So with a totally clear conscience for having completed the task at hand, I headed downstairs this afternoon for a little celebratory crafting.
My friend Teri sent me two gorgeous tea towels from Crate & Barrel with my Christmas present. I totally fell in love with the print and immediately thought, I must have a bag out of this! Much too pretty to dry dishes.
I went to C&B yesterday and picked up two more--just in case I needed more fabric--and washed and dried them. It took three towels exactly--no scraps left over.
Ta-dah!
The bag--see what I mean? Isn't this such a lovely print?
A strap and button closure--just to hold the top together a bit.
It's got a boxy kind of shape with a little pleat on each side.
Of course I needed a matching zippy--this one's pretty big--and super stiff so I can use it as a clutch too
Instead of cutting up the last towel, I lined with with gingham (LOVE gingham!) and for the first time on a zippy I added ric rac (LOVE ric rac!) around the zipper.
It was so fun to make this up as I went along and see where it went. I'm really pleased with how it turned out and have already cleaned out the purse I was carrying and transfered everything into this bag. Now I just need someplace to go...
I have purse envy! That is adorable. :)
Posted by: stephanie | December 29, 2007 at 03:42 PM
I am absolutely envious of your skill! They are beautiful!!
Posted by: tammy | December 29, 2007 at 04:52 PM
I so want to learn how to sew!
Beautiful bag and I LOVE the gingham and ric-rac. You are a-maz-zing!
Posted by: Susan | December 29, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Oh my gosh! I love this bag! Well done well done!
Posted by: Puva | December 29, 2007 at 07:45 PM
The bag and zippy pouch are beautiful. I can't believe you just whipped them up out of dish towels. Did you use a pattern?
Posted by: erin s | December 29, 2007 at 08:55 PM
You inspire me to be more creative! I love your bag! The fabric is gorgeous.
Posted by: meredith | December 29, 2007 at 09:30 PM
I am so in love with the purse and the ric rac is adorable. You make me want to go and sew some bags. I have been in cross stitch mode for the last week. I always feel guilty if I don't finish one thing before I start the next.
Posted by: Lisa R-P | December 30, 2007 at 07:16 AM
Wow! Darling purse Joanne!
What a work of art! LOVE the fabric!
Posted by: linda t | December 30, 2007 at 09:06 AM
I LOVE that bag--the print on that fabric is so cute. I started to think maybe I'd try to get some of those towels to make my own purse, but then I remembered that I don't know how to sew! :)
Congratulations on completing your book--that must feel like such a great accomplishment!!
Posted by: Megan | December 30, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Let's go out to tea! You can bring your bag. I adore gingham and rickrack, too!!!
Posted by: Kimberly | December 30, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Simply lovely! Praising God for His faithfulness once again!!
L.B. and French onion soup is ready to go!!
Love,
Holly
Posted by: Holly Smith | December 30, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Joanne, your bag is beautiful!
Blessings,
Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 30, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Oh, and I meant to add, I LOVE to say ric rac!! Ric rac ric rac ric rac ric rac. Typing it is fun, too! :)
Posted by: Holly Smith | December 30, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Darling bag~cute design!
Posted by: Laura W. | December 30, 2007 at 05:51 PM
I am not worthy! I am not worthy! ;-)
You are so talented and I'm so jealous. 2008 is my year. I'm gonna make something - I don't know what yet - but something.
Ok, so I'm off to learn how to sew, knit, crochet...one of those! ;-) lol
Blessings for a Great 2008, Joanne!!
Posted by: Christie | December 30, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Oh my ! Too cute! Thanks for sharing. I wish I had that much crafty ability in myself. I have vowed since moving back to the town where my mother lives to learn to sew. So far, I've gotten as far as hemming by husband's scrub pants...but it's a start, isn't it? Oh and I made my son a trick or treat tote bag out of veggie tales material that I was really proud of. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Amy @ By His Grace | December 31, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Do you have a pattern for your beautiful bag? I love it and have often thought the same thing...too pretty to be drying dishes with!!!
Posted by: Annie | January 03, 2008 at 11:21 AM