march artful bag

Ready for another Artful Bag Challenge? This month our theme is Embellish It! Grab one of those bags that's been sitting waaaay back inside your closet and turn it into a fabulous new artful bag. Add any type of trim, flowers, jewels, trinkets, embellishment, art....whatever you like. Just be sure to start with an actual bag this time.

This is a mini bag I've had for years which I still use once in a while. I usually add a small pin or flower and that's about it. It's a soft brushed quilted cotton velvet with a frame and small handle. I like that it has a bit of a vintage look to it. It measures 10hx9w (inches). I would love to find a similar bag, only three times the size!

Yes, I'm one of those little women who loves to carry a big bag the size of a suitcase. I mean Mary Poppins does right? Oh wait, that IS her suitcase, lol!

I have always wanted to embellish this bag a lot more so it was perfect for this theme.

I started by adding three rows of black pom pom trim that I tore of an older bag project. I attached them with little black safety pins which I planned to remove after basting the trim on. But I actually liked the look of the pins so I left them on.

I went through my stash of goodies and decided on velvet pansies, a pair of lovely handmade ribbon rose hairclips sent to me by my friend Linda, a sparkly green vintage brooch and a vintage pink floral pin I found at an antique fair. Then I kept adding more.

 I love this pendant/pin I got last year when the movie Alice In Wonderland came out. I have used it on other bags too. Don't you just love the Red Queen's crown?

It hangs from a long chain and this little charm is on the other end.

These are French ribbon rosettes I made last year.

Voila! A little Mary Frances inspired, with some gypsy and

vintage Wonderland thrown in.

It's actually very me, lol!

Now I just need a fun place to go so I can use it.

*    *    *    *

A quick note: I'm still trying to recover the set of links for the January bags. Remember they were lost when Mr Linky changed last month, and I had to switch to a different linky tool. If you did the January challenge and you haven't gone back to add your link again, please go HERE when you can, and help me get all our lovely January paper purses back. Thank you to all of you that already did.

Ladies, it's time to play!

The challenge is open all month.

Anyone can join in anytime, even if you didn't play before.

Please visit the Artful Bag Challenge page for details and to view

bags from past challenges.

I can't wait to see your fabulous embellished artful bags!