Zakka Style Week #17 - Delightful Linen Bag

I'm so happy to present this edition

of the Zakka Style Sew Along...

the Delightful Linen Bag!

{Aptly named, in my humble opinion!}

{LRStitch has been our lovely hostess...come along and join now!}

This pretty little project was contributed by Mette Robl

of erleperle.

{Her blog is filled with beauty and inspiration.  Just what you're looking for in a blog, right?}

This was a quick-to-make project,

and I actually spent more time planning it then sewing it.

I had a finished piece of cross-stitch that I made a long time ago.

It had a decidedly "country" feel to it.

{We live in a neighborhood called Apple Hill.}

My sister Susie gave me some gorgeous creamy fabrics from

Lakehouse Dry Goods - Penelope, like this one.

{I promised myself NOT to hoard them!}

{Still available at Shabby Fabrics!}

Paris Flea Market by 3 Sisters for Moda

was the first fabric line I ever fell 

head over heels for, and I bought yardage from the entire collection,

which is now out of print.

I decided to stop the hoarding and use a bit of those, too.

{It's so old, I couldn't even find an image to show you!}

Normally I am really fussy about matching a "mood" throughout my project.

Could I mix Country with Shabby Chic successfully?

I looked again at the photo from Mette's version of the little bag,

which combines a traditional rose cross-stitch with vintage lace,

appliqued ribbon, a funky lavender cotton print, and a

bright green tiny floral binding.

A funky wooden button with a leather closure

finishes it all off.

And it works!

I knew right away that I wanted to risk it all,

and mix shades, moods, textures...

Here's my own version.

The back is plain, to show off my beautiful button fabric.

{Thanks, Susie, for that and for the key charm!}

I have just one minor complaint about this project:

the binding was nearly impossible to work with,

and I actually cut mine at 1 1/4" 

instead of the 1" that was recommended.

{It was soooooo narrow for a double-folded binding!}

The last line of this chapter mentioned using the bag for postcards.

I just happen to have a little collection of vintage postcards!

Want to see some of them?

Some are Christmas...

Some are Easter and Valentine's Day.

I even have one that was an advertising trade card for thread!

My uncle had it in his store for years, until I admired it, and he gave it to me!

{He's sweet that way!}

Look at the little girl on her swing made with thread!

And before I go, I'd like to share my very favorite Christmas postcard,

which was mailed in 1923 to my grandparents,

from my grandma's grandmother!

{The handwriting reaches out to me...and the love goes on and on...}

Thank you, Mette, for this project!