I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted! I have been so busy making new product for my etsy shop. My home alteration business has also kept me really busy. A whole new batch of Aprons have been added, with even more planned. But my most exciting development has been the creation of my new shoulder bag tote!
I absolutely love this bag! I have been using my prototype for the last several weeks, and have received many compliments on it. It's roomy enough to hold all my stuff, and even then some! We went away to Chicago for the weekend, and I just crammed extra things in there. It is made from strong, durable cotton, so it can take a beating!
The best part of this bag is the printed fabric. I found these fabrics on IKEA.com , and fell in love with the big. bold, colorful prints! To my dismay, they do not sell the fabric online! And the nearest store was near Chicago...300 miles away. My daughter lives in Chicago, but doesn't have a car. I begged her to get her boyfriend to drive her, but my pleas fell on deaf ears! As luck would have it, my hubby had to go to Chicago for an interview, so guess where I went?! I had a field day! I came back with some beautiful fabric!
So I did some brainstorming, played around with a few designs, made a couple of practice bags, changed the design around some more, and this is what I came up with. I had been studying purses everywhere I went, picking up ideas here and there. The strap comes from one of my daughters bags...she suggested I try it. I liked it! The piping along the purse opening was from a purse I saw in a doctors office...also, that purse was in black and red, which really caught my eye!
My favorite part is on the inside. I added a key leash that is elasticized...it stretches to 18 inches. Why? I am 
forever trying to find my house key will balancing several bags of groceries, and being completely frustrated! Now I keep that key on it's leash, and I always know where it's at. But the best part? My purse can be on my shoulder, I can reach in and grab the key, stretch it to the door lock, and unlock the door, without the purse ever leaving my shoulder, and without dropping all of my bags!!! Love It!!!!
forever trying to find my house key will balancing several bags of groceries, and being completely frustrated! Now I keep that key on it's leash, and I always know where it's at. But the best part? My purse can be on my shoulder, I can reach in and grab the key, stretch it to the door lock, and unlock the door, without the purse ever leaving my shoulder, and without dropping all of my bags!!! Love It!!!!<-------(Key Leash)
The above pictures are the three bags completed, and ready for sale. Although I have already sold the orange bag, at a family graduation party! I also got three more orders for bags!! Luckily, I have gone on a second trip to IKEA, and brought home some more gorgeous fabrics.
I will be posting pictures of my new stash in my next post. Hopefully, it will be helpful for any custom orders, since it is going to take me some time to get it all cut out and sewn!
