Oh, oh, Pick me! Pick me!  I made these pretty purses for a number of people for Christmas.  I printed off pictures of their pets and used them in the design of the purses.  Everyone LOVED them and wanted to know how I made them.  Thanks for the clever idea!  I'll go find my pictures of the purses and post them now.

Sadly I just discovered that the only picture I have of the four purses I made is of very poor quality.  I forgot to photograph the finished products and so the only photo I have is of my sister opening her purse.  I cropped the photo down to just the purse but it's difficult to see.  I'm so sad I was so forgetful!

quiltingdaily.com/.../5743.aspx

Here is my second comment for the photo I posted.  I loved how easy these were to make - and did I mention that everyone loved them?!

quiltingdaily.com/.../5743.aspx

Oooh, I've loved that post ever since I saw you make it on QA TV. I haven't made one yet because I have zipper-phobia (ok, I don't know how to put them in, but it's all the same thing :-)). So here's my comment! Yippee!

I have Melanie's book and DVD and plan on jumping in with both feet this weekend.  I have not made a purse, but the piece of artwork on Melanie's website that resonates the most with me is "Peace Flight".  In this piece I feel calmed and refreshed all at once because of the imagery making me feel like floating and the light and fresh colors used in it.  The layering is mezmerizing and through her book and DVD, I am very excited to try and capture the same feeling with my own imagery.

Ok, comment #2 for another chance to win: I'm talking you up on my blog at textiletraveler.blogspot.com/.../giveaway.html

And comment #3! I went to your site and looked at your lovely, lovely work. I particularly like your fabric piece Birds (orange). Didn't you write an article on using freezer paper to make this? I seem to remember that from a while back.

Hi Melanie - I saw the QA TV segment where you made these and also saw them in a QA newsletter.  They are really pretty and who wouldn't love to have one?!  I haven't attempted to make one -- yet.

I have not made your purse but have watched the quilting arts segment and have printed out the pattern. I hope to get to it in the next 2 weeks but I doubt I will as spring is here and I need to plant. I really like your piece called Hapiness on your website. While a lot of people consider the Canada Goose a nuisance, they are so iconically Canadian that I have to love them.

I love the above purse by the way, I really like geometrics.

I think your purses are SO cute. I have the instructions, both in the magazine and printed out. It's on my list of things to do, really it is.

I just love the purses too. I made one for myself(sorry- can't figure out how to post a picture). Now my mom and sisters want one too. That is fine with me since as soon as I saw the pictures and article in Quilting Arts I immediately went out and bought a dozen zippers just to be prepared.

Oh, I so hope I win.....that way I'll have some inspiration to try and make it myself.  Going right now to download files......

Great show and a great purse!

 :-D eirdre

"Forest" would have to be my second favourite posted on your site. Even though I rarely include birds in my work (mostly because I can't draw them to save my life!), I really enjoy bird watching. Four years ago when we moved into an established neighbourhood in a major city we had crows, magpies, and sparrows. Now that we provide nesting sites and food in the yard we have all of the above plus, Chickadees (actually nesting), grackles, merlins, red winged black birds, Robins, Blue Jays and Phoebes.

love the purse. Melanie's exceellent directions and the additional video clip make this a super easy project.

Maggie

"Happiness" is the piece I enjoy the most, at least on the screen, Mellie. Thanks for the giveway!

Fulvia at fulviastudio.blogspot.com

It IS lovely.  I just haven't had time to make one yet.  Of course, mine won't turn out THAT nice!

teri

I haven't made this purse yet...but did download pattern...have your DVD and now book. You were so helpful when I had a question...my grand daughters are coming in for the month of June and we are going to use your purse pattern and techniques to make some purses that they can share with their friends when they go back home.  They are bringing photos of friends that we are going to alter and then copy on a photocopy and then citra solve on fabric. Ann Morrell

I'll play!  I'd love to have   some of your screenprinting and quilting... And where did you get that glorious zipper?  Ordered from somewhere in the garment district in NYC?  Or are you (sob and envy) close enough to GO to the garment district now? I'm really looking forward to actually SEEING your book.  Best of luck, Sarah

Hi, I love to own this purse. Thanks for offering it to us.

I have been watching QA on our local PBS station for months now and went to this website to check out what was on today. Saw this...went to your website...read your blog and can't wait to make my own "pretty purse". Have been a traditional quilter for years and want to try something new! Hope I win though!

I love your pretty purse!  I especially like the sparkly zipper.

It's funny - I just saw you on tv yesterday and here I am reading your blog for a free purse.  I loved what you did with the sticky pads to quilt around them for puffy squares - ingenious ;-)

I'd love to win that cute little purse! Count me in, please.

My favorite piece on your website is in the fabric gallery. It's "Birds (orange)". I love orange!

I'm having a great time working on my first piece using Melanie's techniques!!!  Check out the pic on my blog www.scrapwisdomcollage.blogspot.com and let me know what you think!

Margaret

I've made one of these purses and just love it.  The zipper was a little scary, but the end product was wonderful.  Going to make many more!  Yours with the dove is beautiful!

Oh I love these purses!  I downloaded the pattern but have yet to make one - my garden calls!

Soon soon soon.

Checked out your website (now on my favorites list!).  I love "Birds" - I'd love to take a workshop from you!

My purse can be seen here quiltingdaily.com/.../5881.aspx

I love the added touch of the rhinestone zipper.

2 comment for my posted photo:  I have to admit, that after I printed this fabric I hated it.  I really hated it and figured that I'd never use it for anything.  But here it is, used and looking great.  I just love it when fabrics that aren't a favourite become something wonderful!

This bag is really darling! I have been reading Melly's book and look forward to experimenting with her techniques.  I've enjoyed the images at her website .... and keep going back to Repose and Gentle.... beautiful!

I can't wait to make one of the purses. I have some dyed fabric that turned out nicely that I will use. I went to your website-lovely! I especially liked "Repose in Yellow". It was calming and made me feel peaceful.

I'll be happy to add a comment: this is a pretty purse! And i would like to win it. Happy days,

Joanie

Inspired to Quilt is calling me.  That is my favorite thing.

Happy days,

Joanie

I do love the purse, and would certainly like to win it.  I am most interested in the quick and easy screen printing using freezer paper.  I have been a Quilting Arts subscriber since inception, I have every magazine filed away and refer to them often; what a treasure. I have not been able to find the PBS Quilting Program on my DISH Network :-(.  Thanks for your generous give a way.

jakquil

I like the design of the GIVE AWAY PURSE, and will definitely be making one.  Thanks for your generosity.

jakquil

I loved that purse on the QATV segment!  And I'm really enjoying your blog.

Who wouldn't want a pretty purse made by you!  I sure would!

Now to pick my favorite quilt from your web site, hmmm.  This is very hard as I like them all.  My all time favorites are Walking in the Garden, Starry Starry Bird, and of course Bluebird.  

Video Prompts Begin! Hi everybody! Today I will begin our semi-weekly I2Q Video Prompt Challenge. Some

Hooray!!!  I finished my first art quilt using Melanie's techniques.  I will try and upload it to Quilting Arts but I had trouble with my other images.  You can also check it out on www.scrapwisdomcollage.blogspot.com

Margaret

I absolutely love these purses Melanie!  Thank you for offering it as a giveaway!

Debbie L

Such cute purses, looks like another project for me, but since I have never made me, pick me please!!! LOL

I haven't made the purse yet; I am waiting until I get the zippers.  But I love the purses and loved the show on QA. I would love to win the pretty purse. ps I also love your book.

This is my second post for a second chance to win the pretty purse. I looked at your gallery. I really like Forest and Witnes. Witnes I my favorite; it makes me think the bird is watching what we do to our world. And Forest has beautiful layers. Thank you for the giveaway, even if it only gave me a chance to look at the gallery.

Hi Melanie!  I have admired your work in QA and I'm thrilled that you've written a book!  The pretty purse is on my list of "things to try" as possible Christmas gifts this year; every year it must be something new and handmade, as you have found with the fiber portraits of your neices and nephews.

Family loves my art and I find it great practice and encouragement.

Suzanne G in NC

Gwycon2@yahoo.cm

I haven't made a pretty purse yet but I'm getting closer; maybe I'll have something to show you before the end of the month.  I have, however, found mucho pretties I like on your website!  First, I think the piece titled "Forest" is a fave because of the colors and nature as subject.  I also like "Starry, Starry Bird" because of the same things but also because you included your inspiration.  

Suzanne G in NC

Gwycon2@yahoo.com

I have not finished my purse. I made the fabric that you made on the show right after watching with my 4 yr old. I still need to buy a zipper and cut the fabric to size. This is the fabric : www.flickr.com/.../set-72157618920110824

I don't know the name of my favorite piece. It is not on your site. It is the one with the b/w woman's face in the upper left corner with red birds flying from right to left in a curve.

Hello...I am new to you site and I must say I am getting so lost in it.  I love your little purse on the giveaway... watching birds fly is so calming, powerful, yet can be energizing.

I am not a quilter...yet, but I am finding much inspiration here.  I would love to make one of these purses for a friend and for myself.  Perhaps, if I win, it will be the inspiration and confidence bulider I need.  Great site...beautiful!

For my #2 comment:  I went into the fabric gallery and found the 'Daisies' fabric.  I love daisies and the color green.  I'm not a big fan of purple, but it works, doesn't it?  Looking around the fabric gallery reminds me that as a  young girl I had aspired to be a fabric designer...I wonder whatever happened to that dream (?).

I know that you wanted one item that spoke to us, but I did find another (actually a couple more).  I wandered over to the quilt gallery and happened upon 'Still Life in Time'.  I love the soothing colorway.  I am partial to numerals...I love numbers.  I also love, love , love pears in any form.  And, I once painted a similar (pitcher w/flowers, plate and pears) still life in school, a long, long time ago.  Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.

I just read an email from you, and I can hardly believe that I WON THE PRETTY PURSE GIVE AWAY, I never win anything, hmmm maybe my luck has changed!  I think I will buy a lottery ticket, or maybe go to Vegas!  

Thank you so very much, I an very anxious to get it.  jakquil