Flat-Bottom [Camera] Pouch

A month or so ago, I purchased the Flat Bottom Pouches pattern from The Split Stitch.  I loved that it had instructions for three different sizes, and a great covered zipper tutorial.  I didn't have any need for a pouch like this at the time, but come on, we all need more pouches and bags, yes?  (Back me up here, ladies!) 

photo source: The Split Stitch

Then last week, I purchased a backup camera for my DSLR.  Having two small children and an ever-overflowing diaper bag in tow, I would bring the DSLR, but then resent it's bulk and weight on my shoulder.  I still love it dearly, but my new Panasonic Lumix is really proving to be a beautiful backup.  (I will save my full review of the Lumix for another day.)

photo source: Amazon.co.uk

A new camera meant, of course, a new something to keep it in!  I wasn't sure which I was more excited about, to be honest.  I was going to measure the camera and try to design a little bag myself, but then I thought of these neat little pouches.  They have those great boxed bottoms which would be perfect for the thickness of the camera, and the little wrist strap option would be handy for times when I didn't have to be carrying anything else.  I immediately started thinking of things I would change to make it more of a camera carry-bag, but I decided to make my first one straight from the instructions to get the hang of the zipper thing and the design of the pouch in general.  I also needed to see the camera in the bag to decide whether or not to make changes to the dimensions.

First off, this tutorial is amazing.  Sara didn't miss a detail.  Everything is so well explained, with excellent photos every step of the way.  She even suggests what size needles to use for each step and reminds you to change your machine settings and feet where appropriate.  AND, she separated everything into sections, and tells you what they are so you can print out just the covered zipper instructions, for example, if you wanted to use it for another project.  All the instructions are very well thought out and easy to understand.  I didn't have to re-read anything for better understanding.  I think a true beginner could easily make this pouch following Sara's instructions. 

So without further gushing about Sara's wonderful pattern, here's my first attempt at this pouch.  I love how it turned out.

The exterior and lining fabric I got at Jo-Ann's last spring, before moving to England.  The zipper I've had for years and years.  (Somehow I had 4 turquoise zippers, two in the same length.)  The ruffle on the front is from a bag of linen scraps I got on Etsy about two years ago.  There is also an interlining to give it some body, and all I had in my stash was some thick material, similar to cotton duck, that I used on a hat I made for myself.  It's much thicker and stiffer then intended, so I had some trouble when it came to turning everything right side out.  Other than that, everything came together really quickly and easily.

I haven't sewn a zipper in ages and ages, so I was a little nervous about that, but I got it in in one go, wooh!  I love the look of the covered ends.  It really is a cute little bag/pouch/clutch.  I don't have the wrist strap on yet because I didn't have anything to attach it to the zipper just yet. 

Potential camera bag changes:
Right away, I can see at least three things I would change when making a camera bag version of this pouch.  Padding - to help protect the camera; pockets - to hold memory cards, batteries, etc; and possibly length - you can see that this is a bit long for this camera.  Oh, and one other touch that you'll just have to wait for the final version to see.  *wink*

For now, my new Lumix is loving it's cheery temporary home, but I've already got some ideas of what to use that cute little pouch for once I've completed my new camera's permanent housing.

30 Days, week 1

Here are my lists for days 2-7 of 30 Days of Lists.  You can find Day 1 here.  You can click on each image to enlarge it and read the list.  Welcome to my head.

I'm not enjoying this as much as I thought I would.  I guess I thought the list prompts would be different.  More meaningful.  More thought provoking that could lead to further writing.  The list of prompts for the whole month is available, but I haven't looked, wanting to be surprised each day, so maybe they'll get better.  I did have fun with the colors one, but still, no thought involved.

second selfie *ugh*

To be honest, I detest this one.  I hate the lines in my neck, the marks on my skin from Monkey pinching me, the freckles from my sunbathing days, my wide jawline, and my thin hair which is only just now starting to thicken up again, post baby.  But, it's me.  And we're always our own worst critics, right?  So I decided to have some fun with effects on this one. 

{this moment}

A new Friday ritual (for me). A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Inspired by SouleMama

If you're inspired to do the same, hop over to SouleMama and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

30 Days of Lists: Day 1

Welcome to my head.  I cannot be held responsible for any permanent damage you may suffer from your visit.  I hope you enjoy your stay. 

After today, I'll be posting a week of lists at a time instead of trying to get a post in every day (especially since one of my goals for the month is to not stress about my lists!).  So look for a full week of lists next Thursday!

30 Days of Lists: my list book

Since 30 Days of Lists starts tomorrow, I had to get a journal/notebook/collection of papers to make my lists in.  Now, for anyone who knows me really well, you'll recognize right away how this book goes against everything that is ME.  I'm using a store-bought notebook.  Yup.  That's right.  I didn't even decorate it.  Yes, it will most likely hurt me physically to write in this book.

Here's the deal:  When we found out we were going to be moving to England for three years, I had to decide what things I could live without in order to cut down on the amount of stuff being shipped here.  Even though I used my papercraft supplies much more frequently than my knitting and sewing supplies, I knew it all couldn't come with me (after all, I do have too many hobbies).  Previously, just for papercraft, I had a desk, a rolling drawer system FULL of stuff, a huge wooden shelf system my dad made for my ink pads, five or six magazine files for card stock, and bins and bins of rubber stamps.  I wish I had a photo to show you the true magnitude of the amount of stuff I have.  So.  It had to go into storage.  I believe just the contents of everything filled 10+ banker boxes.  *wince*

Anyway, that was a lot of words just to say that I don't have the means to put together a little book for this 30 Days project, which, let's face it, is half the fun.  I know that a little hole punch and some binder rings certainly wouldn't break the bank, but I already have at least two hole punches, and binder rings in many sizes hidden in some boxes somewhere in upstate NY, so I couldn't really justify buying more. 

So here it is.  I got it at Target while I still lived in the US.  It's recycled paper, and the pages are part banana leaves!  It was a set of three, and I'm already loving one of them full of lists at the moment, so I figured, why not carry it on?  The first one is lined with a title box at the top of each page.  I use it for everyday lists.  The one I'm using for 30 Days is blank pages.  I figure I can at least have some fun writing the lists since I didn't get to make a fancy book to write them in.  The third one is grid paper, which I might have to use for sewing notes.  Oh my, this is SUCH a long post just to show you this notebook.  *cheeky grin*

Let the list-making begin!!

30 Days of Lists starts in two

I originally talked about this in this post.  30 Days of Lists starts in two days!  I am a list fanatic so naturally this called to me.  I'm looking forward to a month-long challenge that isn't going to take up much of my time.  My pre-child self would have loved any month-long adventure that took up loads of time.  I'm compulsive like that.  I'll dive head first into something, and then fizzle out (or at least mellow out) in a month or two; so short-lived challenges are good for me.  But these days, as much as I still love a good challenge, I just don't have the time anymore. Jotting down a quick list each day, which is something I do regularly anyway, just fits ME right now.  Yes, I'm looking forward to this.  Who's with me??  There's still time to sign up, get on it! *grin*