PURSES, TOTES, BAGS: OHMy first post and I'm starting with a VERY BIG PIC CHORE!

Hi, All - After figuring out the picture posting thing, I am finally going to put my first post in (sorry for the bombardment)... Short prelude: So, I bought a sewing machine a few years back intending to learn how to make my own clothes (I'm a bit overly curvy in some places and I wanted some clothes that fit me properly). After about 2 failed attempts, I decided that I'd really only be good with upholstery a while. So, that I did. I recovered one of my Ikea couches, made my mom a custom settee cushion with removable cover (for washing, which never happens).

Recently (OK, a year ago), I moved and when I whipped the machine back out, I discovered that it was not working quite right - took it to the shop and guy said it would cost me US$200 to fix it. So, I went out and bought a new one for $170... it was a great excuse to get a new one, really. In the same week, I found an ad for some free fabric. I thought I was going to end up with a handful of fabric; I actually ended up with almost a trunk full of remnant upholstery pieces, which I immediately distributed amongst craftie friendies, mommy included. I also took this to be a sign to start sewing...

I'm still a little scared to go back to trying clothes, so I am doing some purses in the meantime (most of the material is from that stash I acquires).

MY FIRST PURSE:
I was actually trying to follow this pattern
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=125025.0, but got so excited about my sewingness that I forgot to turn the fabric at one point and ended up with a different shape when fastened. I also, at the time, wasn't ready to try a purse with tucked corners, so you'll see a side view with them hanging out. I actually really like this purse and ended up giving it to a friend for her birthday (when I saw those colors, I thought of her so I thought I should):

2ND ONE:
Then, i wanted to try it again using some denim I got and this time making the handles separately, trying some curves (with the heartshape) and tucking the corners out to give it a "bottom" (by the way - the heart is also a pocket):

3rd:
So, I wanted to take that circle idea all the way, so I took one of our bowls to make a pattern for this one (the opening for the purse and the base for the handle/opening:

no 4:
I'm really excited about this one - I doubled up the red fabric to make the outside heart pocket and added a smaller heart applique on the other side of the purse - I also tucked the corners inward this time.