Purse Paloosa 2015

Sara from Sew Sweetness has invited me to be part of Purse Paloosa this year! I am extremely excited to participate. I will be reviewing The 3-in-1 Convertible Backpack by Lisa Lam. Pattern can be found in Lisa's book A Bag for All Reasons.  So head on over and check it out!!  http://sewsweetness.com/2015/10/purse-palooza-pattern-review-3-in-1-convertible-backpack.html

SCHEDULE

The following is the schedule of the bag pattern reviews. I will update each bag link as the post goes live, so check back here to see as the bag reviews come in!

Oct 5 – Fabric Mutt – Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch from Patchwork Please!

           W.D. Handbags – Blue Calla Creations Hydrangea Bag

Oct 6 – Rock Baby Scissors – Sew Sweetness Rockstar Bag

           Raspberry Sunshine – Swoon Donna

Oct 7 – Teresa L. – Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H. Nappy Bag

           Jaime S. – Swoon Pearl

Oct 8 – I’ve Got a Notion – Nicole Mallalieu ‘The Better Bag Maker’

           Norma’s Bag Boutique – Chris W. Designs Bella Bag

Oct 9 – Crafty Planner – Noodlehead Super Tote

           Melisa Jane Handmade – Two Pretty Poppets Goin’ Uptown Tote

Oct 12 – Lindsay Sews – Man Clutch from ‘On the Go Bags’

             The Nosy Pepper – Swoon Bonnie Bag

Oct 13 – Tinker Frog – Amanda Nyberg Scrap Happy Pouch

              Prairie Grass Studios – Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H. Carpet Bag

Oct 14 – Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H. – Sew Sweetness Creative Maker Supply Case

              Chloe – Straight Stitch Society Feed the Animals Purses

Oct 15 – SB Stitching – 3-1 Convertible Backpack from A Bag for All Reasons

             Hip to Be a Square – Lazy Girl Designs Suzi Purse Insert

Oct 16 – A Quilter’s Table – Emmaline Bag

             Quilts My Way – Sew Sweetness Tudor Bag

Oct 19 – Flying Blind… – S.O.T.A.K. Lola Pouch

             Olivia Jane Handcrafted – Anna Maria Horner Art Student Bag

Oct 20 – Love You Sew – Noodlehead Cargo Duffle

             Terry – Serendipity Studio Tulip Tote

Oct 21 – Moments… – Quilter’s Organizer Bag

             Charm About You – Sharon Holland Market Bag

Oct 22 – The Sewing Loft – TBD

             The Hungry Hippie – Sew Sweetness Aragon Bag

Oct 23 – Swoodson Says – Sew Liberated Bohemian Carpet Bag

             This Crafty Fox – Noodlehead Caravan Tote

Oct 26 – Mommy’s Naptime – TBD

             Cloth Albatross – Noodlehead Rainbow Clutch

Oct 27 – Happy Okapi – Blue Calla Tansy Tote

             Darcie Mair – Sew Sweetness Soda Pop Bag

Oct 28 – Rebel and Malice – Swoon Nora Doctor Bag

             Very Kerry Berry – Noodlehead Double-Zip Wallet

Oct 29 – My Crafty Crap – Swoon Sheena

             Sovanisa – Swoon Charlotte

Oct 30 – S.O.T.A.K. Handmade – Handbag Heaven Classix Nouveau Pyramid Bag

             sewVery – Green Bee Scoop Tote

             Ree – Handmade with Seria Purse

My Teenage Self

I am everything I never wanted to be. I am a wife, a stay at home mom and seamstress. In high school I looked down on such titles. I worked hard to prepare myself for career not house keeping. I focused on Accounting instead of Home Economics. I thought titles such as mother, wife and seamstress  held a person back from reaching a better life. I was determined to never be dependent on anyone but myself. The thought of kids and family only looked like settling for a pre-determined life set by tradition. Unfortunately, I felt sorry for my sister, because she had settled for that life style. Although, I strived for career and did quite well for myself, I some how was not very happy. The career life turned out to not be where I was supposed to be. I worked hard and enjoyed my paycheck, but there was really no sense of self worth. I never felt like I was making a difference. My work was done but with no real end of day satisfaction. What I did like about leaving the office is I always left with a feeling of accomplishment for that day. Through unfortunate circumstances, I was catapulted into being a stay at home mom. When my youngest was born, I was laid off from my job just before my maternity leave was complete. There were so many emotions that I had gone through. I remember crying for days because I didn't know how not to go to work everyday. I had been doing it since I was 16. I was scared, frustrated and disappointed in how my life was turning out to be. My teenage fears had become my reality. While recuperating from the shock of "failure", I have learned much. I taught myself how to sew. I now make most of my own clothes and make handmade gift for my family whether they like it or not.  I am still working on the whole cooking thing. The question  "What to make for dinner?" haunts me daily. Housework never ends! As soon as I think I'm finished, the kids come home from school and by the time my husband gets home the house looks like I hadn't touched it. I may not get the same sense of accomplishment that I had working out of the house, but I do feel like I am making a difference in the lives of my kids. I absolutely love being with my kids. The fact that I can walk them to and from school everyday is a satisfaction I can't explain. I get to sit and talk, play games and do homework with them without the stress of not having enough time to get everything else done before their bed time. I no longer feel cheated of not being able to see them grow up. They are learning my values, not their teacher's or daycare giver's.  Teaching them and rearing them is the hardest job I have ever had and that's not including the stress of potty training! They know I will always be here. They can count on seeing me waiting outside their classroom door to walk them home from school. They know I will stay up all night holding them if that's what it will take to make them feel safe and secure from a bad dream. I admire my teenage self for wanting more and working to do well, but I am happy that she was wrong. I love my life and who I am today,  a wife, a stay at home mom and a seamstress.