My New School Bag

Tomorrow is my first day back at work after a 3 year break. I am really excited about going back to teaching. It is the perfect situation too...teaching preschool at my church, lilly will be just down the hall and it is only 2 half days a week. I feel like this job was meant for me and it is a true blessing. I blogged last week about Lilly's back to school pants. Well I need a back to school treat too, right? I really have been wanting a new purse/bag lately. I decided I would make one for myself. After all, I have always looked forward to getting a new backpack or bag for school. I thought about going out and buying some cool new fabric but then I thought that was a crazy idea because I have drawers of fabric and ribbon. So I decided I would make this new bag only out of things I already had on hand. Very green and economic of me, dontcha think? :) I used some tan gingham fabric left-over from a chair cushion re-covering project, I lined it with some turquoise plaid that I bought from Walmart years ago because I liked it, and finally, my favorite part, I embellished it with a vintage embroidered table runner from a thrift store. I actually came across this runner in the bottom of my hamper yesterday when I emptied it to do the laundry (I had forgotten I had it, also found some of Lilly's baby booties and a vintage apron...my hamper is like a black hole) I used some instructions I found at Wipster (via One Pretty Thing). I worked on it off and on all day in between cleaning and playing with my Lilly. I am so happy with how it turned out. Can't wait to take it to school tomorrow and fill it with books and lesson plans. P.S. it is actually gathered with elastic that I stitched ribbon to the end of, on "wipster" she made hers gather with ribbon but I wanted to use thick elastic that would hold up to the daily wear and tear of books and binders.

here is the back..