I have always looked for the perfect bag. Big enough to fit all my things — camera, glasses, money, moleskine — but small enough not to be bulky. The strap needs to be a certain length, the pockets a certain size and variety, etcetera. I may sound picky, but this is something I carry around with me everywhere. So, I finally gave up and made my own bag.

The upholstery store had some cheap leftover canvas. I used heavier stuff for the outside, and some thinner stuff as a liner. I also used some pretty cotton scraps my mom had lying around for an outside pocket and the flap liner. The little bunny on the corner I felted and sewed on. The whole thing is hand back-stitched.

I call it a “baby monk bag” because it’s about half the size of those vermillion bags Buddhist monks and hippies carry around. KC and I tried so very hard to find them in Dharamsala, but in vain; everyone seemed to have them except the vendors!

Did it take a long time? Yes. Was it worth the effort? Definitely! It may not be perfect, but it’s the best bag I ever had.