OMG! It’s Spring here in Florida! At least for this week. Of course, my son called from North Dakota last weekend to say it was 58 (which is crazy warm for ND in February) but in a few days it would be below zero. I don’t think that much of a shift will be happening locally!

Seriously, It is the last day of February. So perhaps Spring really is here. In Florida. (Not ND) After all, the Bridal Wreath Spirea are blooming. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s the first sign of spring!

These are boring little bushes most of the year but in the Spring, they burst into bloom. So pretty. I seek them out. Makes my heart happy.

Anyhow. I made this bag a few weeks ago.

It’s the Pepin Tote from Noodlehead. I used fabrics from Rifle Paper Company–of course!

And I didn’t like it at first. Too busy. Too frumpy. Too big. (I have somewhere a list of things that are TOO!)

But now, in my happy Spring mood, and I’ve been carrying it for two weeks, I LOVE it. I think all the busy floral just shouts SPRING! (MY FAVORITE SEASON–I should be planting flowers, not writing about a tote!)

And I didn’t remember the joy of a BIG purse. My typical bag is small. Just large enough for wallet. Phone. Glasses. But I really am enjoying this bigger size. Yikes. It’s amazing. I can bring SO MUCH STUFF with me in this BIG purse. I’m reading a big book now. It fits! So great to be able to carry it to appointments while I waaaaiiiiittttt…

And my iPad fits! With the big book!

Yikes. It’s amazing. I can bring SO MUCH STUFF with me in this BIG purse. But it’s not TOO big. Just right. (I feel like Goldilocks!)

And my wallet, glasses, checkbook and pen have their own pockets! Plus I added a key holder and a zipper pocket.

Our ukulele group had a performance yesterday. My music folder fit! (Not with the big book!) Nice to not have to carry a purse, music bag and ukulele case. (The uke did not fit)

I’ve been quite lazy about designing and writing up the instructions for new totes in the past few years. I really enjoyed it in the past—it was a challenge. But the multiple steps take SO LONG. Follow that up with making five or six of the project and then writing up the tutorial. I have moved onto new challenges!

Therefore, I’ve been buying patterns. In the grand scheme of things, it is just so much easier and time effective. Noodlehead makes great patterns and easy to follow tutorials. And I bought this one when it was on sale last year.

To be honest, I picked this pattern so I could see how Anna installs her recessed zippers. Every time I have tried to put one into one of my bags, it has been fiddly and ended up looking clunky. Sad to say I wasn’t crazy about her version. I don’t like how the “tail” is hanging out. I probably need to study on this for awhile.

I will be making changes when I make the Pepin Tote again. Probably changing the zipper install, maybe using By Annie’s Soft and Stable for the interfacing.

But. I’m really happy with this Pepin Tote and am in no hurry to make another one. I have many more projects that I want to start….and finish!