Exactly What I Wanted!

I have worn glasses since I was about 9 years old, so I've never been one of those women who can go out and buy a cute pair of sunglasses whenever I feel like it. About a year ago I discovered fit-over sunglasses available at Wal-Mart. I know, it doesn't sound too stylish, but they don't make me look like a little old lady who has just had her eyes dilated, and I found a pair that works pretty well with my face. The problem is that I couldn't find a case for them that actually fit, they are bigger than a normal pair. So after a few trial and errors, I made this case from wool felt. The inner liner of the case is regular felt (thinner than the wool) and I hand stitched the purple cording seam. Before I put the whole thing together I cut a Cheshire Cat out of purple felt and hand-embroidered him onto the outside of the case. I think he turned out super cool!

I enjoyed the project so much and it worked so well to keep my lenses from getting scratched, that I had to make a case for my new MP3 player. The new player is purple and I have put my two favorite charms of Jack Skellington on it, so who else should have the place of honor on the front of the case?? I started by attaching the white felt of Jack's face and then cut the black felt into the shapes of his eyes and mouth. Then I used black embroidery floss to attach them and create his features.

The Quest for the Perfect Purse

As many women out there can attest to, there is no such thing as the "perfect" purse. My husband often wonders how he can use the same wallet for 10 years and I need a new purse at least every 3 months. Well, I don't know why, I just know that's how it is. So in an effort to diffuse this particular marital squabble, I'm on a quest to find the perfect purse. Ha ha, this oughta be fun.
Purses must meet the following criteria:
1. Zip top to help prevent loss of wallet and other necessities.
2. Just-right length of straps, it should fall between my elbow and my waist when I am carrying it on my shoulder.
3. Big enough for my stuff; i.e. wallet, planner, sunglasses, MP3 case, emergency medications and any toys my kids might stuff in.
4. Easy access to my stuff. It doesn't do me any good to have to spend 5 minutes extracting my wallet at the checkout counter.
5. Divisions so my stuff isn't all crumbled up together.
6. Be cute! I don't want a purse that doesn't match my personality. It must be FABULOUS, it has to show a little bit about me.
Today I was a the thrift store looking for a vase to put some paper flowers in for Easter -- my girls are making them to give to Great Grandma -- and I found 2 purses that I kind of liked. The first was a cream colored leather with antiqued gold accents. It was cute, and it fell at the right place on my shoulder, but it had a weird stain on it. It was a zipper top but there was just one big open cavity for my crap to get lost in. Oh and it was $5, whereas choice #2 was $2. Choice #2 was a black leather purse, about medium sized. It had 2 dividers, so 3 main pockets. The center divider is zippered and the whole purse closes above that with a snap. Hmmmm, $2 and all those pros? I'll take it!
But the problem remains that it was still just a black leather purse. No flair, no personality. So here is what I came up with:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I had a flash of inspiration and thought it might be fun to personalize the purse with a heavy-duty charm bracelet. I have on there right now a watch, 'cause I'm terrible at carrying my phone so I don't know the time 90% of the time, a lucky turtle, a LOVE charm, a MOM charm and a "diamond" ring. Oh, and a fun heart shaped padlock I picked up somewhere or other. I like to sparkle, I like to make people wonder what goes on in my head, I think this charm bangle will give me a chance to change it up and really play with my style.
I attached it by putting very heavy duty jump rings through the holes created by sewing the seam of the purse. I didn't have to make any holes of my own. I'll just have to see how it holds up.

Now, wonder where I can find a rhinestone skull to put on the purse? Or maybe a Cheshire Cat? Or maybe Jack Skellington?