Gearing Up: UK

I'm going on a trip to the UK. Being that I am one of those people that likes to research and plan, I'm also one of those people that brings along all sorts of little notes, maps, and things. On my trip to Italy I just shoved some papers in my backpack, and soon realized that I could really use some way of organizing them. In France, I had a basic folder, which worked fine, but things slid out. In Greece I had a plastic zip carrier thingie, that ripped about half way into the trip. Thus, for this trip I'm putting a bit more thought into my paper storage solution.

Ribbon trim added.

The plan was, to start work on the Amy Butler Sweet Greetings Portfolio, but I was at a bit of an impasse in regard to which fabric I wanted to make it out of. I had the above fabric and some red and white stripe, that I was wobbling between. However, when I unfolded the piece above, I noticed that I had already taken a chunk out of it. Woops...

Sewing it up.

Luckily, the chunk was only an inch longer than what I needed for a passport holder and left just a bit more uncut fabric, for what I need to make the portfolio! I think this is what is sometimes called "a sign from god to use that fabric."

Fin!

I used bunnybum's passport tutorial, which is really fun and easy. I love the hand written notes! Also, I feel that open tutorials like these, the kind that don't tell you to use this fabric or that trim, are so much more fun, because you get your creative juices going, while you think, "what can I do to make it mine?"

Open.

I added a bit of grosgrain ribbon, which I plan to also use on the portfolio, giving the two pieces a bit of harmony. The pattern made up super quick, about an hour, even with the additional ribbon, and my accidentally sewing the pockets a little too deep.

It fits!

This is definitely a stocking stuffer idea for anyone that has a passport. I'm already planning on making two more for my mom and the hubby.

Such a good tutorial!

Now to just tackle that portfolio... of course I still have to figure out the fabric for the trim.