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Monday, December 7, 2015

On the Go Bags Book Tour + Giveaway!

Lindsay Conner of Lindsay Sews and Craft Buds and Janelle MacKay of Emmaline Bags have released a new book--On the Go Bags—15 Handmade Purses, Totes & Organizers (Stash Books)--and they invited me to contribute a project! You cannot believe how excited I am to have one of my new design projects, the Cart or Stroller Caddy, published in their book. I can check another item off my bucket list!

On the Go Bags (Dec. 2015, Stash Books)

The book is available this month at CTPub.com (affiliate link) and January 7th on Amazon! Add it to your holiday wishlist now. Want to win a copy of the book? Read the review and all about the giveaway at the end of the post.

When Lindsay first told me her idea about the book, I had the perfect project in mind. When my children were little and used to ride in the grocery cart seat, I would often have a difficult time managing a grocery list, coupons, and snacks and toys for my child. I found that my child's stroller also lacked the convenient storage I needed for smaller items. I needed a hanging organizer that would fit over the handlebar, so one afternoon, I sewed together the pocket organizer I had been imagining in my head. I never got around to sharing the organizer on my blog, but when Lindsay asked me for a project idea for the book, I knew it was the one!



The Cart or Stroller Caddy is a quick and simple project to sew that can help keep you organized on the go and at home. One of my wonderful pattern testers recently told me she uses her organizer in the sewing room to hold scissors and all other sorts of sewing notions!

The Caddy pattern offers two sizes, large or small, and 4 different pocket configurations.



The pockets are pleated on the edges to allow for expansion making easy access to the items stored in the pockets. The large version is ideal for use with children so that you can store a snack, a toy, a shopping list, pencil, phone, glasses, sale flyer, and even a water bottle. No more loosing things through the grocery cart mesh or precariously balancing things on the little plastic seat in the cart. Plus, you'll never need to shuffle through your purse for that coupon you know you have! Keep your coupons in the caddy where you can find them and actually use them when you shop!


Velcro secures the caddy to the handle bar of the grocery cart, baby stroller, or even a walker to keep your items organized and handy when you need them. Make one to use yourself and another to give as a gift to a new mother or a friend who likes to coupon shop!


Like my Cart or Stroller Caddy, the On the Go Bags book is full patterns and projects that cover a range of skill levels for all sewers. You are guaranteed to find a purse or organizer in this book that will help keep your life more organized.

I've been fortunate enough to make several projects from the book, and I can attest to the high quality of detail put into each and every pattern and set of instructions. So far, I've made two Airport Sling bags (a future blog post), a Travel Toiletry Organizer, and the Sporty Strap Pack, and I've learned a new sewing technique or trick on each project. Next on my list to sew is this Mom's Minivan Organizer by Sara of Radiant Home Studio. I'm hoping it will help keep my car trunk from becoming so messy!


Be sure to follow the On the Go Bags blog tour for more reviews and examples of projects included in the book.

On the Go Bags Blog Tour

Tuesday, Dec 1: Shannon Fabrics / Sew Sweetness Wednesday, Dec 2: Clover & Violet / Ann Kelle Thursday, Dec 3: Radiant Home Studio / Melly Sews Friday, Dec 4: Sew Caroline / Mia's Creations Saturday, Dec 5: ikat bag / imagine gnats Monday, Dec 7: sewVery / The Girl Inspired Tuesday, Dec 8: Stash Books / Fabric Mutt Wednesday, Dec 9: Pellon Thursday, Dec 10: Simple Simon and Co / Mrs. H Friday, Dec 11: Emmaline Bags / Lindsay Sews Monday, Dec 13: Sew, Mama, Sew


Giveaway! Giveaway Closed! Congratulations to JUDY (Commenter #5)

Would you like to win a copy of On the Go Bags? Leave a comment on this post describing the style of bag you like most and why.

Giveaway ends 12/15/15 at midnight CST. One winner will be chosen at random. U.S. winner will receive a hard copy of the book, and winner outside the U.S. will receive an e-Book.

Have FUN sewing!

51 comments:

  1. The type os bag I like the most is a tote with a zipper closure that can be worn cross body.

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  2. I like a small hobo shoulder bag the most since I don't have to carry things for anyone else anymore. :-). When I have my grandchildren, I like a backpack that leaves my hands free.

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  3. I like little bags with crossbody straps. Your caddy looks great. I love all of the variations.

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  4. I love the minivan organizer, that is such a good idea! Your cart organizer looks great!

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  5. I love shoulder bags..easy to maneuver Grankiddo, and my Husband ALWAYS has something to "throw this in your purse for me!" lol Love your Cart/Stroller Caddy!!! would make one for Son & his wife for stroller! Know would be great for the Granbaby! :)

    Thanks for this chance to win! :D

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  6. I love a one-handle shoulder bag with an outside pocket and a clasp for keys :) Looks like a great book!

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  7. I like 1 strap hobo style too :-) Thank You for the chance!

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  8. i love that mother organizer , they last thing on your blog

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  9. I like over the shoulder bags with at least one zipper pocket for keys and cash.

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  10. I like cross body bags- perfect for Xmas shopping as you can be hands free!
    Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

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  11. I like back packs, I'm sure you know that. I like to have my hands free for touching fabric and carrying them to the cart. I love to grocery shop and I can bend over and still have my stuff right there with me. no leaving it in the cart. I like to not have bags cross a large chest because that doesn't look cool at all.. lol. I like loose type not constructed type that stay looking like a book on your back, seeing as i'm 61. I don't want that look.. So, that about sums my what I'd like.

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  12. i say this is also great for the people who need walking assistants. They like to carry their paper or their eye glasses and their tissue. you know how elders get. they may want to put their *special* lipstick in there for when family comes to visit.

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  13. I was just thinking today about organizers for my elderly mother and myself.. I can think of so many uses! You can't have enough shoulderbags IMO either, or sewing books:-)

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  14. After seeing this post, I'd like to make an organizer for my aunts' walker.

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  15. I like all kinds of bags, I do prefer bags that will hold my IPad Mini. dawnm1993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. This book seems awesome! It's already on my wish list. I like to carry a cross body bag, with exterior pockets and medium size. With enough space for my basics but not to large that will become to heavy to carry.

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  17. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I like your caddy and may make one for my dog's carriage! I like tote bags and zipper pouches!

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  18. I like small over the shoulder bags.

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  19. I love the caddy organizer. I'm always fumbling around looking for my glasses, pen and list. When I put these items in the cart, they always fall into the cart, on the ground, etc. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  20. Cross body bags that fit over winter gear are what I have to use right now. But make no mistake, my brain is always searching for a way that I can move to a place where beach bags are my go-to.

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  21. I like medium size purses I can tuck under my arm.

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  22. I like tote bags - with lots of pockets!

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  23. Very sweet idea for the shopping cart~ it would work for a walker too. I love big bags, but that close securely. Thanks for the fun! crayy(dot)boutquilts(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I would definitely use something like this. I never have enough room for coupons. I like a cross body bag the most because it leaves both hands free.

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  25. I'm really liking more of the organization that some of these bags provide.

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  26. I like big tote bags so I can bring everything with me, just need one that has better organizing pockets

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  27. I love any bag that organizes all my stuff!!

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  28. As a mom of two with an SUV I would like to try the Minivan Organizer. Ideally it would keep all of our 'stuff' together. LOL
    alisonbragg829@yahoo.com

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  29. I am really digging that Airport Sling... and the Tablet Shoulder Bag too! Book looks terrific, can't wait to get my hands on it. [Kudo's from Canada: HRH(dot)DMK(at)Gmail(dot)com ].

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    1. Oops... forgot to add the "why" I like these bags. It's because I am always on the go, and need my hands free! (You know what would be a really terrific and useful bag? One that could velcro onto the handles of a wheelchair... it's very tricky to push my parents around in their wheelchairs AND carry my own purse and other items. Maybe you could design one for your next "On-The-Go 2" book! ;-)

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  30. Congratulations on being included in the book! I could really have used your organizer decades ago when my kids were little--brilliant idea :) I like bags that go over the shoulder--like the backpack on the cover of the book--and don't slide around, so I can pick up and put down items in a store without throwing them all over!!

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  31. I love using a cross-body bag as it keeps the bag accessible while keeping my hands free. It also makes me feel like the bag is secure. Thanks for the chance! Looks like an amazing book!

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  32. I like a big shoulder bag to carry my tablet or laptop. Looks like a great book!

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  33. I like crossbody bags -- they feel secure and I can find what I'm looking for easily.

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  34. I like the small organizer bag for the shopping cart. Personally, I like a tote bag with smaller, transferable pouches inside for cosmetics or coupons, etc.

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  35. I like large tote bags with lots of organizational pockets. I like to be able to fit a lot in my bag without losing the little things!

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  36. I like over the shoulder medium sized bags with an interior zippered pocket for keys and change.

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  37. My favorite style are cross-body bags with lots of pockets. My hands are free, the cross-strap helps keep my shoulders from hurting and the pockets keep me organized.

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  38. I really love totes with plenty of pockets and dividers!

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  39. I love the minivan organizer! Or anything with lots of pockets! bolson1172@yahoo.com

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  40. I like a smaller cross body bag with lots of pockets. I especially like one on the outside for keys. More than one on the inside so I can find things is fabulous. This is my favorite kind because it is easy on my body and easy to keep organized. Love your cart caddy. Will buy the book just for that pattern.

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  41. I love tote bags – plenty of room for my daily stuff, a knitting project or book and lots of pockets

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  42. I love a cross body bag of any kind. I look forward to the release of your awesome new book!!

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  43. I like large bags, the kind that could hold a planner, wallet, book, mini first aid kit, etc. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  44. I love big bags that will hold all of my stuff!

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  45. I like the small organizer. I am always trying to keep coupons, list and glasses somewhere in the grocery cart! Jane

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  46. A cross body bag with multiple pockets is my go to everytime I leave home. :) That way I have 2 hands free to shop or deal with my kids.

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  47. Love cross body messenger style bags for carrying my laptop, notebooks, and most importantly, my coffee thermos for late night grad school library stops.

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