First day of "retirement"

My sewing machine and I have a renewed friendship - after making the travel organizer, I made a new knit top for the trip.  I used an Indy pattern and it turned out really cute. Here's the pattern:  http://sewliberated.com/products/paloma-top-tunic-and-dress

Getting ready for France...

Lately, I've been sewing for myself in anticipation of nearly a month in Europe.  First, my parents and I will accompany Archie on a business trip to the French Riviera.  Then, Archie and I will go to Italy on a music mission trip.  So, instead of learning the music for the second trip, I've been stretching and swimming to prepare my body and doing some sewing to cover it.  


Today, I made a travel organizer by following the instructions in this blog:  http://www.thimble.ca/?p=1443  

Of course, I had to modify mine, because I had only one zipper and I wanted to line the pockets on the left side.  So, I made a flap with Velcro to hold one of the pockets on the right closed.  If you'll notice, the zipper is metal - who knows how long I've had that!  The organizer didn't cost me anything, since I used what I had on hand.  I think it will work out well.  We'll test it in France this month.


After I took these pictures, I picked out the final top-stitching around the edges so I could get the folded papers inside easier.  It works much better that way.