Here is the front of a purse I made late 2007, from a pattern by Jean Hilton, called Puzzle Purse.
It is monochromatic in creams and light browns, and uses lots of different threads, as well as some beads. I made the carcass of the purse in plastic canvas, then slipped the fabric over it, and stitched the needlepoint to the flap and back. The plastic canvas has just enough rigidity to help the purse keep its shape.
The back of the purse.
Pins and Needles 
Jocelyn I had missed this on flickr – and I wanted to say this looks to be a wonderful bag – I really like Bargello work
welcome to blogging too!
By: sharonb on December 14, 2007
at 6:36 am
Hi Jocelyn,
Just discovered your blog and am starting to read your entries from the beginning and I have this pattern but not stitched it yet.
That is a neat idea to finish it like you did. I was wondering how to do this once I stitched it.
How did you attach the strap to the rest of the purse?
You have done a wonderful job and it looks absolutely smashing 🙂
Pierrette =^..^=
By: Pierrette on June 29, 2008
at 12:00 pm