The Perfect Handmade Bag & a GIVEAWAY!

HandmadeBag

The Perfect Handmade Bag

Author: Clare Youngs
CICO Books
September 2009
Specs: 128 pages, 200 color photos
ISBN: 9781906525811

My Review: This book was fun!  When I first received the book, I spent my time looking over all the colorful pictures and step-by-step instructions. I then marked a couple of the bags that I liked the most. After I narrowed my list down to about 6, I studied the projects and picked what I thought would be the easiest to complete.  I chose "burlap & print shopper, (pg. 58)" for my review project.  This is a great bag to take to the grocery store, the beach or to store kid's toys.  I did not have burlap for this project but used a sturdy outdoor Waverly fabric and a houndstooth print.  The book talks about recycling, so I used what I had! My one complaint with the finished product is that the seams on the inside of the bag are un-finished. Not a big deal but it would look better had the instructions included a way to finish them. There was only 5 listed instructions and 5 materials listed for this project.  I thought the instructions were simple but basic sewing skills are going to be needed. This is a picture of my "print shopper."

Picnik collage

The book is divided into 5 chapters: purses, shoulder bags, shoppers & totes, evening bags and kid's bags.  There is also a detailed techniques and templates chapter.  The book has some great ideas for recycling materials. I especially liked the "packaging tote (pg. 62)."  The bag is made from recycled labels, stamps, postcards, paper bags, graphics from fruit crates and old tickets.  The ideas are endless!

HandmadeBag_0001


If you love to create, sew or craft, then this book is for you.  There are 35 step-by-step projects for totes, bags and purses. Plenty to keep you busy!

From the Publishers: Give fabric a new lease of life with one of these fantastically chic recycled bags. In today's modern, environmentally conscious society, with its emphasis on reusing and avoiding plastic bags, a practical bag has become an essential part of everyday life. However, practical doesn't have to mean boring, as any of the 35 fun and functional projects in this book show. Every bag is designed to make the most of materials that are readily available and easily recyclable. Try turning a dish towel into a smart shopper to carry all your groceries in, or use an old hessian sack to make a sassy bag to take to the gym. You will soon be able to transform an old blanket or a few scraps of discarded clothing into a unique bag in no time at all. Each project comes complete with beautifully illustrated step-by-step instructions and there are designs suitable for all skill levels. You are certain to find the ideal bag for you or the perfect gift to give to friends and family.

5 out of 5 stars!


You can order The Perfect Handmade Bag by Clare Youngs from Amazon.com and you can learn more about Author Clare Youngs from her website.

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Because I love my followers SOOOOOO much, I am giving away my handmade shopper bag!  One lucky follower will be the recipient of my handmade, slaved over a hot sewing machine bag.  Winner will be picked Friday. Make sure you are a follower to qualify for my giveaways.


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XOXO-


CymLowell





ASPTL

33 comments:

Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHY said...

OOh I love the bag! I'll have to put that book on my Xmas list.
Thanks for the giveaway!!!

Amanda said...

Great job, it looks perfect! And I love your fabric choices :)

Amanda
@caffeinated_mom

Mary said...

Thanks for another giveaway! That bag is too cute!!!

dymphna said...

thanks for the chance to win this cool bag. I love it

Kelly said...

Cute bag! You're so sweet to use it in a giveaway!

kw said...

Genius! I love it!

Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys) said...

Thanks for a fun book review and a lovely giveaway! I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Oo la la! I'd love to win!! :)

Miss Mustard Seed said...

That is a chic grocery bag and gorgeous fabric choice. I would love to be entered in this generous giveaway!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Can I become a follower twice? Have I really not been an official follower of yours this whole time? Wow. Well, I'm official now baby so sign me up!

Unknown said...

Very cute bag!

Nancy

littledeadmommy said...

That's a really cute bag! I'm following and thanks for the giveaway.

littledeadmommy@gmail.com

LV said...

Great job on the bag! I love your fabric selections.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the chance!!!!!

Zupp said...

Ooooo!! Am so in!!
Gorgeous bag..Thnx for the chance : )

zupzui@gmail.com

audreyscountrycrafts said...

I am following your blog! You have an amazing shop - I am so addicted to bags :)
audreyscountrycrafts

KayeDean said...

The bag is gorgeous, and now I have to have that book. It is on my wishlist!
sandym204 @ gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Love the bag!
tgiebult@gmail.com

Julie said...

I am a follower of your blog.

I would love to add this to my purses/tote collection :)

aunteegem@yahoo.com

khaski said...

The bag's not only 'green' but fashionable too! khaski78 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I agree that bag is gorgeous! I'd love to win. I follow on Google Reader so I hope that counts.

butlerswife@gmail.com

409cope said...

I follow and I would love to win this bag. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Tammy said...

Love it. Very nice shopping bag..much cuter than the Walmart one :)

tammy

Jan said...

Love this bag! You are very talented, and I would be very proud to show this off to my friends, and they would be SO jealous. Please count me in for this awesome giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Well your slaving was worth it, the bag is beautiful!

lankylegslass(at)hotmail(dot)com

jc said...

The bag is lovely, hope I win, thank you!
yumihamano@gmail.com

Cherry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cherry said...

Came over from Cym Lowell's Book Review Blog Party.

Awesome! You're so talented!! If it was me making that bag, it probably won't have any bottom to it :)

I'm a new follower.

My Book Review Blog Party offering: http://www.cherrymischievous.com/2009/12/hush-hush.html

Cherry
www.cherrymischievous.com
mischivusfairy-inbox12 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Annikke said...

I am a new follower. Found your blog by "blog surfing" today - probably through We Are That Family. What a gorgeous bag! I wish I could sew. It just isn't my gift. I have 3 sisters and all 3 can sew, but not me.

monika said...

i'm a follower and would like to try my chance to win this beautiful bag!!

janice said...

I love it, thanks for a chance to win it!!

janicemitchell43@yahoo.com

Martha said...

Lovely shopping bag - and I love the fabrics!Thanks
mconnors@insightbb.com

Jaime said...

love it, please enter me
copperllama at yahoo dot com