We were at RAFT and came across a small bag, constructed to serve as a little backpack with drawstring straps. It was sold, originally, full of golf balls. I used the webbing to make a tad bag of basically the same design.

Here it is on one of our badtadmd.com super models.

Another view of the bag on the same amazing model.

I previously posted pictures of a bag I helped Elizabeth make. She blogged about the experience on her blog, Www.52-firsts.com. Click on #2, Sewing and check it out!

Thanks to Becca and Ivan for sharing this great celebration of a Tad Bag.

What do you think all of his fellow accountants will think of Aaron’s unusual bag for his laptop?

KQED and The Kitchen Sisters are producing a series called The Making Of. One of their reporters came to my house and interviewed me. Here is a link to the piece they did on me:

http://blogs.kqed.org/makingof/2013/02/12/trauma-strap-bags/

When we lived in Alabama, our next door neighbor had a “Man Cave” in one corner of his garage. He had the walls covered with Crimson Tide memorabilia, a TV to watch the games and a comfortable chair where he could smoke his pipe, which was not allowed in the house. I wonder what he would think of my Man Cave?

We recently did some painting and reorganizing in our house. That gave me the opportunity to redo my sewing area so I have good lights and a glass-covered table where I can sew and cut straps with my hot knife. I got new drawers and shelves for organizing. I bought bins from The Container Store and built a rack in the closet to hold straps. It is quite the Man Cave, don’t you think?

This shows the sewing/cutting table, radio and a work table where I layout and measure. You can also see the pin board where I have the nice thank you notes grateful bag recipients have sent me.

Another view of the sewing table.

This is half of the closet with drawers, shelves and bins. An organizer’s delight!

The other half of the closet with my angle iron strap rack. The best set up I have ever had for having the straps organized and accessible.

When Philip was watching Elizabeth sew her bag, he came up with the idea for polka-dots. Pretty soon, he had worked out and put into action his plan for yellow on black.

Here he is sewing at the dining room table.

Here he is, justifiably proud of his creation.

A great bag, especially for a beginner!

Over the holidays, Elizabeth wanted to make  a yellow and blue bag for a Swedish friend.* She had never sewn before and was a bit apprehensive but did a great job.

Here she is, starting out putting the first row on the bottom.

Here, I give her a pointer.

Here she is with the final bag.

The final bag looked so great, she may not be able to part with it!

* The Swedish flag

We had everyone home for the holidays. While the kids were here, we had bag sewing lessons. Austin wanted one for his iPad and came up with his own design.

Here is Austin sewing his bag.

Here he is with the final creation.

Here is the competed bag.

Here it is open, showing the iPad.

Philip and Elizabeth also made bags which I will share in the next weeks.