New things

....well by new things I mean making the harder version of something I've done in the past!  :)

who knew that making a more tailored bag would be enjoyable and easier than thought? Not me.

 ...who knew that an inside zippered pocket would be so simple to manoeuvre through? Not I, again.

 ...and who knew that adding a twist lock closure(or even a magnetic snap lock) would be as equally simple? Again...uh uh!  :)

 But I do now thanks to a tutorial video I watched on CreativeBug in which Nicole Mallalieu showed me how! Nikki is a very talented lady from Melbourne(if memory serves me correctly) and this pattern is one of her own designs.

Even though I've been sewing for around 40yrs having made my own clothes to start with, I always picked the 'easy' way to make things and then wonder why they never turned out quite right. You'd think I'd know better by now after discovering some years back how easy it is to sew a zip into a piece of clothing 'if you just follow the instructions on the pattern' instead of bumbling through in your own thought out way!

This green check bag was the second one I made and even though I broke 4 needles along the way(used fabric that was way too thick for my experience in the thicker parts, looks and feels like a wool or wool blend) I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Really enjoyed! Surprised myself no end.

It all started when I was trying to work out what to make for my very goodly friend Joolz for her birthday. I had just joined Creativebug and had noticed Nikki's bag and thought why not make a red bag to go with Joolz's very pretty red shoes? Why not indeed.

The bag above of course, was the result. I had to change the tab shape a bit to accommodate the vintage doily that I knew she'd love. (hope you don't mind me doing that Nikki) It's lined with a tiny red and white check.

I guarantee I'll be making more bags with lovely tailoring, zippered pockets and who knows what else! lol. 

 

Thought I'd throw this in for good measure and make you smile maybe. 

I took this photo some time ago when I saw an-almost fairy ring of toadstools in our backyard and thought I'd have some fun with it using the little ladybird and one of my wee dormice.

It turned out much better than I thought it would.

Enjoy the rest of your week. Sending happy thoughts your way.  ♥

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.  ~  Neale Donald Walsch