Always Smiling

I’m a fan of The Purse Project, but I’ve never been on-the-ball enough to actually participate in her challenges.  Thanks to an extended deadline this time, though, I have one done!  This challenge was to “make a bag incorporating a personal photograph.”  I knew immediately which picture I wanted to use.  This is a photo of my great-grandmother, Faye Faye.  (Named Ethel, she hated her given name and so went by a doubling of her middle name, Faye.)  I didn’t know Faye Faye, but I’ve been feeling closer to her in the past couple of years, as I read through family history notes she wrote years ago.  I was scanning in a bunch of family photos for my parents recently and fell in love with this one.  The inscription on the back of the original says, “Faye Faye – Always Smiling.”

Faye Faye - Always Smiling

The challenging bit of this project was deciding what kind of purse to make.  I didn’t want to just print the photo on fabric and sew a bag.  I spent some time Googling and came across this duct tape purse.  Ooh, fun!  I had some more embellishment in mind, but I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for.  Rather than settle, I decided to keep it simple.

My "Always Smiling" Purse

Ignore the wonky flap, please.  I’m going to insert a snap, when the gas shortage is over and I can make a guilt-free trip to the craft store.  And if I can ever find the perfect embellishment…well, there’s plenty of room to add it then.

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Update!!
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Barb commented and suggested that I use an antique button as a closure.  It isn’t at all what I originally had in mind, but I love it.  I dug through the button stash and came up with four very distinct options.  I liked this simple one best.  I don’t think it’s antique, or even vintage.  It’s probably an oldish coat button.  But it’s perfect.  (Thanks, Barb!!)

Always Smiling - All buttoned up