2012 Artisan Finalist Blog Hop - Day 10

Today, on the last day of our blog hop, I am sharing my favorite project.  I think this project was the one that got my entry noticed.  I created a knotty bag and coordinating yoyo change purse using the Summer Smootches Designer Fabric.

I'm sorry the photo isn't better, but I didn't get a great photo of my projects before I sent them to Stampin' Up! (I took photos, but the color wasn't really true and I didn't get great detail - so I've been recreating the projects to get good photos to share with you.  This bag took too long and too much fabric to recreate it.)

I started by cutting two 2" wide strips and one 1" wide strip for each knot on the bag.  I sewed them side-by-side along the bottom of the canvas, brought each strip up and made a knot at various heights around the bag, and sewed them at the top.  I then tacked down each side of the strip above and below each knot.  Then I added the bottom to complete the outside.  I made an inside lining with a zipper pocket and coordinating fabric pocket for cell phone, pens, etc.  I sewed the lining in the bag and added handles and closure.  The finishing touches on the bag were brights buttons on the inside and outside where the straps connect and one for the closure. 

For the yoyo change purse, I cut two fabric circles (I traced a bowl about 9" across), stitched around the outside and gathered them in the center.  I covered the gathered center with a coordinating button.  I stitched the two yoyos together on the inside leaving an opening big enough to fit the change purse hardware.  I used crystal effects to hold the fabric in place.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:  Summer Smootches Designer Fabric, Brights Designer Buttons, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Crystal Effects
Other Supplies:  Sewing Machine & Thread, Rotary Cutter & Mat, White Canvas Fabric, 7" Zipper, Change Purse Hardware, Bowl, Fabric Scissors

I am sixth on the list, but since we are making a circle, you may have arrived here from Sandie Conner's blog - wasn't her project beautiful!  Now hop on over to see Mercedes Weber's terrific project at Paper Creations by Mercedes.  If you get lost along the way or if some of the links get broken, you can refer to this list for a direct link to each blog.  Have fun and happy hopping and I hope you've enjoyed the last ten days of projects.  Keep coming back to see even more projects - even though they aren't our Artisan Finalist projects.

1.  Connie Collins

2.  Holly VanDyne

3.  Melissa Stout

4.  Amy O'Neill

5.  Sandie Conner

6.  Amy Rogers

7.  Mercedes Weber

8.  Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

        9.  Mindy Bingamon