If Liz Can Sew, So Can You!

When I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother watching this cooking show with a guy name Martin Yan. His line was "If Yan Can cook, so can you!" I always thought it was clever- and my adaptation of it expresses how I feel today. I've said it before, I am no seamstress. However, for some odd reason, I keep feeling drawn back to sewing projects over and over again. Maybe it's all the fun designs, or the taking of formless fabic and making it functional- who knows! I just like it. Soooooooooo, I have my eye on this bag I really want to make by designer Amy Butler. But I need to build up the courage to attempt it. I've already purchase the fabric but I don't want to mess it up. So yesterday I practiced my skill by making a tote bag to take on our upcoming vacation. I found this canvas weight material at walmart for $2 a yard (clearance). I bought three yards and have much left to work with. (Hmmmmmmmmmm, upholster a desk chair with it?) Anyhow, when I got home I realized the design was named cheerios- how appropriate for my current season of life! I used a very straightforward and simple tutorial and it came together in just a few hours. I broke the task up into short segments that I did throughout the day. The only things I did different was add the blue piping at the pocket to help define the opening and add a lining. I just felt like a lining would make it seem "complete" and after putting all the time in it, I definately wanted it to be complete. Here's the end results:

My big tote! The bottom looks funny b/c it's empty :-)
Cheerios design and blue piping on the pocket. The colors look a little French to me.The cavernous interior. I used blue chintz that I had laying around for about 15 years (no joke) in hope that it will clean up easier should something spill in it.