Nuts

These are some of our papershell almond havest...which we picked in the height of Summer.

Left a few months to dry out, the outside bit is then easily peeled off revealing...

Almonds...then this layer is peeled off- and hmmm, I must have put the camera down to join in and 'help' at that (the eating) stage!

Complete. How novel.

I have big dreams of projects to complete, some started, some ridiculously close to finishing.
This project had me- as I was sewing, I couldn't wait to see what it was going to look like.
It's funny, I am not known for me patience, but sometimes sewing really slows me down- in a good way. It helps me focus and follow through- I feel like it's great for develop those skills in me.

This pattern can be made in so many styles- I bought it planning a satchel but then I found these handles (amazing what you discover when you clean up your craft space- I have no recollection of where they came from). I thought they would suit this bag well (but gee, they were such a pain to sew around). The denim is pretty heavy weight- it cost me 20 cents from an op shop! I think the print is from Alexander Henry. I was making it as a gift, but now I am not so sure...

When I bought my sewing machine, I remember saying "I don't care much about the fancy stitches but I want a machine with a good strong motor"- and the lady doing the demo got a piece of denim and folded it so it was 8 layers thick and sewed over it without any strain. That really helped sell me my Bernina. This bag required me to go through a few more layers than that and I broke a few needles and pressed on. The next day I went into my local sewing shop and bought the needles that were specifically for denim (closely woven fabric, the pack said)- I think they were size 16, or 18. Anyway, what a difference a needle makes (which may be obvious), it just went through all those layers so much more smoothly.
It's such a nice feeling to finish something!
Look what Ms. Curlypops is organising- I'm in. You?