Bag obsession

The women in my family are really into bags. Not purses, bags. I mean we appreciate a good purse, but what really catches the eye is a fun tote, messenger bag, or regular bag/purse. Last summer, I noticed a friend with small children constantly struggling with a plastic bag of snacks, diapers, etc. It turned out she didn't have a good bag to fit everything, but she didn't need a full-blown diaper bag. I decided to buy her a bag, but couldn't find anything I liked. As a mom, it's nice to have a bag you can hook over your head so you're not fighting a purse slipping off your shoulder while dealing with kids. Everything on the market was either too big or only fit on one shoulder. So I came up with this bag. You can tie a knot in the handle to fit on one shoulder or leave it long and wear it like a messenger bag. Added bonus: It's reversible and totally machine-washable. The downside is that there aren't enough pockets, but I'm sure more and better pockets will begin to appear on future versions. I made this second bag this weekend for a friend. Her newborn finally came home after two weeks in the hospital. Who couldn't use a good cheering up after a stressful time like a new bag, especially one with a matching receiving blanket?

Side 1

Side 2

Pocket

Bird's eye view

Finito!

I love that I actually got stuff done this week while on vacation! I did some decorative sewing on a pile of receiving blankets; now I just need to handstitch a small area on each one (the thing I dread most!). I started (and finished!) a flannel blanket for one niece and flannel pants for the other niece, as well as a nursing coverup for a friend. I started (but haven't finished) a receiving blanket and matching purse for a good friend. The weather was cold, but we had several gorgeous days. We woke up to a dusting of snow this morning.

The cabin in WI

My corner of the sunroom (by the fire)

The view over my sewing machine!

The best part was catching movement out of the corner of my eye and looking up in time to see a bald eagle (or 2 or 3 or 4) soaring and diving over the lake. (They have a nest around the corner.)

I can't wait to be back here in 2 weeks for a craft retreat with some friends!

Vacation!

I am off to Wisconsin to sew (and have a much-needed family vacation). I have a long list to work on: a nursing cover-up, receiving blankets, 3 quilts, 1 flannel blanket, and a purse. We'll see what I get finished...

Red and cream

I'm messing around with some scraps. We'll have to see what comes out of it. I'm making a very large quilt for my sister and new brother-in-law. I should have it finished in time for their 5th anniversary. The top is a pinwheel pattern (red and blue) on a cream background with a red-blue-red border. The back is a yummy chocolate brown. (I may just keep it for myself...) So I have hundreds (maybe more like a thousand) little triangle scraps. I've been sewing them together (cream and red). Each pair makes a small square (I mean less than 2 inches when you figure seams to sew the squares together). Now I just need to figure out how I will put them all together. Maybe I'll just make them a lap quilt with these and keep the big one.