Life here has been nutty, from last-minute book stuff to chickens to travel and teaching to designing and writing patterns and back again. Boxes of samples from the book came back and were finally organized into boxes this weekend. The new chicks - meat birds - are growing like weeds. I finally have a minute to sit down and talk about something that doesn't involve farming or authoring. And it's one of my favorite things - BAGS! And not just any bags. Lexie bags, for which I am a total sucker and huge fangirl.

I recently got to spend some up close and personal time with Lexie Barnes' new Libby in the color Raven (a color I adore both for it's iconic black birds and it's lovely shade of pink). Other print options include Fanfare (spring green with fan motif) and Fishnet (blue with - you guessed it - an all-over fishnet print). I am in love with this bag.

For those of you who may not know, Ms. Barnes is the mind behind Lexie Barnes bags, author of Sew What! Bags and the forthcoming Sew Up a Home Makeover (available August 2011), a gifted designer, businesswoman and entrepreneur, creator of Twist, an eclectic and off-beat but thoroughly awesome craft fair (words like "fresh" and "original" apply), and mother of a small herd of boys - nearly enough for her own sports team. But enough about her - let's get to the bag!

First, it is padded to protect the contents, be it a digital reader, your latest knitting project, or both. There is one roomy zippered pocket under the flap perfect for housing essentials in relative security; cords, cards, cash etc . There's an additional smaller pocket on the back which I will likely use for keys and phone or anything else I want to get at quickly, without diving into the main part of the bag. I love little perks like pockets! The size is perfect for a netbook or iPad as well.

The fabric is, according to the Lexie Barnes website, "water-resistant eco-laminated canvas". I am not sure what eco-laminated is (maybe I'll ask...) but for me it means that the outside of the bag is waterproof - I find this an invaluable trait during spring and fall when going out often means getting rained on. I LOVE the magnetic closure. It's enough security that the bag won't be flapping in the wind, but easy enough to access that you don't need a physics degree to get at your stuff. The bag can be carried under the arm or in the hand in true clutch fashion, but also boasts a removable wrist strap for hands-free carrying.

Yoshi approves, which is, of course, critical! I haven't had the heart to tell him it's not his.

Oh, and I did I ask Lexie about the "water-resistant eco-laminated canvas" situation and here's what she said:

"We've recently switched from regular PVC laminate to a newer, more eco-friendly one that is compliant with the CPSA and safer for our customers and the environment. It's a really big first step toward making our products greener, which is something we're very passionate about."

Works for my tree-hugging self! I suspect Libby will become my go-to bag for "travel light" days. It's also just about the perfect addition to my carry-on; my big bag can stow in an overhead of a train or plane and Libby can come along on my lap with knitting and anything I need to occupy myself during the flight/ride.

Other bags of note in the Lexie Barnes collection include the Lady B - perfect for knitters, in my opinion, and Pearl which has a multiple personality - it's the perfect make up bag, notions bag, catch-all bag; you name it bag.

Special thanks to my model Kristen for the use of her freshly pedicured paw, her Nook and her iPad. Mel enjoys her visits, and spent much of this one purring loudly and dripping drool onto her neck while I took pictures. He just can't control himself.