Crayon Purse {and how I almost accomplished monogamy}

{fabric from valori wells' cocoon collection}

My goal this weekend was to practice some project monogamy.  I figured if I can just commit to working on One Thing then I will actually finish something!  Well...I only got so far with that plan...

Project monogamy started out by working on this fold over tote using Lotta Jansdotter's Glimma canvas which I had bought with the express purpose of using to create a tote.  However, I got it in my head to make a fold over tote and I didn't see a pattern that I liked so I decided to create one from scratch.  This is where you should start thinking things like "don't bite off more than you can chew."

  

[Also, the other part of my monogamy plan was that if I worked on the project that pops into my head at the moment it pops into my head then maybe I'll have the steam to complete it right then and there.  Instead what usually happens is I come up with an idea, buy all the supplies, and then never find the time to execute it...anyone else have that problem?]

I got pretty far on my fold over tote and even took sketches, notes, and a template to create a pattern.  But eventually I lost my way when it came to handles so I needed a break.  I plan on a long strap to wear the bag as a crossbody (see the loop on the left side of photo?  that is for the long strap. don't worry there is one on the right too it just isn't in this photo because it and I were having a fight at the time I took the photo...we reconciled early this morning when I sewed it back on) and I want short handles at the opening/on top to carry it by hand.  I am stuck on the short handle part.  Do I use cord, jute, webbing, quilted handles, leather...ugh...I want the bag to be a bit polished so probably not patchwork handles but leather is hard to find the right style/size in so I am considering covered jute now...is there a way to make jute look less industrial?

Anyway - so I said screw it to monogamy and had a quick fling with something else I needed to finish by this Thursday anyway.  :p

Meet the Crayon Purse.

What every little girl needs, a purse for her stickers, crayons, and paper...

As modeled by Miss E.  Don't you love how she oh so nonchalantly holds onto the handles?  Her little pinky doing its own thing!

Did I mention how much I freaking love my Juki???  Seriously, is it possible for a sewing machine to make you more efficient?  Or is it all in my head and I just feel like I am more efficient.  Because, man, this little purse flew by So Quickly.  

Well that was my weekend...how was yours?

- rebecca lynne

Enjoying the affair...

or as my friend Stephanie so aptly put it...Hello Lover.  

Remember being young and in love?  That initial drunken love period when you were head over heels and so completely caught up in your beau that you were oblivious to anyone or anything else in your life?  Hours of phone calls spent talking about nothing important, late mornings lounging in bed, forgetting how long it had been since you last time you slept in your own bed, unreturned phone calls to girlfriends who thought you had fallen off the planet...

Also known as The Honeymoon Phase.

Well, the Juki TL and I are enjoying ours.  So, I apologize for the radio silence...

Here is a bit of our foreplay before I start experimenting with free motion quilting and other fun settings.

For the record, I didn't have many of those drunken loves in my life.  I married my college sweetheart.  Who, by the way, has been extremely tolerant of my affair with my new friend.  As have my daughters who were very curious and made many approving noises and "ooh pretty" kinds of comments.

I'll be back soon with fun sewing machine updates to share!

- rebecca lynne