Grungepaper Tote Bag

I have a bit of an addiction for bags and the ones that I have shown on my blog have been machine sewn but this one has been all sewn by hand. I saw the idea in Craft Stamper Magazine last year sometime to make a handbag from Grungeboard but decided that it didn’t suit me as it was an open bag and I like my handbags to be zipped to make sure what little money I have is safe and secure. I decided to size it up to make a tote bag to carry my bits and pieces to classes.

When I started making this bag last week I had not anticipated quite how long it would take and it has taken pretty much most of my free time this last week.

I started by cutting 40 3 inch squares of Grunge paper.

I coloured them all with Distress Inks and Cut and Dry foam which resulted in very inky fingers (not a good look when you are going out for a meal)

I then stamped half of them and embossed the other half with Cuttlebug Embossing folders and some I then lightly inked over with darker ink to make them stand out a bit more.

Using my Tim Holtz ruler I pierced holes along each of the edges and began the long job of sewing it all together which was quite hard on the fingers.

I added 3 inch strips of Grungepaper between the front and back panels to make a gusset.

The handles are make from a strong ribbon attached to the D-rings with nail head brads. I think that the handles are probably a bit long at the moment but I will shorten them after I have tries it out.

I enjoyed working with Grungepaper and I love the smell of it (is that a bit strange???) and now I am pondering on what my next Grungepaper project might be – maybe a purse or wallet or a journal/organiser…….hmmmmm………watch this space.

Edited to add;

Challenges;

Crafty Creations Challenges - birds, polka dots (mine are embossed) and green - hope a bag fits the criteria!