"If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you."






Friday, March 4, 2011

The Artful Bag Challenge - Month #3 - March

For the third month of The Artful Bag Challenge, we have been challenged to take an existing handbag and re-decorate, or re-make it.  I found this lovely handbag at my local thrift store for about $1.30:
It is made from a burlap-like material with nice leather straps.  The top has a zipper and the bottom has a large gusset that makes it very roomy.  It would be very suitable to carry books.  The one thing that would stop me from using it myself is that the beautifully-embroidered initials (JES) are not my initials - although the "J" certainly works.  Here's what I did:
I used homemade fabric flowers and paper flowers with die cuts and leather-like leaves to cover the second and third initial.  BUT - I left the letter "J".

19 comments:

  1. aw so cool jeanie, its gorgeous......it was just waiting for you.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. How clever Jeanie, what a great makeover!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your bag is fabulous! I totally love your flowers. They are gorgeous!
    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the embellishments you added to your bag.

    Those beautiful flowers turned your little ugly duckling tote into a gorgeous one.

    Hugs,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is ingenious.... and just adore the colore you dyed the burlap..... What a darling new purse you now have for $1.30 !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Linda e pratica para o uso diario!

    formidavel!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your purse is gorgeous--I love it!!!
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tua bolsa ficou linda!!
    Obrigada pelo teu carinho.
    Bjs

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Jeanie,
    I love your purse. I got behind in February, so I have 2 purses to get done but I think this is just so special...wonderful job...I know Anna had to be very pleased.
    Have A Sugar Sweet Day
    Simply Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a very creative bag. Great use of color and what a good idea in covering the initials.
    Great job. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is lovely, Jeanie. The flowers are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi,Jeanie!
    I loved your bag...lovely flowers!
    I like the color too.
    Hugs
    Marlei

    ReplyDelete
  13. First, that bag is already an awesome find Jeanie! I love hunting for thrift shop treasures too. And what a fabulous transformation. The flowers are gorgeous and I love that you made it large enough to make a big statement. Love the colors. Also love the clever way you made the monogram work for you. Thank you again for playing :)

    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  14. Totally enterprising to hide the unwanted initials. Love all the flowers that you have made.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful flowers I like how you cover the letters great afternoon tea bag.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your handmade flowers are just beautiful and the bag is now very elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Clever and wonderful! Love the colors!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh Jeannie... I so love this! I would be so proud to wear it.... This rocks!
    hugs and blessings,
    Pauline
    (another Artful Bag)

    ReplyDelete