A Silk Purse From a Sow's Ear

This year I have a personal goal to use up materials I have stored for too long.

Even the good stuff.

Case in point-- the Swiss Colony bags saved from a gift of food.

There is nothing really special about them--they are just too interesting to throw out.

I almost threw them out three times, but each time, hesitated.

So then I gave myself a mental shake and finally decided now was the time to do something about those silly bags.

I left one unadorned so you could see the dramatic transformation.

The metal sewing machine is some of my good stuff.

By K&Company.

I've had it for at least 6 years!

Saving it for something really special.

By the way, I opened up the bag's seam so I could easily stitch the lacy bits down 

with my sewing machine.  Only the buttons were attached by hand.

I might give this pretty bag to my mother-in-law, filled with chocolate, for Valentine's Day.

She loves old stuff --and sewing.

And chocolate!

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Now go make something.

And use your good stuff!

I'm off to work on my second sow's ear...

-Postscript-

My mother-in-law LOVED the bag.

The sewing machine embellishment really spoke to her.

Made me feel good about partiing with "the good stuff".

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