A fun bag

When I was on Facebook a while back I saw a new bag pattern that Kate Colleran of Seams Like  a Dream just introduced at Fall Market.  With 3 zippers I knew I wanted this bag for keeping things secure like my new smart phone.  Ever since I made a jacket with Island Batiks for one of our Island Batik blog hops I wanted a matching bag.  Perfect reason to purchase Kate's pattern called Carry This!  

Don't you just love the braided top on this purse- Kate has a special little template ruler to make it easy to do.  Now a lot of people don't care to put zippers in, but it really isn't that hard when you follow the directions.  There are two outside pockets and one inside pocket.   Kate uses metal rings for attaching the handle, but I didn't have any on hand and didn't want to go out and buy any so I just attached the handles right to the purse/zipper as I assembled it.

This would be a good way to use some of your scraps as there are not large pieces required.

Here is the back of the purse.  I used my purse for the first time yesterday and it is just the perfect size for me.  I even discovered I could carry a 16 oz. water bottle in the main zippered area.




















In case you are curious here is the jacket I made before with the Island Batik Olivera line.

And speaking of Island Batik the January blog hop has started you can find info HERE.  You can find links to all the ambassadors blogs and the day they are presenting their project using a bundle of fabric that was released at the last Fall Market.  Hop on board you don't want to miss all the inspiration and the giveaways!!   And be sure to come visit me on January 25th as I showcase my project right here.

Linking with MCM, Monday Making

Yummy Batik's from Island Batik!

Several weeks ago I recieved this bundle of batiks from Island Batik to work my magic on-was I ever excited!!!!!!!   And look at that top fabric, it was as if they really knew me as I love purple/blue fabrics. I knew right away what I would do with that one and the third one. You ask what...




















A purse for me of course!!  I absolutely love working with Island Batik fabrics. If you have not checked them out you should, such beautiful prints!

This bundle contained just a few of all they released this past week at Market. I came so close to going to meet them but I had plans already to go to MQS in Iowa during that time.

I just happened to have an iron on stud butterfly in the perfect colors for it too.  I just love my new purse and so glad to start using it now that the fabric is released.













And the inside of the purse...


A close up of the beautiful fabrics with their name and number.  Thank you Island Batik for your generosity!!   Stay tuned as I have more plans for the rest of the fabric :-)

I will be linking up with several of the linky parties on my left sidebar. Don't forget to go check out all the inspiration at these parties.

New purse for me!

About a month ago I ran across a free bag pattern and tutorial here, and now it is a finished bag for me! Surprise-it only took me a month to actually sit down and make it! Usually ideas/projects are roaming around in my head a whole lot longer than that!  In December I had won 2 patterns from Kansas Troubles and she included a little surprise of some of her fabric scraps. They were just perfect to use in this purse, several were 2.5" strips and some a bit more. Then I added the fabric for the sides, handle and lining. The only thing I did different was to add 2 pockets inside. The size of purse is great for me, the only thing I would change is to make the handles longer to carry on my shoulder. I didn't have enough fabric to do it for this one.  The measurements are 10" wide, 7" tall, and 4" deep.

I am also piecing some donation quilt tops, here is a disappearing nine patch.

 Friday I cut strips for 5 more donation quilts. I will be using an easy pattern from Wood Valley Designs called Criss Cross. Yesterday we had a little modern quilt group meeting for the first time. Then we could stay and sew in the afternoon. So I packed up my sewing machine, these strips and a few other necessities to sew with. We had about 12 of us there, some new to the modern quilt world and just wanted to learn what it is all about. Mostly it was our guild members enjoying sharing the quilt world~we had a great time.  So I sewed up the strips for 3 of the quilts, I hope to continue working on these this week.

Hope you are all having a very productive quilting weekend!

Check out the weekly eye candy at the linky parties on the left. I will definitely be joining in on some of them.