Saturday, November 14, 2009

Maggie Bags are Here!!!

Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs has done it again - come up with a cute, quick, simple and FUN pattern - for something so versatile and useful! The Maggie Bag! I just got my copy of the pattern and in no time flat was able to whip together a few of these cuties!

These are not quite done yet - I need to add some embellishments to the flaps, but I thought I would show what I have done so far.

I first tried one by the pattern - the turtle one - with no loop. It has an orange lining, and fusible velcro to hold it closed. It was fun but I could see that working with a directional fabric might be challenging, as I tried to keep my turtles from standing on their heads.

The pink floral one is some scrap fabric I had - and I used a Handy Tab and swivel clasp to make it hangable. I want to shorten the Handy Tab up a bit though because the swivel clasp is heavy and makes the bag top heavy.

On the tan and black one, I cut out the template from flannel, then layered strips of scraps on top - stitching and flipping - until I covered the entire piece. I trimmed it, layered it with the lining and had a fun little pouch. The strips don't line up on the center seam, but I think it works for what I wanted.

And on the scissor one - I cut the whole thing longer - going as far across the 10" layer cake piece as I could. It was about 1" longer overall, and about 1/4" narrower at the bottom due to the taper. I used the ribbon that comes with the Moda layer cakes to make the hanging loop. (PS - I tried my glasses in the scissor/longer one - and they do fit. They are a bit too long for the normal length. I also tried bandaids in the little 0ne -thinking of a mini first aid kit - but the brand I had was a bit long for that, too.... so many ideas!)

I did not get a picture of the little one - I think the Munchkin ran off with it - but it is cute and perfect for business cards and other little treasures. I am thinking of using it as gift packaging for some jewelery I hope to make for the holidays.

Very addicting - be warned!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Lucky 13 ... or turtle luck

You know how sometimes you enter a giveaway on someone's blog - and then forget that you did?
Or maybe you didn't but they surprised you with something anyway?

Not sure which is the case - but the upshot was that, according to the note I got today (Friday the 13th), I was lucky #13 in a drawing and won some fabric.

Not just some fabric - I should add - but turtle fabric.

And not just turtle fabric - but batik turtle fabric!

It's a medium green sea turtle on a lighter green background - I will have to get a photo and add it some other time - as I am not sure where the camera is right now.

Thanks Marj!

ADDENDUM: Here it is!













Thursday, November 12, 2009

I'm Here... and I'm a Winner!!!

Thought I fell off the face of the earth? Nah - just been spending a lot more time sewing and a lot less time writing. Also had Halloween in there ...and groups, and Facebook, and swimming lessons for the Munchkin, and cleaning up the yard for the winter, and work... and I think you get the idea.

I've missed the blog though.

Here's Halloween...
The Munchkin in MY costume...

And the Munchkin in HIS costume and me in mine...

And here is my prize - courtesy of Cheryl. She just got to meet PW ... I am so envious...
(sorry about the glare - I am lucky to get a photo taken and posted...)

Three quilt books and one cross stitch - all from Leisure Arts. Some wonderful stuff - especially the Pat Sloan Camera, Color, Quilts! I am loving the one on the cover especially!

But I need a new project like a hole in the head... I am currently working on a quilt for the Munchkin, a quilt for a friend, the turtle baby quilt (which needs machine quilting and binding), and now a wedding quilt for a host brother from Japan (long story...) - plus a craft show, and oh did I mention that said wedding quilt for host brother is due to him getting married HERE... and I am helping to plan the wedding..... plus Lazy Girl Designs just came out with a yummy new pattern for a pair of little bags that will be awesome for little family and friend gifties...

It's going to be a busy fall!

And I am loving every bit of it!