DIY Camera Tote

I have wanted to make the perfect camera tote for quite some time.  I’ve bought many many many camera bags over the years.  Most recently a back pack that is great for when I’m on a plane but not so good when I’m just out for a drive.  None of them were quite right.  I wanted something attractive that would protect my camera and hold at least one lens.  Also wanted a really long handle so I could wrap it around my body like a messenger bag and it had to have a lot of pockets and compartments.

And here it is!

DIY Camera Tote, ExteriorIt has an outside pocket for my notebook plus two for water bottles that are lined just in case the bottles sweat.

Inside there’s a padded camera compartment plus one for a lens.

A zippered pocket holds all my little things.  There are two phone pockets but I use one for my sunglasses and a pen.

And last, but not least, an attached key chain holder.

Camera Tote InteriorWhen I don’t have my camera, the compartment folds over to the side and there’s plenty of room for purchases.

At first I thought it was way too big and the handle too long.  But after using it for a few weeks, I love it.  I just put a knot in the handle when I want to carry it over my shoulder.

I padded the bottom of the bag and the camera compartment with 1/2″ foam padding and plastic canvas.  I also lined the lens compartment with 1/2″ foam padding.

I’ve attached a pdf for the tutorial.  There are several layers of fabric in some parts so you have to have a heavy duty machine to sew through them.

Camera Tote

This is the last I’m using the black and white premier prints fabric for this year.  Gotta move on to Christmas!

 

Homosassa Wildlife Park

We are regular visitors to the wildlife park, typically trailing behind grandkids that are running amuck. This time we took an adult leisurely morning walk around the park with the hopes of seeing some of the wild manatees from the viewing platform.  It was cold last week which usually brings them into the warmer waters of the spring.  Plenty of manatees and many other creatures were out enjoying the start of the day.

Manatees at the Park, Homosassa Wildlife ParkManatees at the Park, Homosassa Wildlife ParkPelicans, Homosassa Springs Wildlife ParkMullet, Homosassa Springs Wildlife ParkOwls, Homosassa Springs Wildlife ParkOtter, Homosassa Springs Wildlife ParkFlamingos, Homosassa Springs Wildlife ParkAlligator, Homosassa Springs Wildlife ParkBlue Heron, Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park

 

Our Holiday

Just some photos from our Thanksgiving….

Pumpkin pie
We made 89-year-old Great Grandma Shirley get up early to make pumpkin pie!
Mouse Plate
Not gonna tell you what that orange stuff is because I’m sure Michelle will be posting about it! But it’s really good top of warm brie on a cracker!
Jon and Michelle
Our host and hostess!
Cold weather in Florida
William, Jon, and Terry. Just wanted to show the rest of the country what a cold snap looks like in Florida!
Happy family
Happy Hungry Family!
Me
Sometimes I just gotta put a bad pic of me on here. (I’m making sure I can get into the picture after the self-timer goes off)
Family
And here we are! From left, my niece Rebecca, sister Ellen, niece Michelle, great nephew William, nephew-in-law Jon, MIL Shirley, Terry and me!