Saturday, March 7, 2020

A bag for me, and a bag for...........??


Welcome all you lovely lovelies, to my little place♥ Before I begin the begin, let me say a BIG thank you for all the sweet visits and comments you gifted me throughout this past week. Truly, I have danced on tippy toes this week, smiling at the generosity of you ladies.....thank you❣ Now, I have placed in a hat, all the names of the ladies who thought they might like to give my little purple and green, boho bag a home. My good husband dived his hand in and drew out...............the lovely Marion!! Congratulations to you, Marion....I hope you will love it!! I have emailed you, so if you could return email me your address that would be lovely. I will pop the bag in the post towards the end of this coming week when I go to town, and it will wing it's way to you♥

While we are chatting about pretty bags, let me show you a bag I designed and fashioned for me, this past week. I am going away for a little holiday in a few weeks and as it has been two years since I fashioned a bag for moi, I thought a new one might be spiffy. Besides, my little home-made pretty that was slung over my shoulder whilst walking around the streets of San Fransisco and New York two years ago, is a little worse for wear, so a new carryall is a must.


As always, I gathered together a muddly mess of fripperies that I thought could work for a bag in navy tones. Navy blue will be great for winter which will show it's ugly head in my not too distant future. I never use all that I gather but to make it up as I go along I need to have more than is really needed.

I cut out a sweet piece from a toile de juoy fabric I've had for yonks and stitched it to the navy blue upholstery fabric. Then I just played, really. Twirling and twirling ribbons into roses, ruching ribbon into a flower, then just simply scattering a vintage doily here and a leaf or two there. I trailed a length of blue, french wire ribbon along the edge of the toile print cinching it with a stitch here and there as  I went along, enticing a vintage buckle into its folds. There is a touch of  New York, too. When in New York, I visited Moods Fabrics and gathered together lengths and lengths of pretty ribbons to bring home with me. The length of blue ribbon with the doily print on it, I think, is a lovely touch at the bottom of the bag.

I really only ever play and fashion an arrangement which is pleasing to my eye. It truly is the loveliest way to spend a day....or two. When I fashion a bag there is always a lot of slow hand stitching involved, which I love. The careful placement and the stitching of each pretty can take a while but is always well worth the effort when the last hand stitch has been stitched. With each bag I fashion, after all the hand stitching is done, I then machine stitch the bag together;  then the lining is stitched together and affixed to the bag.....adding fringing or some other adornment to the top, also clipping the strap on. The lining for this pretty is a pretty blue and white floral cotton, rather reminiscent of a french floral theme. Of late I have been buying 'cheap as chips' bags from the op shop, in order to acquire the straps and whatever other hardware elements that I can re-use. I find this quicker and cheaper as when I make the strap, the hardware must be purchased as well, which at times can be costly.




Designing and stitching bags is always fun for me. I am forever thankful that I need only step into my sunny, sewing room and unearth pretty fabric, trims and other sweet fripperies in the designing, embellishing and stitching of my bags; or anything else for that matter. Diving deep into suitcase after suitcase of pretties that I have amassed over the years is always exciting, as I never know quite what I will re-discover. If I were to purchase today, all the bits and bobs I need to fashion a bag, I would hate to think of what it would cost me. There is always the perfect adornment for whatever bag I fashion, just waiting for me. I don't think I have purchased a bag from a store for a very, very long time; years in fact. With just a little imagination and my 'Aladdin's cave' overspilling with gorgeous pretties, one can whip up anything....well almost. I love that I am not beholden to what stores deem what's in and what's not.



Thank you, for popping by and reading about the fashioning of my little navy bag. The fashioning of a unique bag is always fun. Why, it gives me the freedom to have a different carryall for a different outfit (and believe me....I do). I am not that gal that has one bag for all occasions. I cannot wait till I make another; why the imagination is already colliding with pretty nothings. 'Tis Saturday evening here...Sunday tomorrow but as I will be out and about all day there will be no time for a little hand stitching......pity. Anyway...........enough of this nonsense; may you all enjoy a beautiful day, sprinkled with a little beauty♥

Until the next time......................







51 comments:

  1. Enjoy your bag and have a lovely day!

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  2. Congrats to Marion !
    And Bravo for your new bluebag ! Lovely as the pictures !
    Have a shinny weekend !
    Hug
    Anna

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  3. Congrats to Marion!!! She will LOVE this gorgeous card, Kim!!! You are very generous, my friend. And I LLLLLLLLLLOVE your new bag!!!!!! I know how much fun is making a bag using all these beautiful laces and fabrics. I am going to sew a new bag for me very soon. Hugs, my dear friend.

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  4. My goodness! Your new bag is staggeringly beautiful! I couldn't help but pin them both on my pinterest! Congrats to Marion! That is one divine bag she is going to awe the world with!

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  5. What a gorgeous creation! I'm sure it'll be much admired wherever you go. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you so much, Jane. Yes, my little bag does tend to stand out from the norm.....just a little. =) Kim Xx

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  6. Hi Kim, love your new bag, so pretty and original, where do you get your great ideas. Love the doily ribbon have not seen anything like that. Hope you have a great time away.
    Best wishes Kay cXx

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    1. Kay, my muddly head is overspilling with sweet imaginings. =) The doily ribbon is just ruched ribbon twirling round and round. Don't you just love the word "ruche"....I do. Thank you for your sweet visit, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  7. Congratulations to Marion!!! She will certainly be quite stylish sporting this lovely new bag! Kim, thank you for sharing how you make these little works of art. Even with the tutorial, I’d never be able to fashion anything close to your beautiful purses, but it would be fun to give it a go. Hmm! Have a lovely week! Z

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  8. Lucky Marion, and a beautiful new bag for yourself, which I also love!

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    1. I always love to sport a new bag around and about town, Rita. =) Thank you for your sweet visit. Kim Xx

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  9. Another lovely bag, I love to read your creative process! Pretty photo šŸ¤©

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  10. Oh Wow!! You sure went to town and created a great bag. I just love what you have added to it to make it truly your own like the top fringe. But I absolutely adore...yes I said adore??...the buckle embellishment and how you used it. A great bag.
    xx, Carol

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  11. Congratulations to Marion! Love the photo with the doggie because I miss my sweetie that left us in 2018. What a wonderful one of a kind bag. I love hand embroidery also. I just bought a Sue Spargo teaching DVD via Bluprint and I'm excited to start it because I love all the fancy stitches I don't know how to do yet! I'm going to practice on felt because wool is so expensive. First I have to finish my wool applique mat that has tractors on it. I love country as well as Victorian feminine styles. I'm doing a beaded blanket stitch around the edges so I'm almost done but it will take longer than one thinks because it's 17 1/2 diameter. Have a great weekend.

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  12. Love your process and the outcome is a delight!

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  13. Congratulations to Marion on winning a most gorgeous Kim creation!!! Your new little bag is of course, so lovely indeed, and perfect for your own getaway. It looks darling on your shoulder, and with those adorable booties, and with Miss Maisie by your side. Don’t the hydrangeas make the prettiest background??!! Happy weekend, dear Kim! ❤️šŸ‘šŸ»❤️

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  14. Congratulations to Marion!What an adorable gift,all of your bags are amazing!I love your photo!I wish you a blessed day!

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  15. Congratulations to Marion! Your newest bag looks so stylish with your outfit. It is a lovely design and will make such a fashion statement on your holiday. Have a wonderful time.

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  16. Oh Kim your bag is just wonderful, you are all ready to go, it is really neat to see your progress as you put it together, and all those wonderful bits and pieces you have bought over the years, I so get that, same with my cardmaking I have collected goodies all these years and now I have some fun things to put together. Hope you enjoy your trip, I know you will look great with your bags anyway :)
    Oh and Congrats to Marion for the amazing prize!

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  17. I love the fabrics and accessories. They are so pretty. Have a great week.
    Marilyn

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    1. Thank you, lovely Marilyn. There are some pretty accessories in this bag, isn't there. I particularly love the vintage buckle. Thank you for popping by, sweet lady. KimXx

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  18. I am always fascinated how you make these. They just flow along. And so many different little details! It's a beautiful bag!

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  19. Blue is my favorite color, so I have fallen in love with these fabrics. Enjoy your week.
    Marion

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    1. The hue blue is my favourite, too. LOVE the colour blue! Hope you enjoy the little purple and green, boho bag, Marion. KimXx

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  20. Congratulations to Marilyn for her win Kim - how wonderful for her. Your new navy bag is just beautiful - how I love to see you fashion something beautiful from all the bits & bobs. Yes I would hate to think what it would cost if you had to purchase all that now. A lovely pic at the end with sweet Maisie. Wishing you a lovely week ahead Kim xx

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  21. Congrats to Marion :D Your new bag is lovely too. I enjoyed seeing all the bits and pieces and how they came together. I love your picture with the blue hydrangeas setting off your new bag and Maisie coordinating nicely with your brown boots. I hope you you enjoy your holiday :) xxx

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  22. I love coming to your blog for sweet visits each Sunday Kim! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your bag you made for you and I hope that Marion enjoys that bag as well when she receives it! <3 How lovely! You are a true artist ... Kathi

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  23. Unique and beautiful! Love it when you say play, that is the way to make anything. Enjoy your trip! Anna x

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    1. Playing with all my pretties is the 'bestest' of fun, Anna. Sooooo....love to play. =) Kim Xx

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  24. Beautiful bags, I love seeing how they come together. I need to get my purples out and make a boho bag for my granddaughter's friend, whom I have known since she was a toddler. She graduates this year and I promised her one! Thanks for all your beautiful pictures!

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  25. lucky girl that marion, i am sure she is doing a happy dance, that bag is gorgeous!! i love the blue bag also, you fashioned it well!! i see your hydrangeas are blooming and they are gorgeous!! it is suppose to be very warm here tomorrow, i have to get mine a small trim. they have buds on them, they know spring is coming!!!

    i see maisie's face...but i don't see yours?? whats that about?? hehehe

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  26. Tu nuevo bolso me parece encantador, lo mismo que tu forma de describir "tu cueva de Aladino"...... yo tambiĆ©n he acumulado bastantes materiales con los aƱos y Ćŗltimamente estoy sacando provecho de todos ellos.
    Me encanta tener materiales abundantes, lanas, hilos, telas, puntillas, botones........
    DisfrĆŗtalo mucho y BESICOS.

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  27. Congratulations to Marion - she will love having such a gorgeous bag. And your new creation is simply beautiful!

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    1. I hope Marion will enjoy her little purple pretty, Jayne. Thank you for popping by and blessing my morning with your sweet visit. Kim Xx

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  28. That's a beautiful bag you made! I've never thought to get the hardware for a bag from one at the thrifts shop - great idea!

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  29. Congratulations to Marion (Lucky girl!) And, wow, don't you look stunning all dressed up and wearing that oh-so-gorgeous blue bag! I love the picture of you Maisie!

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    1. Thank you, Mary. My sweet Maisie makes anyone who she is modelling with look good.=) KimXx

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  30. Your bags are always so charming, Kim! Love seeing your creative process at work - this one turned out very nice with all the lovely shades of blue. So pretty, posing against the beautiful hydrangea hedge. Love your hair :) Sending hugs xo Karen

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  31. Love your pretty, pretty bag, it is always a surprise to see how it grows under your hands.
    Oohh, love your shoes! šŸ’“

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    1. Thank you lovely, Loes♥ I love my shoes, too. I call them my Holly Hobbie boots. =) Kim Xx

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  32. Congratulations, Marion. What a lovely bag you will be getting.

    Kim, your new bag is just as stunning. I love that you can gather things together into such an inviting jumble; that is definitely a quality I need to emulate. Thanks for sharing with us your creations and your designing flair.

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  33. Marion will be delighted with her bag! And your new navy one is gorgeous, I'm really a blue girl myself. So nice to get a glimpse of you with your beloved dog too.

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  34. Congratulations to the lovely Marion! What a delightful surprise awaits her in the mail, and a treasure for her to have always! How delightful that you crafted such a beautiful navy bag with bits of this and that! It is the most darling bag I've ever seen! And such a CUTE picture of you with the bag and your sweet girl looking so adoringly at you! PRECIOUS! I'm happy to hear you will be enjoying a vacation soon, and what a delight to have such a uniquely special bag to go on adventures with! Enjoy!!! Many sweet blessings to you!!!

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  35. Oh joy! That's what I feel when I see your pretty blue bag. As you know, I love blue so of course this would push all my buttons. I'd have a hard time using it though - I wouldn't want to ruin it! (p.s. - I'm sure Marion is over the moon to know she won your purple pretty!!)

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  36. Kim - only you could turn a "muddly mess of fripperies" into such an exquisite bag! You wear it well, my dear! Enjoy!

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  37. Your new little bag looks so pretty with all the flowers and details and I love the colour. Have a lovely holiday, Kim!!

    -Soma

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  38. Love your new bag and the purple one too. I came to the post too late to enter, but I do think they are both lovely. You will be quite posh wearing it!

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  39. Oh, I guess I missed two of your lovely posts but so glad I could come back and catch up with you. I LOVE your new bag....it is so YOU. How thrilled Marion must be to get the pretty purple bag. Oh, I am sure all of us ladies that visit here dream of having something handmade by sweet Kim!

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  40. What a beautiful bag. I love anything toile and that black trim is so elegant.
    Have a great holiday. Thelma.

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    1. Thank you so much, Thelma for your sweet visit and beautiful words. Alas, unfortunately the holiday has been cancelled as Tassie's borders have been closed due to the COVID-19 situation. Also, my daughter is in lockdown in San Fransisco and is unable to fly out. So, all the family is staying put in their homes. Hopefully, we will be able to all have a sweet holiday together when the world's situation gets better. Kim Xx

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