Friday 3 August 2007

A new achievement

I'm feeling quite proud of myself today as I have just (pretty much) managed to follow an Amy Butler pattern (that I bought from U-handbag) to make our niece a messenger bag for her birthday at the end of the month. The family are down from Scotland staying at Granny and Grandpa Biscuit's house but go back on Sunday (they only arrived last night) so I had to get my act together and make it today. Daisy was even asking me to help her tidy her bedroom (WOW!) but I had to get my priorities right - and suggested that Daddy might help her tomorrow!!!


The actual pattern has a lot more pockets and zips and cleverness but as this was my first attempt I stripped it down to the basic bag shape and added two pockets of my own, the one below and a turquoise/brown mobile phone pocket with a button down flap. The photos are dreadful as I am still using Mum and Dad's old camera - it took about 10 shots to get 3 photos soI gave up trying to take an "artistic" shot! . (The colour is better on this photo.)

I have also tried to photograph some of the lovely things I have received from distant parts of blogland. I was really lucky and won two draws:
A gorgeous pincushion from Joni at Yummers


and these amazing embroidered buttons from Esther at My cuppa charms
unfortunately this is a dreadful picture
to see these beautiful buttons better please follow this link
(sorry Esther I will try to post a better picture soon - I took this one 5 times)

Esther also sent these fab buttons from her collection.

In an earlier post I mentioned that my swap partner Debbie from the Melly and Me scrappy cabin swap had sent me a second parcel and I found this picture when I downloaded the photos from the memory card when my camera went off for repair.
The magazine is amazing and even has an article on Janet Bolton!

I have also won the wonderful Mrs Perkins pattern from Melly and Me that I am eagerly awaiting (if our postal strike doesn't get in the way!) Fred loves giraffes so I plan to make a boy version of this for him when we get back from our holiday!

16 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

Oh, the purse looks fabulous -- I'll bet your niece loved it! Lucky you with all the goodies -- Joni's little pincushion is adorable and so are the buttons.

Anonymous said...

The bag is gorgeous, I'm going to have to try making a messenger bag as they're so stylish! And what great booty you've managed to accumulate, bravo!

Leanne said...

Hi Lucy,
I hope that postal strike doesn't get in the way of your PIF gift I posted it yesterday.

est said...

i love yr polka dots bag!! and wow!! you sure are lucky to score so many wonderful gifts!! :)

& you really cracked me up coz i can imagined you clicking & clicking to get a good shot! lol must be quite frust!

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

love that bag
Suzie Ses

dutchcomfort said...

Lovely bag Lucy and you have really been spoilt with all the lovely gifts! They can make your day can’t they?

monda-loves said...

Hello Hello
I just popped by (somewhat belatedly) to say thanks for your comments on my blog (re the name tags/labels for my monsters).
I think I've found myself a solution now - which might just involve making my own, but you'll probably read more about that on my blog in coming weeks. I was really pleased to hear your entire family has been making monsters too and i'm happy for you to post about them on your blog - everyone needs a bit of inspiration now and then :o). I'm off to read your blog now, oh and I love the spotty bag btw - your niece is very lucky indeed.

Looking forward to seeing those monsters!

Monda
x

hannah said...

I love your bag, it looks great and the fabric is lovely. I also adore your grandparents names - granny and grandpa biscuit - so cool!!!

Beertje Zonn said...

What a beautiful Bag!
Kind Regards,

Sonnja

Yummers! said...

Cute bag, Lucy! I just got an Amy Butler purse pattern in the mail today, but haven't opened it yet. I hope it not difficult.
Joni

Unknown said...

The FIRST bag, you say?! It is just gorgeous. Mind you , one can get addicted to making bags. The buttons you received are so cute. Lucky one! And your monsters inspired me. I bet my DS (7 y.o) will love making one too. Take care.

Monkee Maker said...

Cool bag + lucky niece = popular aunty

(Hey, I did maths!)

Juliann in WA said...

We finally finshed our version of this bag. Posted a picture on my blog. We did a bit of altering too.

weirdbunny said...

Oh well done for following a pattern. I hate patterns, I'm simply totally incapable of following them !!!

Thimbleanna said...

P.S. I'm tagging you on my blog tonight, if you'd like to play along... ;-)

Samantha Caffee said...

Found your blog today! I'm so glad I did! I love the bag, good job.