A couple weeks ago, I did something that I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the courage to. I finally canceled my cable service!  YAY! 😛 Not only did I get rid of the premier channels that I once had, I canceled even my basic service.  This means that I’m now living a completely TV-free life, and I can’t be happier.  (Just a disclaimer here:  I still do watch television shows sometimes but only online.  In fact, I just spent the last few hours catching myself up on my favorite show, So You Think You Can Dance!)

Now that I don’t have TV on all the time, my days are much longer and I’ve been more productive.  I’ve read more books in the last week than I did all last month, and I’m back to doing some crafty things.  I seriously cannot be happier with the decision.

I spent last Saturday afternoon sewing up a handmade gift for my colleague friend who just celebrated her birthday last week (while listening to The Splendid Table and A Prairie House Companion on the radio … I look forward to these shows every weekend).  She and I are obsessed about the Royal Couple and even after more than a month since the wedding of the century, we still talk about how gorgeous Princess Catherine looked and how Prince Harry is actually pretty hot.  Since we both adore things British, I decided to use my favorite Liberty of London fabric Betsy D Tania Lawn that I hauled from London when I was there last November for the bag.

I created a drawstring bag with an adjustable strap. This is my own design.  I’ve always loved drawstring bags for the simplicity and ease of use (no need to look for buttons or zippers) so I’m really happy with how it turned out.  This was the first time that I made an adjustable strap.  I used the slider and rectangle ring set that I had purchased from an Etsy shop Jennalou06 about a year ago and relied on this online tutorial to figure out how everything worked!  I’m glad I took the time to make the adjustable strap since it gives a different look and feel, depending on how you wear the strap.  The bag even doubles as a small shoulder bag!

I actually made the pink version of the bag first but decided to make another one because this one with Mirabelle E fabric looked a little “tweeny.”  I’m thinking about making a line of bags dedicated to younger tweens or teenage girls.  This would have been something that I wish I had when I was 10.

This bag is actually very easy to make. I’m thinking about creating a picture tutorial on how to make this bag in the near future so stay tuned!