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Swell Tote, a Tag, and More…

May 22, 2008 By Spoonful of Sugar - 40 Comments

I love the Urban Chicks Swell range of fabrics and have been making some gift items out of the few fat quarters that I purchased. I have just completed a Tiny Tote (pattern from here) and a matching coin purse. The purse uses a 10 cm zip and I have bought out the entire supply from my local fabric shop and they have been unable to source any more for me. Does anyone know where I can get little zips online?

I have also completed a flannel baby rug, using a square of flannel that was bound with some chocolate brown polka dot fabric. I was really proud of myself for using some non-traditional baby colours for a change! I did a double fold binding this time which should make it more durable. It was nice to have some hand sewing to do in front of the TV this week.

My 13 year old son (who would prefer not to be named!) has been doing a unit on Materials – Metal and Plastic, this semester. He has just completed this metal tool box which was an awesome project!

We have been tagged by the lovely Erin from Girl with Curlz, who has a wicked sense of humour.  As Sarah has a pupil free day today, she is helping me with the answers to this tag!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Sarah can’t remember as she was only 1 year old! I was busy with two young children (3 years and 1 year) including going to story time at the local library; going to a playgroup; taking the kids to swimming lessons; and enjoying doing lots of activities with the kids. I was also working part time as an occupational therapist with a Rehabilitation Service. It was in late 1998 that my husband got a new job and we relocated to Paris.

5 Items on my To-Do List Today.
Sarah – relax in the bath, read, knit my scarf, work on my cross stitch project, and play on the computer.
Lisa – clean the house so I can have tomorrow off at the craft fair, do the laundry, go grocery shopping, research for my pin cushion swap,

Snacks we enjoy
Sarah – chocolate, ice-cream, fairy floss, pizza
Lisa – chocolate, crackers and cheese, home baked cakes and cookies (see lamington fairy cakes below),

Things we would do if we were a billionaire
Sarah – go on a shopping spree and buy a computer, mobile phone, camera, and Nintendo Wii
Lisa – I have every thing I want in life. If I won a big prize I would be able to pay for the kids University Education, set them up financially, and donate to worthy causes.

Places We have lived
Sarah – Perth, Australia; Paris, France; Houston, USA.
Lisa – Perth, Australia; Sydney, Australia; San Antonio, USA; Stavanger, Norway; Paris, France; Houston, USA.

People I want to know more about.
We aren’t going to worry about tagging anyone but if you would like to have a go, consider yourself tagged!!

Posted by Lisa

Filed Under: Sewing

« Sewing and Baking Creations
A Whole Lot of Goodies!!!! »

Comments

  1. Erin says

    May 22, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    Lisa and Sarah –

    Thank you for playing my game! I appreciate it. Wow, next time you guys go somewhere exotic…if you want to adopt me, I’ll be more than happy to go too! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Erin says

    May 22, 2008 at 11:08 pm

    Duh! Forgot to say…Love the tote and coin purse. The coin purse with a zipper right! UGH…still working on that phobia! 🙂

    Reply
  3. two hippos says

    May 23, 2008 at 12:58 am

    I love the bag and purse, I have made a couple of Amy Karols purses and over here small zips can be hard to find, so I have used a slightly larger zip and cut it down. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  4. Stacy A. says

    May 22, 2008 at 9:27 pm

    What beautiful gifts! You did a great job with those, the fabric really shines. You guys are quite the world travelers. I am sure there are pro’s and cons to moving so much though, I should say I know. I’ll keep my eye out for those small zippers, I am always running across things like that. Have a great weekend you two. Love Stacy

    Reply
  5. Leni and Rose says

    May 22, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Paris, Norway the US!!! What worldy travellers! And I think the tote & purse is absolutely stunning, my eyes got very wide!!

    Reply
  6. Chookyblue...... says

    May 22, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    gosh I love the stuff you have made with that swell range I have some coming for myself to play with……..

    Reply
  7. Cathy says

    May 22, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    beautiful bags and things you have made. I must say that is a favourite of mine, Swell.

    Very interesting where you have lived.

    I think I need more of that Swell range (especially with the red roses)

    Reply
  8. CurlyPops says

    May 23, 2008 at 5:16 am

    The babies blanky is just gorgeous, as are the bag and purse!

    Reply
  9. upstateLisa says

    May 23, 2008 at 5:49 am

    I love that little wee tote!!! gorgeous!!! And love the polka dot binding!!!

    Reply
  10. Two Peas In a Pod says

    May 23, 2008 at 5:50 am

    I love the little coin purse and when I click on where you got the pattern from for the tote I realized I have the same magazine. So I might give it a whirl…well in a bit. Im still learning the coin purse.

    Have a great weekend!
    CHeers Kyla

    Reply
  11. jillytacy says

    May 23, 2008 at 8:46 am

    I love the bag, the fabric colors are fabulous! I enjoyed reading about both of you. Sounds like you’ve lived a some great places!

    Reply
  12. Jacquie says

    May 23, 2008 at 9:22 am

    Love that Swell fabric too! Thanks for playing it was fun reading about both of you!

    Reply
  13. Leanne says

    May 23, 2008 at 4:04 pm

    Boy you have been busy. Love the little tote and very interesting facts. Tell that boy that is a mighty fine tool box.

    Reply
  14. tracey@paperdollsforboys says

    May 23, 2008 at 5:55 pm

    Your son did a fantastic job on the metal organizer!

    I enjoyed learning more about you. I just might consider myself tagged…

    Reply
  15. Fiona @ Dragonfly-Crafts says

    May 24, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    Wow! What wonderful sewing projects. Love the little tote.
    Gotta love it when son’s have something to post on your blog. Looks great, likes to work with his hands too?
    Sorry can’t help with the zippers but if you need me to shop for you here and send then, just ask…

    Reply
  16. Kellie says

    May 24, 2008 at 2:31 am

    What beautiful gifts you’re always making Lisa! What lucky friends you have! I really love red, white and blue – so clean and fresh looking.

    Reply
  17. QuiltedSimple says

    May 24, 2008 at 4:19 am

    Love the gifts – inspiring me to try a sack like that!! Have a good weekend
    Kris

    Reply
  18. periwinkle says

    May 24, 2008 at 11:01 am

    Love the fabric and the tool box is amazing. Wow, you have lived in some amazing places – was this moving with your husbands job? I need thos cakes too 🙂
    Lisa x

    Reply
  19. Annie says

    May 24, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    What a fantastic post. You have lived in many interesting places. I too have a 13 year old son, who hates me mentioning him on my blog. He made a great wooden tray at school for me for mothers day. I LOVE that fabric for the baby blanket and the tote – I will look out for that mag – is it a new one??

    Reply
  20. méri says

    May 25, 2008 at 1:25 am

    Are you still there?? 🙂

    I love this tote.

    Reply
  21. Rachael Rabbit says

    May 25, 2008 at 6:24 am

    I love those fabrics. I’m amazed at the number of places you have lived!!

    Reply
  22. Katherine says

    May 25, 2008 at 9:39 am

    Gorgeous tote and matching coin purse! The baby blanket is so sweet too. Beautiful gifts – your choice of fabrics was perfect!

    Awesome tool box! Wow! It looks like there’s lots of talent in your family for making things.

    Oh, as to your zipper question… I’ve been finding loads at the local thrift store. Maybe you could find some this way too? Just a thought.

    Reply
  23. Randi says

    May 26, 2008 at 6:43 am

    The Swell fabrics are adorable! I made some aprons with it a while ago.

    Your son did a great job on his toolbox!

    Reply
  24. 13mimosa says

    May 25, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    I’ve used both of those fabrics, the spots and the contrasting material on other things, but it’s lovely to see what someone else does with them and how they put them together. I think I’ll give your 10 year ago tag a shot soon, life was very different then.

    Reply
  25. Jen says

    May 25, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    The bags are just gorgeous.

    I love the baby blanket. I’ve made a few baby quilts and I tend to shy away from traditional “baby” colours also. The chocolate brown polka dot is so lovely!

    Reply
  26. Soo says

    May 26, 2008 at 2:40 am

    your gifts are beautiful, they are such great fabrics….and those lamington fairy cakes look so yummy!!!

    Reply
  27. Linda says

    May 26, 2008 at 4:57 am

    oh your tote and coin purse are GORGEOUS!! and the baby blanket is adorable. PARIS!! that is soooo not fair 🙂

    Reply
  28. Melanie Gray Augustin says

    May 26, 2008 at 5:36 pm

    I love the fabrics you’ve used! The collection of images at the top is gorgeous. And yummm… a lamington fairy cake! How I miss lamingtons!

    Reply
  29. Eva's House says

    May 26, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    I love the tiny tote! And you lived in Paris! Still remember french?

    Reply
  30. Alison Boon says

    May 27, 2008 at 12:28 am

    Those fabrics are to die for. So vibrant. Get to get to know you both more through the Meme

    Reply
  31. Danielle says

    May 27, 2008 at 2:52 am

    The fabric combinations on your tote and purse are beautiful

    Reply
  32. Tracy says

    May 27, 2008 at 3:34 am

    Fun to read your tag…I live in Norway (Me America, hubby, Norwegian ;o)!! Your tote and zippy bag are wonderful–terrific fabric choices too. Fun post…Happy Days :o)

    Reply
  33. Julz says

    May 27, 2008 at 3:49 am

    Hi Lisa and Sarah
    What a talented young son & brother you have – look forward to seeing more of his ‘crafts’ in future posts.
    Wow – what fabulous memories and adventures you must have from living in such a variety of country’s. Oldest daughter Kait was complaining only the other day that she is the only one in her class that hasn’t been outside of NZ… perhaps one day 🙂
    Love the fabrics you have used for the coin purses and totes.
    Have a great week.
    Hugs Jx

    Reply
  34. Jean C. says

    May 27, 2008 at 5:25 am

    You might want to check out http://www.HancockFabrics.com for a source of the zippers… they used to have zippers by the yard… so you can make them any size you want! They have a ton of zip pulls on them so you would be set with a bunch… not so sure about color selection though. It used to be they had a variety.
    Your bag came out cute, I have that pattern too plus… you can go to http://www.everybodyquilts.com and they have all sorts of patterns.
    Have fun. Jean C.

    Reply
  35. melissa s. says

    May 27, 2008 at 7:55 am

    Oh, that red and aqua combination is so lovely. It was fun reading about you, and your life 10 years ago sounds very, VERY familiar!

    Reply
  36. Joanne Brown says

    May 27, 2008 at 10:37 am

    Those gifts are gorgeous, and I love the fabric too!!

    I used to live in Stavanger too!

    joanne x

    Reply
  37. Lace says

    May 27, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    love the tote!!!

    Reply
  38. Selina says

    May 27, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Blue and red always work well together. Clever anon. person who made that box! I dont have any help with the zippers, however I will keep you mind next time I go fabric hunting.

    Reply
  39. Rosezilla says

    May 29, 2008 at 1:28 pm

    cool to learn more about you both. I didn’t do the tag, but I did check out your friend’s blog. I liked it!

    Reply
  40. Selina says

    June 6, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    How did you do your ‘squares’ of goodies on this post? Someone did one recently and I cant think who it was. Thanks.

    Reply

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