TA-DA!

So now that I have a great camera that takes great pictures - I can't share them because my computer has uploading issues. But my cellphone camera will upload with no trouble. So you're going to get cellphone pics for a while until I get my act together and fix my router woes.

Now...the bag! It's done!

One of the greatest parts of crafting is knowing other crafters and then being able to trade services. Candy and I have been on this plan for a while now. She crochets me awesome things and I make silly attempts at repaying her. (Candy also sews and takes great pictures - darn that talented woman) As I researched this bag, I ran across a blogger who told about a "swap" she made with a knitting friend. She made her knitting friend this bag and her knitting friend made her a wrap. At that moment I knew I had found the answer. If I made the bag for myself I would never get past the fabric choosing stage (I can't make up my mind on anything). OR, the first sign of trouble I would throw a fit, cry my eyes out, and then bail on the whole project. But if I knew I was making it for someone else - then I would be forced to be patient and follow through! And I did. And in return my knitting friend is making me one of these. Doesn't seem fair does it? She assured me it was an easy pattern. But I've tried knitting, and I can tell you there is nothing easy about it.

Anyway - I learned a lot.

#1 - Piping is not so bad. If you can do a ruffle, you can do piping.

#2 - Handsewing is not so bad. I tried to skip a huge step that involved hand sewing the entire lining. Trying to be a smarty-pants I used the machine. Bad idea. Lots of seam ripping. Lots of time on youtube learning the whipstitch. Lots of time on the couch hand sewing the lining. Now I'm proud of myself and feeling slightly more MarthaStewartish because I can whipstitch.

#3 - I still love my sewing machine. Without it there is no way I could have finished this. Little details like an 'extra presser foot clearance' saved my life. And the fact that it plowed through 18 layers of fabric and peltex without even groaning.

#4 - Some mistakes have to be embraced. The bag is not perfect. But I won't tell you where the screw-ups are and hopefully you won't notice.

So here it is on my bathroom sink because it was the best place to get a picture with the camera phone.

Shot of the interior lining.

Picture of me holding the bag (to get an idea of how big it is). It's called a weekender bag and I'd say that's about right. Two changes of clothes, some pj's and a makeup bag would fill it up.

Next project - finishing a football quilt for Easton's birthday. (He has been requesting this for a full year now!)

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