A Sweet Little Change Purse

Are you suffering from TPA? It's the newest epidemic spreading across the country, and my illness began last July. TPA, Total Pinterest Addiction, grabs the unsuspecting victim in its clutches and continues to lure her (or him) back for more and more and more.

 One of my favorite and often-used pinboards I've labeled 'Potential DIYs.' The number of ideas I've gathered there has grown so fast that there can't possibly be enough time to make/do all of them. It's sorta' like that stash of quilt fabric upstairs - more fabric there than time enough to make that many quilts.

That doesn't prevent me, nonetheless, from pinning more ideas to this board. And, every now and then, I get psyched to make some of the ideas, and today just happened to be one of those days. This is the beauty of Pinterest. I knew exactly where to look for a little gift item I need for an upcoming birthday. I really like the idea of giving a homemade gift, too, one that is nicer than ordinary. So this caught my eye, and I proceeded to buckle down and whip it up. What do you think?

I pictured it with my rotary cutter to give perspective on the size. The zipper opens into a pocket for change, or keys, or business cards, and the like.

Then, there's the snap-shut opening at the top.

I dismantled a carpenter's metal tape measure, and cut 5" lengths of the "tape" to use as the closures. The pattern called for tape that was 3/4" wide, but I could not find that in town, so I bought one that was 1/2" wide. Mine is probably not as strong as it would have been with the wider tape, but it still closes. Kinda' cool, actually!

It easily hold my Blackberry. In addition, it's roomy enough that I could insert a little notepad and more, if desired. I'm really pleased with the results. I'm taking it to book club tonight to get some feedback on it. I hope the girls there will give me honest critiques and suggestions on my little purse.

Added later: Requests have been made for the link to this pattern.

How's winter been where you live? Everyone here in Ohio has marveled about how mild ours has been. I can hear spring birds chirping in the backyard some mornings, and our crocuses, tulips and daffodils are all up and the crocuses are even blooming! This morning, a really strange thing happened in the woods to the east of our house. From safe in the confines of my quiet home, I could hear a loud cacophony - and when I went to investigate, I discovered that a huge flock of starlings had swooped in for a visit. I went out with the camera to try to get a picture of the swarm, but they were simply not interested in moving. They were, however, interested in noisemaking! Ohmygoodness!! What a racket! It was, indeed, quite a sight, one that I'll not soon forget. They did eventually move on, thankfully. I wouldn't want them taking up residence out there - the noise would be unbearable.

The picture probably doesn't adequately illustrate the incredible number of birds in these woods, and I sure wish I could share that racket with you! On second thought, be glad you can't hear it - no pretty songbirds here! Just noise - incessant noise!

The Frankfort quilty girls come here tomorrow morning! I ought to be running the sweeper and clearing away my sewing mess!

Happy Quilting, Friends!