To being an ‘us’ for once, instead of a ‘them’
Anyone who has the time and patience to make anything handmade is definitely a hero in my book, and as some of you know, I’ve been posting about everything-DIY for years1 so I thought, ok, for once I’ll show (and not just tell).
Project #1: Purse organizer
A 2003 issue of Real Simple2 featured a Purseket, an organizer that you can transfer from bag to bag and I thought “what a brilliant idea!” since I, just like every other girl, switch bags whenever the mood strikes me. (And I hate being out on the road and then realizing that oops, my license is in my other bag!)3 It looked fairly easy to make too so I rummaged for unused fabric and proceeded to make my own version… tadah!
There’s a pocket for everything I need when I go out: my cellphone, palm pilot, wallet, license holder, hairbrush, powder compact/tissue/blotting paper, and pen. The best thing is that it can conform to any size bag.
Here’s how to do it, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!
You will need two sheets of fabric (any kind but ideally, the stiffer, the better4), approximately 25″ x 6″; needle and thread; and velcro fasteners.
Get the measurements of each of the items you want to put inside the pockets.
Plot the layout and then cut the fabric to size, doubling the height so it can be folded over. Baste to hold the folds in place. Make two of these sheets and then form pockets by stitching them together along the lines according to your measurements.
Stick velcro fasteners along the edges and voila, you now have your very own purseket-a-like.
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I also did some spring cleaning and found an old pair of jeans that I don’t wear anymore5 so I fashioned it into a vest for our dear little kitty.
It’s a bit crude since I got too lazy to hem the edges but Abbas seems to like it anyway.6 The red satin ribbon “belt” is from a gift we received last Christmas and the button is from one of Arn’s old shirts.
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And finally, I also want to share with you my humble attempt at graphic storytelling — in fact it’s so far been my only attempt. The comic appeared in Ramon de Veyra‘s Hey Comics! anthology that came out in 2004. Um… hope you like it. 
(It’s only 3-pages long, click here.)
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- Maybe even before the term DIY caught on locally[ back]
- One of my all-time favorite magazines — I hound Booksale outlets for back issues at least once a month.
[ back] - It’s actually happened to me a couple of times. When it does, I just drive ever-so-carefully and pray that I don’t run into violations.[ back]
- Mine’s kinda flimsy as you can see, but hey, it does its job.[ back]
- Well, they don’t fit anymore, sigh. Besides, it’s baston.[ back]
- Abbas: “Lies! All lies!”[ back]
..and what was just a world is a star. 
... this wonderful feeling? 
Aug 16th 2006
creative is your middle name. (ok, Bauzon.)
Aug 16th 2006
Hehe, thanks Junnie! Long time no write (sabagay long time no update rin ako)
Aug 17th 2006
Oh, I’m also a Real Simple fan! I’ve only 2 copies though. But have you subscribed to their weekly newsletter yet?
Aug 18th 2006
Hi Cynthia! Just bloghopping. I love your site and all the graphic work you did (including tippi’s webpage). They’re just so girly – so me!
I’m also a loyal reader of WE mag. Keep it up! I just love your mag! 
P.S. ur DIYs are so cute too… and also ur cat.
Aug 18th 2006
Hey Cands! Oh talaga, they have a newsletter? Thanks for the tip! Sige I’ll subscribe too hehe. (Btw they always have back issues in Booksale outlets, I sometimes get mine for as low as P60, super sulit!)
Hi Wanda! Thank you so much for the kind words re Tippi’s webby, my site, the DIYs, and our kitty hehe
Really glad you like WE mag, we’re in between issues right now so I get to work on personal projects. 
Hope to see you here again soon!
Aug 18th 2006
hi cynthia, just bloghopping.taking a break from endless research work (argh!) anyways, idol ka talaga!;)
ps. a friend ask if your WE mag feature possible grooms to choose..hahahaha (isama ba sa package)-D
Aug 18th 2006
Hi Danielle! (Leica) Thanks for stopping by, miss ko na Tsukuba
Anyway haha, sana nga pwede ganun ano? Grooms catalogue hehe. Take care and good luck on your research 
Aug 25th 2006
Hi Ms Cynthia, just bloghopping from RBJ. I think this is my 3rd visit here and never get the chance to leave a message.
You are so creative with the piece of jeans you made for your cat, looks adorable. My cat ginger probably would need that one too for the winter months.
Cheers.
Sep 6th 2006
Thanks so much K!
And haha, as for the denim vest I made for my kitty — I wish he’d like it as much as my hubby and i like to see him wearing it. He loses his balance while wearing it (and always ends up toppling over) so just the sight of it makes him flee! Hehe. Hope to see you here again soon 
Sep 8th 2006
Hey Cynthia,
your site’s really funny (and refreshing to someone constantly looking at numbers). now that you’re a cat person too, maybe you can make a raincoat for my cat Murphy. BTW Murphy is also a marmalade cat like Abbas – only cuter! Ha Ha Ha!
Cheers,
Nikki (the Great)