I was browsing Spoonflower (as you do) when I came across this wonderful artwork by Karen Hallion, called Falling. (See pic at the end of the post) It combines Dr Who with Alice in Wonderland and is simply marvellous! I saw it and knew I had to have a swatch, even if I had no idea what I would do with it, other than make something for my best friend, who is a huge fan of both the Doctor and Alice. (It was her birthday recently, so I can finally post pics!)
Months passed, during which I would gaze at my swatch, imagining all the pretties I could make with it, from simply framing it to making a quilt around it to using it as the front of a cushion. In the end I decided to go with a bag, as I wanted something useful that would give her the opportunity to show off her nerdiness and also my love for her (of course!).
The plans for this bag changed several times, right up until I was cutting up the pieces and realised that I didn't have enough interfacing for a full-on messenger bag. Fortunately, at that same moment I also realised that a messenger bag just didn't suit the design, or my friend, and so it became more of a large handbag instead.
It's a little hard to see in the picture, but there's a teapot on the light blue zipper pull and the White Rabbit on the dark blue zipper pull. Inside, I've hand-stitched a small metal plaque inscribed with "We are all mad here" onto the inside pocket. Overall, while it still didn't turn out quite the way I'd hoped, I used a lot of new materials and techniques in this project, and it's still an attractive, functional bag, so I'm pretty pleased. It's not nice enough to replace her existing handbag, but even if she uses it as a gym bag, I'll be happy.
So happy birthday, bestie! To preserve your privacy, I won't use your name, but you know who you are - obviously. Hugs and squishes. I hope you enjoy your new bag.