Greetings Blog Friends!

Today I'm sharing a quick handbag project with you.  This one definitely qualifies for UFO status, I have had it since October 2018.  I saw this finished bag as a sample in a quilt shop in Portland, Oregon.  I can still remember the shop!  This bag spoke to me and said "Kim".  I bought the kit with the intention of making it for her as a birthday gift! Kim and family visit Florida at least one a year and is perfect for a travel handbag!

The pattern is called (quite aptly) Barbados Bag by Pink Sand Beach Designs.  Fabrics are batiks in tropical colors of greens and blues.  Finished size of the bag is  10 1/2" wide, 10" tall, 2" deep.  It can be worn as a shoulder bag, but the strap is long enough for cross-body use.  What I like about this bag is the number of pockets.  There is a zip pocket and a large flat pocket on the front, two flat pockets on the back and two pockets inside.  The bag has a zip top closure with double lines of top stitching detail on the outside of the bag.  It was a fun and fairly simple bag to make.  The pattern was very well done and included detailed instructions in each step, along with color photos.  

It might be a bag that I will make again for myself.  

A report from Scrapping Retreat next post.'til then...

Out with the Old, In with the New aka: Sewing Machine Upgrade

Greetings Blog Friends,

I'm happy to say that I've stimulated the economy...in a big way.  After several trips to the repair shop since December and still another sewing failure, I came to the realization that I needed a new main sewing machine.

It was time to retire Grace…she was the workhorse machine for me.  I have sewn on her for 12 years and have made countless quilts and other projects with her.  I think she just plain wore out!

So, I took the plunge and invested in what will probably be my last new sewing machine.  It is another Viking, and Epic 980Q, with many upgraded features, but also retaining some familiar ones.  Of course, Grace2’s footprint is different, and will not fit into my custom-built sewing cabinet.  Not to worry, however, since I know that man who made it.  Yes, a new project for Denis…to retrofit the cabinet to the new sewing machine.  I have also decided to keep my mother’s machine (aptly named Fran) as a backup.  It has such beautiful stitch quality and is perfect for straight sewing.  I’ll use Grace2 for the fancy stuff.

So, Farewell, Grace, and Thank You for the Memories.  Welcome Grace2 and I look forward to making some beautiful things together.

'Til next time...

CHANGES TO BLOG!!

 Greetings Blog Friends,

Beginning July 1, 2021, the Email Subscription service will no longer be available.  I'll be removing that box (lower right area of blog) on that date.

Instead of an automatic notification each time I publish a blog post, I'll send an email to you instead, letting you know a new post is ready to read.  

I don't want to miss anyone, so please do this:

Enter a comment at the end of this or any post.  Scroll to the bottom of the post and click on the Comments link.  Let me know that you want to continue to receive email notifications and I'll add you to the blog post email list.

Thanks much!

Susan

Quilter's Cottage Progress Report

 Greetings Blog Friends!

I am very excited to show you the progress on the Quilter's Cottage project.  You've been patiently following along all these months, and now I can show you the assembled top.  

I am very happy with the way it turned out!  This project is definitely a study in consistent seam allowances!  All blocks and pieces fit together well with very little to no adjustments.  

The quilt is still missing it's outer borders.  I will be using this quilt in a very specific place and still need to adjust the borders to accommodate the space.  I'll add the outer borders before sending it off to the longarm quilter.  Yes, this is one I am not going to tackle myself.  It is my "pride and joy" and deserves to have a high quality quilting job done on it.  

The goal for this project is to have outer borders and backing ready by May 1 and back from the quilter and hung by mid June.  

Next week, a report from Scrapbooking Retreat!  'Til then...

Purrfectly Pieced Block 5 and Top Done!

Greetings Blog Friends,

I am happy to report that Purrfectly Pieced Block 5 has been completed and the entire quilt top is done!  Finishing (i.e. quilting and binding) is scheduled for May.

Block 5 required more intricate piecing with very small pieces.  Although I like the outcome, I am very glad to be done working with pieces smaller than 2" square.  I think the project turned out fairly well and I'm looking forward to seeing it hang somewhere in my house--I haven't yet decided.  Finished size of top:  35" x 38".

News re: Quilter's Cottage next time.  'Til then...

 

April Project Queue

 Greetings Blog Friends,

Here it is...the beginning of another month!  I have my April Queue set.  Here is the list of projects I hope to get accomplished this month:

1.  Quilter's Cottage Quilt Top Assembled.  Finishing to delay until May.

2.  Purrfectly Pieced Block 5 and Top Assembly.  Finishing also in May.

3.  Spring Facemasks for Family and Friends.   I've already been in production and these were given out at our family Easter celebration.

4.  Canada Scrapbook Completion.  The bulk of it, if not all, will happen at retreat this month.

5.  Graduation Quilt.  I'd like to get a start on the quilt I'll make for my grandson, Conner, who will graduate from High School in June.  This quilt will be a "for using" quilt, one he can take to college with him in the fall.  

A progress report next time..."til then.

March Queue -- Batting 100%

Greetings Blog Friends,

I'm happy to report that I got a A+ for the month of March and accomplished all goals on the queue!  

Here was the list:

1.  Prepare for scrapbooking retreat in April.  Pages made, pictures sorted, packing done.

2.  Greeting cards.  About 50 made for my personal use.   

3.  Quilter's Cottage Block 7.  Cottage has been "Built"

4.  Purrfectly Pieced Blocks 3 & 4.  Four blocks down, 1 to go.

5.  Facemasks for Hubby.  Made, and in use by Denis.

Picture Gallery:

(These two bins are FULL of ready-to-go pages).

I accomplished these goals, plus made a couple of extra projects:

1.  Birthday gift for daughter Kim ( I couldn't show it until now, since she reads this blog!).  This is made from a pattern by Pink Sand Beach Desgins called Barbados Bag.  Size 10" x 10" x 2" deep.  It went together easily.  It can be worn as a shoulder bag or cross-body.  I like it so much that I think I'll make one for myself.  I purchased this as a kit during my week in Portland in October 2018.  Another project done from the stash!

2.  Door prize donation gift for scrapping retreat.  This year I chose to make a pillow and matching mug mat (although in this case, it will be a wine glass mat!), paired with a bottle of wine and an oversized wine glass filled with candy.  I used a printed design for the pillow center, purchased in Amana, Iowa in April 2019.  The mug mat is another one of those quilt-as-you-go projects from June Tailor, Inc.

3.  Glittering Snowflakes Felt Stocking by Bucilla.  Finished and it hung on the mantle with the other Winter Gang of stockings.

It was a busy month, full of a variety of projects.  April Queue is on its way next post.  "Til then...