This was featured last week on Tatertots and Jello.  But I definitely wanted to make it available here as well.  And plus, my husband wanted me to mention that he’s super nice, and doesn’t tell me whether I can buy things or not.  Tee Hee.
He’s all…..”you made me sound mean.”
So there you go. He’s NOT MEAN! I actually love him like crazy!!

My hubby and I went on a 12th anniversary vacation to Cancun, with some dear friends.  (can I get a “WHOOT” for making it to twelve?)  In the preparations, I decided that it would be nice to take the laptop with us so we could talk to our kids on Skype.  But I don’t really want to carry it, because I am without a cute laptop bag.

So, of course, I mentioned that I ought to buy a new laptop bag, for the trip.

And I was greeted with, “but we have a laptop bag downstairs.”

THIS THING??  Seriously?  This is what I have to carry?  It’s a super sturdy bag, and has lots of pockets that I love.  But seriously?  My husband is in advertising, and I just yearn for having something that isn’t a promotional item!  But, alas, my idea for a new bag was shot down.  And I am stuck with this little beauty.

But never fear!  I remembered what I did last Spring with my new camera bag and I decided I’d try my hand at making this bag less REI and more “Ellie G”.

I started with some elastic lace.  I actually have a whole bolt of this stuff from a FABULOUS trim and notions store in Phoenix.  (that I was introduced to by Miss Whippycake herself!) So I have a lot of it on hand.  I love it!  It’s super vintage-ee and looks like it’s already been loved a couple times.

I sewed it on to the front flap of the bag in rows.  Because of the elastic, it was pretty essential to pin before sewing.  Plus it maintains nice straight rows.

When working with stretchy materials, you really have to compensate for the stretch.  In this instance I DIDN’T want to use the elastic properties, so I tried not to stretch.  But some stretching is inevitable.  So don’t do any exact trimming until after you’ve sewn each strip.  You can cut the excess and get a perfect finish!

Manipulating a big heavy bag to go into my sewing machine was tricky, at times.  But I really didn’t want to disassemble it.  This is supposed to be a pretty quick project!   There were a few rows I just couldn’t work out.  So I just hand-stitched the last couple.

Then I used a loop of vinyl to make a cute bow.  Just a rectangle, with a strip wrapped around the center to pinch.  Easy peasy!

The key to working with thick materials is a really long sharp needle, and upholstery thread.  They are essential!

I definitely will feel much more confident carrying this yummy, ruffled bag with me on the plane.  I know, I know…..I shouldn’t care that much.  But I do.  So sue me!

You can do this too.  Even though you don’t have this exact bag!  Look at the bags you might want to get rid of, or look at thrift store bags with a fresh eye.  You might be able to transform them into something fabulous!!

Or also titled:

Once upon a time, a girl, who we shall call “Ellie G”, got a really cool camera as a Christmas surprise. Her husband, who gave her the camera, got a big kiss and a really good reaction.

That camera was loved. Like most people love a new puppy. Only this girl doesn’t like puppies all that much. Unless she makes them at Build-a-bear.

But the camera needed something extra. Something to make it prettier. And so that all the world would know that it belonged to Ellie. Like it’s own puppy collar. Only more for camera’s and less for dogs.

So she began by making it’s little strap more comfy and infinitely cuter, by purchasing a new camera strap from HERE.

But Ellie and her camera still didn’t feel safe in the great big world.  Like a puppy without a leash.  Her little camera could run away, fall down, or get scratched at any MOMENT!  How scary.

Okay, okay, this story…and subsequent parallels….is getting old.

Here’s the rundown.
I got a big girl camera.
I LOVE IT!
I bought it a pretty camera strap.
I named my camera Rachel.  After the character on GLEE.  Who I’m pretty sure is based on a fictional version of myself.  Only in reality, no boys EVER liked me.  And I can’t sing that well.  And I was raised by a single Mom instead of 2 gay dads.

Did I just get off track again?

Regardless, my hubby was NOT comfortable with me shoving my new present into my purse to take with me places.  And I shouldn’t have been comfortable with that either.  But ‘cept my decision making ability was hampered by the fact that I really wanted to take awesome photos with “Rachel”.

For Valentines Day, he suggested that I get a camera bag for “Rachel”.  And I totally was willing to go for that plan.  But I had seen the bag I WANTED.  And it was sold out.  BOO!

I kept a vigil on the JO TOTES website and waited until my bag was back in stock.  The first day it was back in I made my order….

Look at this fun box.  I was beyond excited.  BEYOND!

Look at this amazing bag!  Isn’t the color amazing?  I adore mustard.  And the quality is fantastic.  “Rachael” is gonna be so cozy in there!

Houndstooth on the inside?  YES PLEASE!!  Plus, I was REALLY pleased with both the construction and the quality.

And PS….you might be thinking this is a paid advertisement from Jo Totes.  Nope.  I bought this bag myself.  And love it SOOOO much, I thought you ought to know. 

Here’s where this post becomes a MAKEOVER.

I know this bag is fantastic!
I know lots of bloggers and camera owners love this company.
Like, I know Shelley has THIS TEAL BAG, and Jen has THIS BRONZE BAG, Amy just got the PEWTER BAG and the fabulous Miss Cheri has THE EXACT BAG THAT I CHOSE.

And I wanted to take my new bag among a BUNCH OF BLOGGERS to Creative Estates.

Plus….what if I lost it?  Or couldn’t locate which one was mine.  Like the time the hubs bought us a white Jetta.  And I was furious because I kept losing it in parking lots.  There are A LOT of white cars out there, people.

Plus, and finally, I kind of HAVE to personalize ALL my personal stuff.  Like I mentioned HERE with my iPod.

I set out to make “Rachel’s” new house, a home.

It started with strips of 2 different fabrics.  One is a really industrial vinyl like material.  I bought it at JoAnns.  Only an 1/8 of a yard needed.

The shiny one is a fake patent leather.  It was actually a tote bag that I found on clearance at Wal*Mart for $1.  Yep you read that right. ONE. DOLLAR. I just bought the bag, and cut it apart into strips.

The shiny black material was sewn, shiny side together, into a tube. Then I attached a safety pin to one end and turned it inside out.

This was an ORDEAL. Because the shiny vinyl-ee leather is sticky. It took a while. I grew impatient. However, the outcome makes me think it might have been worth it.

You are going to hate me for this one: but there just isn’t a lot of instructions on this flower.  You pretty much just take your tube and twist it.  Sewing it together as you go.  Until you like what you see.  If you like it, make it stay that way.

The key to this project is a GIANT, really poke-ee needle.  And Upholstery thread.  You will NOT be successful without them  The material is really hard to work with, and regular thread just won’t cut it.

This is my first adventure with upholstery thread.  I think we’re going to start a family.

For the houndstooth flower, I just did a standard ruffle flower.

• Folded the vinyl in half. 
• Sewed it by hand down the raw edge.  
• Pulled it until it ruffles.
• Rolled that ruffle and sewed it where I thought it looked good.

Your fingers will be RAW from trying to pull that needle.  I wish I would have had those rubber circles that I remember my Mom having as a kid.  They are on my “to buy” list.

After I got my flowers all done.  I sewed them right on to my bag.

And yes, it was a tiny bit scary for some reason.  I mean, it was my brand new bag.  And I stuck a giant needle into it.  EEK!

Guess what?

I love that the houndstooth one matches the inside of the bag.  And that black, rolled, vinyl looks like a delicious licorice frisbee.  I love it!

And they are on there like glue.  I pulled that thread as tight as I could.  Lots of knots.  They’re not goin’ anywhere.

Of course, that wasn’t quite enough to make this bag MINE!

All my belongings MUST have the Mouse adorning them somewhere.

And I thought this zipper needed to be pulled by my new logo.  Isn’t that preferrable?

There’ll be a tutorial on those two little additions coming up soon.  If you’re interested.  They involve Mod Podge Dimensional Magic.  My new little creative helper.

So, if you see me out and about, you won’t ever mistake my bag for someone else’s.
And you won’t accidentally pick it up, thinking it’s your bag.
Unless you’re trying to steal it from me.
Did I just make my bag more prone to thieves of cuteness?  Oh no.

(said in the nicest way possible….of course!)

Welcome home “Rachel” I think you’ll be VERY comfortable here.

What kind of bag are YOU gonna personalize?  C’mon.  You know you wanna!