Finally Finished: The Best Tote Bag Ever!

Here's the front. One zippered pocket and a slip pocket behind that.
Also shown are the two bottle holders on either side.

It's finished! I finally completed my tote made from the 'Professional Tote' pattern from Creative Thimble. I love this bag! It suits my needs better than any other tote bag I've used before. No kidding - it really does. Finally, I have enough pockets for all of my "important" stuff! A place for everything & maybe everything will even stay in it's place! In total there are 5 outside pockets (which includes the two bottle holders on either side) & 3 interior pockets which includes a large zippered center pocket & two others that can be divided into several 'pockets' each. One of the interior pockets is covered & has a velcro closure. I even have a vinyl business card holder on the center pocket - it's great to have my cards so easy to find now. I learned so much by making this pattern- following the directions was almost like having a teacher right there - just well done how-to's & techniques that I am pleased to now be more comfortable with. I highly recommend this pattern! The usual caveat of no affiliation etc etc.....

Here's the back. One slip pocket runs the entire length of the back and has a velcro closure.
The black strap with the shell is for looping onto your luggage.

Looking down on the bag you can see the zippered cloing on the top.
Oops .. I didn't finish zipping it for the photo!

One of the two large interior packets. This shows the middle pocket with the top being held up. It's a pleasted pocket
with a velcro closure. On either side of this is one medium pocket area & an area that I made two pen holders out of.

This shows the zipped pocket that is in the center of the interior of the tote.

A Great Pattern Find: The Professional Tote From Creative Thimble

I thought that I would have more progress to show you on my tote by today, but when I took the bag parts outside I really dislike the blue pocket - so I have torn it all out, saved the great kiwi color zipper & I am ready to start all over. I have always been hesitant to make a bag for myself, mainly because most patterns seem to look - well - like "loving hands at home-made". I loved the look of this pattern because it has lots of zippered pockets, water bottle holders on the sides & an optional strap that allows you to stow the bag on your luggage (not that I travel all that much mind you!).

The directions are exceptionally well written; clear, concise & well illustrated. I have learned a lot that I had always wanted to know about pocket construction from this pattern & helpful "tips" are scattered throughout. You need to have three zippers on hand - a 7", a 14" & an 18". The zippers were a real problem for me since they are not available here in 'Paradise'. I called our nearest, friendly, FabricsPlus on the mainland & they were kind enough to read the colors they had in stock for the longer length zippers & send them to me. I would like to be better prepared for that the next time around and find a wider range of color for the long zippers. You also need cord locks - another item I had to track down & order first. For most people there is nothing out of the ordinary that you would not be able to find readily. Pellon DecoBond interfacing is used for this pattern & my friend, Lauren, was kind enough to stop & pick it up for me during one of her mainland jaunts. There are LOTS of pattern & interfacing pieces to cut & fuse. Once that's done you're ready to roll - that is unless you're like me & have to rip things apart to get it to look the way you want! The pattern is $10.00 and, when I think of how much patterns for anything cost these days, I think it's an exceptional value. Creative Thimble sells this & lots of other good bag patterns on their website - along with webbing - which can be used in place of coordinating fabric for the handles. I'll most likely be making another bag & might try webbing to see if I like the look or not. The usual disclaimers of no affilation etc - just a person that loves this pattern!

Books I Just HAD To Have

I have been trying to be responsible and not exercise my plastic power, but since I had to order some birthday presents anyway I decided to get two of the books that have been on my "must own" list. "uniquely Felt" by Christine White is a book that I originally requested through Inter Library Loan. Thankfully, my local library, knowing well my addiction to felting books, ordered it for their collection. I have taken it out and renewed it innumerable times - to the point that I was feeling guilty about always having it out. I would return it on time- and then hurry back in to see if it was still available before taking it out once again ! I finally decided that I had to OWN the book! This book is an absolutely invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in the various, amazing methods of felts and felting. The instructions for each process are clear and extremely well illustrated. From Nuno felted scarves to felted flowers; this is a must have book for any felt addict.

Ruth Issett's books are always on my list. Her books never disappoint me. This book concentrates on how to build texture and depth to fabrics by the use of paints and patterns. Ruth goes over different paints and mediums and lists the advantages - as well as the disadvantages- of each. The illustrations are rich and well done . I consider this a process book with lots of eye candy.


One of my day dreams is to be a crafting book reviewer....or else to have a carte blanche to be able to buy every book on my Amazon list - and then some that I don't even know about yet ! Any publishers out there who want to help me out of my misery?!

An Angelic Touch

I have never been much of a doll aficionado (at least since I gave up on Barbie) & I have never had much of a yen to make dolls. I have, however, been enchanted by the dolls that Gail Wilson designs & makes. I collect angels and when I saw that she has a line of angel patterns, I decided to give one a try! Gail's style is decidedly folk art & I know that I will make the pattern somehow "my own", but her work is really something special. The presentation of the pattern is lovely & the instructions are very thorough & well done. There is a little bag of included goodies for completing the doll: a felting needle for felting the provided hair into place ,a pencil for rouging, and a tiny tin of of antiquing wax- something I have never heard of but am anxious to try. If you have ever thought about making a doll - or just like folk art - click on the highlighted link to enjoy a some eye candy!