Let's Book It: Lazy Girl's Runaround Bag Pattern

I was afraid to try this purse pattern. The last step kept confusing me. I would read the instructions and everything was fine until I read that last step of confusing instructions. That's when the pattern would go back in the plastic bag and back on the shelf. Fortunately I read a "tip" for this purse pattern. "Just follow the instructions in the last step just as they are written." I did and everything turned out perfectly. This is really a cool pattern and FUN to make. Before I knew it, I made seven of them. Below are the fronts and backs of four of them.

The back has a pocket, perfect for maps or sun glasses.

I added a piece of folded fabric in the "purse sandwich" so the inside would have two compartments. Because this purse is small and doesn't hold a lot, it's perfect for traveling or running errands. A purse strap made with a WOF strip makes it long enough to slip over the head making it a crossover purse. Tie a knot in the strap to make it shorter and kid friendly.
I'm linking this post to Sharon Vrooman's "Let's Book It" blog post entry.        

2014 RSC December Week 4

This is a 2014 RSC project that I will carry over to finish in 2015. I stopped making my 5.5" cocoa mug blocks because I ran out of the very bright Kona White fabric used piecing these blocks. I tried to buy more of this bright Kona white twice to finish this quilt. Both pieces were not as bright. A clerk at Jo Ann's suggested I bring a block to the store with me to see if I could match the white in my blocks. I want enough to make six more mug blocks and sash all of them before adding a border. I think it could be a pretty baby quilt. I had no idea matching white fabric would be difficult. Oh well.
To see how others are finishing up their Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects, go here Saturday morning.

Since finishing my RSC sampler quilt, I've been sewing a lot of Teeny Tiny Zipper Pouches. Here are some of them. I can't guess how many I have made, but people love them. They have been nice little gifts this year.

Homemade Super Hero pillowcases are well received each year. I made the two in the picture above for my oldest son. Pillows are slipped inside a flap on these pillow cases. He loved the Super Woman fabric I used.

These slip on pillowcases were made with French seams. The Super Woman pillowcase went to my Nephew for his birthday. I stuffed a new pillow inside it before I gave it to him. He loved it! He remembers watching all the Linda Carter Super Women episodes aired years ago.
I found time to pull a purse pattern and actually make some purses. I've been hesitating to make a purse, because I though they would be difficult and take forever. NOT! I've made seven so far! I'll post pictures of some of them in a future post, maybe Sunday, for Sharon Vroomans' "Let's Book It 2014" challenge.
I hope everyone have a nice Christmas!

2014 RSC December Rainbow Sampler Quilt Finished

Here is my Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler all finished and I love, love, LOVE it. What a FUN quilt. Thank you soooooo much Angela!

The backing is pieced fat quarters. I LOVE it, too! It's quilted with a loose free motion meander. After a go in the washer and dryer, it finished at 76" x 84". Took two people to hold it up for pictures. I love everything about this quilt.
December is a month of RSC quilt and project wrap ups and finishes. To see how others are finishing up this RSC year, go here.

Wishes Quilt Finished

This year the FatQuarter Shop hosted a BOM Quilt Along called Wishes. Each month Kimberly posted a free block pattern download as well as a video tutorial showing how to assemble the month's block. Instructions to finish the quilt front and backing were posted later in the year. The FatQuarter Shop requested donations be made to the Make A Wish Organization to use the downloads. Go here to read about the Wishes BOM Quilt Along.
Though I often make brightly colored scrap quilts, I though I would make this one with soft colors. Pictured is the front of my Wishes quilt.

This is a picture of the back. The instructions had a row of four patches running horizontally across the back. My backing was a directional fabric and would look best placed vertically. I sewed left over scraps and HSTs cuts from the BOM block units together to make a vertical row.

This is a close up of the backing. It's quilted with a VERY loose free motion meander and bound with a stripped green print. After a go in the washer and dryer it finished a soft, sweet 61" x 76.5".
Next year the FatQuarter Shop plans a BOM Quilt Along called "Snap Shots". They will request donations be made to St Judes for use of the downloads. You can read about the BOM Quilt Along here.

A Day With Bonnie Hunter

Last month, Bonnie Hunter taught us how to make Pineapple Blocks, a free pattern on her blog, during a Saturday workshop for the Wilkes County Quilters. It was awesome. We sewed, laughed and had a wonderful time. Here is a picture of me on the left, Bonnie in the center and my buddy Laura on the right.

You would think that I would have more blocks to show after a daylong workshop, but we were having too much fun talking, eating and working for consistent quarter inch seams. Bonnie posted pictures of us on her blog here and here.

Feels good to be back blogging. I have a new computer and I'm having problems learning Window 8.1. I want to thank everyone that has sent me notes to see if I was okay. I'm fine. Sewing, working through those UFOs and WIPs and making last minute Christmas items. Please know that I had not burned out. I'll post pictures of some of the things I've finished later this week.