I did it! ♥Handbag Project!!!

...and it only took me a year! Ha! So with the Holidays over and my creative mojo back, (and help from my talented mom and grandma...), I am feeling the creative itch!
I finally found a purse that I am able to tackle at my somewhat beginner sewing level! It's a fat quarter purse! I have had the purse handles and other accessories (see below) for a year! I found fabric three weeks ago in the fat quarter section of JoAnn's Etc....(I got it sewed up and had to have homemade blueberry muffins..mmm mmmm)

The Yo-Yo's used above are my grandmothers contribution to my project!
After folding taking two inches off the bottom for the loops, I folded the rest of the "fat quarter" in half, cut, did the same to muslin for my lining. Ironed stiff fusible web and sewed around three sides, got my handles looped and sewed on with a good 3-4 lines, got all turned inside out, sewed up and TA-DA!!!!!!

It originally was rectangle, but I squashed the top to go inside, sewed a tiny bit to keep it together inside so I have a bit of an angle clutch-like look.

My mom's hands above showing me how far in and encouraging me that "You can do it Kaye!!!!"

...and the final result! A beautiful handbag for a trip to the mall... (or Target...heh heh)

The Fat Quarter Tutorial I used was from Sew, Mama, Sew! Check it out as there are other Fat Quarter Tut's on there also! Thank You Jennifer!

Ok for the best part! The details, you know I looooooove details!
The yo-yo's were from my grandma, and I made ruffle flowers also. A little organza ribbon flower and some charms that I found in the clearance aisle at Joanns. I frayed the ruffle flowers and organza to go with the new style going on now... ;)

The beaded chain thing is on a bunch that are on a key ring that was in the purse making aisle... not sure what they are for exactly... but I liked it! So it is hooked on the purse loop behind the main flower....

above is with flash-

below is without flash-

January is always an inspiration filled month. Trying to start that resolution we made be it, health, organizing your home, starting and finishing is hard to do. I know that first hand, admittedly I can be lazy about it all too. (Did I just type that in here?) I have been inspired by my Grandma and Mother to get cracking on a stitchery project. I chose to start off small and pick a small project. A project I knew could be done in a week or two.With two boys (three including my husband, ha!)I can't work on a project all day. (no matter how much I want to...)

AHH- instant gratification!

In my opinion:

www.pinemtndesigns.com has very cute looking patterns and kits.

http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com/ is another

http://www.threadsthatbindonline.com/ has beautiful Punchneedle kits and patterns and so much more.

I am very into embroidery and Punchneedle this month. Next month ya never know, I may feel inspired by home decor. I will share with you photos of projects and other inspiring ideas as I learn the blogging experience. I hope you will check back and feel inspired also.