Another Tote Completed

Yay! Another tote completed. The yellow and blue theme is based on somebody else's preferences--I won't say whom as there is a remote chance she might see it. (really, really remote!) I'm so pleased that I was able to make this out of stash fabrics and not shop for more. (Stashbuster Alert!)Today I went to the drapery store and got estimates on drapes for four rooms in our house. If we go ahead with only one, that's still progress! For those who are interested, there's a 15% off labor sale at Calico Corners until the 28th. I sure hope that will help light a fire under my DH.

Scaredy Cat Ready to Go!

I finished the Scaredy Cat Tote with 3 hours 'til October--In the words of Perry Como, hoop tee-do! I really knuckled down and worked hard.

To keep me entertained, I picked up season 1 of the series, "Lost." Good show. Sorry I missed it.

Now I suppose I should get back to the New Zealand quilt. I'm thinking of calling it "Kiwi Twist!" I've got to do some frogging on it because I used the wrong black in the borders--arggh! (For those of you unfamiliar with the term, frogging or frog stitch means to take out sewing, so-called because you "rip-it, rip-it, rip-it!"

Scaredy Cat

Interrupting your regularly scheduled projects to present the current obsession: The Scaredy Cat Tote! I just adore the Beverly Cleary 1950's feel to the illustrations. It's a charm pack from Moda. Make me feel like a kid--can't you just taste candy corn? The colors are vintage-y, too. It seems I only need 1-1/4 yard of coordinating fabric--not like the directions, calling for, um, more. However, the charm pack only had 33 charms, while the pattern calls for 38. I just cut more from the coordinating fabric, but I only have one kind. So the inside pockets may look a little boring, if not odd. What's Hallowe'en without a little weirdness, anyway?

I know I'll only be able to carry this tote for the month of October, so I figure I'd better get it done in a big hurry. I started it this afternoon and, as we had guests for dinner, that took away a fair amount of working time. (Totally worth it: company always makes the food taste better!) If I work tomorrow, I can get it done in time for October 1st!

Done! (Almost)

Ew! Scary inside-out tote!




The Vibrant Tote is nearly finished. It just needs two large buttons sewn to the outside pockets. There's a method to my madness: I don't want to finish it until I can get credit on Stashbusters.... and since it doesn't need to be finished until Christmas, I'm okay!

I've started on another tote, too! But the recipient reads this blog and is smart.

Vibrant Progress

I've worked a little more on the vibrant tote. Today I decided to try out one of the fancy stitches on my Elna to quilt the handle. I figured if I hated it I could just toss it. Well, it's not getting tossed!

In other news, I've joined the UFO challenge at Stashbuster. You join the group by sending 2 fat quarters and a list of your quilting Unfinished Fabric Objects (within their guidelines, of course!) In a very intense way, you will be encouraged to finish projects. I have a list of 17, which appears quite paltry in comparison to others!

Revving Up!

I've decided to make a number of totes; most of my creative time today has gone into cutting the fabric. Here's the selection for one of 'em, inspired by a vibrant shirt on a gorgeous blonde.

Friendly Totes!

Isn't it amazing how a pattern can look entirely different based on differing tastes? Mine's this jungle-y one:
My friends finished their totes and let me take pictures. Bethie insisted that her beautiful smile be part of the picture. Who can blame her?

...and here's Valerie's Tote!

Charmed, I'm Sure

On Sunday, I took a fun little class at Quilter's Paradise: Party Charms tote. These are the fabrics I chose:
And this is the tote I made. Cool, huh? It's got topstitching and a magnetic clasp. I am just as thrilled as I can be!

Carol, the teacher was very encouraging and explained every step. She actually adjusted the original pattern to make it work even better.

I've finished all the stitching on Cold Hands, Warm Heart. Now it calls for French knots, but I hate making French knots. So I'm putting in beads instead! This little guy is gonna be done in no time. (Especially with shows like Top Chef on!)