Getting on the bus...and off the roller coaster

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately.  You see, I lost my mother in March, and it's been hard to focus on sewing or writing.  When I do write, I get lost in emotion.  The endless photo search just results in waves of silent tears, and then surrender.  Even when I'm trying not to think at all, everything seems to remind me of her.  Even weird, silly things that you wouldn't expect.

Like today when I put Big Boy on the school bus.

Thirty-One Skirt Purse Sew-Along, Operation Homefront and GIVEAWAY Step 2!

Okay, try to ignore my hideously ugly kitchen counters and check out these beautiful Thirty-One bags!  I'm uber-excited about the skirt purse.  I bought it specifically so I could make my very own cute skirts out of any fabric that suits my fancy!  In fact, in a few weeks, I'm going to do a Skirt Purse Sew-Along!  (...more on that below.)  This is the complimentary skirt I picked to come with it.  Pretty, yeah?  In My Other Life I have to carry a black purse all the time with my uniform, so I'm a sucker for a bright color the rest of the time.  I love this pop of red.

(Don't forget to click through to the bottom for Step 2 of the giveaway!)