FL here we come!

I can't believe I'm already packed, just sitting here relaxing! Just those few things you can't throw in until the last minute. Anyhow, I can't wait to spend 10 days in warm(ish) FL with Jocie and my parents! Wahoo! And my sweet hubby is staying home, working and trying to finish up our kitchen.

I showed you a sneak peak of my new bag and wanted to post it before I forgot and left. I don't know about you, but I've accumulated lots of tote bags over the years. It never seems like one has all of the features I want/need though. I figured for this trip I'd attempt to MAKE one with everything I thought I'd need when attempting a 1,100 mile trip with my 2 year old.

I had this old braided belt that I thought would work for a handle and I had been given some nice heavy gray fabric that would be perfect for a bag. I had an old pair of black corduroy pants that I cut up and used for the contrasting pockets. I went looking for a tutorial and found one for a clasic tote bag I thought I could use.


I wanted a longer handle so that I had the option to wear it over either shoulder (over my head or not). I added one big pocket and then on the other side I pleated the pocket so that a sippy cup would fit perfectly. Yay! I made my first ever french seam (so the inside is pretty too!) and then made a successful gusset (that is apparently what gives you that nice big flat bottom to the bag). I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It is packed for our plane ride, we'll see how it does. (=
Remember the flower I showed you?

see the sippy cup tucked in so nicely?




I used the tails on the belt to create a draw string closure for the bag. That is another thing that always bugs me about tote bags, the way they just hang wide open.


Anyhow, I probably won't post any more until we get back from FL. See you then!