Getting ready for Atlanta.

WHOOO HOOO. Can you feel my excitement?  I finally get to go to the Country Living Fair. I have been wanting to go for years and I got my other brain (my BFF or bestie, the young people say) on board. We are going to Atlanta in October. I was using this as my deadline to make a new purse. I get so tired of hauling a bag around so most of the time, I carry one of my little clutches. However, for long days that involve alot of walking I prefer a cross body hipster. I didn't want one too big. I just need my phone, credit card, chap stick and gum. I try to be low maintenance. I got inspired at christmas last year and made a purse for my niece. I loved it and wanted to make one similar for myself.
 
Here is my inspiration!

Ain't she pretty? This bag is from the 50's. It still had it's tags on it.

Are you inspired? What would you do with it?

I have been waiting til I knew exactly (ok not exactly, but kinda) how I wanted the bag put together. I couldn't just go randomly hacking into the bag. It's not like fabric that could be easily replaced. However, I never wanna spend alot of time making a pattern and complete prototype. Soooo, I borrowed number 1's(our oldest, my step-daughter, a.k.a bug's)   fossil purse a few weeks ago and liked the size and style so after fliping it inside out and studying how it was made I tried to cut the basic bottom shape out of paper and laid it on my bag. These things have to be centered and I wanted to utilize as much print as possible.  I nervously pulled out my scissors and got started.

These pieces were attached at the top and since the bag was covered with some type of think coating on the inside, I decided not to make a liner for the purse. I designed  some pockets to fit my phone and other needs, attached the top bands and added magnetic closures.

This pocket is on the inside but the back will double as my outside cell phone zipper pocket. The less fabric I use the lighter my purse will be and the longer I can carry it comfortably. ( I am so stinking excited !)

This is my strap and it had to be long. I am a tall girl and want this to actually rest at my hips and not above them. I think the font on the strap will be perfect.

A view from the top.

I can't wait any longer. The big reveal !!!!

Do you like it? I think it it awesome. I always find something negative to pick out on my projects but I'm not gona do that this time. Did I mention how excited I was? Perfect bag for this farmer's wife!

This is an addendum. I am so excite to say that I linked up to alinky party for the first time ever :saynotsweetanne  My laptop crashed less than 30 minutes later as I was trying to "grab her blog button" I hope I give her the credit that is due for hosting the party. I am trying to shake the feeling that it was an omen because I really wanted to link this to more places. I am proud of my project and want to learn all I can about the "cyber-world."  It would really make me happy to know that people could read about some of my projects and enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed reading others.

Places I've Linked to:

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/08/whats-in-gunny-sack-link-party-49.html#more
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/
http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/ http://ladybug-blessings.com/ http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-projects-87/
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/
http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/
http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/
http://www.flamingotoes.com/
http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/
.http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/2012/08/sunday-linky-party-73-goodies.html#more
http://forloveofcupcakes.com/2012/08/i-10/