Part 5 of cute purse:  Pinch corners together 1 1/2" from edges.  The purse will look like it has dog ears.  Once you have the right "pinch," take thread and wrap it around and around at the bottom of the pinch so that both ears are sturdy.  Ready made cording in various colors is available at most fabric shops.  Choose cording that looks nice with the little purse.  I highly recommend that you NOT use the silver cording that I used, as it is very difficult to sew through.  No matter what you choose, you will need 15" cut in half for each side.  Wrap raw ends with scotch tape to prevent raveling.  Pin each end of cording to the dog ear and using double thread and needle, or very heavy thread, whip stitch the cording to the front of the dog ear.  If you will pull out the sides of the purse as shown in the picture it makes it easier to sew the cording to the ear.  Once the handles are secured, do part 6.
Part 6:  cut 2 pieces of fabric 4" X 2 1/4" for ear covers.  Stitch right sides together, flip and turn.  Fold under 1/4" twice on each end, and blind stitch down securely.  This makes a nice piece that will wrap around the bottom of the handles, crossing it and pinning the ends securely.   Using a double thread, stitch the little covers' ends together and stitch all the way around the bottom of the cover.  Fix the cover onto the other ear, and do as before.
Part 7:  Sew on large snaps that are nearly an inch across.  They have the large ones at Walmart in gold, silver, and black.  Choose the ones that look the nicest on your fabric.  Sew on securely, as they will be pulled on to separate the little purse when opening.  Voila, you have made an adorable little purse that would sell nicely in any boutique. 

Part 3 of purse pattern: 

 Now that you have got the zipper in place, place the sides of the
two pieces together right sides together and place the edge of a saucer on the sides opposite of the fold and trim off the squared edges to make nice rounded edges for the purse.  Do this on both sides.  Save the scraps to use as pattern for cutting the edges off of the lining. 
Now to start the lining:  cut two pieces of fabric 9 1/2" x 7 1/2" for the lining.  Fold 1/2" down from the top and press with a hot dry iron.  See picture.    Insert a piee of light-weight batting the same size of the lining underneath the fold at the top.  See picture.    Trim off the curves to match the curves of the purse.  Stitch across the top.  Take small pins and pin along a 1/4" seam allowance all the way around.  Cut off the outside edges as close to the pins as possible to make the lining smaller than the purse.  See picture.  
Part 4 coming soon!  

Here is the first step for your new purse project!  After sewing all of the little strips together to make two sections, a front and a back, that are 7 1/2" by 9 1/2", fold under 1/2" at the top of each piece, and press with a hot iron.  Slip a closed 7" zipper between the two pieces,  as shown in picture, leaving about an inch on each end open.  Pin as shown, using smallest pins you have.  Stitch as close as possible without catching the teeth of the zipper, either by hand or by machine.  Next step, tomorrow!  This is my scrap purse.

Mr. Whoozy has become an angel!

For ones of you who have continued to check my blog since last September 2013 please forgive my lack of communication with you. Mr. Whoozy joined the band of Angels in December. I'm sure you can see him flying around up there if you look at the sky enough. when you see those white streaks across that you think are airplane wings those are probably Mr Whoozy flying around with his Annapolis buddies. He shall be missed forever..

I plan on sharing my quilting and stitchery work with you a while longer. I have just finished the cutest little purse that you will want to make for Christmas presents. They may be made out of small scraps of fabric. I have made one out of quilting scraps and am making another one out of small pieces of silk.
Knowing how I love to keep you in suspense, start by cutting strips of fabric 7" long x11/2"; 2"; or 21/2" wide.  It usually takes about 8 or 9 strips sewn together with quarter inch seams to make a piece to measure 9 1/2" across.   Once you have made one piece to these measurements, make another one for the back of the little purse.
When finished you will have the front and back of the little purse made.

Pictures of mine will be forthcoming.  I promise.

Back to work on Magnolia Quilt

  Forgive my tardiness but my life has been rather hectic the past few months.  Keep praying for Mr. Whoozy, as he needs your prayers.

I adjusted the size of the quilt at the top of my blog.  It is really the wildest quilt I have ever made.  It was a mystery quilt that I did for a newspaper a couple of years ago.  I decided that this would be the quilt that I would take with me to the "retirement home" as it will give them a good idea that I am a non-conformist in a big way!  ha.
I do love the colors, though.

I shall be adding directions for placement of Magnolia blossoms on the Magnolia Quilt pictured below, ASAP.  I shall be taking pictures of this to put on the blog; so stay tuned as they say on the radio (whatever in the world that is) ha.  I am showing my age using such expressions!

Happy Days are here again.  Quilting is my therapy!  Let it be yours as well!

FORGIVE ME!  I have had a few distractions the past couple of months.  I am back on track, now, so get ready to get some good new ideas from me.  I shall still be posting pictures of some of my quilts that I have made in the past 20 years.  Sometimes it surprises me how many I have made, as I really do have a life!
   I have a new computer that I am trying to get to be friends with, but, almost to no avail.  I keep thinking that I just need to use it more and forget that the old laptop that I love, is still sitting quietly by my side, waiting for me to throw this one in the trash!
   I've heard more people complaining about the new computers due to the programs that are on it. I am right there with them.  Whoever thought them up should be ashamed of themselves! MERCY!
  Keep checking this blog, because, as soon as I find out how to get pictures on this new computer, I'll be putting them on my blog!

Magnolia Mystery Quilt top picture