Behold---New Tote for Trip to Costa Rica

My DH and I are going to Costa Rica with some friends the last of January.  This is a gifted trip from our friends as a thank you for their living in our home while were were gone for 5 months and their house was not completed to move into.  It all worked out perfect and now a week on the beach will make it all better than ever.   I of course decided a new tote was in the cards.  The pattern I have loved every time I see it is The Laura Tote by Scholosser Designs (www.erinschlosser.com ) created in collaboration with Iza Pearl Design ( www.izapearl.com ).

I chose material from my stash and was insistant with myself that I buy nothing to make my bag...stash stuff only!  Behold the stash picked for the tote:

I made a few changes to the pattern like adding a zipper pocket in the back and putting in magnetic closure.

Got to sewing and when all ready to put it together I love using the clips vs pins.  The clips makes sewing go smoothly with no pricks or pain. 

Top Stitching

After a couple of days sewing it is all done ready to head to the beach in Costa Rica.

White hair for me! I'm good with loving my hair color and the world of retirement.

Water in the background gets me in the mood for the ocean...bon voyage. I like my bag.

Yes, everything came from my stash (some material a few years old). I like to think of it as a "free" bag but we all know stash is not "free" ...but it seems free?