Hi! By now you've probably had a chance to learn about this tour I'm participating in, but if not, feel free to follow along with the schedule at the bottom of this post, including the intro post to find out more. Make sure to check out all the makes so far, I love that all the bags are unapologetically Canadian (is that an oxymoron?) Oh! Don't forget to enter the giveaway too. I also have a separate giveaway, so keep reading to find out the details. 

I wanted to combine my love of language and love of Canada in this post and was so happy to find this article (don't click on it just yet!), highlighting the updates to the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles. This is an actual book, which now I simply must obtain! Anyway, I thought it would be fun to pepper some of these terms and other Canadianisms throughout my post, and see if you can pick them out as I talk about the projects I did for the Canada 150 - it's in the Bag Tour. So grab some Timmies and snuggle up in your housecoat, and let's go!

For my projects, I wanted to try out a new pattern designer, because I always think it's great to keep learning and trying new things.  I chose Carla of Carla's Creations. When I first started sewing, I followed Carla for all her amazing fabric combos and sewing inspiration. She's always come across as very organized and her projects turn out beautifully.  The pattern I'm sharing today is the Mini Slimline Wallet, by Carla's Creations; you could win a copy too, just keep reading to find out how. 

I chose Libs Elliott's fabric because Libs is Canadian too, but also because her fabric is completely amazing, I want to fill a whole cube van with it and take it home. In fact, I need to take a little detour here and tell you how skookum Libs is.  She not only designs fabric (her 3rd collection is due later this year), but she designs quilt patterns using a unique process. I have to share this video showing the collaboration between Libs and Absolut Vodka to celebrate Canada's 150th.  

Is that not the prettiest twenty-sixer you've ever seen? 

Back to the pattern: I made 3, but I messed up on one, it was a bit hooped, but it still looks nice when it's closed. The Mini-Slimline has 3 card slots and a small zippered coin section, plus pockets behind. It folds in half and then the flap closes over with a slim magnetic snap. They were pretty quick to sew up, and even though I tend to avoid "production line" sewing, I did with these ones, and they were still quicker than a single larger project, like a bag.

The pattern reads like a tutorial and lists measurements to cut, rather than pattern pieces. My curved flaps were made by using a rounded edge I traced out. I like that the squared flap is a bit more masculine, so it works for a boy too! 

Each of my magnets were different finishes: copper, antique brass, and nickel, and were all from Emmaline Bags.

Since the name of this tour includes "In The Bag" I figured I'd better put the wallets in something so I made a bag to match. The Castell Day Bag is the latest pattern from Emmaline Bags and uses the C-frames, also from Emmaline Bags.  Look how wide it opens! 

I think of mine as the alldressed version, with its mixed coordinates and tons of bling. 

I used my very basic backup machine to sew this large, structured bag, while my main machine was getting repaired because it had completely had the biscuit. 

The inside pockets are really cool and I'd never done anything like these before, with their gathered bottoms and zippered tops, tons of room! 

I have one more bag to share with you. I originally had this one planned for closer to Canada Day, but after seeing all the amazing bags so far on this tour, I felt like a keener and decided to just give'r! 

I used the free Emmaline Bags pattern, Miss Maggie's Handbag as my backdrop for a single red maple leaf. 

The Edgewena strap anchors allowed the front of the bag to stay blank other than the leaf. I just love this bold red on white. Of course I added a "Made in Canada" label; I chose the back for this sleek addition.

So how did you do? Did you learn some new words? To enter to win a copy of the Mini-Slimline pattern from Carla's Creations, leave a comment telling me a favourite Canadianism, or Canadian food. I'll draw a random winner after June 10, 2017, so make sure to enter your email when you comment, otherwise I won't be able to contact you. Make sure to also enter our big giveaway through rafflecopter at the bottom of the post. Good luck to everyone, and thanks for stopping by, eh? 

Our tour to celebrate Canada's 150th has just begun and there's so much to share with you over the next few days, you're going to be dreaming in red and white! Don't worry, you don't need to be Canadian to enjoy the tour; we're all friendly and have enough maple syrup to go around, eh? Check the tour schedule at the bottom of this post to make sure you don't miss anything. Read more about the tour on the Emmaline Blog.  There are so many prizes to give away throughout the tour, so make to follow along each day. Us bloggers wanted to thank the sponsors for their generosity, and we wanted to make sure you all know who they are, so today I'm going to introduce you to a few of them. 

BringBerry Handbag Hardware and Designs offers luxurious, unique, and most importantly, shiny hardware for our bags. They're offering up a voucher as a part of our Grand Prize (enter below). I remember when Karen first started out, and she would source out unique items she couldn't find readily available. There were group orders to meet minimums, and eventually she started a facebook group just to handle all the orders. Now there's a dedicated website with online ordering and continuing to source out quality hardware. Take advantage of the discount now until June 10th. Details in the schedule at the bottom of the post.

Fabric Please! is offering several vouchers for our giveaway, to use on anything in the shop! I wrote about Fabric Please! previously and you can read more about it here. Fabric Please! has several monthly subscriptions, there's sure to be one that suits you. Not only can you find a wide range of designer fabric lines, you can get all your thread, batting and notions as well. Rita, the shop owner, takes great care with each package, and the wrapping delights me! She even includes a small extra with each order, as her way to make your package even more special.

Flare Fabrics is offering up a selection of bag making items for our giveaway. Flare Fabrics has a whole category on the website for bag making supplies, ranging from all the interfacing we need to magnetic snaps, zippers, and more! Flare Fabrics offers so many printed textured cotton solids (my favourite!) including Quilter's Linen, Painter's Canvas, and Exotic Garden Weave, plus so many staples of bag making, like Essex Linen, and different canvas and heavier wovens. Of course, if you're looking for Batiks, you've found the mother lode! They also offer free Canadian shipping on orders over $150.

Melissa at Funky Monkey Fabrics is a trailblazer in Canadian fabric shops, offering a one stop shop for all your sewing needs, including all types of fabric, notions, and interfacing. They're offering up a voucher for our giveaway, and it won't be hard to find something to spend it on! Sign up for their newsletter and/or follow them on Facebook to find out about their weekly sales. If you're ever in Varna, Ontario, consider yourself lucky, because you can stop in at the store front and see all the goodies in person!

Fiona at Tangled Blossoms Design is a new (but proud) Canadian and she makes bags, so she knows the needs of Canadian bagineers very well. She carries a wide range of Free Spirit Fabrics, and that gorgeous Tula Pink Hardware - I know you've had your eye on those shears! Not only is a voucher to Tangled Blossoms Design being offered for the giveaway, but you can also take advantage of the discount available during the tour (see details below).

Thank you so much to all our sponsors, and I really hope you check them out and discover a new favourite!