Tote Bag with Front Pocket and Side Ties

i'm excited to be heading to Myrtle Beach for a few days! i haven't really been on a vacation since last summer, so it'll be really nice to get away! plus that fact that i am heading to see one of my close friends AND what's even more fun, she just got engaged last week! super exciting!!!

for the trip i decided to make myself a new summer bag! (surprisingly ONLY one of the bags that i've sewn has been for myself! everything else has been handed out as gifts!) i'm really thrilled about this one because i made it without a pattern (woohoo!!) it's essentially the same design as the little girls tote bag that i posted about earlier this week that was modeled after an old Coach tote that i had. i love this one because it's large enough to hold EVERYTHING but not too big that it makes me look like i'm carrying a suitcase! so i can fit a magazine and my ipod and all sorts of other goodies for my travels! i also put a key hook on the inside because unfortunately for me, i have three sets of key rings! (yes that is just way too many and yes i need to keep them all in my purse! one key ring is of my own keys, another set is for my sisters and parents houses, and my third set, which i would looove to get rid of is for all the key tags that the stores give you so you can get the sale price! why every single store i shop at has to have a tag is beyond me!!) but in any event i am always digging out the keys that i don't need so this way i can at least have mine set aside! i also put a pocket on the inside to hold my cell phone, as well as a pocket on the front of the bag, and i also added some side ties to make it a little cuter. man i love this purse! i've also thought of many other ways to change it up so i can't wait to get started on a few more! since i found that local quilt shop, i'm really excited that i can run there anytime and don't have to wait for my online orders from elsewhere to be shipped!

anyways, hope you all enjoy your memorial day weekend! wish us luck...we're taking the pup with us! should be an interesting 8 hour car ride!