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

[Claire Ross]

Have loved this blog tour . What a gorgeous fabric collection.
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

[Diane B]

I remember Laura Ashley stores...wow what feminine beauty in your pouches and the pattern is something special. THank you.
I'm NOT ON IG>

[Heather K]

I'm not on Instagram
But would love for a chance to win! Thank you!

[Donna]

My favorite gift to buy from Talbots at Christmas time years ago! Love the coordinates and the ribbon that tied them. I still have a few left that I use. You caught my heart!!! Cannot wait to make them. Thank you for this pattern and Amy's fabric is perfection!!! Hope I win!

[susan]

I also bought these pouch sets many moons ago but never one for myself. What a lovely surprise to see them recreated on your blog. And in such beautiful and sentimental fabrics. I love the handwriting on fabric as well. What a nice Valentine's Day present for the give away and for the PDF for the pattern. Win Win situation. YOU HAVE A HEART OF GOLD!!!

[Klarie]

Love love love your back story, that's what makes your posts a bit special, not just a presentation of makes or likes!

xoxoxo

[Karen Seitz]

I just love these bags and Paperie! I do not have an Instagram account, and I appreciate you keeping your blog readers in the loop!

[Nuria]

I've just bought your pattern to make them right now but i would like this lovely kit for a present to my friend's weeding!!! Love all your patterns !!! I have to finish the hexie wallet!
Congratulations for all your wonderful creations!!,

[Janis Patten]

I love these color combinations. They are right up your alley, right? Great little pockets. Thank you for the chance to win.

[Amy]

Thank you Kristyne, for this beautiful post, for the gorgeous pouches named after me(!), and for your friendship! xoxo amy

[edi]

I saw Amy's fabric in quilt shop about an hour from home. It's gorgeous. Wish I would have purchased some, but I didn't :( I need to go back and get some before it's gone !!!!
Not on IG, but ove your blog.

[Michle Machala]

I love these pouches and the fabric choice is sublime!

[Robin]

Very pretty bags! I do not do IG but am a followers of your lovely blog. Please consider me in your giveaway.

[Babs]

What a lovely idea, and such nice fabrics :)

Love, Babs

[Lizzie]

I've made zipped pouches before, but I love the way you've done the binding at the edge of the zips - I think it definitely adds that little extra something, in the same way that covered ends do (where the zip is along the top of the pouch). I will be trying this method! And the fabrics are lovely.

[Christine B.]

Hello Kristyne, I do not use IG, so I am leaving a comment here. I think your pouches are absolutely adorable and especially made with Amy's fabrics. I would like to ask a question.... can I buy a pdf pattern for the pouches from your online shop if I live in the UK. I ask because I know in some shops you are not able to something to do with EU tax laws..... does that make sense? Thank you :)

[Valerie P]

I'm not on IG but would love the chance to win-so fun!!

[Karen Grabowski]

Not on IG but thanks for the ideas, beautiful pictures, and inspiration!

[Beth]

Beautiful pouches! I'm not on ig but I would love to make these for my daughter, she would love them.

[Terri Mc]

Paperie is so pretty ! Thanks for the chance to win the kit. I have been reading your blog for a few years now. I love to make zip bags.

[Jaime]

I'm not on IG, but I would love to win. Great giveaway!

[Lois]

The pouches made from the Paperie collection are sweet, a delicious handmade treat. Thank you for sharing the pattern and offering the giveaway. I am not on IG.

[Sarah N. A.]

Super cute! I'm not on Instagram, but I would love to be entered in the givveaway. Thanks for the chance!

Sarah N. A.

[Sarah M.]

Everything you do is soooo beautiful, right down to the littlest detail. I want to make these pouches asap! I'm not on IG - please add me to the drawing :)

[Valerie]

What a lovely set of bags. I'd love to win and make some of my own! I'd also love to know which Mettler threads you used... Thank you!

[Lisa E]

I'm not on Instagram but would love to win this beautiful kit. Thank you so much for shaing your wonderful pattern.

[Christeen]

The pouches and fabric are beautiful.

[Christi Pike]

I don't do IG either. Thanks for including us...super cute!

[Rebecca M.]

Love Amy's new fabric and especially love your handiwork with it! So pretty!

[Catherine S. D.]

So soft and pretty, would love to win!

[rhea]

I'm not on Instagram....but would just LOVE to enter.

[Kim]

great kit, great fabric!

[Christine M]

Your pouches are gorgeous Kristyne. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. I'm not on instagram.

[Cher]

I love this! Please enter me into the contest. I would love to have some of this fabric. I'm going to go back and read again but I don't remember if you mentioned where we could buy it.

:) Cher

[Chris]

I don't have an IG acct. All the extras you add make everything so much more special. The fabic is just so sweet.

[Sheryl]

Such pretty bags and gorgeous fabric. Thank you for the chance to win your generous giveaway.

[sue]

What lovely fabric and pattern, well done. And that is for the chance to win such a beautiful prize x

[Alexandra]

Thanks for the chance to win:)

[Linnia Bastin]

Love your website, thank you for such beautiful idees to inspire us. May the Lord bless you

[Lynn]

Beautiful fabrics and colours--love this!

[Donna F]

Just beautiful! You work is so inspiring. Thanks for a chance to enter the giveaway!

[Susan]

Beautiful! Love Amy's fabric. Sorry, I am not on IG, but would love the chance to win. Thanks.

[Kathleen]

I am not on IG but I would love to win this. I just love Paperie. It is so pretty especially made in to these pouches. Thank you for the chance to win.

[Jean Kilford]

This is very generous of you. It is such a beautiful kit.

[Georg]

I love these little bags. They're sooooo cute!

[Kathy]

You create the most beautiful little things. Love the little details. Love the kit.

[Ania Sroka]

Thanks for the chance to win. I'm a big fan of your work and Paperie :-)

[Peg]

Just love this line of fabrics.

[patricia sinclair]

hi there, not on IG, but love looking at your beautiful site, and would love the chance to win one of your lovely packages.

[Kim]

Beautiful pouches. Thank you for sharing. Hope I win the giveaway!!!!