This is the last time I’m going to mention pickpocketing, I promise. Since Les Puces flea market was the scene of my pickpocketing experience many years ago, I have to talk about it one last time. I had just emerged from the Metro with my friend, Elise, into the crowded street when a guy brushed past us and ashed his cigarette onto my coat. He proceeded to apologize in french (Je suis désolé) over and over while brushing the ‘ash’ away. Needless to say when I turned around, my bag was open and my wallet was gone. I did not get to see the flea market that day, instead I visited a Paris police station.

I was nervous to visit again, but definitely felt very prepared with my impenetrable Paris tote and a ‘don’t mess with me’ face. Once we got through the crowded section of discount running shoes and knock off handbags and into the antique section, the atmosphere was instantly less tense and very charming. The market is almost like a shanty town in some parts with eccentric vendors selling all sorts of bric-a-brack and collectibles. Interestingly, we didn’t buy anything but just enjoyed all the eye candy. Besides, our favourite things seemed to be anything large, metal and over 100 pounds.

Les Puces de Saint-Ouen – Porte de Clignancourt Metro station

Liberty of London Summer Challenge : Project 2
Paris Tote Bag with ‘Fairford’ Tana Lawn Cotton Lining

I was determined to have a specially designed bag for our trip to Paris. The key feature being ‘impossible to pickpocket’. I was heavily inspired by the Leather Ruffle Bag by Tanaz Ghaffari. I especially liked how the bag closed with a zipper that sits under your arm as you held the bag on your shoulder. And of course, it’s hard to resist anything with ruffles.

For supplies, I decided to head to the Leather & Sewing Supply Depot (7 Vanauley Street, Toronto, ON – 416-913-4868). It was the first time that I had been there, but they have an incredible selection of zippers and I was looking for some heavy duty metal ones. I also happened to find the cool taupe-y denim that I used for the outside of the bag.

In my limited bag designing experience, I’ve found it really helpful to create a mini mock up version, in order to work out any problems with the pattern and figure out the construction. It’s a great way to test out your pattern quickly without using too much fabric. My mock up looked good but when I blew up the pattern and cut out the fabric, the bag was way more over-sized than I wanted. As I went along, I just adjusted the pattern to make it work.

The bag is lined with Liberty of London Tana Lawn Cotton in the Fairford print. I have to say that it is delightful to sew with. Every time my fingers ran against the fabric I had a little thrill. This sweet little floral goes perfectly with the denim I used.

There is a little zippered pocket sewn into the lining and inside the pocket is a special typewritten label in French. For the trip, I left my big wallet at home and only carried my snap coin purse. The snap coin purse was kept in the inside zippered pocket. Thus, any pickpocket would have to get under my arm to unzip the first zipper and then unzip another zipper to get to my money. My Euros were well protected!

I added the cutest popsicle zipper pull from Magic Pony as a final touch.

The bag is not the most refined design, but it fit all my requirements. It was big enough to carry around my camera, a sweater and anything else we needed for our days around Paris. I was also able to fit everything I bought into it while we were shopping, so I only ever had to carry the one bag. Lastly, my money was secure without me having to tape it to my body.

The last photo here was taken at Pearson Airport waiting for our flight to Paris. Perfect Bunny did join us in Paris, but this was the only shot I got of her!

Thank goodness for twitter! Without it, I never would have found out about Merci, a very new & amazing concept boutique that was just down the street from our apartment in Paris. Thanks Martina for the fantastic tip.

This was definitely one of my favourite shops of the whole trip. It is set in a beautiful three floor space that was previously a factory. Merci is a flower shop, used book store and cafe. They also sell home furnishings, clothing (men’s, women’s and children’s), fabric and perfume. If I lived in Paris, I would shop here all the time. (or I would try to move in) I loved everything they had. The shop is owned by the couple who started Bonpoint which happens to be my favourite children’s clothing shop. (mostly because I wish I could wear the lovely clothing it sells) Merci is also a not-for-profit operation, all the proceeds go towards children’s charities. Yes, this shop is incredible in every way.

My photos are not that great, I was too busy oohing and ahhing over everything. I just found this set on flickr that really shows you how drool-worthy the shop is. Her blog is also a treasure for things about Paris. Yes, I am making notes for my next trip back.

One of the things I saw at a few places in Paris were these Bac Sacs for plants. Essentially they are fabric buckets made with 100% recyclable materials. They have handles on them, so you can hang them on your balcony or wall. I think it’s such a fantastic idea and I’m going to try to make some myself.

If you go to Paris (or if you live in Paris, Elise!) you MUST go to Merci. You will see lots of pretty things (and buy some of them) and thank me.

MERCI – 111 boulevard Beaumarchais, 3rd Arrondissement, Paris

Did you have a great weekend? I did. I love coming home after a trip, settling back in and feeling freshly inspired. This week should be action packed here at make something. I’m continuing my Paris posts, introducing you to some awesome designers (for the upcoming Garden Party Trunk Show) and announcing a fun giveaway (later today)!

I’ve been collecting snapshots of Space Invader’s mosaic pixel installations for many years now. (from New York and my first trip to Paris many years ago) He’s one of my favourite street artists and I knew I’d be able to add more to my collection while in Paris, since that is where he’s from. I was pretty thrilled that I spotted eleven ‘invasions’ during our trip but I just found out that in Paris alone, there are over 763 invasions. Whoa. That means, I only collected 1.45% of them. That’s not a very high score. I hope to do better on my next trip.

Awesome video of an Invader installation here and an interview here. I have a really big weakness for mysterious street artists.

Let’s start this Paris party off with one of my favourite (and deliciously cheesy) memories of the trip. It reminded me a bit of the Audrey Hepburn movie, “Funny Face” where the three main characters each head secretly to the Eiffel Tower as soon as they land in Paris.

We actually hadn’t planned on going to see the Eiffel Tower at all. It’s located in 7th Arrondissement which is not close to anything else. I was definitely a bit surprised, but excited when Andrew suggested a cab ride to the tower after dinner on Sunday.

The timing was perfect, the sun was just starting to go down while we buzzed along through the city towards the tower. When we arrived, the sky was so pretty with pinks and blues. If you’ve never seen it in person, the Eiffel Tower is really impressive and the detailed ironwork is ornate and quite feminine up close. As we crossed over the bridge to the other side of the Siene, the tower lit up for the night and hundreds of people up on the Trocadero (meant to be one of the best views of the city) started taking photos like crazy. I wonder how many photos have been taken of this famous structure??

I just wanted to say ‘have a good week’! We’re leaving this afternoon for Paris and we’ll be back next Tuesday. Thank you to everyone who has given me so many wonderful suggestions. I’m writing them all down in my Paris City Guide Moleskine. (I got this idea from Jeska) My camera is all charged up and I somehow managed to finish my very secure (hopefully from pickpockets) tote bag. I will have a billion photos to show you when we get back.

You might catch a tweet or two from me while we’re gone, but mostly I’m trying my best to be ‘unplugged’ for the week and eat as many macarons as I possibly can. Would anyone like to wager on just how many I can consume in 7 days?

I kinda don’t want to tell you, in case it’s all gone before I get back, but we’re expecting a shipment of Heather Ross’ Far Far Away collection this week. It’s made of that lovely double gauze cotton that is so nice to make clothing with. Yes, you can make a dress out of unicorns!

This sweet handbound notebook was given to me by Melodie using Kokka’s Eiffel Tower fabric. It’s so adorable, I don’t know if I’ll be able to use it, but I promised I would.

I can’t believe I’m actually going on vacation!

We’re going to Paris! Our flights are booked and we rented a cute apartment in Le Marais for an entire week. I’m excited to try macarons for the first time, eat pain au chocolat everyday and simply wander the streets of Paris with Andrew.

I would be delighted to hear any insights you have on your favourite Paris secrets. Do tell!

Of course, a special trip to France deserves some custom-made items. Top priority are – a summery dress made from white eyelet fabric, a versatile bag with pockets and zippers that will be secure from pickpocketers (It happened to me once before!) and a new strap for my camera. I’ve added these to my crafty list.

The stack of reading/viewing on my bedside table has been kept fresh with special thanks to Isabelle (Buttons), Shana (Twilight!), Paris (Julie N), and Katrina (How to improve your quilting stitch). I’m working my way through this pile as quickly as my 16 hour days will let me.