Barter system

My sister and I had a prisoner exchange tonight! She got what I'd been doing for her, and I got what she'd been making for me!

When my niece was tiny, she had a cute white chest of drawers with dalmations painted on the top, chunky multi-colored wooden handles, and doggie footprints running up the drawers. Well...she's 15 now, and she was all over dalmations.

I am REALLY sorry I forgot to take a "before picture" of that chest of drawers! But here is the "after." I got a batch of handles at a garage sale, and they were perfect for the "shabby chic" look she wanted.




Next she brought up a little desk she wanted painted to match. It isn't anything fancy, but it is solid wood and weighs a ton!


The desk got the same handles....

And I used chalkboard paint on the top. After my sister saw this desk, she asked for the same treatment!

Here is what I got in return! My sister is an excellent seamstress, and she has been making the most amazing bags lately!
I picked out the fabric last week. I looked at lots of fun combinations, but once I saw this bright red floral, I was a goner.
The inside is bright green, and it has pockets on each side.
Look at the flower appliques on the front! The biggest one has a yo-yo in the middle. My sister got a yo-yo maker; I've got to borrow it sometime soon to embellish some lampshades!

This bag is huge! It's far bigger than what I usually carry. But I can't wait to transfer all my stuff into it tomorrow!