Bookmark Experiment

Over the last year I made hundreds of bookmarks for the charitable organization I work with. All of them have been made of fabric and ribbon sewn together. I wanted to experiment with bookmarks made of paper and cardstock. I had a vision ... 

I started with scrapbook paper from my stash and coordinating cardstock cut from facial tissue boxes. 

I bought a couple packets of dies to cut into various bookmark shapes. This is what I used to cut the cardstock.

After cutting the scrapbook paper to size, I used embossing folders to add texture to the paper. (Those little hearts are adorable!)

Then I used a specialized paper punch to round the corners of the embossed paper.

I've wanted an excuse to purchase this tool for quite some years. Now I can add grommets to my projects.

I stacked the cardstock and embossed paper, punched a hole, then squeezed in the grommet.

The last step was to add a coordinating ribbon. I have lots of colors to choose from!

My vision came to life!

So far, I've made 16 bookmarks of various sizes. They are fairly time-intensive to make. So though I am extremely pleased with the finished product, I'm not sure this is the most efficient use of my bookmark-making time. I might return to the fabric bookmarks for that organization since they sew up fairly quickly.

Green / Orange Crochet Purse

The second crochet purse that I finished on Saturday reminds me of Easter ... or maybe ice cream or sherbet. It's primarily a soft green with a melon-colored stripe and flower. I'll donate it to Bags of Love along with the purse I shared yesterday. I hope to make and donate a dozen by the end of the year.

I used color-on-color for this flower: an orange flower with orange button center. I added an orange stripe to the edge of the handle as well.

For the lining I used a scrap of solid orange fabric that is heavily textured. 

For my next crochet project, I plan to make a purse that looks like an owl. It's for one of my grandkids. I hope to get it finished for her birthday. Wish me luck. I don't enjoy working to deadlines anymore, but I'll give it a go anyway.

Whoooo do you guess that it's for?

Blue / Purple Crochet Purse

I finished two more purses for Bags of Love yesterday. These are made with a "sport" or "baby weight" yarn. To make the stitches look proportional to the weight of the yarn, I used a smaller crochet hook. So these two purses are smaller than previous versions of my crochet purses. The finished size is 5.75" wide x 4.5" high. This size might be better for a 3-5 year old than for a 6-8 year old.

I found a blue button in my stash that was just the right shade of blue, and just the right size for the center of the flower. I incorporated some of the purple into the handle as a finishing touch.

I made the yarn closure loop a bit too long to wrap around the flower correctly, so I made a design decision to knot it close to the edge of the purse. I really like that detail! Mistakes become design choices. 

The inside is lined with some Frozen fabric, bringing the blue and purple together on the inside and the outside. Sweet.

The second purse reminds me of Easter due to the pastel colors. I'll share that tomorrow.

To learn more about Bags of Love, follow the link above.

Purple with Butterflies

For the second purse I finished yesterday I utilized the same striped pattern, this time with a variegated purple body, interrupted with a pink stripe.

The rim of the purse, the outer edge of the strap, the flower and the closure all use the same pink. I added a purple center for the flower. It makes for a nice contrast.

And inside? It's lined with psychedelic butterflies flitting around on a light purple background.

I hope to donate these crocheted purses and 8 jigsaw puzzles to Bags of Love tomorrow. I hope all the gifts bring a little joy to a kid who is having a rough time.

Return to Crochet

After taking a couple months off, I'm back to crocheting some purses for little girls that I'll donate to Bags of Love. This time I repeated a striped pattern that I did back in September 2024. I think it looks quite sweet with the main body in white confetti yarn with turquoise accents. It's not nearly as bold as my red purse.

I chose a light turquoise button for the center of the flower. I also added turquoise rows to the strap to create a stripe.

I created a loop that surrounds the flower to hold the purse closed. Inside, a fun coordinating fabric. Is that a Paw Patrol character?

I was able to finish two purses today, so will share the other one soon. I hope to make at least 12 purses this year as one of my 25 Goals in 2025.

Fabric Bookmarks

It's been over three months since I completed anything for Bags of Love, the charitable organization that I help out. The entire Fall and Winter got away from me. While working to catch up on my odds and ends of crafts and projects and email and and and ... I came across these photos of fabric bookmarks I finished last August.

I'd gone through my pieces and ends of holiday fabrics and pulled out the ones that were small. I made up these bookmarks and divided them by season when I turned them in to the office.

25 Patriotic / 4th of July bookmarks. That striped ribbon was fun to work with.

8 Halloween / Fall bookmarks

14 Christmas / Winter bookmarks

12 for any time of year

I've been meaning to make more bookmarks, but rather than sewing, I have some paper/cardstock designs in mind. I sure hope I can get to them before long. I get to start new projects when I'm done playing catch-up.

My Heart Breaks

He's been my hero for a long time now. 

Your example helped me want to make a difference, too.

Edited to add my husband's thoughts:

I wasn't born yet to appreciate the greatness of Gandhi when he died. In so many ways, Carter was our generation's Gandhi: a simple man called to extraordinary leadership -- mostly by example, and as a peacemaker above all.

Dale Davaz

Bag Days - Day 9

I completed this purse earlier this month. I was playing with variations in the purple stripes.

I used a single layer flower and found a lilac button in my stash to use as the center. I placed the flower smack dab in the middle of the top. 

I'm still trying to figure out the best method for the closure. So this time I made the loop a bit longer. It can wrap around the entire flower (see above). This way it's hidden behind the petals when the purse is closed. This works pretty well, but I'm not convinced it's the method I'll stick with. It's a little clumsy. Will little girl fingers be able to maneuver it easily?

The lining is this pretty purple night sky. It works quite well. Very sweet.

This may be the last of my Bag Days for a while. I'm crocheting the next version of this purse now, but it's going more slowly than usual. I have other crafts on my mind - and on the workshop table - now that the holidays are upon us.

Bag Days - Day 8

This is the final purse I finished in October. My goal was to use up the blue/green variegated yarn. I figured I'd be a little cheeky by mixing it with turquoise blue and lime green. 

I used a navy blue button for the closure in hopes that it would blend into that top row of stitching. I enjoy the color combination on the flower with the two stacked buttons for the center. Those buttons match the turquoise and lime green perfectly.

This purse has an ivory and green striped lining.

That color combination kind of socks you in the eye, doesn't it!

Bag Days - Day 7

This is the second autumn-themed purse I crocheted for Bags of Love in October. 

This time I wanted to play with the button closure to see if I could incorporate it better than in the earlier purse. So I moved the big flower down to the bottom right corner of the purse and used a large flower-shaped orange button as the center. As I was digging through my button box, I found this one-off adorable small flower-shaped apricot button that was just right. 

I also wanted to use up the rust-colored yarn. I had just enough to make the center row of a 3-color handle. For the lining, I found this two-tone orange fabric in my stash.

It tickles my brain to continue to make variations of this purse pattern. This one is successful.

Bag Days - Day 6

In October I finished three purses. Two of them have an autumn theme.

For this purse, I wanted to use up the dark brown ball of yarn.

The yellow flower has a double-button center. The brown lower/larger button lets the yellow button "pop." 

Then I crocheted another multi-color strap. Brown yarn? Used up!

When I submitted the September purses, I asked if they thought adding a closure might be a good improvement. The wonderful gal at the counter said yes, give it a try. So I added an identical brown button to the center of this purse. I tried to match the color of the button to the dark brown yarn so that it would be subtle rather than conflicting with the yellow flower.

I used a chain stitch loop to wrap around the button. I attached it to the purse back as shown in the highlighted oval. The closure chain is not too conspicuous. 

For the lining I found this vibrant red/rust/orange/black burst of color. I think it's an excellent enhancement.

I have three or four more purses to share, but may take a break in my next blog post to show a different kind of craft.

Bag Days - Day 5

Here's another purse I made in August. I love the way it came out. My goal with this piece was to use up my ball of pink yarn.

The handle took longer to make than usual because instead of two rows of double crochet, I did five rows of single crochet. It was worth it because it came out more beautifully than I anticipated. And I used up the pink yarn.

I made a single flower from the turquoise and added a sweet butterfly button.

This lining fabric scrap from my stash worked wonderfully! It ties the whole project together.

After I finished this purse, my daughter asked if I did this color combination on purpose. These are the colors of the transgender flag. No, I hadn't realized that! But I love that it has the butterfly as a symbol of transformation. Wouldn't it be great if this purse went to a trans kid who is in crisis because they're questioning their gender identity? Perhaps receiving something like this would help her feel seen. 

I'm all for that.

Bag Days - Day 4

The next purse I made in September is one of my favorites with the turquoise and navy blue color combination. This striped pattern is really growing on me.

I made a wide handle that matches the center variegated stripe. I used a single plain blue flower with two stacked buttons at the center. I was on my color game that day!

Inside, a gorgeous starry night sky. Wow.

I nearly kept this one for myself. Then I remembered there's a little girl in crisis out there that can use it more than me. So I donated it to Bags of Love, after all.

Besides, I know how to make these little purses if I want one for myself.

Bag Days - Day 3

In September ...

I made four purses for Bags of Love. I already posted the red/white stripe. I loved the way that came out, so am considering making one with that stripe pattern as my next crochet project. 

The second September purse used tones and variations of purple.

The lilac flower matches the two narrow stripes. I used stacked purple buttons for the flower's center.

This ought to make some little girl very happy. I used Frozen fabric for the lining.

What "Olaf" of fun!