this has to be my best-est creation! LOL! I love it totally.

1. Love the colour scheme - shabby chic combination.
2. Love the fabrics - they are all my favourite left over scraps.
3. Love the handles - a slightly different way of attaching to the main body.
4. Love the big heavy enamel cream-coloured button - in the shape of a flower.
5. Love the interior - baby green vintage quilted lining with boxy pockets on one side and normal flat ones on the other. Notice the patchwork on the pockets as well?
6. Finally, love the size - a gigantic 17" x 19.5" (think of all the stash you can smuggle in without your other half giving you the disapproving look! LOL!)





Well, until my next round of holidays, it's "crafts put on hold".....but then again, you ought to know me, I don't have much self-control over this area :-) Thanks for dropping in folks.

Labels: 2010, Craft, Patchwork Bag

This star block is another ONE of my MANY unfinished projects... but thanks to Tooty Fruity, I was inspired to  sew another bag. I didn't want to buy fresh material and that's how I ended up with this combination. Not bad, I hope :-) Anyway, I'm not going to unpick even if you tell me it's the horrible-st colour mix you have seen in your whole life time! LOL! I'm sure you will be "gentle" with your comments :-)
And here is the finished product. It measures 16.5" x 17.5". Yup, I'm into big bags this round :-)
...and here is the back. I used this big floral print because I wanted the pinks and greens to brighten up the star block... and I had the royal blue cotton drill pick up the tiny blue flowers.
The inside is made from vintage quilted fabric of a light green shade. I did not use interfacing here except for the pockets. One side has the boxy type pockets while the other spots the normal flat one. It took me some time (2 days to be exact) to get this done but I'm quite pleased with the outcome. Thanks for dropping by.

Labels: 2010, Craft, Patchwork Bag

What do you do when you are half way into a baby quilt and then decide to abandon boat? LOL!

I didn't want to stash away the blocks as another unfinished project so I decided to innovate and I ended up with this! *GRIN*

It's a gigantic carry-all tote bag, just right for me! :-) Nah, I have too many bags already. I think I'll put it up for adoption at my daughter's blog shop. Should be the perfect carry-all for young and trendy college students.

Tooty Fruity measures a good 51cm X 41cm and is made up of an assortment of 2" X 2" white and pink cotton prints.

Inside you will find 2 big roomy pockets on one side, done up using the patchwork squares.

On the other side is a zippy compartment. Slide it open and you'll get a more colourful print inside.

To secure this huge tote, I used a loop and button. I just love this gilded pink button and I think it sits well here, don't you think so?






So much for my tooty fruity tote... I still have a piece of leftover block... let me slip it under my pillow and see what the dream fairy tells me tonight ;-)

Labels: 2010, Craft, Patchwork Bag