Bag Style 001

Do you ever visit Bored and Crafty?  You should.  For several reasons--Meream is adorable, she has nifty craft tutorials, she just comes up with these passages that I think are from books but they're not, she likes the way books smell (a kindred spirit), and she started this nifty little thing that she calls Book Style, wherein she takes a beloved book and uses the colors to create a complete outfit (down to the accessories)!  I am not fashionable or stylish.  I live in jeans, tees, and Converse All-Stars with flowers on them (when I'm not in work clothes).  Such a thing would not suit my skills.  But I do sew bags, and most of the time I'm happy with my fabric choices.  So I took Meream's idea, and decided to try my hand at a bag reminiscent of a book.  Cheating a bit?  Perhaps. Simplifying a lot? Definitely. Fun? Yes!

So, first the book:

'The Concubine's Daughter' by Pai Kit Fai

First, I must say this is one of the best books I have ever read.  It's a bit long, and sometimes I felt it could have been a shorter book, but I loved every single page of it.  It's written so beautifully, and you're brought into the story in such a way that you really feel for the characters.  There was one chapter that seemed a logical place to stop for the night, but it was so intense I had to read one more, just to get the edge off.  It's not a funny book, and there are certainly parts that are tragic.  But there are beautiful examples of the human spirit throughout.  If you can get your mitts on a copy I recommend it whole-heartedly.

OK, plug over.  Onto the bag.  I used the tried and true Basket Bag tutorial (the updated version) from Lisa Lam at u-handbag--click here for the directions. Here is the bag that I felt inspired by this book to create:

I have no knowledge of the details of this fabric--it was part of a birthday gift from one of my sisters.

 Warm yellow lining with inside zip pocket and magnetic snap tabbed closure.

I don't know why, but this is the fabric that I thought of when I was reading this book and Meream's Book Style posts.  But the real business end of this bag is the handles:

Wooden beaded handles.  I've had them for a looooong time--it's as though they were all just waiting for each other to come along.

 Aren't they just gorgeous?  There's also a slight yellowish-gold that the camera didn't pick up.

I think I can consider this one a success.  I'll have to keep my eyes open for more books and fabrics that want to get married.