A Zesty New Chapter


Sometimes a sewing project comes along at exactly the right time.
When I was invited to be a pattern tester for Heidi & Finn's Fruit Slice Messenger Bag, I couldn't wait to get started. Whimsical designs have always been my favourite, and this pattern felt like the perfect opportunity to create something playful and practical. It's always a privilege to contribute behind the scenes and watch a pattern come together before its release.

It's delightfully quirky, thoughtfully designed, and surprisingly practical. It's the kind of project that makes you smile every time you pick it up.

As I looked through the fruit options, one stood out immediately—a bright, cheerful lime.
At the same time, our family was stepping into a brand-new chapter after buying our first home. Between inspections, paperwork, and dreaming about what our future home would become, life was busy, intensely fulfilled and full of excitement. Like a lime, it's fresh, exciting, and full of possibility—even if there's a little sourness that comes with the hard work of moving!

One of the things that made us smile during the house inspections was spotting what we were convinced was a lime tree in the backyard. It somehow felt like the perfect little sign to go with this sewing project. A lime bag for our new home, complete with a lime tree waiting for us outside.

Well... we've since discovered it's actually a lemon tree! 🍋 So close! But honestly, that little mix-up has become part of the story, and it still makes us laugh.
Whether it's a lime or a lemon, the symbolism still feels fitting. Citrus fruits are often associated with freshness, optimism, growth, and new beginnings. They remind us that life is vibrant, sometimes unexpected, and often sweeter when we embrace the journey—even if things don't turn out exactly as we first imagined.

This little messenger bag has become a reminder of that new chapter. It's more than a fun sewing project; it's something I'll always associate with this exciting season of our lives and choosing joy along the way.

The Fruit Slice Messenger Bag is wonderfully quirky, beautifully constructed, and the perfect size for kids and whimsy-loving adults alike. It was such a joy to sew, and I'm incredibly grateful to the Heidi & Finn team for inviting me to be part of the pattern testing process.

Here's to fresh beginnings, new chapters, happy surprises, and squeezing every drop of joy out of life's new chapters.
Note: I received the Fruit Slice Messenger Bag Pattern complimentary in exchange for pattern testing for Heidi and Finn. All opinions provided, however, are entirely my own.

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