Designer Keepsake

Well I have lots of photos to share with you  this week.  This is not one of my designs, and therefore I cannot share the patterns, but hopefully the photographs will give you an idea of the mechanics of the project, and you will be able to create something along similar lines.  It's great fun, it allows our inner designer diva to emerge, and it is well received...and treasured...by the lucky recipient.

This first appeared in Creative Card Making magazine, I guess about 9 years ago, by the fabulous, inspiring designer called Carol Kaczor.  In her published handbag, she also incorporated an open box/pouch section in the base, which she had filled with lots of goodies.  Her's was also Christmas themed.  

I immediately had to make one !!!  I will show you my original a little later.  For this particular bag I used the fabulous First Edition Noir et Chic papers.  As these are 'monochrome' of black and ivory, any accent colour can just set them off - so I chose a gorgeous pink, very girly.

The main handbag sections are from three double sided papers, graduated down in size.  There are also two pockets, two handles, a flap and a tuck tab, plus two side gussets to hold it all together.  You will also need 4 large brads (these are for the feet...you know like 'posh bags have - sorry not photographed these), 2 mini brads, 4 eyelets, and a chain and charm or something to dangle.  You could add extra things into the front pockets too.  You will notice that the side gussets have some self adhesive hook and loop attached, to close it and hold it in shape.  As the handles are attached using eyelets, you will need to consider what you will put inside to cover the back of these...same with the mini brads (the 4 in the base are added before you join the middle 'bag' shape to the large one).  Do also remember to slot your chain on the front handle before you set the eyelets, unless it is one you can re open.  I found an old key chain, but I have used curtain rings and old bits of jewellery in the past.

Here is a close up of the dangling charm.  Whilst I have only used three graduating layers for the bag, as the original was, there is nothing to stop you having more.  Although, you may have to be quite a poet if you have more space to fill.  I made one about 5 years ago for a 21st and wrote a poem about this particular person and thier place in our family.  I made sure I could divide the poem down into 10 sections, printing each one and cutting and inking mats, so that when each section (page) was

turned, the poem flowed.  You could leave the last section for you to write your message, or alternatively, add a tag to the pocket.

The one to the right was the very first one I made for my mum for Mother's day - still stored safely and treasured by her...nine years later !!!

I appear to have filled it with quotes about Mother's and punched flowers, gems & card candi.

The dangly was a curtain ring with a novelty from some Easter chooclate, if I remember correctly.  We crafters are very frugal :)

I am ashamed, although they were probably the 'in thing' all that time ago, but I also included wooden bees and dragon flies hovering over the punched flowers.  My, how times and fashions change.

Above all, have fun...it is quite therapeutic as well as exciting designing a handbag.

It is sure to please that special person, worthy of such a memorable keepsake.

Christine