This is the one Mini Handbag of the bunch. I originally made a yellow one, but I didn't have the right fabric to go with the yellow. I thought a trip to the fabric store would do more to harm my deadline than just making another in ecru.
I decided to line this one with the freaky stripe fabric, but I was afraid that elaborate embroidery would overwhelm such a small handbag. I decided to embroider simple, multi-colored dashed lines across the top of the bag. Next time, I'll make sure to put the yellow yarn on a bump-row, because it's a little swallowed up on the valley-row.
I like the effect of the alternating dashes, and all the colors hint at the crazy lining. This one is going to be a gift for my young niece. I think she'll love it.
In this last picture, you can see the crisp bottom corners of the lining. After I sew the square bottom, I iron on stiff stabilizer. Not only does the stabilizer flatten out the bottom of the handbag, but it helps the lining fill-out the bag instead of looking loose and bunchy. It's a small thing to do, but it makes a big difference.