Now What? Pieced Jelly Roll

I pieced this together from a jelly roll (a group of 2.5" x 44" strips of fabric) but I'm not sure what I want to do with it next....

A tote or two...
A small lap quilt...
Throw it in a drawer and find it in a year...

Maegan's Tote

Here is the tote/diaper bag I made for my step-sister, Maegan. It's one of my favorites. Now we just have to wait for the baby to come to see how much it can really hold!

More (handmade) Christmas Gifts

Since we celebrated Christmas early with Mike's family, I can show you a few more gifts that I made.


A tote for my Mother-in-law. Her favorite colors are purple and green.
A tote for my niece who likes all things blue, teal and brown. This was a big hit with her.

And a tote for my Brother-in-laws girlfriend who's favorite color is blue. I do not like this bag at all and I told her when I find some blue fabric that I like I am making her a new bag!

Do Not Open Until Christmas (Here is Zoe's bag if you want to see it!)

I've always been a peaker as long as I can remember.  I would sneak in to the attic while my parents were out of the house, search their room, etc.  I think it started the year my parents didn't get the Christmas gifts under the tree before they fell asleep (we were always out super late at grandparents house on Christmas Eve).  My brother and I woke up in the morning and my parents promptly freaked and told us to go back to bed.  Of course we heard the scramble and the attic stairs being pulled down...

Are you a peaker?

So with out further ado I bring you Zoe's bag for Christmas.  Zoe is my cousin's stepdaughter.  I just refer to all of my cousin's kids as my nieces and nephews; it's much easier that way.  I was telling my cousin how much I love this bag and she is an avid peaker too so, I'm letting her peak if she wants to. :)

This is my favorite bag I've made.  Zoe's favorite colors are pink and black.

The "Linda" Bag

I completed my first ever "order" for a tote bag.  By "order" I mean, my Mom asked me to make one for her secretary for a Christmas gift.

Kerrys Tote and Rays Quilt Top

 

Kerry's bag is completed and in the mail as of yesterday at 4:30pm.  Notice the decorative top stitch.

This morning I sewing together some blocks I have had cut for almost a year.

I added the border and Ray claimed it as his.  Good thing it is...

New Sewing Machine and Kerry's Fabric

I present to you The Singer Confidence Quilter.  I gave it a "The" as in "The" Ohio State University to make it sound more prestigious because it is AWESOME.  In time I plan to name this noble machine.  These types of things can not be rushed...

Okay, so, I've only played with it for an hour but it's great.  So far I've tried out all 90 stitches that it can make (it also has 10 buttonholes).  I don't even know what I'll use all those stitches for.  Suggestions are welcome!

There is no doubt that I will be covered in thread clippings and fabric as much as possible!  I hope everyone is up for homemade Christmas and Birthday gifts this year!

Thanks for the awesome Birthday/Christmas gift Mom and Michael!

P.S.  The fabrics pictured here are for Kerry's tote.  Hope you like them!  It was hard to find purple that wasn't too old lady-ish.  I love the diamond print; the picture doesn't do it justice.  And because I loved the diamond print so much I had to go with black instead of the brown that you wanted.  The black fabric will be the lining and the handles too.

Kerry's tote bag fabric.

 

All 90 stitch patterns....

 

A few of my favorites.  I started naming them like I name fireworks.  I guess I'm a little excited.  Here are their names (from top to bottom): Daisy Chain, Christmas Lights Leaves, Celtic Wave, Honeycomb, Bridget (the big, fat, bitchy, beagle).

P.P.S.  If you use Blogger did you know there is an updated posting option.  It allows you to upload multiple pictures at a time, has font options and I'm sure other cool things but see above as to why I won't be spending much time on it right now.  I think I found it under settings the other day.  This is probably old news...

Patchwork Tote for Maegan and Blog #100!

Here's another tote I made last weekend for my step-sister, Maegan. It's a "back to school tote" but I think it screams, "I'm pregnant and could be having a girl." Just to clarify, Maegan is pregnant, not me. If she has a girl then this will be a cute bag to have and if she has a boy then she will need the extra pink in her house anyways! I love the pink and brown "diamond and squiggly lines" print.

I think these are turning out to be pretty cute. I'll be making more for Christmas gifts or, maybe I should just start taking orders or, just teach you how to make your own (they are very simple). My Mom carried hers to work and apparently everyone wants one; she's such a trend setter...

I didn't do any experimenting with pockets and closures but soon, very soon, I will!


** This is my 100th post! Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win some crafty creation that I make up. Post your comment before Monday, August 24th to be entered. And yes, I realize that only a handful of people read my blog but it's still fun to give things away and your chances of winning here are much greater than on other blog giveaways!**

Tote Bag for Nunny

Today, I completed a tote bag for my Mom. It is made out of a charm pack (36 pre cut 5inch squares) and a yard of fabric. I also applied some medium weight interfacing (the iron on kind) to the patchwork to give the entire bag some stability. Overall, I am impressed with the way it turned out. The bag is a great size. It can easily fit a laptop and a book or two. Just the right size for Nunny as she finishes up Grad School!

The pattern and fabrics were purchases at JoAnn's (Fabric Central "The City Bag"; Naturally Fresh fabrics). The lady there told us the fabric and pattern are one of those specials that they only get once but with a creative eye you could group your own fabrics together to make this. I'd be happy to let you borrow the pattern with you if you can't find it at JoAnn's.

Here are some pics of the project (for some reason they are a little grainy):


PatchworkRay likes the bag...



Outside of bag
Inside of bag. Next time I think I would add some pockets to the inside.

Aunt Maegan's Birthday Gift

Here is the birthday gift I made for Maegan a few weeks ago. A reversible small tote. I purchased a kit from JoAnn's. It was supposed to be one of those make it in an hour things but it took me a little longer (minimal cussing with this one). :) After I cut the fabric out (the lines were printed on the fabric to make it pretty fool proof) I traced it on to some wrapping paper so that I can use the pattern again. It's a little smaller than I had originally thought but I like the fabrics. A teacher and Mommy to be can never have too many tote bags, right?! I've even spotted Maegan using it although, maybe she just switches when I come in to town ;)

Here is is photographed against my orange walls!