I was asked by my local quilt guild to be the speaker next month.  I am going to talk about making bags.  I make a lot of bags and I guess that makes me worthy of speaking on the topic (not according to me, but I was honored they asked). 
They also asked me to teach a class the following day.  I spent a long time trying to find a pattern that would incorporate as many techniques as possible, yet be simple enough so everyone (hopefully) can complete it in the amount of time allowed for the class.
I ended up choosing Jenna's Bag by Sew-Phisticat designs.  I like the bag and I think it will be good for the class.  I am going to make another one for my cousin. 
The pattern has an optional adjustable handle, but I couldn't do that in my sample because I couldn't find a slider anywhere locally and didn't have time to order one on-line.
Anyway, here is the purse.

Front


Back


Pocket under front flap


Inside


Thanks for looking.

Here is a little card holder I made for a model at the quilt shop I where I work.  It is from a pattern called Kard Keeper by Maple Island Quilts.
Very quick and easy.  I made another one with a sewing theme, but forgot to take pics before taking it into work.







Thanks for looking!

These are the accessories I made to go with the bag for the make a purse and fill it swap.


There is a large wallet, a smaller wallet, tissue holder, card holder (orange colored item), notepad holder and a felt key chain.


I don't really like the color of the zippers in the wallets, but I couldn't find a color that matched more closely.  I think it works well enough.

I think my favorite piece is the key chain.

Hi all,
I was in the make a purse and fill it swap.  This is the bag I made for my swap partner (she has already received it, so I guess it is ok to post).
It is a purchased pattern with a few tweaks.


This is the front of the bag.  The small pocket has a design that I hand embroidered with variegated thread.  I wanted it to imitate the circles in the patterned fabric.  The main brown fabric is a fine-wale corduroy that I just love.  I also added the swivel hook to the handle to clip on keys or a reusable bag.


Fuzzy closeup of the embroidery.  Sorry it is not a good shot, but it is the only one I have.


Back of bag.  I opted to not add the small pocket on this side as I wanted to let the circle patterned fabric to show more.


Inside of bag.  I am not sure why it looks like there is a wrinkle in the lining as there really isn't.

Anyway, that is the bag.  I have made this pattern for myself with the same corduroy only in orange.  I added interfacing to this bag as I thought it might be nice with a little more body.  It is a fun bag to make.

My daughter colored the nursery rhyme blocks a few years ago.  I finally found the perfect fabric and have completed the top.  I am hoping to have it quilted soon, but things are kind of crazy busy around here so it may be a while before it is completely finished.
I thought I would post it at this stage anyway.

I wasn't sure where this should go since it is not technically a purse or bag, but this seemed liked the best place.  It is a caddy for an iron.  It has heat resistant material on the inside and can be used as a portable ironing surface as well as a carrier.
It was quick to make and handy to take to sewing retreats/classes.

Hi,
I just finished a bag I had started a few weeks ago for my dd.  She is a budding artist and I found this fabric that was perfect for her.

She recently bought herself a travel art easel and I thought it would be nice for her to have a bag to carry it in.

This bag was inspired by all the great messenger bags that have been posted here.  This is the second bag I made without an actual pattern.  I think I am ready to go back to patterns for a while, this making up my own is really challenging my creativity. 

The first pic is the front of the bag, the second is the back, the third is the front with the flap open, the fourth is the flap open top view and the last one is a close-up of the fabric.

I didn't put any pockets on the inside, so I didn't take a pic of the bag empty because it is pretty boring.  I think my dd will be pleased with it.

Thanks for looking,
Deece

Hi,
Wow, I am so sorry for how long it has taken me to post how the challenge went.  I did not win   I am not sure how I ended up because I was unable to make it to a customer appreciation the shop held where they announced the results.
I also picked my bag up early because I was donating it to a silent auction being held for someone at dh's work.  I don't know how it did there, either.
Someone asked about a tutorial.  I can't do one because I didn't write down any measurements or anything as I was constructing this.  I just sort of started and modified as I went along.  I am sorry!
Anyway, I just wanted to update on how the challenge went.  I am glad I participated as this project really stretched my creative boundaries.
Deece

Hi everyone,
I made this purse for a challenge that my local quilt shop is sponsoring.  They chose a fabric that had to be used somewhere prominent in/on the bag (not the inside lining of a pocket they said ).
I chose to use the fabric on the front of the purse.  This is my own design and the first one I have ever done.  I am not very good at that kind of thing.  I usually find a pattern I like and follow it.
My favorite part is the vinyl pocket on the front.  I purchased a pack of quotes on vellum from the scrapbook section at JoAnns.  I can change the quote whenever I feel like.  I love that!
There are a few things I would do differently if I was ever to make this purse again.  For one, I am not sure if I like the placement of the tassels.  Also, the finishing around the top of the purse was not originally going to be like it ended up.

During the month of Nov. the shop will display all the entries and customers can vote for their favorite by putting $.50 in the bag (they get a charm square for each vote).  The bag with the most money at the end of the month will receive a $50 gift card.  All the money will be donated to Toys for Tots.

Anyway, sorry this is so long.  I don't expect to win, but I had fun with this.

Thanks for looking,
Deece

Hi everyone,
I have been lurking and drooling over all the great projects posted here
I thought I should finally join and introduce myself. 
I'm Deece and I mostly quilt/sew.  I tend to use patterns and am not overly creative away from them.
Coming here and looking at all the great projects/ideas has really inspired me and I am slowly starting to think outside the box.
Thanks and keep the creative ideas coming
Deece