Monday, July 23, 2012

Family Passport Wallet ~ and a pattern giveaway!

** This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to all who entered. **

I had the privilege this week of testing a new sewing design by Amber of One Shabby Chick.  Her family passport wallet caught my eye as soon as I saw it a few weeks ago.  We're a family of 4 so this is perfect for us.  Amber's design also includes a 6-passport version.  When I offered to test the pattern for her and she said YES, I was thrilled!  Here is my version...


I was lucky enough to win a fat eighth bundle of fabrics from i have to say... a little while ago so that's what I used for this project. (one word of caution....be careful if you choose to use directional prints for this project, being sure that everything will end up facing the right way when finished!!)


The wallet easily holds 4 passports, but the pockets have enough "give" that I'm sure you could even slip a few more in there (say, if you were a family of 5), or a few other paper items. 


The design also includes one outside pocket for any other travel documents or whatever you want to tuck in, and it's all held secure by the strap that wraps around the whole wallet and snaps on the front.  (P.S.  Yes, I had to piece my strap fabric as you can see in the above photo, but that is not part of the design - I had to do that because I used fat 1/8's rather than the fat 1/4's called for in the pattern - it was the only way I could use that cool numbers print for my strap!)


Amber has offered to give away a copy of her pattern to one of my readers!  Leave one comment on this post to be entered, and just for fun since we're talking about passports and traveling, please tell me how many countries you have visited!  I am not very well traveled so have only made it to 3 - Canada, US, and Mexico.  :)

In addition to the giveaway, Amber is offering 10% off everything in her shop to celebrate, with the coupon code newpattern.

I'll leave this giveaway post open until July 31 (my birthday!).  Good luck!!


58 comments:

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Oh, cool! We are a family of five and only my husband has a passport. Hopefully that will change as the kids get older:)

I was in the Navy, so I've probably been to 20+ countries--almost all of Europe probably, and even Africa.

stacke1 said...

This caught my eye @ one shabby chic. I could have use it on a few trips - Canada and some Caribbean islands.

Debbie said...

How fun to pattern test something you'd really like to use! Cute fabric btw! I have been to Canada many times, Italy, and in the Paris airport (sad, huh?)

Taryn V. said...

Fun pattern! I have only visited Mexico, which isn't terribly far from my home in Texas! I really need to get out more!

laura said...

love this pattern & thanks for the giveaway. i LOVE to travel & have probably been to 12+countries in europe, africa & south america.

Jenniffier said...

Oh my gosh so neat and what a great idea. I have been on a Caribbean cruise but not sure how many countries we did on that. And I have been in Mexico. So lets say 4: US, Mexico, maybe two other countries on the Caribbean cruise :)

bioyarn said...

I have been to 12 countries, but ready to explore more. I love the fabrics you used to make your passport wallet. Thank-you for the chance to win a pattern.

Jennifer said...

This is great -- I've been to 5 countries? I think? haha, but about 34 states within the US.. that sounds more impressive :) This is great, thanks for the chance!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Heather, that's so beautiful! I would love to try the pattern! I haven't travelled so much but just a second to count ... I got 8 countries and just today I was thinking that if I should choose a city that I like mostly (as a visitor) it's Paris! It is magical! x Teje

Kate said...

Ooh, nifty idea! And yours came out so awesome - love the numbers! I've been to Mexico, Belize, Canada, England, and uhh...the Caribbean. (Dutch/French territories? Bahamas? Some of those!) So 5ish.

Maria said...

Love your passport wallet. I could really do with one of those. I've been to six countries in Europe and Middle East. Quite a few airport stopovers. LOLLL

Katie B said...

Amber is so clever! Your passport cover looks great. I think I've been to 3 countries. I'd love to add to my list soon!

Jenn said...

This is certainly a great way to keep the family passports in check. Can't wait to try it out

heidi said...

I have been to 13 countries, and I have 2 passports of my own. I'm really looking forward to a 14th country when Wilson and I go to Argentina next year where he is from. :)

Vivian said...

I guess I've been to 15+ countries. some of them were very short visits such as a few days in their capitals but some of them were a bit more thorough. I'm now living in the UK which means I can go to loads of different counties without needing to get on the plane. I love the west country very much and I can't wait to spend more time there.

Anya said...

Thanks to a fun jaunt with my now husband, then boyfriend through Europe in our early twenties I've been to 14 countries! I love your version of the wallet!

Susan said...

Your wallet is great! I love travel so I've been to five Asian countries, the US and Canada, about twelve European countries and New Zealand. My passports have had a fair work out!

Jo C. said...

Hmm..mexico, canada, hong kong, ( before it went back to china) china and japan...so that's five!
Boppiesgirl at gmail dot com

Holly said...

Cute pattern! Our family of four could use that for an upcoming trip to the States. Hmm... I don't know how many countries I've been to off hand. Some of the most memorable were Kenya, Uganda, France, Spain, the UK, Greece, Germany, and, of course, the USA (my mom's American and I've been there dozens of times).

Cheryl said...

Cute pattern and happy birthday, mine is the 27th.

Izzy said...

Such a cute pattern! Love it! I travelled all over Canada and the US (mostly for work) and I've been to Mexico. But I definitely plan on going to aeurope before I die! :-)

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

I am from New Zealand and we tend to travel a fair bit - I have been to Australia, Fiji, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Bali, South Africa, a number of countries in Europe, and the US. I just got a new passport and would love to use this pattern to make a wallet to keep it nice and shiny.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Oooh, great idea! And I love your version of it, Heather. This one is now on my list.

Patti said...

Really like your fabrics in this nifty passport holder, Heather!

barbara woods said...

i have only been here and mexico

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Your wallet looks brilliant, heather! I'm totally lame, never been overseas (and everywhere is overseas from us!)

linda f said...

Heather,

Hi, I have been to one country, Canda. We are hoping to go to England next year.

I love Amber's passport holders.


Love your blog.

Linda

Katie said...

Ohhhh I've been waiting for Amber to release it! Yipee!!
I've been to uhmmmm one country other than this lovely one we live in. Yup, just Canada and the US. Sad. I know.

Kirsten said...

Such a great pattern - I am in Australia and have only been to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.Hope to go further once the kids have finished school.

felicity said...

Super cool pattern! I'm lucky to have visited quite a few countries, including USA, Mexico, and a lot of European countries too.

Anonymous said...

I also have visited just three countries...the same three as you.
Thanks for the chance to win this pattern!

Fran said...

I live in Australia & have visited 6 other countries - New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain & Belgium. Thanks for the giveaway, I love Amber's pattern.

CJ said...

Great little wallet!
I have visited just three countries - Canada,Mexico and Venezuela but I have visited all 50 states! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to win a copy. As for the number of countries, let's see . . . I think it's 11.

commonthreads@me.com

Suz J said...

Not sure if you're doing international but what the heck. Never travelled - don't have passports! But my birthdays on July 30 - so figured that must be good luck and make it fate.

hueisei said...

I have been to SIngapore, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, China, Australia and Brunei. :)

Gill said...

Great idea!
We haven't travelled much but I'd like to change that soon! About 4 countries I'd say!

Jenny said...

great fabric combos! super pattern! ive been to....um...6 countries.

TobandHez said...

Hi,
I'm a Heather too! But I'm Australian currently living in Mozambique as Missionaries with my husband and two young kids. (Actually, there's another Heather on the team who is American - bizzare).
I've been looking for a pattern just like this to make out of some fun African fabric for our upcoming holiday to UAE in Sept (scarily close!)
My husband and I have been to Australia, South Africa, Zambia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, England, Scotland and we're often travelling in-between Mozambique and Malawi.
I'm having so much fun making things out of the local fabric, I'm looking forward to making some quilts.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

ohh that is really cool! I love your passport holder!

Off the top of my head about 15+ but living in Europe makes it much easier to visit lots of countries!

Alisa said...

Very nice, Heather! I like your version. I'd love a copy of the pattern (though it wouldn't fit my whole family's passports in it anyway...)

Svetlana said...

I grew up in Europe I traveled a lot throughout many European countries. But now since I live in the US I don't travel as much, but hope to as soon as the kids get older. Thanks for this fun giveaway, I love this passport holder, such a great idea.

Jen said...

US, Mexico, and 6 European countries. Hoping to actually visit Canada next year!

cbronso1 said...

I used to go to Canada alot - when you only needed your birth certificate! I'd love to take my kids to Italy!

Jenelle said...

I like how sleek this is, and yet is still is very roomy inside! I don't have quite as many passports to wrangle between just my husband and I, but I could definitely use the extra room to carry immunization records (for really exotic trips!) and tickets. Beautiful fabrics choices too Heather!

amy said...

let's see, canada, jamaica, italy, france, poland, and germany - so 6 :)

Unknown said...

Hi - I've travelled to 15 countries so far and we're still counting as there are plenty more I want to visit - our next trip I'd love to travel through Europe from Spain and finish in Norway

Suzanne Daniels said...

I'm very fortunate to have visited quite a few. I have lived in both England, Ireland and the States. Whilst living in Ireland I visited France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium and Holland.

What a wonderful giveaway and I look forward to making this. We are planning a trip home next year.

duckyhouse said...

I've been to 4 countries: Canada, US, England & Scotland. Would really love to get back to the last two sometime and since we are heading State side in a couple of months the passport pattern would be fantastic for our crew :)

Carla said...

Just seeing how cute your passport holder is, makes me want to travel to be able to make one! Adorable! I used to travel to Mexico A Lot! Of course,it was before all the bad stuff started happening. Canada would be ideal for me!

Grandma G said...

Very cool passport holder! You've been to one more country than I have... I've never been to Mexico. :)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

Really, really cool! We haven't had a need for one of these but if we ever do, I'm getting this pattern.

Live a Colorful Life said...

We just had our passports renewed. Let's see: Canada, Mexico, Italy, Malta, Greece, Croatia. Yep, I think that's it. We used to have money to cruise...not so much anymore... :(

Angie @ craftedAngles said...

Clever! We are not super travelers, so we have been to maybe 3 or 4 countries. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly O. said...

We have only traveled within Canada and the U.S. but this year we're planning a trip to Cuba!!

Debby said...

love that pattern - i grew up in the air force so did get to go overseas. have visited the philippines, spain, cayman islands, and mexico. thanks for the opportunity.

Unknown said...

I have visited the US, almost the whole of EU and Dubai..always wanted yo make one of these but have been putting it off till I saw pictures of your wallet. Please share the tutorial. Thank you!

Heather @ Winding Bobbins said...

Pooja Kalra, not sure if you will see this but it is the only way I have to respond to your question. The pattern is available from the Etsy shop called OneShabbyChickHawaii