Zen Blossoms Purse

Q: What's black and white and red all over???
A: My latest tote bag!

Do you remember seeing this little zip pouch here?

Well, recently someone asked me to make a tote bag for her, using the same black/white/red floral fabric.
It's from Michael Miller, and it's called Zen Blossoms.

It's been a while since that fabric came out, and I had used up my supply of it. A quick search on Quiltshops.com led me to a shop that still carries this print.
{I just typed in "zen blossoms" and...poof!}
In my stash I found some black-and-white fabrics that blended nicely, as well as a bright red polka dot.
I used my own Anita Vacation Tote Bag pattern.

I can't tell you how many times I've used this pattern. This time, though, I chose to leave out the pleated accent band. Instead, I quilted the bag, in a diamond design.

That's one thing that my customer liked about that little zippered pouch, in the first place.

I love talking about my purses and bags... Notice the two-toned bag handles that I almost always create for my bags and purses.

The zippered pocket just called out for me to choose a RED zipper. Such an attention-grabber!

For the interior pocket strip, I went big and bold, with a chevron fabric.

The little "eamylove" label lets my customer know I made this tote bag just for her!

I wish I could make a custom tote bag for everybody! But...I can't. That's okay, though, because you can make them for yourself, just the way you want them, using my Anita Vacation Tote Bag pattern!
{Here's another one of my purse-onal favorites, created with Joel Dewberry's Aviary fabrics.}

If you make any, I would love to see them! Be sure to share them on my Flickr page, "Amy Made That!...and So Did I."