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Sunday 13 December 2015

Secret Santa at A Vintage Journey

Hello Everyone

We decided to have a Secret Santa again this year at A Vintage Journey, it was such fun last year and who doesn't like to get a lovely surprise at Christmas?!

I was so lucky to receive my gift from my lovely friend and talented teamie, Julia of Create With Me.  Julia made me a mini book which is gorgeous and a beautifully decorated box (one of Eileen Hull's Artist Trading Block dies) to keep it in!  I absolutely love it.

The little book is adorable and is packed with Tim Holtz goodness!  How clever and thoughtful of Julia to combine two of my favourite Designers, Tim Holtz and Eileen Hull too!
I cannot believe how much Julia packed into this beautiful little book, I will treasure it always and it will take pride of place amongst my Christmas decorations!  Thank you so much Julia!

The recipient for my gift is my wonderful teamie Nikki of Addicted to Art.  I wanted to make something for Nikki that was a little different to my usual papercraft projects.  As I have a lovely stash of Tim Holtz fabric and I saw a pattern in a magazine, I knew I wanted to make one of these make up purses for Nikki as her Secret Santa gift.  I really enjoyed doing some sewing again and thanks to Nikki, I will be doing a lot more! I am pleased to say that Nikki loved her gift, I hope you will too!

This is my favourite of all of Tim's Eclectic Element fabrics, it is wonderful quality and so easy to use, either for hand or machine sewing.  I used a bit of each to make this purse.

The clasp at the top is sewn on by hand with a linen thread in a coordinating colour and using a back stitch.  This was the trickiest part but I was not keen to glue the fabric in place.
I lined the inside with some soft cream fabric that had a thin batting already fused to it, which saved me from trying to sew through three layers of fabric.  I also lined around the inside with some gorgeous lace to hide the hand stitching around the top.  There is a way to do it without the stitches showing but I have not mastered that technique yet.

To finish off I added a couple of Idea-ology typed tokens, hanging from one of Tim's Idea-ology swivel clasps.

Christmas really is THE most wonderful time of year, a time for sharing with family and friends, I have really enjoyed doing Secret Santa again with my teamies at A Vintage Journey and I hope you have enjoyed seeing our gifts.

It would be lovely to see you join in our current 'Vintage Christmas' challenge, details of which you can find HERE.

As always, thanks for looking, I hope to see you again soon.

Hugs, Anne xx

35 comments:

  1. Both beautiful pieces . Your purse is such a fabulous idea and the fabric is gorgeous as is the inside of the purse too. Beautiful Anne. Tracy x

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  2. Oh my, Anne! Thank you for sharing the details of Julia's magnificent present - incredible! And I absolutely love the little purse you sewed for Nikki! (Tutorial, pretty please?!) I love seeing all of these Secret Santa makes! xxx Lynn

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  3. Secret Santa, AVJ style is so much fun. I wish I could physically see all the gifts as your gift from Julia looks amazing. As you know I adore my make up bag... Wonderfully created, amazing detail and so thoughtful. Thank you xxxxxx

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  4. What fabulous gifts both received & given.
    The make-up purse that you created Anne is beautiful.
    Toni xx

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  5. OMG Anne, is there no end to your talents??? Wow, your little bag for Nikki is just incredible!! I am so full of admiration, my jaw is nearly on the floor. Both the outside and the inside just look fantastic, I just know Nikki is going to treasure it for ever! Your little book from Julia wit its lovely box is just gorgeous too! You are so right, Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year! May it bring many blessings to you this year and all the very best to you and David! xxxxx

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  6. Very beautiful gifts! No-one can fail to receive an awesome Secret Santa gift when everyone in the group is SUPER talented! 'Simples' ;) 'Merry Christmas' to everyone over at A Vintage Journey :D :D

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  7. Two beautiful gifts Anne, the mini book you received is gorgeous, so much detail. Your little purse is simply stunning...... beautifully made. Xx

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  8. Anne these are both beautiful gifts!! i absolutely LOVE the coin purse you made though and would love the 'recipe' for it!! what a talented artist you are!!

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  9. These are fabulous gifts that you have received Anne I am sure you will treasure them. Your hand made purse is also going to be treasured by Nikki.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
    ShirlsCards.

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  10. Secret Santa was good to you and Nikki! Julia's mini book is simply glorious with elements from your favorite designers! What a perfect little gift. I am also amazed at how much Julia packed into your book. It is just exquisite! And...the little bag you made for Nikki is incredible! It looks so professionally done! Love the Tim fabric you used. Love the clasp and the interior. What a useful and lovely gift, Anne!

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  11. Julia's book to you is a vintage beauty and filled with so much Christmas spirit! Oh and I do love your little gift to Nikki! What a thoughtful and most useful gift for all year round! Just gorgeous, Anne! Merry Christmas!

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  12. Quite simply - WOW! As Astrid put it is there no end to your talents?! This is an incredible bag finished to perfection and trimmed so perfectly. I can see why Nikki is so thrilled to have received it. Jenny x

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  13. Stunning gifts Anne. Love the ATB with lovely book to go inside. Your bag is stunning and the time it must have taken to sew. True work of Art. Hugs Rita xx

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  14. Absolutely glorious, Anne - the make-up bag is completely beautiful - what a perfect clasp to go with the butterfly fabric - they look perfect together. The technical skill in the lining and sewing is phenomenal - completely professional. Glorious!
    Alison xx

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  15. Absolutely brilliant make up bag, Anne! It's a masterpiece of art! Bravo!
    Huge hugs! Branka xxx

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  16. The make-up bag is wonderful Anne - It could be a change purse too and room to fit a lipstick. So you found the pattern - now where did you find that wonderful clasp!!!! How in the world did you know how to do all of this especially the inside! It is really a pleasure to know such talented people. You ladies from the UK are very talented that's for sure!!
    Merry Christmas!!
    Sandy Claus xx

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  17. a beautiful gift you received anne and I adore the one you sent to Nikki - really lovely!! Hugs rachel p.s. thanks for the card xx

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  18. You've done it again Anne! Your purse is fabulous! I found myself singing part of the 'Super gran' theme. . . . . is there nothing that she cannae do? Great treat for you from Julia too! Hugs, Chrisx

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  19. Oh Anne your bag is just fabulous! What a wonderful gift and so beautifully made. Jennie x

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  20. Can I just say that I hope you get my name next year and you can just make me a little bag exactly like this one!! :) - what a beautiful little purse you made - each detail so lovely - from the TH cloth - to the lace inside, the lovely purse closing and the sweet charms inside! And I'm SO glad you like my little book - the box looks great all put together! Julia xx

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  21. Anne
    At the top of my Wish I Could Do This List (of which it is an incredibly long list I might add!) is sewing. To be able to create purses, bags and more, that is such a dream but the downside, I had one too many negative experiences with Home Economics teachers when it came to sewing classes that I have trepidation when it comes to grown up sewing machines. This purse looks as though it should be displayed in the window of a smart boutique, I absolutely love it and then to open and see the detailing inside, this is as special as it gets.
    You received such a personal gift, as you say, pairing up two of your absolute favourite designers.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  22. Wow Anne, this might be my favourite Christmas project this year!! I can't believe you made a purse, how wonderfully creative, original and stunning is that!!! The little charm you attached is a lovely accent piece, and the card is just as beautiful!! I think I may have to get some of that fabric after all! Lovely gift from Julia as well. hugs :)

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  23. LOVE LOVE LOVE...both what you received and what you made! I wouldn't know the first place to start to make that coin purse! YOU ROCK!!!!

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  24. Julia's little book and box look gorgeous! Beautifully made. As for your purse, well I dont know how you put that together at all. It really is stunning! Immaculately made and finished. Nicola x

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  25. Wow, Wow, WOW, Anne! You totally rocked my socks with this purse! I wouldn't dare put make up in it for fear of soiling that beautiful fabric and lace! My goodness, this is BEAUTIFUL, and I know Nikki is going to treasure it! I can't sew a lick, so this is extra special amazing to me! Ha! Ha!

    Your book from Julia is fabulous, with that beautifully decorated box! I would find it so hard to put down! What a treasure!

    Thank you from the bottom of my festive heart for all your amazing encouragement on my blog. You have made my day, every day! I wish you would give those Woodlands another try. I find they work best with plain card (the product really makes it stick), and be sure to use wax paper between the die and card. It'll come out like silk!

    Anne, your work is fantastic, and your sewing skills just prove what a talented, versatile artist you are! Big hugs!

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  26. Gorgeous gift, it's such a lovely idea too.
    Happy crafting, Angela x

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  27. I know you will treasure this special gift from _your_ secret Santa, and thanks for sharing bits of this one with Blogland. (of course I spotted that fab cardinal!). I'm equally sure your gift will be very treasured as well as being useful to Nikki. You did a lot of extra detailing, with the lining, hiding the stitches with that lovely lace, and adding in the little TH embellies that compliment the butterfly fabric. What an artist you are, in so many mediums. Well done all round! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, TFS & Hugs too.

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  28. Oh, my, what a lovely post, Annie! Julia REALLY captured you in the awesome personalized box and sweet booklet of all things Annie! And your little purse for Nikki is equally exquisite! It is clear to see that the fine handwork involved was done with care and love! I'm sure it is magnificent in real life! Mwah!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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  29. Your purse is so magically delicious! What a fun gift and so much thought went into it! The lace detail to hide the sewing-genius! Neiman Marcus has nothin on ya sista! Awesome sauce design! So fun to be able to create and share with your teamies. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

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  30. What a delightful idea it was to sew this darling coin purse! Such a treasure! This swap sounds like so much fun! Hugs, Autumn

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  31. I absolutely adore your vintage purse Anne, it's delightful in every way. I can just picture a Victorian lady bringing this out in a shop or on Downton Abbey. Love Love Love.
    Julia's book is a gorgeous keepsake and can see why you love it.
    Can't wait for Secret Santa next year....it's such fun to do.
    Hugs Julie x

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  32. Well a beautiful gift received and a beautiful gift given all made with lots of love It's clear to see...I can't think of a nicer thing to do at Christmas. I think your purse is perfection and the fabric looks just right with the vintage style clasp. Have a lovely ChrIstmas Anne. Chris x

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  33. Anne your creative talent is never ending and Nikki is one very lucky lady ( as I'm sure she will agree ) to have received your exquisitely crafted Make-up bag. As always your attention to the very last detail is second to none and that of a true professional who takes pride in her work . The time it takes is insignificant in your eyes as long as the end result is perfection and that indeed shines through in this beauty . A gift to be truly treasured !

    Your gift from Julia is fabulous too . Julia obviously has put alot of thought and time into what she created for you combining two of your fave designers in her finished pieces . I'm sure you will treasure them too !

    hugs xx

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  34. Oh my, Anne, that is just stunning! What a beautiful gift to give and all the more so because it was made by yourself. You should be very proud, that little purse is just gorgeous!! Massive festive hugs, Georgie xxx

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