The Frounchess Bag

Who was the Frounchess? The Frounchess was my dear, late cat who, according to family legend, used to put on her purple underwear, her boots and her pocketbook and go out and run errands while we were asleep. I think that this is the pocketbook she used. At least, there's nothing fussier than a ruffle, and fluffy, fussy ruffles evoke the Frounchess, and this bag has ruffles to spare.
Seriously though, I've been meaning to make a bag like this for a while, and WhipUp's current Whiplash competition got me motivated. I believe this belongs in the "fancy" category. Some of the ruffles are from new fabric, some are from stash fabric, and some are recycled---the blue and white material one down is an old pillowcase and the aqua floral at the bottom was a garage sale shirt that had a nasty yellow ring around the collar. I cut off the collar, but left the buttons.
I lined the bag in a dark blue print with contrasting chicken floral print pockets. (I can't wear my chicken print fabric addiction on the outside.) There is, of course, the all-important cell phone pocket. I also added a little yo-yo corsage. Those little circles are addictive! The handles are taken from a necklace idea that I've seen floating around the blogs--the ones made from marbles knotted inside fabric tubes? I took that idea, but used pony beads instead, and I love the result. It's firm and textured--more substantial that a fabric strap, but less cumbersome (and less expensive!) than a wooden or bamboo handle.
Again, Whiplash, thanks for the fun!