Twins

Made with corduroy, these bags were also a project that lay unfinished.

They are styled after the mail sack.

What is the purpose?

Most bags I make are designed as I am working on them.

This is different from most bags I sew and I had a child in mind...  It too does not have a home yet.

No longer pending

I spent some time recently finishing up a few unfinished projects.

The fabric on the outside came from fabric sample books McKell gave me. It doesn't have a home yet.

Dear Teacher

You were so super this year, my Mom made you something...

Love, Grasshopper and family.

P.S.  She (the one I call mome), really loves sewing and is one with the fabric when she makes bags.  We hope you remember us fondly on your trips to the library (or wherever you go with the bag).

School bags

I'd rather be premature and get going on teacher gifts.  But while I was busy assembling some of those, Grasshopper sweetly asked for one for herself to be ready that evening for use the following day.

She chose two colors.

And so the wish came true.

The school bag was ready for school the next day.

Me and my sewing machine

Birthdays are coming , as is teacher appreciation week.  And lets not forget Easter.

I was happy to sit at my machine and finish a few projects.

These are a few of the bags that will go in the gift shelf waiting to make some young girl happy.

Backpacks

Grasshopper's is ready...

I made a smaller version of Snowden's Air Force backpack.

A little Velcro finishes it off.

A birthday gift

My niece is having a birthday.

This is her new bag.

The Air Force lover in her

Being the granddaughter of a faculty of the Air Force Academy, who flew for a living...

 and being the daughter of an avid plane connoisseur...

makes her a fan of all things planes.

She scooped up these fat quarters and patiently waited for her backpack.

It's teacher appreciation time

Two girls, two schools, and something like 12 teachers to thank.

This is for someone who likes purple.

This is for a Science teacher.

The Language Arts teacher will enjoy this one.

The Music teacher who mothers little girls will get this one. 

Social Studies books will be carried in this one.

These are just one of many causes of my current sneezing marathons.  And the other marathon continues.  More bags to come.

Bicycle bag

Young explorers need a bicycle bag to bring back the goodies after a bit of neighborhood exploration.

This pattern is in the Borders edition of One Yard Wonders.

This is my test run.  It is a bit small.

It was easy enough to make.  I used materials I had at home.

And I must conjure up some bravery soon and start working with interfacing so my bags have more structure.

The bag is velcrowed to the bike like above.

The bag

Is done.

I will post more pictures later... Still trying to put the laptop back together.

Using leather

I make myself a bag probably once a year....

I am currently using a wicker one, very African and roomy.  I usually remain attached to my "current" bag for a while.   But then a flicker of a new possibility appears.

This is by new to be "current bag"  I am using favorite fabrics, bright and happy for spring and Summer.  I am also using leather for the first time.  And I also learned how to do dividers by consulting this Amy Butler book.  It is a work in progress.

Another Twist

I had not tried this before...

The little handle...

On the side.

And a bunch of pouches to sell at the Arts Jam.

How I spent December 31st

After seeing this in my head for over a year, and after pouring over books to determine how to apply designs to a background, I finally just decided to wing it...  The general design is layed out.  I will probably do a little embroidering too. I am really stuck on how to applique...  Suggestions anyone?

Grasshopper got her bag, not shown here, so, as I expected, Snowden wanted one too.  Hers could not include pink so she picked out this fabric.  I even made a companion pencil pouch since I forgot to add pockets to the inside of the bag.

And I finished the brother in law's quilt too. Blue as requested as the back, and then I used pieces of the fabrics I had on hand for the front.

The day was a better one because I was immersed in creating. 

Happy Creative Year to all.

Signature Bags

It's serendipitous how things come to be.

I like the notion of authorship in any endeavor.

It seems I have discovered my signature bag.

Here's one for the shop.

Progress

I have not felt much like sewing lately, but I made a commitment to myself to finish the two bags.

I have all the pieces cut and quilted, now the assembly begins.

This means one Christmas gift will arrive late but it will contain a little something made with love. Nicole will understand.

Sometimes it goes slowly

The strips are attached.

Two patterns for two bags. Must run to the store for some batting.

Planning

I ordered new material for a few quilted bags... The rolls arrived. I washed, dried them, and had Grasshopper help with the ironing.

One step that I look forward to is planning the color combinations.

Now I need my client to choose one... Ready?

Making it for everybody

My mother had a saying about how many of any one thing should or could be made. We were three girls and there had to three of everything... so we may or may not be able to get, make or want "it" if everybody wasn't going to have it.

When I crochet, sew, or do whatever I do, my subconscious is counting... Must make more...

For Grasshopper's birthday party gifts, I made 10 of these...
It is my contribution to being plastic free and encouraging creativity.