I was really sick last Friday and so didn’t even manage to wish my mother-in-law, Tina, “Happy Birthday!” on our blog, much less in person.  So first of all:

Happy Birthday Tina!

Second, here’s the tote bag I made her for her birthday:

I used this tutorial, which I’ve used before to make bags for Katie and Julie.  I am really starting to love the fine details of sewing the best.  So in this bag, I added an applique on the front pocket,

and did my usual adding of the tiny strip of fabric to the inside pocket (which I also added to the original design).

That’s a deep brown, not black. (it’s Kona Espresso – my favorite fabric to keep around.)

I also enjoyed doing double topstiching throughout the bag:

I particularly liked the way those lines overlapped on the front pocket!

All in all, a fun project for a fabulous mother-in-law!

We love you Yiayia!