: : :Laptop Sleeve: : :

I fell in love with this colorful fabric at Joann's, and knew right away that I wanted to make a laptop sleeve with it. :D So after browsing through hundreds of laptop sleeve patterns online, I decided on Lindsay's tutorial from her blog, The Cottage Home. She has an awesome blog, and so many cute tutorials! I especially loved her laptop sleeve tutorial. :) Excellent instructions and great pictures. I am happy with my laptop sleeve. It slips right into my black and white sling, and will be great for lugging my laptop to school. :)

: : :A Thrifty Find: : :

I found this blazer at Goodwill for $7. It will be perfect for interviewing! Am so excited! :D My outfit with the dress and blazer cost a grand total of $37! Not bad, eh? :)

*I know the pants in the headless pictures don't match, lol . . . was just hoping they would ... got 'em at Goodwill, too, lol

: : :Book Bag: : :

I used Amy Butler's Sunday Sling pattern for this bag. I made the smaller version, which ended up being 18" wide, about 13" tall, and 2.5-3" deep.

The only change I made to the pattern is that I quilted my fabric to batting instead of using fusible interfacing. The pattern instructions get a little confusing in some parts, so you just have to go by the illustrations most of the time.

This bag takes F.O.R.E.V.E.R. if you quilt your own fabric . . . however, it is definitely worth it. Quilting the fabric makes the bag look so nice and finished. :)

This bag turns out to be super sturdy, and will make an excellent book bag. I love it! ;)

handles

outside pocket

front pleat

cell phone pocket

I have used this pattern before to make the larger bag--the 23" bag. After having made both sizes, I believe I prefer the smaller bag.

A comparison :) The larger bag would make a great weekend travel bag . . . if you do that sort of thing. Maybe someday I'll take a weekend trip somewhere, and will have a chance to use the larger bag. ;)

Now I'm anxiously waiting for school to start so that I can use my new book bag! ;)