I Made Something Today

A Camera-Friendly Purse!

I upgraded my point-and-shoot camera a little over a year ago to a beginner-level DSLR. (a white Pentax K-X, in case you were wondering) and since then I've invested in a few lenses and an external flash. Recently, I've been looking at upgrading my camera bag, as well, for several reasons. I'd like to protect my gear and not have to carry multiple bags. However, I'd rather not carry a bag that screams, "Look at me! I have a large, expensive camera inside! She's a professional photographer who really knows her stuff! QUIZ HER ON WHAT SHE KNOWS!" I want it to look like a purse, and function like a purse-- i.e., hold my keys and phone and wallet-- but be able to house a camera and an extra lens safely. 

These purse-like camera bags are quite expensive. Like $100-$200 expensive, and as far as I can see, the main difference from a regular large purse is that they are well-padded. They are also in high demand, and the styles I like have been on back order for a few months now. Coincidentally, I saw a couple tutorials on how to convert a purse into a camera bag, and well... I decided to make one.

So I took myself down to the nearest store with cute purses that was currently on sale, and started shopping. I could have gone to the local resale store, and I might have if I hadn't found a suitable bag at the first place, but I had a gift card, so... I bought a brown leather purse with a wide opening that zips, and two handles. It seemed sturdy.

This isn't a tutorial, but I did take several pictures. This is what I did:

Materials: 

a large purse, (preferably bought on sale)

around a yard of fabric

1/2 inch or 1 inch thick foam

velcro (I used sew-on, but you can get glue-on)

thread (only you will really see it)

Before. 

See the large mouth? I might be able to get my iPad in there, too.

After- I made 2 dividers.

It holds my small DSLR, a 55-300 lens, wallet, phone and other assorted small items.

 I just measured the bottom and the sides, and cut the 1 inch foam to size. Then I covered it by making pillowcases, sliding in the foam, and stitching up the last side. I added the velcro to now of the sides (the soft part of the velcro) and the ends of the dividers, so they will stay in place. Easy-peasy. I can remove one of the sides and my iPad will fit, too. Because one of the dividers wraps all the way around the camera, I only really need one side for everyday. I'd probably slide the other side in for real travel.

My stitchery, as I thought it would be, is ugly. Only I should be able to see it, and it does the job, so I don't really care. I might do a larger version of this project to hold the rest of my gear in a large Lands' End diaper bag that we don't need for its original purpose anymore. I'll have to clean it first!

Anyway, thanks for looking and I hope this has helped you out.

Allison

My Secret Life as a Mentor

Not many people I know are aware that I am a mentor through our local school district. I was a mentor a few years ago, and then I stopped when I began homeschooling my own children and didn't have the time any longer. I now mentor a middle school aged girl at a school some miles from my house. I did that on purpose; I didn't want to mentor someone from my own neighborhood.
Mentoring involves a time commitment. I visit with my mentee, I'll call her Julia, each week for one hour at her school. The most important part of this sort of mentoring is consistency. It doesn't work if I don't go regularly.
So far this year, we've been working on a puzzle and talking. I like this activity at the beginning of the relationship, because it gives your hands something to do while you get to know each other. It provides a distraction but does not require a lot of focus. And most kids like puzzles. They get to skip class to hang out and do puzzles. What kid wouldn't like that?