CraftAholics Anonymous Gift Exchange

Yes, there is a support group, er blog, for all  of us craft junkies. You can find the crafters version of "Bill" here:
http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/ . Linda is a great blogger and crafter and Host of a wonderful gift exchange for crafters. I don't know how she has the time or organization to put it together But Boy Am I Glad She Did!

I had soo much fun meeting my exchange partner, Nancy, and making a gift for her. AND THE BEST PART: I got one in return.. made just for me! You can meet Nancy here : Flatrock Cabin: Let the Gift-Making Begin!.    
   This is the wonderful gift she made me:   I call it My green ripple bag and have put it use already.

 How it all got started: About a month ago I signed up for the gift exchange with Linda and she hooked us up. Then I got this email from Nancy telling me about herself :   " I collect snowmen and cats.  I decorate in the country or colonial style and my favorite color is red.  Hope to hear from you soon.  Nancy"

I wasn't too sure about the colonial style but while I was trying to figure it out, I got this picture in my head:  

I like to make bags (great minds must think alike, lol) and I decided a bag with this on it would be cool. A few emails later I knew more about Nancy and colonial but couldn't get the bag out of my head ( Nancy works in a preschool and I think bags are always great to carry supplies back and forth in). So I ventured forth without a pattern.  And this is how it went:

Sky option one

sky option two

  Picking the fabrics for my picture was the funnest and hardest part.  But I think I'll save the why and whereall of that for another blog. 

Once I had my picture done, I had to make a bag of it:

kept my seams on the outside so i could attach my frame to them

insides together

three pcs: front, back and 1 loong one for the bottom and sides. This is the corner tucks at the bottom edges.

my 3 pc bag put together

And frame it :   

I had to add a few cool touches like a hidden pocket in the house and some practical like the double pocket on the back and the side snaps. and some both like the adjustable handles made out of bow ties!

My hidden pocket ( there's also one in the door!)

this is a double pocket with a snap..practical but cute

snaps in the sides to make gussets.. for less stuff days

I added a lining and a tie inside to hold in all the goodies.

And mailed it off to it's new home. Hope Nancy loves it as much as I love hers!

Finished! Can you see the bow tie handles. I love these.. cute and fun.