A New Bag

I've been in need of a new bag to carry.

One of the perks of having a sewing room with a great 

fabric stash is that you can whip up little items like this on a whim.

I knew the kind of bag I wanted.

One that would easily allow me to find things

without having to dig to China.

One that was able to showcase some of my favorite fabrics.

One that was stylin'.

One of my blogging heros/friends is Melissa Peda

of 100 Billion Stars.

I've mentioned her a few times on my blog.

She has been such an inspiration to me through the years.

If you don't follow her, I highly suggest you start.

She blogged about a bag she had just designed,

and when I saw it,

I knew that was exactly the bag I was looking for.

Let me introduce you to Melissa's pattern, the Happy Handbag.

Melissa is such a huge fan of bold, fun print such as Amy Butler and Jane Sassaman,

She works her magic with creating designs and projects showcasing the focal points of the fabric.

I don't have a lot of those types of prints in my stash, but I knew

if I looked in my collection of Kate Spain I would find a perfect mix for this bag.

For the exterior print I used Serenade and for the interior, I used Verna.

It was a marriage made in heaven.

This bag is the perfect size to hold all that you want,

but not more than you need.

I can get carried away putting everything but the kitchen sink in my bags,

so I knew I needed to have a size limit.

This holds the perfect amount of zippy pouches.

(all received from my sewing friends, so I can carry them with me wherever I go and look slightly organized)

The pocket is just the right size to hold my cell phone and checkbook.

I've already had two request from my mom and sister to make them each one.

I have some fun ideas for them which include some paper piecing.

What I love about Melissa's patterns is they are great 'as is', or you can

use them as a foundation to build your own creative spin.

Melissa is truly inspiring and is all about helping us bring out that

creative spirit that lies dormant in a lot of us.

(speaking of myself here)

I hope you go over to Melissa's blog for a dose of inspiration,

not only with fabric, but also with yarn.  You won't be disappointed!

And just for a fun shot,

my dogs, Sam & Sadie.

These girls had to pose while I was taking pictures of my bag.

Enjoy your day and happy bag making!

xoxo

Cindy

Blessings

I was thinking I had a few years before I would write about this,

but God had other plans.

I'm so glad He knows what's best for my family.

The moment was perfect.

My family tells me I don't always keep them informed.

(OK folks....I honestly think they tune me out and forget what I tell them)

So a couple months ago, I let them all know to plan for family pictures in October.

We had family game day at Justin and Amanda's.

The day was perfect.

Right before we ate, Amanda asked if I knew what we would be wearing

for family pictures.  I said I thought we could just keep it casual, since none of us

dress to the nine's.  LOL  She said she found the perfect shirt and asked if I wanted to see it.

Sure!  Now...it's February, and pictures are in October, but my sweet Amanda is a planner

and an organizer (which I love), so I truly was not surprised at all that she was thinking ahead.

She went back to get the shirt and came out with a bag.

Look what I pulled out.

We are going to be grandparents!!

Can I just tell you that when they told us,

I.....could.....not.....breathe.

Seriously.

I stared at the shirt and felt my heart just open up as wide as it could go.

I looked at my son and his face was beaming.

Poor Amanda...she was crying because I was crying.

My husband was smiling from ear to ear.

Jesse and Savannah we sitting on the couch in shock.

It was such a beautiful moment.

It was then I knew I could make up for all the mistakes I made as a parent.

Something overtook my soul when I pulled out this little shirt.

All I need to do is love this little baby and be there to support Justin and Amanda whenever they need it.  I will never overstep my boundaries, but I will offer unconditional love and support to help

my grandchild grow up to be the amazing person God intends it be.  My family is growing.  Each of my sons have found a great partner.   Both girls have added so much to my family.  We are blessed!  And now we get to celebrate with a baby!

All I have ever wanted was for my sons to be happy.  

That they be contributing members of society.

That they have a foundation of faith.

That they realize money is not what brings happiness.

It's not things that give a person stature.

It's what's in your heart and how you give back.

I may have failed in a few of these areas teaching them as children.

But I've let them know where I've failed and where I wish I would have done things differently.

Hopefully, as adults, they've listened to those failures.

I thought there was no greater love than when I held my sons in my arms.....

until I learned I was going to be a grandma.

Of course, I had to buy a little something right away, and what better thing than this.

(GO HAWKS!!)

Just a little something else to make it more 'real'. 

And being the quilter I am, I've already picked out the quilt I'll be making.

I've been dying to make this since I saw it! 

I have 2 t-shirt quilts to finish up for family members, and once I'm done, my sewing machine

is booked for my new grand baby!

May your day be filled with love & blessings!

Until next time!

xoxo

Cindy