The Cutest Purse Ever!

When I started this blog, one reason I chose the name was to force me to post timely happenings in my life.  I think I should have been realistic and called it Two Weeks Ago I....

And it has been just over two weeks ago that I made myself a purse that I absolutely love.  It started with a tutorial I saw at Mommy by Day Crafter by night.  (Thank you for the great tutorial.) She had made an adorable purse for her two year old daughter.  If you'd like to check it out, go here. 

As I said, this was originally made for a two year old.  I'm not 2, so needed to make it larger.  I used my best elementary school math skills and recalculated the sizes of all the fabric pieces.  I measured a couple of my current purses to determine the size I wanted.  I was trying for 10' x 12' and 4" deep.  To double check my calculations (since elementary school was a LONG time ago) I made a mock up out of newpaper. 

Lovely, isn't it?

I started with these fabrics-

The larger print is by Amy Butler, and I'm not sure about the small print.
I had made the pleats a half inch deep on the newspaper pattern, and liked the look.  I added a pocket on each side of the interior.  My math skills turned out a little less than perfect, as the finished size ended up being 9" x 12".  But I'm very happy with how it turned out.  If I make another, the only change I'll make is to add interfacing to the straps. 

Isn't it cute!

One final, totally unrelated, thought.  If you have a trampoline, make sure you anchor it down, or you might end up with this. 

We had a tornado hit about 2 1/2 miles from here, and this is what happened about a block away.  Fortunately we had little damage.  Isn't this amazing?  That's a full size trampoline up there. 

Good night all!

Time to update the picture on my header.  We had about 4" of snow today, and my yard looks much different than it's pictured.  My office closed at noon today, and I used my unexpected time off to do a small project that I've been wanting to do for a few weeks.  I finally got some ear buds that I don't hate, and am actually using my MP3 player.  I wanted something to store it in, and keep it from turning my purse into a tangled mess.  I found a tutorial here for a card case.  I used the pocket from a pair of men's jeans, so it was large enough for my player.  I started with this-

and this -

and ended up with this -

The jeans were an old pair of my husband's, the fabric I got in a bag of vintage 60's fabric at an estate sale, the button came from who know's where.  The only modification I made was to use a small ponytail elastic instead of a ribbon, thought it would be more secure.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  And the price was right. 
Looks like it has been over a year since I posted anything.  Seems like I have had trouble getting something to say and pictures at the same time.  Reading that last post reminded me of some things I intended to do in the bedroom, that still haven't been done.  I fell off the challenge that Heather had, and about the only thing that has been accomplished around the house has been to paint the master bath.  I used the same paint as the turquoise wall in the bedroom.  This just got finished last week, and I need to buy a new towel bar and TP holder.  Oh, and we cleaned out the storage room in the basement.  Had a small water leak that was really a blessing, as it forced us to totally empty the room.  While it was empty, we painted, rearranged the shelves, got rid of a LOT of stuff, found a few long lost items, and created a space that actually functions.  I can find what I need, add stuff, and not risk my life opening the door.  Guess I need to figure out my next room to attack.