Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Packing Light

The new airline fees for check-in luggage in conjunction with ever-changing security rules for travel have inspired me to pack light for our vacation. I’m taking only carry-on bags and not checking anything.



My new packing rule is that all clothing items must fit into my new Amy Butler Weekender bag made this week.



Miscellaneous stuff goes in my Amy Butler Sophia bag—also newly completed.



I made a zipper pull for each bag by painting a wood bead to match one of the fabric polka dots. The following photo shows the lining fabric for both bags.



A test run with both bags proved that everything fits perfectly just as planned.



Each time we travel, I make a trip book containing information needed for our adventures: itinerary, airline tickets, hotel/rental car confirmations, rental house contract, maps, National Park passport stamp program cancellation sites, letterboxing clues, birding checklists, and so on.



The notebook fits perfectly in one of the outside pockets of the Weekender Bag.


Graphic from The Vintage Workshop, text added by me. Click on the picture to enlarge for reading (if you're interested)

This is my packing list—my husband manages his own list and does very well. Except for carefully-planned cruises, I’ve generally over-packed for trips and not used 30 per cent of whatever I’ve lugged. This journey is a whole new exercise in packing restraint.

30 comments:

Teresa said...

Your new travel bags are just gorgeous. Have a wonderful trip!

Mrs.Kwitty said...

Wow JunieMoon--everyone is going to be so jealous of your gorgeous luggage, especially when they find out you made it yourself!! Really great--and such a fun pattern with the multi-color dots and the dirt hiding black--excellent!! I am going to have to say that you are probably the most organized person I have ever met. EVER. Kudos to you!
Smiles, Karen

Niesz Vintage Home said...

I LOVE your new bags! You did such a nice job on them.
I am so impressed with how organized you are for vacation.

I think I'm going to have to start making a little booklet like yours, for all the essential papers and places to see, too. Love that idea.

Have a great trip!
Kimberly :)

Becky K. said...

Love the bags! I hate packing...I hate unpacking more...

So ...taking less should make unpacking easier. There is an upside.

Just have to say it again...Love the bags!

Becky k.

Anonymous said...

really nice bags! Where are you going? Is it a secret? are you going on a cruise? to florida? are you coming to visit me??????oh, please, please, the beach is lovely here.

no, really, have fun, junie and hubby! you'll be smashing with those bags and that itinerary! You are so organized! bless your heart! I wish I was that organized! take lots of pictures! have fun! when are you leaving?

a pink-bee said...

Love this post ~ I have to make a weekender bag and pack alot lighter too :). Your packing list is helpful, oh I lug WAY too much with me when I travel ~ I make a notebook too but, not nearly as nice ~ will change that :) hope you have a wonderful trip :)
crystal :)

a pink-bee said...

Forgot ~ the matching bead idea is PERFECT :)

Anonymous said...

Wow Junie those bags came out great!!! You are going to have a WONDERFUL time.

One suggestion for the Weekender is to make sure the top stitches through the handle are very well secured. Mine came apart during our trip since that areas takes the most stress. They should have done the box stitching like on the Sophia. Anyhoo, Just thougth I would throw that in so that you have the bestest time on your vacation!!

Wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow - I really love those bags. Plus you are brilliant with your binder.

I hope your trip is easy-going and fabulous.

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Golly Miss June, those bags are wonderful! You are going to feel so much better packing light abd not worrying about lost luggage. Hope you have the grandest time! :-) Rosie

Stitcher said...

Wow, these bags are just fantastic. Have a great time.

Anonymous said...

June I'm going to miss your posts while you are gone, WAIT will you be posting?

I can't believe how much we alike we are. I also overpack, way overpack. I vowed for my next trip if it doesn't fit into one small-med. bag it isn't coming with. I also pack our National Park Passport binder (I actually have a backpack that I put the binder in and my topo maps.

I love the bags you made.

You'll be missed, I hope you have an awesome time.

Hugs!!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your bags are so beautiful! It will be a pleasure to travel light and have only carry on. I try to do that for domestic flights whenever I can, too.

Your binder is fantastic! Organization is surely helpful when traveling, and you'll be able to make that into a keepsake of your trip if you journal in it! Very nice idea!
Have a very funa nd relaxing time!
Hugs, Pat

meg said...

I'm quite impressed- not only the way cute bags, but your packing restraint :-)
I've gotten better, sharing a bag with my husband, but I could do better :-S

Sue said...

Beautiful bags. Your taste in material is really what makes the bags so pretty. And I love the painted wooden bead. Perfect detailing! Happy Vacation!

Anonymous said...

What lovely bags June, I love the practical dark colours. You are so organised and I may steal this idea when I travel at Christmas time.

dutchcomfort said...

Your bags are gorgeous! Have a wonderful and safe trip!

Gumbo Lily said...

Junie,
Good for you taking carry-on bags only! My dd and I took a trip to England in 2005 and only took carry-on (for a 2 week stay). We washed underwear, but didn't worry about clothes. How dirty do two girls get anyway?

I adore those bags! Have a fun trip!

Jody

Me and Him said...

Great bags. They look awesome. I have the weekender pattern, and fabric ready. Had it for almost 2 years now. Just can't bring myself to start -I find Amy Butler patterns hard to follow!

Jane said...

I'm with you sister! No matter what I pack, I end up wishing I had something else. So, I might as well pack light anyway! Have a wonderful trip!

Leslie said...

Those bags are absolutely adorable! Have a great trip!!! ~Leslie

Christy said...

these bags are so cute!

Thimbleanna said...

Junie Moon. Traveler, blogger and woman extraordinaire! Those bags are fantastic!!!

Your Pal Pinki said...

Super cute bags!!!

Unknown said...

Truly fantastic June! Such wonderful bags and love your fabric label too! Clever thing! Come visit me over at my blog I did something really new and loved it and I thought of you and your hubby and that you might enjoy doing this adventure!
Hugs,
Robyn

Home ec new Haven said...

Beautiful bags!
I want to be you when I grow up...I love how you think of everything.

Unknown said...

Hi June!

Your bags are fabulous. I cannot believe you have made multiple weekender bags now! You are truly amazing.

I hope you have a great trip! Your binder is a great idea, I will have to do that for my trip to Maui later this year. Thanks for the idea!

Happy Zombie said...

What darling bags!

iSew said...

Great stuff June. I too make a packet of travel info, it comes in very handy. Hope you have a great trip.

African Kelli said...

Sweet mercy. You made your own luggage for the trip. And you made a printed pack list.
WOW! So, how did it work out?