Finished Altered Canvas Bag.

If there is anything that I am guilty of on this blog, it’s being very enthusiastic about my latest carboot bargains, saying what I am going to do with them and then putting them on hold for months on end ….. 

…….but since Bank Holiday I have made a concerted effort to finish something ……… roll of drums …….. da da!

 

My sister found the “Paris” badge set in Accessorize (£3) and when I rummaged through my bits and pieces box I found these vintage poodle and Eifel Tower brooches, perfect for my French theme.

I’ve only decorated on side of the bag, because I thought the embellishments would catch on my clothes.

I made a couple of flowers using gingham ribbon, perhaps the red one could have been a little smaller (I used 1.5 inch ribbon), and put an Accessorize badge in the middle of each.

 

I’ve added the other bits here and there…..

 

I didn’t mean to put a ribbon with the black poodle ….. but it hides an over zealous blob of glue I needed to hide!

The pictures make it looked a bit squashed and crowded, but I think I have got the balance about right.

And have I used my new bag ?  Mais oui …… on a shopping trip to Aldi.

Altered Canvas Bag

I have started to alter the bag I got from the carboot on Monday. I couldn’t believe it when I found that the straps actually come off, making working on them so much easier, how brilliant is that?

I had a look in my ribbon box and found  this red polka dot grosgrain ribbon which is just perfect. I have glued it onto the bag with heavy duty PVA, turning over the ends so they don’t fray.  I know I could have sewn on the ribbon, but that’s not my style, too slow! And as this bag is a bit of fun, I am not planning on its longevity or durability!

I was going to get a set of Accessorize pin badges (£3 for 4) to embellish it until Lisa pointed out that I could make my own ….doh,  I’d forgotten about my badge maker,…… so that’s my next job!

Car Boot Bargains – August Bank Holiday Monday

Oh my life, you will never know how much I love a good rummage, especially when I come back with treasures beyond my wildest dreams.  Can you believe that I made a list of things to look for and I came back with four of them! I am so excited I don’t know where to start ….

Ok ….. I will do them in reverse order of excitement, building up to a crescendo of absolute joy!!

Largish  glass dish -  I saw it, I liked it, I bought it ….. £1 !

Three wooden picture frames ….. 50p each, when I saw them I thought shabby chic, and as I type, this one is in the garden drying after its first coat of paint …. I will sand it down later to shabby it and if I am happy with the result, I will do the other two …. the centre of the flowers in each corner are begging for large clear flat backed gems, but for the sake of good taste I will resist! I am also wondering weather to replace the glass for a mirror.

I have an old fashioned taste in jewellery, I know this isn’t old but I love the colours and shapes, it’s a bit art nouveau – 50p – nabbed it!

The drawers were the first thing on my list – £2.50 was my limit  but 50p grabbed it!  I want it to alter, then give it as a present. I have done one already, but you will have to wait a little while to see it as I have scheduled it for later.

This brocade effect pillowcase may seem an odd thing to put on my list, but I saw it on the market about two weeks ago and have regretted not buying it ever since but hoped it would still be in the huge box where I first saw it. (The car boot joins the market on Bank Holidays).  It cost £1 and with some flat backed gems and a length of black/silver velvet ribbon, it’s going to make the most stunning Christmas present sack ever!

This canvas/cotton Topshop bag was another “look for” on my list and cost another £1.

I saw the bag below on Saturday in Accessorize, but it  was £28.00 – so I thought, if I could find a similar bag, I could embellish it myself with some of the bits I have on my shelves, save a huge amount of money and still be on trend! (I’ve been watching too much Gok me thinks!).

…….. And finally zee piece de resistance ….. I NEVER EVER thought in my wildest dreams I would find something like this ……

…. a Hidesign messenger/work bag (it looks nothing in the picture I know), but, when new, it would cost silly money -  £100 plus – I paid 50p!  It has three compartments, two with zips and has the most delicious leathery smell! The leather is so soft and I have set about polishing it with loving care.  I need to sew about 1.5 inches of one zip where it has come undone and the same in one of the corners, but otherwise it is perfect with a worn comfortableness, if you know what I mean. You can imagine how thrilled I am as I have been looking for something like this on e-bay for ages and although I have made lots of bids, bags I have fancied have sold way beyond my means …… Oh what a perfect day!