Made this bag over the weekend. It is just big enough to fit a wallet, camera and handphone. It is just nice and small. The black flower is made from cotton (kanazashi flower) with the centre part using a button I bought last year from Yoonie. I am quite pleased with the outcome.
I have been experimenting on different patterns, fabrics and interfacing in making bags. It is still a work in progress but finally I managed to produce an acceptable (by my standards) clutch. As usual I prefer lining to hide in imperfect stitching but this time I used a cotton flower print. I did not make a zipped compartment as I usually would.
I wanted to do something simple while I figure out how to complete my latest project, a clutch. So I dug out an old Klutz book my mom gave my sis. She bought it in the US and at that time both of us had a lot of fun making our own clips. I used the beads I have in my stash and walla...
I haven't yet attempted the difficult ones and so there are more to come...
Made this yesterday. Used pyjamas striped materials as the main fabric. The flap was designed with my cats as inspiration. 'Silhouette of cat looking longingly at the stars and moon'. Inside the flap is a zipped compartment. And inside the bag there is a small pocket. Initially there was supposed to be another zipped compartment but I don't know why everytime I sew the zippers it ended looking ugly. After my 4th attempt I decided to scrap the zip and put a pocket instead. Note: This bag is sold today to my friend Chew Ping. Thanks for liking it (updated 3.10.2010)
This bag is almost similar except that it is a bit bigger (by about 2 inches in width). 2 zipped compartment - one inside the flap and one in the bag itself. The flap design is inspired by the fabric itself.
Who did I make the bags for? I have no idea.... As I mentioned, the process was boredom therapy
For a long time I wanted to make my own shopping bag but never got to it. So finally after months of procastinating I managed to make my own bag with an environment message " SAVE OUR TURTLES". It is a cause dear to my heart as I am a diver who enjoys watching these creatures in their own underwater realm.
My colleague requested the clips for his daughters - the two on the right. This time I made the flowers with 2 layers of different fabrics. The two on the left I made earlier and kept it in a box (hence, the shapes a bit distorted, I noticed my other stuff were pressing on them in the box... must reshape them but was in a rush to put their photos in)
Each item is about 3 inches in diameter.
A few friends have been asking me on how to make the yo-yo flower I use as embellishments. Since I have benefited a lot from online craft tutorials I have decided to show how they are made.
Step one is to make a few yo-yo balls
Make a round template for the five petals. In this tutorial, the template is 6cm in diameter. This would make a petal roughly 3cm in diameter.
Cut 5 round shapes from the fabric. In this I used scraps of rayons.
Fold the edge of the circle and sew the outline. Make sure you make a knot first at the end of the thread.
Pull the thread till the edges bunch up but do not let the hole close up.
Fill the hole with stuffing - kapok or sponge till full.
Then pull the thread and close the hole with a knot.
Make another smaller yo-yo ball using a 5cm circle for the centre of the flower. Use a contrasting fabric. In this example I used cream colored fabric.
You will end up with 5 big yo-yo balls and one smaller one.
String up the large yo-yo's and tie them together. Run a few threads around the petals at the base to make the thread stronger
Attach the smaller yo-yo to the centre and sew it on.
This is the end product - a yo-yo flower.
I enjoy making stuff from recycled items. So I decided to make a pencil holder from an empty tin can and scrap cloth. This is the outcome
The finished product. Next time I will put some embellishments making it more unique. I know this can be made using paper but I love the feeling and the texture of cloth:)
Before the makeover
Saw a tutorial on how to make Kanzashi flowers about a month ago (here). Used some to embellish my bags but today decided to do some hair clips for myself. Anyway, one of the clips got hijacked by my sis :)
Blue polka dot clip. In the photo is a 50 sen coin to compare the size. At the back, I sewed the flower on the clip and also glued felt to the back to hide the stitches 
The 2nd clip 
The clips on my model. Thanks sis.
Made this for a dear friend of mine. 
The inspiration came from these prints which I got at Nagoya (the fabric shop). I think now I have to join Nagoya Anonymous as I have been spending a lot of time (and money) every time I pass by the shop.
Anyway, the bag is sized 20cm x 14 cm. I used satin ribbons as the drawstring. I made yo-yo flowers as embellishments
The insides are lined with plain cotton. The reason why I used a lining is to hide the imperfections of my stitching plus the material I use is quite thin therefore the lining provides extra strength.
Hope she like it.
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Row of flowers for sale.jpg)
Close up of one of the hair tie. .jpg)
Really hope people would buy this.
My dearest friend is working for the National Cancer Society and has been part of the organising team for Relay for Life.
Last year we joined in the crowd in the activities organised. This year I thought I would do something different. I made some crafts for the association to sell. All proceeds goes to the Relay for Life fund.
I made tote bags, handphone pouches and handphone charms. I hope they sell (fingers crossed)
I hope people would attend the event as it shows our support and empathy to cancer patients, survivors and their families.
For more information on Relay for Life, visit the National Cancer Society website (here)
My yo-yo flower phase is still not over. I made a lot to be used as embellishments for my bags. The process got easier when my uncle sent me the Clover Yo-Yo Maker. However, the bags and pouches are still not ready since I was busy with work.
But I managed to squeeze in a mini project with smaller flowers I made. Below are two handphone charms I made from the yo-yos. I think they look cute! Btw, each flower is about 3cm in diameter.
