In Search Of...

I carry a suitcase of a purse.

A 9 West similar to this, but this one is cuter:

While I do carry my life around in this, sometimes I only need half my life when I browse stores. Also, that big suitcase eats up a lot of square footage in the grocery cart or I have to carry it when my girl wishes to ride in the cart. I also really enjoy having both hands free when perusing, so I have a vision of a "wallet" I can keep in my "suitcase" and pull out and wear shopping.

I've looked in stores and on the web and can't find exactly what I want, but this is the basic idea:

(Is this Dooney and Burke?)

I envision something I can wear across my body that lands in my hip area. I'd like it made of cloth (something funky-ish), with a front flap that is the size of the purse so I really wouldn't need a closure.

I did find a Vera Bradley that is the right shape and size:

But looking at her prints makes my eyes cross. Odd. Because I do love a crazy print. Oh, and the fact that it is quilted and the whole world (here, anyway) carries Vera Bradley may have something to do with my dislike of it. Last and not least is the price tag of 45 dollars.

Uh. No.

So neccesity being the mother of invention, I shall make my own little "hippy purse". I began working on it last night and will post pics tomorrow maybe. Let's call my first attempt a mock up since it looks rather crude. I will definitely be making another and fine tuning some details, but I was rather pleased at how well I did for not knowing what in the world I was doing. I drew my own pattern and everything!

Stay tuned!