Do It Yourself Birthday Gifts!

I always have a hard time picking something a bit less practical for gifts. Hubby kept asking me what I wanted for my Birthday this year, and I couldn't give him a great answer. So we ran around and did some errands, ate at a great pizza place for lunch, and went shopping (mostly window shopping). We stopped by Harbor Freight and Hubby found this bag:It's a tool bag that will stay open (because it has stiff wires at the zipper.) At the time I commented that it would great if it was in a different color, then I could use it as a purse.

Well, Hubby took that as a sign of a great gift for me. We went and got another one, and I proceeded to take it apart to make a pattern and make myself a new purse. I tease Hubby, and tell everyone that he got me a Make-Your-Own-Purse Kit.Here are the pieces from the original bag, and the pieces I cut out to make a new one. I reused the zipper and the handles (including wire) since I didn't want to spend more time finding a long enough zipper.And TA-DA! Here is my awesome green bag. We found a reminent of Olive Green Duck Canvas, and I already had an awesome print. It has three pockets on each side of the outside. and lots of inside pockets.Here is the inside. I got too excited when I got it done and loaded it up before I remembered to take pictures, so pardon some of my stuff. Do you just love the fab cotton print.
NOTE: I tried it out in the middle of typing this post, and I need to put in a shoulder strap, because I didn't realize how much I automatically sling or tried to sling my purse over my shoulder. I'll post a revised picture when I get around to actually getting the strap on. Here is Hubby's 'Tool' bag next to my new Birthday 'Purse'. I totally love it! Thanks to my awesome Hubby!
My other 'DoItYourself' birthday present was a skirt. I saw THIS super cute tutorial over at Running With Scissors. I just had to make one (minus the pockets because I didn't have enough fabric).I still want to put a few more rows of shirring, but I ran out of time to get it done. I fell in love with the print.
The actual day of my birthday was nice, we took it fairly easy, spent some time with my family, and each other. I still have another gift coming from my Dad, so I'll post again what it is and what I did with it.