Sunday, July 27, 2014

Cozy Nest Convertible/Reversible Bag Blog Tour and Giveaway - Day 1

Hi!  I feel like it's been forever since I've sat down to write... actually, it has been quite a while!  Eep!  Being at my parents' house was just not conducive to being productive.  I don't go home often, and this was the longest I've been back in a few years, and I got kind of wrapped up in relaxing instead of accomplishing anything. Sorry!  I'm back now, and SO SO excited about this post.

I actually own a few patterns from Cozy Nest Design.  A while ago Sarah posted a tester call for the Cozy Cakes Backpack and I thought it was insanely cute.  Even though I didn't test it, I saw a lot of positive feedback from the testers, and they all seemed to really enjoy working with her, so I snatched it up as soon as it came out.  And then I ended up getting a few others along the way.   If you remember, I made the Little Bunny Poo Poo treat bag for my kids for Easter and it was a big hit.  My friend Tiffany makes the Goody Good Gumballs Treat Bag for her shop (Tiff2any Designs) and they are adorable as well.

Either way, I've really liked working with Sarah's patterns, so when she said "blog tour?" I said, ME!

Cozy Nest Convertible/Reversible Bag Blog Tour with Keep Calm and Carrion

And here we are!  Welcome to Day one of the Convertible/Reversible Bag Tour.  Make sure you read till the end, as Sarah has graciously organized a lovely giveaway to go with the tour!  This bag is pretty ingenious, actually.  As you can see in the picture, it actually converts 4 ways, giving you 4 totally different bags.   If you're newer to sewing, take it slow, and follow along carefully, and you'll be just fine.  The bag calls for a bunch of different hardware, but it is easily adapted how you like (ie leaving off the D-rings or using snaps to end the straps instead of swivel hooks).  Even her instructions for sewing on the zippers are clear and easy to follow!

When it comes to this bag, fabric selection took me just as long as sewing the bag did.  Mostly because I was so excited about the idea that I could have two completely different looks all within one bag.  For *Bag 1* I used a really pretty princess like pattern from Clothworks, and to be a little more trendy with *Bag 2* I went with a black and white for the main and did the contrast in a bright pink to make it pop.


My *Bag 1* is very everyday style for me.  I'm calling the look "classy princess," and am seriously considering making myself a dress that matches...  *Bag 1* has two options, a larger bag, which is perfect for everyday use - even when I toss in wipes and a diaper!  And for the rare occasions that I make it out without the kids, I can fold it into the smaller option, which uses the same shoulder strap, but is perfect for those kid-free trips!


For *Bag 2* I attempted to go with something that was a little more eye catching.  Something I would use when I was out with my friends shopping, maybe.  And then, once our shopping trip was complete, I can turn it into the clutch with the fold-over flap to take with me to a nice quiet drink!  (The following scenarios are all me reminiscing my pre-child days...shhhh)   I totally love the little clutch version, and am dying for a chance to use it.

They look like two separate bags, right?  It blows my mind how this is one bag that converts into all of these options. In fact, once I was done, I may have spent an absurd amount of time flipping from option to option in awe.  I did my bag in quilting cottons, but if you use a laminated cotton, you would have a waterproof interior/exterior as well.  AND the pattern includes instructions to make a little vinyl pouch to go in the bag for makeup and such.

If you haven't noticed, I have this slight obsession with organization.  This is important because this pattern has a lot of pieces, and they can get a bit mixed up if you aren't careful.  Sarah solves this dilemma perfectly - the pattern comes with printable labels that you can cut out and pin to your pattern pieces to keep them all organized as you work your way through constructing your bag.  They are amazing.  And the pattern itself is laid out so you can check off each piece that cut for the bags, and then check of step by step as you go through the pattern itself.  The whole layout of the pattern made me so peaceful while sewing it.  Even if it looks a little daunting from all the pieces, you will have no issue working your way through with the great system Sarah used!  SO, if you haven't yet, hop over to her shop and pick up the pattern and start picking out your fabrics!

Thank you for stopping by to see my day of the tour! A huge thank you to Sarah as well for organizing the tour and for creating such an awesome pattern that was so much fun to work with. Lastly, thank you to the other bloggers, who have made prepping for the tour a lot of fun, they are so talented and creative!  Make sure you stop over and check out the other awesome their posts this week...

Monday, July 28th
Maria of Mia's Creations
Niki Stringer of Roonie Ranching 

Tuesday, July 29th
Lynn Potts of PottsCrafty
Marilyn Brandt at Shades of Bold
Alyssa Carrion at Keep Calm & Carrion 
Wednesday, July 30th
Vicky Myers of Vicky Myers Creations,
Liz Schaffner at MOMENTS

Thursday, July 31st
Amy Macdonald with Friends Stitched Together  
Judith Clauss of Judith Stitches and More

Friday, August 1st
Jonie Brooks with Knot Sew Normal  
Lorena Rey of my way of...
Bethany Rapp with Sweet Bee Buzzings

AND while you're here... please take a moment to enter the giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

53 comments:

  1. I think this bag looks so interesting. I am going to look for summer Florida fabrics like palm trees and use green as the accent fabric. Just some fun travel looking fabric.

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  2. I love your version the princess fabric is so cute. Next one I make I'd like to use some sparkly fabric for the evening clutch version.

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  3. I would use kona solids and do some patchwork on some of the panels.
    Cool purse - great giveaway.

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  4. very clever bag.... have some home dec remnants that may be perfect....

    cree4108@yahoo.com

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  5. So stinkin' adorable! That fabric is seriously awesome. The clutch form is probably my favorite, and in those fabrics it really shines. Great job!!! When I make this bag next, I'm going to go with two very different colorways to really up the contrast when I convert it.

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  6. When we travel I like my bag to be small and unobtrusive, but by the time I finish with gift shops, I adore a giant bag. This is so perfect. I would use a heavier weight cord for this fall, perhaps set on the diagonal with a splash of greys to blend with my hoodies...

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  7. I would love to make this bag up in some of my stashed batiks!

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  8. I don't think I would know where to begin to make this bag my style other than to choose batik fabrics, lol!!

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  9. I'm a beginner sewer, so I don't know that I'm ready for this yet! LOL But it's definitely one in my future plans. I love it! And can think of so many fabrics I'd love to use!

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  10. I would make this with neutral color so I can carry it all the time.

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  11. I would go with a pleather bottom and then some wild prints up top

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  12. I think I would do a quilted version with 3 different fabrics.

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  13. I have some real cool Paisley fabric I would use! :)

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  14. Tu versiĆ³n es fabulosa, las telas me encantaron, muchas Felicidades !!!

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  15. I would use a geo or bohemian style fabric for mine! Very cute bag and I like your classy princess :)

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  16. I kind of want to make something in plaid, but I don't know if I could match things up that well. I would probably be more likely to try a solid color bag with embroidery.

    I think I'm not a no-reply, but just in case: jhunsberger (at) gmail (d0t) c0m

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  17. not sure on improvement but I'm into bows at present x

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  18. Loved your version of the bag.

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  19. I 've got some 'Mormor' which I'd love to use !!

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  20. Love the idea of four styles in one! I think I'd make one side up with and elegant damask-style fabric or similar for "date nights" and the such, and one side with something quirky, like newsprint fabric, to represent the quirkier side of my nature.
    :) twocheekymonkeys at live dot com

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  21. I think I'd make it with the new fabric line "shimmer" and some beading on one side, and plain black on the other. sarah@forrussia.org

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  22. I love the colour purple and I love owls, so I would use purple fabrics on one side and owls on the other so I have a bag to suit both my likes :D

    Hugs
    Nomes xx

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  23. I would use bright colors like lime green, aqua, orange and yellow. And probably incorporate a favorite novelty print.

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  24. This might make a genius diaper bag! A big bag to start with... A section to carry into the store with just a diaper and wipes...

    And a breakaway section for carrying snacks at the playdate without having to carry every little thing with you..

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  25. Can hardly wait to make this super bag. Perfect for travel and shopping.

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  26. I am intrigued by this bag and will keep checking it out.

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  27. Would love to make it in smalll floral design

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  28. Love your whimsical fabric choices. And directional fabric...you were very brave!

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  29. Cute fabric choices - This looks a great bag to own for traveling! thanks!

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  30. I'd make it using fabric that the kids made....the rubbing alcohol and sharpie type :)

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  31. I would look for something nautical.

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  32. For me it would be in teal and probably with flowers, pockets are very important to me too. x

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  33. I'd like to make this bag in teal & black -- something with a geometric print. :)

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  34. I so need to make a rocker/goth version!

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  35. I love your version of this awesome bag! I can't wait to start mine!!

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  36. I think just using fabric in purple would make the pattern my own!

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  37. I love corduroy fabric, so I'd like to make mine using a lightweight cord, and include a key ring or clip on one of the zippers to make for easy grab and go. :)

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  38. Super cute Alyssa! I might try floral on one side and stripes/dots on the other. Something coordinating/contrasting.

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  39. I would love to try it with linen and bright pink fabrics!

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  40. Aww your bag is so pretty, very nice fabrics

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  41. I have to say the one in green and black is very me, but I could also see doing it in my families tartan too!

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  42. I would use some fun blue fabric to make it mine!

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  43. Stripes I think - and in green and white, grey and text fabric!!

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  44. You already know how much I love that fabric! I can't wait to see the matching dress :D
    Amy

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  45. I think I would use navy and orange fabric.. or gray and yellow.. to make one for me..

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  46. I would use purple prints and purple Kona solids. What fun!

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  47. I don't think I could offer any suggestions, but make it in the fabric that I love! I think it would be awesome with Kawaii Japanese fabrics. But I know that it's too childish for some people :) That's why picking your favorite fabric is so important! Thanks :) I really love the bag

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  48. I think the way to make it mine would be in the choice of fabrics. I like bright colors and would use a fabric with some texture.
    diannc(at)aol(dot)com

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  49. Love your bag! On my next one, I'm going to use a snap cover so I can put a flower on the snap when it's not in use

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  50. This bag looks really cool! I love the versatility about it. I would make this bag with a solid maybe black or navy and then have a main fabric with design of some sort.

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  51. Navy, cranberry or gray are all colors that would work in my wardrobe. There are some gorgeous fabrics used in these bags and they're a great design!

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  52. I would love to make this for my friends birthday and this is the exact style she likes. She loves blues and that is the color fabric I would choose and then embroider her initial on it.

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