The March Bag

Here's a great pattern that a few of my 10's have commented on positively while I was making it this week. In my eternal search for the perfect bag for each year level to develop their skills with, and still appeal to the boys that may join the class, this one seams to provide an interesting challenge that is quite achievable and have enough space in it for the techno tools we all carry if they want.

... used a remnant from IKEA (striped upholstery weight outer and finer poplin/lawn hand written lining) and  and some vintage bark cloth for the contrast ( the grey, patterned piece).  What I love is the $1.00 buckle from a Salvo's belt, and the large silver grommets and swing clasps, and large magnetic snap from two $4.00 vinyl bags from Goodwill.  Sure beats the expense of an often limited range a Spotlight....sorry Spotty.

So the changes are - the handle style and attachment method and the gathered lining pocket.  I like the pleated front/back pockets and they really fit a fair bit in!  Watch they line up at the bottom and at the sides for a neat finish.

Top-stitching, as always, in a larger stitch (length 4 at least on the school Bernina).

I 'spose the issue for the kids, and in turn me, will be accessing the grommets and clasps, they can be cost prohibitive, so I may need to resort back to the original bag's shoulder strap with them. Keeping within a reasonable budget can be a challenge for really good looking bags.  Teens today can be rather fussy and why make it if you can buy a better one? My plan is to produce a step by step photo tutorial for my version of the bag (I will acknowledge the original designer too, of course) and have a few of my Yr 10's to trial it for me next term.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Have sports day, will crochet...

Couldn't help myself...in between events I snuck out the yarn and hook and made ric rac!  OK, so I probably looked like an older lady sitting around getting crafty ( and let me say there is NOTHING wrong with that!), but I'd like to think I did it with some funky attitude at least!  Couldn't help decorating the hat with last night's blue rose....we came 2nd by the way.   Also got to finish the bag I'd been working on during lunch.  More on that one in the next day or so.

And can I add, everyone that was at school today looked fantastic in bright colours and costumes - some even looked like they might run!  Lots of fun was had by all, and it's always great to see the kids having fun, in 'out of the classroom' mode.  Are your Sports Days always good fun?  As a student they were always days to surprise yourself with your ability to jump the hurdles and still finish first, or to secretly (you thought) follow the boy you liked.....

Good golly, Miss Molly!

New Mollie Makes issue 12! Instant craft inspiration for me!  A quick spot of crochet while compiling the bananablue food order, the rose brooch.

I made mine in blue for our school sports day!  Go you Blue things!

Yay! I've worked out how to insert a picture...last night was too late for the brain.
Next blog challenge - work out a profile photo and background that's 'mine'.

making a start

I've been getting craft inspiration from all of you out there...so I thought I'd start a blog to share what I've done!
I hope this blog will be a place I can post where my ideas are coming from, what I've made that week, pictures (I'm a visual/kinesthetic learner). Better include a photo of a recent make....  OK this is new to me, I need to take some time to work out how to upload my pictures! ... this will be a learning curve and a half I think!

Oh, by the way I tend to write lengthy conversational pieces....this may make me edit them too!

no pics at present....need time to work through it all!