odds 'n ends

Are you in need of a good multi-purpose tote for all kinds of stuff?

I just made up this Union Square Floor Tote by Kenzie Mac and I really like it!  I took it along when I went down to Iowa so I could finish sewing the binding around the top edge.  Then I loaded it up with all sorts of things for the trip back home.  All of the items pictured below were packed into the tote, and even though it was heavy, the bag and handle was plenty strong.  We have the patterns for sale over at Bear Patch, in case you want one.

I've been looking for some little planters, something with a little more finesse than the usual terra cotta pots, and nice for indoors.  I used to have a pretty good green thumb, but pets and kids put a damper on my houseplants.  Now I'd like to have a few around to brighten up the space, but they can't require a lot of care.  Wouldn't want to worry about my plants when I am away on a trip!  

This little bunny was with the post-Easter clearance stuff at Target.  I peeled up some moss from a rock in the back yard, and it makes an easy-to-care-for bright spot.  One little seedling of something else sprouted out of the moss!

I've been on the lookout for interesting succulents, because I can usually get those to grow as long as I don't overwater.  This one is doing well, and I like the shadow it casts.

Last night I did some stitching on the binding for this little quilt.  It's from my pattern, Connections, and I used Cuddle fabric on the back.  The lines of quilting look sculpted!  I don't really like hand sewing the binding on that plushy fabric because it's harder to gauge whether I am picking up the necessary threads without stitches showing on the right side of the quilt.  I have to stop and double check frequently.  Good thing it's a little thing!

Last night I also baked cookies, using the Monster Cookie recipe that I like so much.  I'm taking some along to the class I'm teaching this afternoon, and I'm afraid there are going to be a lot of temptations with the rest of them here at home!  So I better think of some other ways to distribute them, other than to my own hips and thighs!

fresh new things

A finish!  On Sunday, I was on a mission to finish up this new knitting bag for a store sample.  It's a pattern by Among Brenda's Quilts, and is named Wooly, Wooly.  It has zippered vinyl pockets and slip vinyl pockets, big pockets all the way to the top of the bag, some with divisions for tall skinny stuff (knitting needles and crochet hooks).  Inside, there are snap tabs for separating yarn strands.  There is a drawstring top closure and an adjustable carrying strap.  It has a lot going on!

I found the pattern to be pretty clear.  If I were to do it again, I would have changed some fabric placement on the outside to remove some of those chopped up apples, it's a pretty large scale print. I love the fabric, it's from a relatively new design/fabric maker, Cotton + Steel. Also, it's a heavier weight fabric than usual quilting cottons, which lead to some pretty thick seam build-up that was tough to manage.  I did some grading of the seams (trimming out layers) and even got handy with the hammer to flatten the thickest seams.  Although I love my Bernina for almost all my sewing, in this case, my Juki was a life saver.  It accommodates thicker things beneath the foot, and has a more powerful force behind the needle.  Even with that, I could feel and hear when it was really working hard to penetrate everything.  So it's perfect for something like this, but is limited by the fact that it only does straight stitching.  There are trade-offs in everything!  I'm lucky I have what I need for various sewing situations.

Now, just a pretty picture!  This English Paper Piecing project was draped over the chair to get it out of the way for dusting.  And it just looked pretty!

One of the fun things we did while Ian and Jack were visiting was indoor gardening.  The day after they arrived, great-grandma Sally and I helped them dig in some dirt and plant some seeds.  Everything but the tomato seeds sprouted, and the peas were the champs because they grew the most!  In fact, the peas and the few beans that sprouted are going to the compost heap now because they are too long and spindly, and it's not nearly warm enough to put them in the outside garden.

 The grass is ready for Easter eggs!  One thing that isn't seen in these pictures is the celery.  I think it was the first thing to show some growth.  I simply took an old wilted remainder of a celery bunch, chopped off the top leaving about 1" of root and base of the stalk.  I put it in a little pot and just barely covered the surface deep enough with dirt.  Now it's growing into a whole new celery plant!

running in circles

The colors don't look true in my huge circle, it really doesn't look so drab in real life.  But I do like the effect, and once I figure out what to do with the big bump of seam allowances in the middle, it will move to the next step.  I think I am going to trim out the very center and then applique a circle on top of it to cover that problem spot.  And then the question is do I leave it circular or add a square background?  It's a work in progress to test out the Creative Grids 15 degree wedge ruler.

The BQ2 assembled by Margaret, to be donated for a church raffle---

Leisl managed to put together this nice little tote bag/purse before departing to pick up sister Linda at the airport last night.  Hope they are having a good visit today!  We miss you!

 This is the completion of the applique piece I showed previously, from Kim Diehl's book Simple Charm.  Marva did a great job, don't you think?

Here are 2 versions of the same 5-yard quilt pattern, looking completely different with the fabric combinations.  On the left is the "up north cabin woodsy" look by Jean, and on the right is the "summer garden cheery" look by Geri.  

And below is my Bucket Bag, almost finished except for some topstitching details  It is going to make a great tote bag and perfect knitting bag with pockets all around the inside.  Very detailed instructions from Around the Bobbin.

a fine fishing bag

On my recent fishing excursion, I used this bag for my boat gear. I like to have a few basic things handy to me, since we are out for a few hours at a time and it is definitely not convenient to go back to the resort on a whim. This bag was a gift from Debbie, and is made entirely of duct tape. If you want to make something like this for yourself, you can find many instructional ideas on the web. Many of the directions I found describe making a woven bag, but my bag was overlapped strips like the one I found on this video. It was waterproof enough to withstand some splashes and raindrops. And a good size to hold my little tackle box, rain jacket & pants, snacks, sunscreen and water. And, it was a definite fashion statement! I am noticing lots of new colorful tapes in the craft stores and online, so I am sure there are endless possibilities for you. What will you create with duct tape?

on a yarn break

Have you noticed that I haven't said much here lately about my knitting? We have been on a break, I guess-- sort of like Ross & Rachel!

I have written previously about this scarf and finally finished it off. And today it's about 80 degrees! The effect of ruffles on each side is achieved by using short rows, which is a great knitting technique mainly used for creating sculpted shapes that make sweaters fit bodies. Here is a close-up view down the length as it was blocked and drying.

and below curled around my neck, little ruffle looking like a victorian costume! I think I now understand the reason they used to wear collars like that--it hides any extra chins!

Oh yeah, I cut all my hair off! I wore my hair like this for a long time, starting in 1996 when I was glued to my bike seat and needed something convenient to go under my helmet. Then about 2 years ago I decided that the mother of the bride should maybe have some hair to style into a lovely "do". That was good for a while, but my hair is very thick and gets kind of 'fluffy' from time to time which drives me crazy. So I am reverting back to my old ways, and liking it.

I have been thinking about putting together a new small tote bag, using some inspiration from some Japanese design books, and came up with this--

The handles were purchased and the rest of the bag is just some coarsely woven plain cloth with 3 little hexagons added. It's just the right size for a magazine or notebook.

My Mother's Day was graced with a pretty bouquet from Dan, and this rose is so beautiful I just had to try to capture it and share with you--

Now off to a nursery to pick up some annuals for flower boxes and pots. Time to get my hands dirty!

the cowboys ride again!

I was oh-so-relieved last night when my cowboys pulled themselves together and made up some ground on The Amazing Race. They avoided elimination, so I won't have to boycott the show!

I am sharing a couple of good reference sites with you today. Things I find as I read blogs, etc.

First, for anyone who ever wants to make purses and totes, there is a wealth of information on the U-Handbag. The newest helpful post demystifies interfacings. The site is written by Lisa from England, and she has recently authored The Bag Making Bible, a book I probably need to add to my collection. She also sells many of the products needed to make professionally finished bags. Bags that will make you the envy of all your friends! Bags that are almost as nice as my Kristina Koffee Bean Bag!

Next, a good site to try out if you are figuring out your own quilt designs or trying to modify one you already have. This quilt calculator site will help you with computing how much fabric is required for making multiples of several basic shapes. Also calculates yardage needed for backing a quilt of your dimensions, with explanation of how to sew the backing. I have always been familiar with making these calculations for myself, but after working in a quilt shop I am aware that most people would rather have someone else do that for them. If that includes you, I highly recommend that you try this site, at least for backing yardage, so you are comfortable with what you are purchasing. Then you won't have to rely on someone who might be a complete stranger to run through those numbers for you. I guess it is just a part of my nature to be self-sufficient as much as possible, and that leaves no one to blame but myself if there is an error!

And a quilting finish last night, my first collaboration with my own sister, Jan.

This is her own design and her idea to use complementary thread colors on the color blocks, which turned out well even though it is not so visible in these pictures. I used some geometric designs in the color blocks and then white thread in echoed arcs throughout the white area. I like the result, and it was fun to work on something that she made. Now to get it back to her in CA! I think she should come pick it up so we can have a little visit!

Baggy Bottoms

One of our favorite quilt-related projects is putting together all kinds of bags. These are some that we made last week on our winter wonderland getaway. Nancy made these 2 Sock Sacks from directions here by Terry Atkinson. Perfect for sock knitters or anyone else who needs a convenient little carry bag. A pocket with easy-to-insert zipper instructions and drawstring top.

A modified Snap Happy bag, pattern by Stitchin' Sisters, available at Bear Patch Quilting Co. Pattern includes 3 sizes, or you can custom design your own like Leisl did for these bags. The closure is the coolest ever use of a metal measuring tape.

Using up little squares and scraps plus one zipper creates a handy dandy Accessory Case from Indygo Junction.

And last, but not least, is my own Going Sewing bag made of the selvedge edges of fabrics I have used. Fun to put together, it's kind of like making my own fabric. Pattern for this and the coordinating needlecase, scissor holder and pincushion are available at Bear Patch.

And that's the bottom of the bag!

Decisions, decisions

This is hard for me! I have two things that I really want to work on today. First, a new bag that could be my carry-on for my trip to CA Friday if it works out well.

I quilted the fabric on my longarm and cut out the pieces last night, using the pattern "My Paris Traveler's Bag" from Fig Tree & Co. with just a little adjustment to make it 2" smaller to accomodate the great zipper I have.

OR my really big project--

turning 2 bolts of fabric into 18+ tablerunners for Brita's wedding reception happening in one month! Just received the 35 yards of fabric yesterday, it is a linen/cotton blend, Essex from Robert Kaufman Fabrics and looks like giant chocolate bars! It will be all-over quilted on my longarm and then sewn up for 18 round tables and one giant long table for the wedding party. And has to be done by Sept. 27 when we leave for Lake Tahoe prior to the wedding. And I have 6 days away to go to San Francisco, too, so that is cutting into quilting time! But because I am like a little kid when it comes to a new project, I know I am going to spend at least some time today working on the bag and the rest on tablerunners. If the pattern is clear and everything goes together like it was a perfect world, I will do it all! I did all my housework and cooking over the weekend so that won't interfere! Better get a move on!

A lovely bag

My luck was good last week, I purchased an unfelted wool bag from my friend, Thora Lee, at her stash buster sale. She had knit the bag but never got around to felting it. She wanted it out of her space, so for a small fee I was able to do that. Well, now my lovely bag is the love of my life! I gussied it up with a pretty lining, magnetic snap, and cute little fabric flower and voila!

The fabric flower instructions can be found here.