I'm just an ole bag lady......

No, no......not a homeless lady who carries her worldly possessions around with her in a bag.....but one who every six months or so, seems to feel the need to fashion a new bag. Though I admit, it is as if I lug around what seems to be all my worldly possessions in my bag, because when my hand burrows deep into the cavernous depths of my carryall, I never seem to be able to find what it is I am searching for. Am I the only gal who seems to tip my bag upside down with all the contents plunging out into a disarray mess, so I can find that one thing. I have a sneaky suspicion I am not the only one.

With the idea of saving this little over the shoulder number that I fashioned last year from becoming tattered and threadbare, I wanted to stitch a new bag.  I decided to whip up a new bag, with just a few pretties embellished on it.

But...before I reveal my new bag, let me first show you all the pretties from which I fashioned it.

I bought a teal coloured (it doesn't look at all teal here, but it really is) upholstery fabric and decided to use this sweet, butterfly  needlepoint piece, I found a few years ago at a market. Isn't the butterfly pretty? Amazing that someone tossed this out! Oh well....someone's trash....my treasure!!

I then plucked out a few doilies, ribbons and other fripperies from my treasure trove to audition them with the tapestry; and  then began to play.

Although doily overkill warms the cockles of my heart, after placing a doily here and a doily there, I decided to actually not use many at all. I know, unbelievable that I should show a little restraint; to not weigh down my bag with pretty overload; but there you go.

Somehow I like this arrangement better. I pinned down a lovely, royal blue, French wired ribbon which I  scrunched here and there, cinching it at close intervals; and added a brass belt buckle, a few pretty, crochet flowers and some ribbon leaves. Mmmm....yes....for this bag I much prefer a  more pared down aesthetic. Who would have thought that me, the doyenne of all things embellishment would only adorn sparingly. I really don't quite know what has come over me!! I suppose for once, I just wanted a quick project. Everything I have fashioned of late has taken an age to complete. =)

With a stitch here and a stitch or two there, before I knew it all the embellishing was finished. Yay...didn't take long at all.

After sewing the bag together I lined it with this funky fabric. Isn't it fabulous.....sooooo 1960's! For a gal whose favourite hue is blue, this fabric truly makes me dance!

I love my new bag. The pretty butterfly can now fly free. Much, much better to be seen around about town slung over the shoulder of an ole bag lady, than sitting in the said bag lady's armoire, hidden from the world.

Until the next time, have the most wonderful weekend, everyone. 'Tis toodles from me.

Linking up to this week's parties at Stephanie's, Roses of Inspiration

Jann's, Share Your Cup Thursday

Bernideen's, BTTCG