Surprise Gift

 Today in my letterbox I found a parcel which had come all the way from the US:

A while back I left a comment on the blog "Chrisknits". I didn't know it, but Chris was having a give-away to a commenter. She drew my name out of the hat (don't know just how she did the draw really) and told me I had won a zip pouch. I thanked her and told her she didn't really need to send me anything, as international postage can be pretty steep (see photo for proof). But Chris generously insisted, and today, here it is! 

The body of the pouch is a chambray fabric, and features a pineapple block in mustard, navy and white. The zip has a beaded pull:

The lining is mustard:

There is a boxed base, which means the pouch can stand up:

 I love it! Thank you so much, Chris!

Sorry the photos aren't great. I'm having problems getting photos off my camera, so I used my phone and then had trouble getting the photos off it as well. So maybe the problem is with my computer rather than the camera.

Express Purses

It took me a little longer than I planned, but here are the purses with their frames:

Because of the delay, here is how I had to send them:

Fortunately it didn't cost me quite as much as it might, because I found a $2 coin on the ground near the letterboxes!

Purse Production

Did a bit of production-line sewing today, but there's still an important step to go:

Frame purse pattern designed by Nicole Mallalieu. But mine don't have frames yet! They better get them soon, as I need to post these interstate very soon.

Pretty Much Like The Picture

Today I made up the Kimono Purse kit I purchased last week at AQC:

It does look like the picture on the pack!

"Blog-Finished"

Someone once coined the term "blog-finished" for stuff that isn't really finished, but looks like it is in a photo, so you can blog it.

I still have to crimp the frame, but otherwise the purse is done.

I joined a couple of pieces of fabric to make the handle and I was pretty happy with how well I matched the pattern.  No-one will ever notice it.

Kiss Testing

I'm testing a new pattern for Nicole Mallalieu, the Kiss Purse. That's exciting, but it is also challenging because it involves a few things I've never done before. Today's challenge was purse feet:

Phew!  That worked.  However, not everything went smoothly.  I managed to cut a piece of fabric that I shouldn't have, so I don't have a big enough piece left for the handle.  I guess it's an opportunity for creativity...