Livin' at the Library, and a tiny hiatus

Ok, let me get the hiatus part out of the way.

All custom orders placed after July 13th, will be shipped August 6th. All in stock orders will ship out immediately, as usual.

Just a little time off to enjoy my fabulous fam.

Now to the library. I quite enjoy the library, because no matter what else happens that day, I feel like a good mom. You, too? When I was a kid our small town didn't have it's own library. We kind of piggybacked on the nearest town's library (and their post office, grocery stores, schools, you get the picture...). It wasn't even on my radar as a kid. I guess that's why it's strange for me to have my girls do anything to go to the library. I'm taking full advantage of it, believe me! The first time we went this Summer, I quickly noticed all the library veteran moms, with their large bags ready to discharge of the old books and be filled with the new. Now, you'd think that me of all people would be ready with a bag for the library, right? Wrong.

I came home after the first library trip of the Summer and brainstormed. I knew I wanted something sturdy that wouldn't buckle under the weight of all our library finds. I also wanted something that could be the designated spot for the books once we were home. I wanted to avoid the dreaded "I can't find my book!" that I would undoubtedly hear as we were leaving for the library. I remembered an old Amy Butler pattern that I have. It's called the Chelsea bag, and it fit the bill.

Well, mostly. I liked the width of the smaller bag, and the height of the taller. So I combined them both, and added a little pocket for the girls' library cards. I used Timtex interfacing which is the stiffest stuff around. (Sadly, they don't make it anymore. It's been replaced with Peltex which is not as thick and stiff, but will do the job.) It also has a stiff, false bottom insert, so even when it's packed full, the bottom doesn't sag. Lovely. My favorite thing about this bag has to be that it has a permanent home on my fireplace hearth. The girls actually put their library books back when they are done. (wonders never cease) All I have to do when it's library time again is grab it and go. Love it.

The reason you won't see this on the website? Those darn cutout handles. They were tricky!