My newest creation

The pattern is Buttercup Bag by Rae.

It's in sage and brown cotton poplin (Alexander Henry's Eiffel). The cotton lining is black with sage, brown, and yellow leaves. Small zipper pocket in lining. The body of the purse is about 12 inches across at the widest part and 7 inches tall. I lengthened the strap a bit and attached it to the purse between the outside and the lining.

I think a heavier weight fabric would have worked a little better, like a home dec or brocade (as the designer had pictured on her site). Ooooo, or corduroy...I love corduroy.

I did add some interfacing to the entire upper outer part and the strap but all I had on hand was lightweight.

Quilting B

Just before my trip I finished the quilt I had been making for Baby B. It turn out pretty well for my first real foray into patchwork, first try at machine quilting, and considering how often (and how late into the game) I changed the design while making it.

I went with a farm/garden/food theme as Baby B's mum and dad have one heck of an organic garden on their one acre and mum has been active with Heifer International. I could picture Baby B sitting on the quilt watching mum or dad weed or pick fruits and vegetables (though I have a feeling he will want to be more hands on than that!)



I liked the backing fabric: red tomatoes against the grasshopper green background.



I added yellow ric-rac to the binding.

When I began I had planned on Snowball blocks alternating with simple nine patch blocks. By the end, however, I had exchanged the nine patch squares with the much more complex 54 40 or FIGHT! blocks. I really like the secondary pattern this block makes with the corners of the snowball blocks, creating a diamond effect for the farm scenes. I left the center of the 54 40 or FIGHT! block as one solid piece of watermelon fabric (the original block calls for a four patch duplicating one of the corner four patches) to create a tertiary star pattern.

The piecing is a bit off so the points don't always match up. There's an old saying "As you sew, so shall you rip." I put that into practice with this one. I've now learned to baste, baste, baste.

In the end the top wasn't flat. This lead to major problems machine quilting it. I was able to stitch in the ditch around the main diamonds, but had to tack/tie much of the rest of it.

Need a costume?

Need a Halloween costume fast? Check out my friend Becka's blog. She's added a new, easy-to-make costume idea every day in October!

Duct Tape Birthday

Yep, it's my birthday. 32 to be exact.

I spent the evening at a class at the Textile Center called "Make a Handbag: Out of Duct Tape!" And let me tell you, that's just what we did.

But no boring silver duct tape for us (unless that tickled your fancy). The instructor had tape in red, pink, aqua, blue, tan, burgundy, black, yellow, orange, green, and more.



So you want to learn how to make a handbag? Lucky for you, I took photographic notes. This is what you do:



Did you get all that?

My end result for the two-evening workshop:

Goodbye Textile Center, Hello Speaking of Faith

One of my co-workers, Becka, gave me a handmade bunny pouch as a going away present on Friday. It is so sweet:


I'm going to miss the Textile Center, though I hope to volunteer there in the future.

Monday I start the internship at Speaking of Faith. Wish me luck!

Turtle Purse

I was shopping Etsy as I sometimes do, and came across:



Isn't it great? And turns out it was made by a coworker of mine. Who woulda thunk it?

Gratuitous plug: If you're shopping for bags, aprons, cuffs (not THAT kind Joshua!) and other miscellaneous handmade textile stuff give Becka a try at beckarahn.etsy.com. End Gratuitous plug.