'F' for Fabric Crafty (& Handy) My Life

Ashley & Her New Purse

My sister and I finally finished her purse!

Ashley's Purse

It turned out really well. It’s so cute! We followed the instructions for the “Charming Handbag” from Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules Sewing.

Ashley With Her New Purse

There she is, all giggly and proud.

Tomorrow is that little girl’s 21st birthday!

We will be taking her to the same wonderful place I went to for my 21st… The Hala Kahiki.

The Hala Kahiki

The Hala Kahiki

The Hala Kahiki

It’s the best Tiki Bar ever.

We will be drinking Hawaiian Sunsets, Zombies, and Mai Tais. Per tradition, we will also try to get someone to drink a Tahitian Milkmaid… gin, grenadine, and cream. Yum?

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • puglyfeet
    January 30, 2008 at 10:30 am

    If I hadn’t know you made that beautiful purse, I would’ve thought that it was a Vera Bradley.

  • amy purple
    January 30, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    Happy Birthday, Ashley!
    The purse turned out well! The size is perfect!

  • Kwana
    January 30, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    What a lovely purse. So chic! Happy Birthday to your sister and have a great time.

  • April
    January 30, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    The purse is wonderful! I love the orange. I hope she has a wonderful 21st :)

  • Helen
    January 30, 2008 at 8:21 pm

    Oh please do tell us what that fabric is and where you got it! It is fabulous. And, of course, the purse is great too :) You could make a killing selling those. You know, in all your spare time!

  • Sues is not Martha
    January 30, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    I want one, I want one!! That is seriously beautiful!

    Happy birthday to your sister :)

  • Laura
    January 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    You should totally sell these on Etsy! You really could make some big bucks! I would buy one in a split second! So cute!

  • Patricia Scarpin
    January 31, 2008 at 8:11 am

    The purse is absolutely gorgeous!
    And Happy Birthday to her!

  • Tonya
    January 31, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    I have the tiki bar envys over here. Have fun!

  • erika
    February 1, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    I made a purse from the same pattern. It’s fun! What dimensions did you use for the handle? Yours look thicker and longer than mine and I like yours much better.

  • Making it Lovely
    February 1, 2008 at 1:24 pm

    Erika, I don’t remember! I think we made the straps 1.5″ wide, but I don’t know how long they were. We just held the fabric up to the purse and decided what length looked good before we cut. ;)

    Oh, and Ashley thanks everyone for the birthday well-wishes!

  • Lili
    February 1, 2008 at 6:35 pm

    I’m late but I hope Ashley had a wonderful birthday!

  • Ashley
    February 5, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    I think it’s kind of funny that nicole talks about the purse “we” made together…the real truth?? If I were more involved in the process it would look like something a home ec student would make. (I would use a stapler because i SUCK at sewing!)

    Annyhoozle- thank you you to my very talented sister for “helping” me with my purse! It’s so cute but next time a little bigger :P

    Also a big thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. The snow stopped us from going to Hala Kahiki but Rockband at Nicoles was just as fun :)
    xoxo ashley xoxo

  • Making it Lovely
    February 5, 2008 at 5:53 pm

    Ashley, you were an excellent seam ripper though. Don’t give me all the credit. ;)

  • just corby
    February 6, 2008 at 3:14 pm

    I love this bag! I love how much it can stand up on its own! I’m looking up Bend The Rules Sewing on amazon right now!

  • Betsy Ross
    February 8, 2008 at 10:47 am

    I have some crazy memories of that place! Russian mobsters, intense rules for behavior, no food except pretzels, and finally… my drink was on fire. Awesome!!

  • seven
    February 12, 2008 at 12:16 am

    That purse is adorable!

  • Sheila
    October 28, 2008 at 10:48 pm

    LOVE the “charming handbag”!! You should sell your designs to a manufacturer – very eye-catching and lovely colours.

  • Morin
    November 11, 2008 at 1:40 am

    Very fashionable colours – agree that these could be sold to a manufacturer – see a lot more drab handbags being carried around in the high streets of the UK – would be great to add some colour.

  • Jen
    November 28, 2008 at 2:55 am

    The bag is addooooooraaaable :)

  • Fran
    November 29, 2008 at 12:07 am

    At last a designer who is imaginative enough to try out wholly new colour schemes – love the design of this. It’s very very pleasing on the eye – lovely colour pallete.

  • kristy
    January 14, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Aw, I would never lose a bag so precious! Love it!