Yes, I'm in Germany to visit my family, yay! Haven't been there in a year, so it was about time.
As mentioned in previous blog posts, it just so happens that I like to make something new for myself every time I travel. Don't know why, but it is really becoming a well-loved habit of mine :)
(Read about my great getaway bag, my piping hot hobo and my mini travel sleeve to learn more about my previous pre-vacation projects!)

When I went to Germany last year I traveled with the great getaway bag as my hand luggage. I really enjoyed carrying that colorful happy bag around but eventually decided not to use it this year, but to use a small suitcase as carry-on instead. Main reason: My big suitcase will be way too heavy when I fly back to the US due to all the Nutella, chocolate and other vital stuff you need in the US as a foreigner :) Last time I had to make my mom send me a package with all the stuff I bought, so this year I will just pack a lot of it into my hand luggage instead. Problem solved, the only thing is that I need a suitcase to pull, I would never be able to carry those heavy things on my arm in my bag.

I quickly decided that to make up for the boring carry-on I would need an exciting handbag. So I made one!

I found this nice fabric and matched it with a burgundy colored lining fabric. I wanted a large bag that would carry all my essentials during the flight (you know, like phone, wallet, book, magazine, sweater…) and could be stored under my seat. My bag measures approx. 30 x 44 cm (12 x 17") and has a depth of 10 cm (4").

I put in a recessed zipper, since I like my handbags to be "hermetically sealed", especially when I am hanging around airports and other places with lots of traffic… you never know.
On the inside there is one relatively large zipper pocket and two slip pockets. The handles (faux leather) are used, coming from an old (and ugly) bag that I found at a flea market last year.

I love the pockets on the outside of the bag! They are basically made of one large piece of fabric, which is folded into pleats in the middle and then topstitched down onto the center of the main body piece of the bag. This creates two pockets on either side, each of which got its own flap with a magnetic snap! I found this kind of front pocket in my Lisa Lam book A bag for all reasons. She has a large diaper bag (called The Fashionista Baby Bag) in there that has those front pockets. They look super stylish but are really easy to make.
The bag is completely interfaced with "By Annie's Soft and Stable". It makes the bag look really professional, yet it it relatively easy to work with.

I love my new bag! My cats do too :-)

Thank you all for participating in my very first giveaways! What a week of fun it was!
I was really overwhelmed by all the comments. Thanks to those who also gave me a like on my Facebook page, it is very much appreciated :)

So here's the winner of my giveaway #1:

Congrats Emily, my red bifold wallet will go to you!
I will send you an email right away to get your address!

As for my giveaway #2, here's the result:

Congrats Karrie! You will be receiving five of my sewing patterns via email! Happy sewing!

Thanks you all for making this giveaway week a really fun week! I hope you come back to my blog or my charmed Liebling Etsy shop every now and then, to see what's new. I'm also planning on doing more giveaways in the future since it is just such a nice way to connect with other fellow crafters.
Have a nice weekend everyone!

giveaway #2: set of sewing patterns

Sew Mama sew is having a giveaway day!! So many great chances to get inspired by fellow crafters AND to win awesome things!
I am actually giving away two different things so make sure you check out my giveaway blog post #1 as well :)

Here you have the chance to win a set of charmed Liebling sewing patterns!
I am addicted to making wallets in all kinds of different designs and if you like making them too, you will love these sewing patterns:

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below:
(if you are a no-reply blogger make sure to leave your email address, so I can get in touch with you if you win!)
When did you become a sewing addict? I would love to know! Sewing is such a great passion of mine but I only started out about 6 years ago and before that had never touched a sewing machine in my whole life!

(I would also love if you became a follower of this blog via Feedburner or like charmed Liebling on Facebook, but not required)

The giveaway runs until May 10th, 8PM EST.
The winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator on May 11th.
Thanks for participating and good luck!

giveaway #1: red bifold wallet

Sew Mama sew is having a giveaway day!! So many great chances to get inspired by fellow crafters AND to win awesome things!
I am actually giving away two different things so make sure you check out my giveaway blog post #2 as well!

Here you have the chance to win a charmed Liebling bifold wallet!

This wallet holds room for 12 credit cards, it has a zip pocket for coins, two large pockets for bills, receipts or checkbook and closes with a magnetic snap. If you love red you will love this wallet! :)

Measurements:
Closed: 10 x 19 cm (4 x 7.5”)
Open: 21 x 19 cm (8.25 x 7.5”)
Zip pocket: 10 x 19 cm (4 x 7.5”)

All fabrics are 100% cotton

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment below:
(if you are a no-reply blogger make sure to leave your email address, so I can get in touch with you if you win!)
How many handbags and wallets do you own? I have about 13 (storebought and handmade) and feel like that might already be too much.. but is it really?? :)

(I would also love if you became a follower of this blog via Feedburner or like charmed Liebling on Facebook, but not required)

The giveaway runs until May 10th, 8 pm EST.
The winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator on May 11th.
Thanks for participating and good luck!