Now that we’ve opened all the gifts, I can show you a few projects I made this year.

The first is one of several super-easy, super cute bags I did for some little friends. The bags are from Hobby Lobby. I just free-handed an initial, stitched it on, stitched on some ribbon and that’s it.
This next one was a special request-or rather a strongly worded hint. Here’s the email from Sister #3:

• If anyone still needs a Christmas idea for me – I would like a little clock for my bathroom. Not a wall clock, but a pretty little stand up one that I can put on the towel shelves and maybe make it to work on time. (This was directed at Sister #2)

  Also, I would like a gym bag – not the athletic looking kind, but a small bag (fabric or canvas?) for my cycle shoes and seat (yeah I’m hard core!). And if someone had time and was so inclined it could be monogrammed with my initials. I just realized that I have nothing monogrammed with my new – ok, almost 4 year old – initials. (This was directed at Sister # 1 -ME!)

  Good luck 🙂

So, I set off with no pattern, no idea how large cycle shoes or a seat are(Apparently, personal seats are fairly common to those who enjoy spinning classes), and no real plan to create said bag. This is what I came up with:

I raided my stash to find a purple cord and coordinating purple and green flannel. I figured these fabrics would wash and wear nicely and keep their shape well, without giving her the “gym bag” look. I made a basic lined bag (the lining is the flannel) and then I folded down a casing. I put button holes in the front of the casing for the drawstring. The drawstring is from the flannel.

And, of course, it’s monogrammed. I actually monogrammed the cord before I put the bag together.

Rather than traditional shoulder straps, I attached the straps as if for a back pack. Here you can see the back.

I didn’t get the final measurements, but I’m guessing the bag is about 22 inches tall and 15 wides, because the rectangles I started with were about 1 inch larger than that.

I have one more delightful bag to show you, but it must wait. We aren’t opening those gifts until tonight.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas day!

–Edited on 12-29-08 to change the picture size.