a blog tour, a new pattern, and a giveaway (oh my!)

Hello hello!  And welcome!

Have you been following this tour? Every day I gasp with amazement at all the lovely creations being made with Paperie.  Love them.  And the fabric.  And my dear sweet Amy.  We've been pals since we were both newbie bloggers.  (Hey Amy, can you believe it's been almost 5 years now?!) She was the first blogger friend that I met in person.  I was an instant fan of her work and style, and an instant fan of her as a super nice person.  I'm honoured to call her friend (sorry for being so corny, but it's true).  And I know how hard she worked to realize her dream of designing fabric for all of us to be inspired to make pretty little things.  So I'm super excited that today is my turn to show off Amy's debut fabric collection, and the pattern I wrote specially for it.

Back Story ... because, you know me ... what's a blog post without a back story? ;)

Some 25 years ago (wait, what? seriously? that can't possibly be right! and yet, it is ...) when I started working at a Laura Ashley shop, it was at the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.  And like most stores, Laura Ashley shelves were stocked with specialty holiday items designed for easy and affordable gift-giving.  One of my favourite such gifts was a little set of 3 cosmetic pouches made in coordinating fabrics and tied with a ribbon.  It was always popular with husbands and boyfriends because they didn't have to worry about it fitting. ;)

I gave and owned many of these sets and have been meaning to make them all these years because they are the perfect combination of pretty and practical.  In fact, I still have a few surviving pouches that I use for travelling.  So this finish feels pretty darned awesome because A) it's finally DONE, B) I got to use Paperie, C) it turned out super cute, and D) now I have my new favourite quick gift to make for daughters, sisters, moms, friends, teachers, hostesses ... ... ... ME!

Sometimes these pouches were made with coordinating zipper binding (as I've made mine) and sometimes they just had plain, exposed zips.  Of course the binding takes a little more time and attention, but I think it look so much prettier, and it's more fun for me to play with more fabric. 

Consider adding a layer of clear plastic to the lining if yours are going to see some heavy-duty makeup use.

And as with anything handmade, finishing details are the icing on the cake and can be whatever you want them to be.  I've shown a few simple ideas here, but you can satisfy your inner muse with patchwork, applique, and embroidery to name a few more ideas.

Pattern is available here. (PDF download only.)

Now I also have a little giveaway today.  I had enough leftover fabric and notions to make up a complete kit for someone to make exactly these three pockets. Everything is included - fabric, ribbons, label, d-ring, zippers, and pattern.  All you need to add is batting and thread.

Here's the deal. (I was going to make this exclusive to Instagram, but I think some of you don't use it.)  So.  If you ARE on IG, like my Paperie post and leave a comment tagging a friend.  Just one friend.  If your name is chosen, you will win the kit and your friend will win a Paperie charm pack from Amy. :) If you are NOT on IG, then just leave a comment here saying so and you will be entered to win the kit.  Anyone can enter, no matter where you live, and entries close Feb 15th.

Good luck! xo k

Comments

[Dawn]

LOVE your three little bags and the pretty fabric too! I'm not on IG. Thanks! Dawn

[liz n.]

Really enjoying the Paperie blog tour! Those pouches are too much pretty for me to handle!

I'm not on Instragram, but don't enter me in the contest. I just ordered mucho yards of Paperie the other day, so I will soon be well-stocked with these beautiful prints!

[Linda in Maryville]

I think the tied little bags are charming! Thanks for sharing and then having a give-a-way. Now to go download the pattern!

[Illiar]

I have so enjoyed the Paperie blog tour and now have a list of beautiful things I would like to make. Thank you so much.

[Veronique]

I'm not on IG and i'd like to participate in the giveaway please

[Janice Mc Laren]

Love It! Great fabric and cute pattern!

[Karen]

These are so pretty, I'd love to win them I'm not on Instagram but I to love paperie.

[Clare]

What a wonderful kit. Lovely gifts. Please put me in for give away. Happy Stitching.

[Zaineb]

Beautiful pouches! Thanks for sharing!

Also thank you for letting those of us not on IG participate in this giveaway!

[Anne]

I loved shopping at Laura Ashley. Shopped there a lot for my nieces, so sad the stores closed before I could shop for my daughter. I am not on IG. Love the pouches and the beautiful fabric. Thank you.

[Julie]

Thank you for this chance to win a fabulous package. I faithfully follow Amy's blog as well as yours..you especially inspire me with your beautiful colors and your exceptional photography..thank you.

[Nikki]

What beautiful pouches!

[Brenda]

What a lovely giveaway! I'm not on instagram but would love a chance to enter,

[Wendy]

I'm not on IG so thanks for the chance to win. Love the pouches and they look so pretty in the paperie fabric with all the little extra details xx

[Tina]

What an absolutely WONDERFUL giveaway!!! I will keep my fingers crossed!! And thanks so much for opening it up to those of us that don't use/know how to use Instagram :)

[LeAnne K]

I love the beautiful pouches you made! I love everything you make! Thank you for a fun giveaway.

[Daisy]

LOVE these pouches!! And thanks for opening it to us non-Instagram-ers!

[Kathleen]

Wow, that's a lovely giveaway- I just made my first zip bag on Friday! These bags are stunning and the Paperie fabrics are so fresh and pretty. Since I don't have Instagram, thanks Kristyne! 🙂

[Mary Ellen]

These little pouches are so adorable and the colors are perfect. I would love to win a kit.

[Sue]

Love the paperie fabrics and love your blog. I am not on IG and thank you for the chance to win the giveaway.

Sue

[Maureen Haynes]

I am not on IG and would love to win your giveaway kit. The little pouches are beautiful!

[Jennifer]

Love all the things.

[Beth T.]

I so often look at your darling projects and think, "oh, I should make those!" for my three nieces. If I won, that would remove the final hurdle/excuse. Thank you for this giveaway.

[Karen McMahon]

I love your pouches & the fabric! I am not on Instagram.

[Kim]

I don't use IG so thanks for opening the contest to everyone. I hope I win the kit because...beautiful fabric+adorable patterns=sewing bliss!
Kim

[Andrea Delman]

These are lovely! I'm not on Instagram but would love a chance to win!

[JanineR]

Not on instagram, but I would love to win this pretty fabric.

[Jan Strickler]

Everything about this set is so pretty! Thanks for the giveaway!

[Anne B]

Absolutely beautiful work. Not IG user, but would love a little treat of winning some of Amys beautiful fabric.

[Shirley Casciola]

I am not on IG but would love to win this

[Heather (mtl)]

Oh, how sweet these pouches are!! Amy really hit it out of the park with her choice of colours and design and I just knew you'd do the same with your inspiring creations. Thanks so much for the chance to win!

[Marie Sagers]

No IG for me so here is my entry. Your pouches are perfection and I love the details!
Thanks for the chance to win.

[bookboxer]

I'm not on any of the social media sites, but absolutely love these bags! What a wonderful pattern for such beautiful fabric.

[Lin M.]

Fabrics are beautiful. I just love the binding detail around the zippers.

[Dianne Martell]

I don't have an Instagram account, but I love your work. I am new to quilting and technology, but that won't stop me. I am loving my new hobby.

[Linda Nelson]

I am on Instagram, but don't have any sewing friends to tag.

Those are lovely bags!!

lenelson(at)mail(dot)com

[ginny]

These are so special! What a wonderful giveaway.

[robinh]

Beautiful fabric and perfect patterns. Thank-you for the giveaway! I love when you have time to blog!

[Karen in Breezy Point]

What a great gift idea! The fabrics are beautiful!

[Delcia Rosenow]

I wear close to zip makeup, but OH what I could put in these lovely little pouches--EPP things for sure! I still have a Laura Ashley dress I bought in Milwaukee 25+ years ago; a lovely wool challis with a dainty collar. It doesn't quite (ahem, cough, blah--all in exasperation) fit any more, but I can't bear to part with it. There's enough yardage in it to make a wrap, blouse, or for sure an infinity scarf. One day I will repurpose it. Thank you for a chance in your very generous giveaway!

[Charmaine]

Great giveaway...thanks for the chance to win this kit.

[Little Quiltsong]

Love the soft and pretty little pouches. I am not on instagram. Thank you for this special giveaway chance.

[KdBrown]

Hey, these are adorable and I am not on Instagram but would still love to win your lovely giveaway! Thanks!

[Barbara]

I am not on Instagram......the fabric is lovely and your little bags are perfect!

[Jinna]

I don't have IG but love this pattern and the lovely fabrics you have chosen. Thanks for allowing me to register for this kit.

[Kelly]

These little bags are so so adorable!! I really hope to win the kit😜

[Carol I]

Just lovely! Your attention to the details elevates a simple pouch to a little luxury!

[Liz E]

I love these little pouches and would love to win a kit! Please include me in the drawing :-)

[Norah]

Thank you for the generous giveaway. I'm not on IG. The pouches you made look so adorable!!! Wish I could make a similar one for myself.

[Kathy E.]

Paperie is one of the prettiest bundles I've seen in a long time. These little pouches are a perfect project fort the fabric. I'd be so happy to make a set for myself!