Bags and Totes, Oh My!

 

My new favorite tote bag. These type of baskets have been popping up in quilt shops for a few years. I have scanned during visits for just the right bag. I liked the high sides on each end of this one and the handles are just what I wanted, they are wrapped with a "vegan leather" better known in most circles as vinyl. 😁 This one is very sturdy and has a nice flat bottom that permits it to stand independently. Many of these are beautifully woven but tend to collapse in on themselves. I am really happy to have found this one. I did have some cross stitch supplies in this one before I snapped this picture. I wanted you to see it as it is. *I picked this one up at a local quilt shop, Quilters Corner, in Finleyville, Pa. HERE.  Do visit if  you are in the Pittsburgh area. It is worth the trip and the owner, Mary Beth, and her staff are kind and helpful. 

 

 I made this one a few years ago. I think it was the first one I made with my new embroidery machine. I thought that bicycle was the cutest design. Of course, I didn't support it properly and it just sort of folded up into a 6 inch envelope! If I remember correctly it is a Kimberbell design. I think there were 22 thread changes on this design. 

 I keep this folded up and tucked in a door panel in my car. You never know when you might need a tote. The post from June 2019, HERE.

Are you one of those talented bag makers? You know tote bags, back packs, pencil cases, etc? I admire you. I have not done much of that type of sewing because it sort of scares me. I have visions of highly visible crooked seams and broken threads here and there. However, and this is a big one, in a blog I've just discovered this lady is sharing 25 free patterns for Japanese inspired bag designs. I know! HERE. Sew Can She is one of those blogs that share patterns in PDF form every day. Her name is Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield and she has really nicely done video's as well. Take a look and scan around, there is a bit of something for everyone.

Here's another project, this one was done on the embroidery machine in a class presented by the dealer to help us learn how to work the embroidery functions. Each block was worked individually then assembled. I did better with this one. Because each block required a top and a back with quilt batting between, I had sort of a built-in stabilizer. It is lined. I mostly use it for small hand worked projects when we visit or take little day trips. I don't work the projects most of the time, but again, you never know! I made this one on a different machine, HERE, from May 1015.   Quilted in the hoop bags are a nice way to learn the embroidery functions on your machine.  This is the other side. I traded this machine in when the new one came out and that was a mistake. It had really nice built in embroideries and it may have been one of my favorite machines ever. 

On that note, if you are a bag maker, as many of my sewing/quilting friends are, bravo to you. I will try again for sure but when I found the blogger with all the free patterns and her really interesting blog, I wanted to share. 

I hope your holiday 4th of July was a good one and if you are dealing with intense heat and storms that you remain safe.

We are dealing with those darn lantern flies again. Nasty creatures, they can strip a plant in no time. 

My bird bath is the busiest place in the neighborhood. I have my Wild Canaries back this year, they are scanning the wild thistle on the edge of the lawn. I am not sure if I saw a pair of Gold Finch or not. They have been scooting in and out of the berry brambles on the hill. I need to dig out my binoculars! We have some beautiful Northern Flickers as well as a rather bossy group of Grackles the resident Robins, Cardinals, Pileated Woodpeckers, as well as the equally bossy Blue Jays.   

Be kind, be well, be happy. You will only live this day one time. Permit yourself to have a moment or two of self care. It's important to keep a balance, however that translates for you. Have a lovely weekend.    

The Angels Sang, The Solitaires, mid 1955, HERE.