Wow, it’s felt like I’ve been working on stuff since last Friday without actually having anything to show for it, but I’ve finally got something!  I have actually finished my Sew Mama Sew giveaway item (which I can’t show you ’til next Monday) and I’ve got most of the way through part 2 of the super secret project, but amongst that, I cranked out these 2 bags.

Now you may recall me mentioning finding the Amy Butler Book the other day and deciding to make the next one in the series for my friend’s birthday (to get ahead of the game on January’s sew along ;o) ).  As is usual with the AB patterns, the Everything Wristlet had everything but the kitchen sink in its cutting requirements, alas it didn’t have everything by way of diagrams, and with not one photo of the inside of the bag, nor any idea what the thing was meant to look like, I decided I would change it completely (as my head was beginning to hurt – have I mentioned that I’m not well?  Pity party please!)  I went for a simple lining with a pocket like in my pouch.  Oh, and because I had copious time, I thought I’d make one for me too, to go with my LBD on Friday at the Christmas party.

Here is the one for my friend, made from the larger pattern using black linen, and Echino for the outer, and a spotty purple quilt weight cotton for the interior, with a splash of turquoise from the Sandy Gervais Grand Finale line, leftover from my ATSQA quilt:

And here is the smaller one I made for me (same interior):

I also got a fabulous parcel through the door from my friend Susana in Hong Kong.  Susana had noticed my post on the purse frames recently and offered to help me translate the book if needed. She also offered to send me a bunch of fabric she didn’t think she’d get to use.  Wasn’t she generous?  She also included a couple of postcards from her bear business.

Now, would you like the chance to win some fabric of your own?  If so, head over to see the more famous Katy at I’m A Ginger Monkey who has a couple of bundles from 2 new fabric lines that aren’t even in the shops yet.

And finally, there’s been a few questions about my Christmas decorations because, as it turns out, not everyone has a koala dressed as a reindeer (shocker, eh?).  So here’s my TV unit, and the wee table with the phone on, which contains the sum total of my Christmas decorations (along with a bunch of other stuff that’s there year-round)

Oh, and I’m linking up to Jenna’s Manic Monday (others are on holiday for December) – and yeah, a day late, I’m ill, pity party, remember? ;o)

Sew Happy Geek