Getting Ready For Italy!

We're planning a trip to Italy in September with another couple. We'll be gone for nearly a month, flying into Rome and out of Venice with a two week stay at a Tuscan villa near Lucca. Of course looking chic is a must! I posted earlier that I was working on a stylish fanny pack... Here is mine completed. The pattern is Sew 'n Go Hip Purse by joyofsewing.com .  I did a few thing differently, but basically followed the pattern. The front pleats allow the purse to expand as you stash stuff in it.


My friend, Kate wants one also, and suggested it would make a fine birthday present! She requested red and black. Lucky for her I had these glitzy scraps! I crazy quilted a big chunk, went down the seams with gold metallic thread using one of my fancy machine stitches, and cut out the pattern. The top opens with a heavy duty black and gold zipper. Inside a zippered pocket divides the purse into two sections.



The back side has a zippered pocket that perfectly holds the wallet I designed and made.



Here is the wallet. I used an elastic band to keep it closed, thus ensuring that the dollars/euros in the outside back pocket would safely stay there. The front vinyl window is for the ID/Drivers License.


This is the back side. I made a clear vinyl pocket for coins. A velcro strip keeps it securely closed. The dollars/euros go in the pocket behind the coins.


The inside has a zippered pocket where the passport fits securely and safely. The bottom section has folds for credit cards and a pocket for medical/insurance card and medication list, emergency contact info.


Here is the wallet I made for me, which I'm already using. I love that it is flat and light weight. There is not a place for a checkbook. Does anyone still carry one? 
I will stick a few checks in the inside pocket of my purse.


The outside back of my wallet does not have a vinyl coin pocket. I didn't get that great idea until I was making Kate's.


Here is the inside of mine labeled and ready to go. 
September 8th I'll slide the passport in and be on my way!


My next "get ready" project is to make two A-line cotton print skirts. 
But... before I cut them out I want to log many more miles on my bicycle, continue eating smaller portions, and continue staying away from wine and chocolate! (OMG, that is so hard to do!) I figure I have until the end of August... Then, no matter what my size, I must make those skirts!

Hugs to all from Mary

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Ghastly Party... It's BYOB!

Image
Welcome to Crooked Gulley's Ghastly Project! If you go into the city tonight you're in for a scary surprise! For every Ghastly that ever there was Will gather there for certain because... Tonight's the night the Ghastlies are having their GALA! What's that you say?? It's BYOB? I need a wine carrier that's made just for me? I've got it! I've found it!   It screams, " LOOK and SEE !" It's chic and carries the best Chardonnay, There's even more room for Merlot and Cabernet! Sparkly with pockets and secure compartments. And think of all the marvelous compliments! There's room for a cheese board, knife, and bread, Oh what a marvelous, delicious spread! Check out the pockets for napkins and corkscrew. How about the backside? It's cute and chic, too. It's simply sublime, and I'll look divine! And... now, I'm done with this silly rhyme!!!      Well... I can hardly wait for the next BYOB party at my golfing ...
Read more
Image
 I don't have my beautiful sewing studio anymore. We decided to get out from under the mortgage. That means we sold the house including my awesome sewing room above the garage! Bummer! But we're going to Italy in the Fall for a month.... not a bade trade off at all. Italy always inspires new quilts. So we got creative with space. This house is 1400 sq' compared to the 2800' we sold. There are two bedrooms. That's it! The "guest bedroom" is my new sewing room. DH converted the closet into a lighted sewing center with my thread racks on the back closet wall. Not too bad. From now on I'll make smaller art quilts :-)  But, what to do about a bed in the center of the room???? DH to the rescue again. He built a Murphy Bed from a kit and directions off the web. His next project is a large work table that will fold up and go under the lowered bed when company comes. The picture below is of the Murphy Bed. We've already had several overnight guest...
Read more

April Showers Mug Rug Blog Hop

Image
Welcome! So happy you could stop by to visit on this beautiful spring day. Erin Davis  and Madamme Samm  have done a fabulous job of scheduling and coordinating this event...  To them I send ~   A Grand Thank You! My mug rug is a bit on the large size and does not have a thing to do with rain, showers or April. In fact, I should have saved it for next month's bird blog hop. But it is the one and only mug rug I've ever made, and I just love it.  (Oddly enough, so does my DH) It all started with this litte table located in our cozy reading corner of the kitchen.    It's functional because it holds magazines and has a lamp.  However, the top is not real wood! Tacky!  And, our kitchen is pretty nice... We love its open style and views.  Enjoying coffee there in the morning is quite nice. I wanted a nicer looking table. That little table was just screaming... MUG RUG! We have a bird fee...
Read more