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For those of you who don't know me, I'm Linda Lum DeBono. I design some fun and happy designs. I write books for Martingale and I do a lot of magazine work for Better Homes and Gardens' American Patchwork and Quilting and Quilts and More. I've recently done a few pieces for Stitch Magazine!
My latest book, "Sew Merry and Bright" was just published recently and I know that you will enjoy it making some fun and fabulous holiday projects!
This year we are talking about favorites. We were asked about our favorite things about the holidays. I've done a few of these blog hops and you can read about some of the fun stuff that we have going on around here.
Favorite recipe:
We don't eat turkey. I tried being a good wife one year and made a turkey. It was made perfectly but my husband and I looked at each other and vowed to never make it again. There's just something about turkey that doesn't jive with our palate. We enjoy chicken or seafood [especially lobster!]. For those of you who have read about my favorite holiday foods, here's the post for the mussels and black bean sauce and the always delicious cranberry banana loaf. The recipes and the tags are linked on the right sidebar.
One fun holiday treat is kettle corn with white chocolate and peppermint. Yum. I buy some kettle corn like Orville Redenbacher's Classic Kettle Corn! Then I melt some white chocolate in a double boiler, mix in two small crushed candy canes and drizzle the chocolate mix on top of the popcorn. You adjust according to your desired sweetness by adding more or less of the chocolate mix.
Favorite decoration:
I love decorating my trees [yes, I have two trees] and I love collecting special ornaments. One of my favorites is still this leaf. I do like little birdies.
Favorite tradition:
I wouldn't say that I follow a lot of holiday traditions. I do have one and that is to photograph. The guinea pigs are the usual suspects - Big A and Little A. My nephew Jack is the other one who's usually thrown in front of the camera. As you can see, they don't seem to have a problem, do they? Well, before you agree with me, you need to read this!
The other is to put one new ornament on the tree each year. We usually try to find one that means something for that particular year or one that I really like. I like to collect little glass ornaments and this year I found an adorable owl to keep the other owls company!
I must admit that I have been very much in love with "Oh Nuts" and the little nesting dolls from my book, Sew Merry and Bright [Publisher: Martingale & Co.]!
My project for you this year is not so much a pattern but a method for you to design your own wallets using frames.
I bought this Hobby Land frame at Quilt Market and I just love it! This method gives you the guidelines to draw out your own pattern for any frame. Start by drawing around the outside of the frame and mark where the hinges appear.
Draw the side of the purse. The bigger the angle away from the side of the frame, the puffier your wallet/purse [hereon will be referred to as purse] will be. Determine how long you want your purse to be. You only need to draw one half. Fold the paper in half by matching up the frame. Cut out on the line.
Draw a 1/4" seam allowance around using this template on another sheet of paper and cut on this new line. You could have drawn the seam allowance in the last step but I like to cut it out to see if I like the shape and size.
Cut out two exterior, two interior and two interfacing pieces from the template. I used fusible fleece for this project. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the exterior pieces.
With right sides together, sew the exterior/fleece pieces together along the BOTTOM of the purse from one side of the mark for the hinge to the other. Leave the top open for now.
Turn the exterior pieces right side out and stuff into the lining piece. [lining piece has the wrong side facing out at this point.] Leave a 3" opening at the bottom of the lining for turning later.
At this stage you can create a flat bottom for your purse if you want to but it is not necessary. Flatten the corners and mark 1" [or your desired amount] in from the corner. Sew and trim with a 1/4" seam allowance. If you are doing this step, repeat for the other corner and for the two corners of the lining.
Now, carefully pin one lining to one exterior piece and repeat for the other side. Sew from one side of the mark for the hinge to the other. Repeat for the second half.
Turn right side out and stitch the opening closed and press. Sew or glue the fabric to the frame! These little purses are quick and easy to make once you have the pattern drawn out. Don't be afraid to experiment. It isn't as hard as it sounds.
In the end you will get this adorable little coin purse. I like to make mine long so that I can put things like my scissors or little double pointed needles in.
I will give away one copy of my book "Sew Merry and Bright" here on my blog. Tell me about your favorite holiday memory. The giveaway will end at midnight November 25, 2012. I can't wait to hear about your memories!
I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial! Visit me on Facebook and show me your creation! The link is on the sidebar. Meanwhile, enjoy some of my latest press to get you into the holiday spirit! I have another quilt in the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilting and will update with it later today.
Come back for some more holiday ideas! Make sure that you follow along and have some fun!
xo, L
