If my sister Norah (the other sister in Solsisters) was to be reincarnated as a handbag, surely she would be this one? We both have spiky flaming orange copper hair and delight in anything sunset colored. She even drives an orange car. She's also tried to steal the scarf this yarn is left over from.. and it isn't even DONE yet! So in her honor I've christened my latest handbag "Nori".

This bag was created to showcase my friend Mollie's amazing hand painted fabrics and will be with her at a craft show in late February. It will be joined by Lone Heroine, Storm's Fury, Viola, and any other bags I can get made before 2/10 to answer the question Mollie is always getting at these shows .... "But what can I do with a painted fat quarter?" My new friend and Carried Away Team Mate Leslee of Tropical Crush Bags is part of the Mollie fan club, too. Once you sew with her materials, you'll want more and more! Well, it will go to Mollie, if only I can get it to her before Norah sees it and tries to claim herself in bag form. Or of course, one of you fine folks snaps it up. (I can always make Mollie another one.)

Okay, back to the bag.... The center panel is made up of commercial fabrics with a dash of vivid orange satin. It was pleated and then incorporated into the bag using my flip and sew patchwork technique. Luscious suede yarn was then couched onto the finished panels and it's all topped off with a recycled brass earring my mom picked up at a yard sale. It's lined in a deep maroon and has an inner zip pocket. (Have trouble with installing zip pockets in your own bags? Lisa has the answer!) There's a magnetic snap installed under the flap to securely close the bag. The pattern was modified and enlarged from the "furry bag" pattern at Ottobre Designs.