I'm just a bag lady at heart

A small confession of bag obsession

I don't know when it began, this obsession with bags...I remember years ago making little 5 minute zipper bags to go inside my bags telling everyone that my bags had bags! I mean, it's just so much fun to have things organized in bags - no more digging around in the bottom of your purse or suitcase to find something - you know you put it in a bag so all you have a to do is find that right bag!

Several years ago I had this obsession with Vera Bradly. I have always admired her bags, they were and are so well made, so well thought out, but there never was a fabric that I fell in love with...until THAT year...and boy oh boy did I have a field day buying all sorts of bags in"my" color...it was like a Treasure Hunt, especially once I figured out the sales and discounts...I acquired almost everything in the collection from purses, to cosmetic bags, to carry on bag, duffle bags, a bag for my curling iron, even a backpack years later when I found one at an outlet...loved and still love my Vera Bradly...ah but there's one flaw with my collection...

While it looks really good on a rolling cart going into a hotel to have  two huge travel bags, a duffle bag and a market tote all "matchy matchy" by the time you get down to the bags within the bags they all look alike! I mean, which bag did I put what in!!!

So over the years I have been collecting bag patterns....every year at Houston Market and Festival I purchase more from my favorite designers....thinking that one day I would start making bags....well I think my ship has come in!

Actually it's a ship that motivated this obsession with sewing bags this year - let me explain...

In April I will be teaching again on a quilting cruise sponsored by my local quilt shop and I thought it would just be so grand if I would have some new bags for travel!

So I started with a Project Bag (Patterns by Annie) made from an orphan block from last year's cruise...I made this at a guild sew in last November.

Project Bag made at Island Quilters Guild Sew-In

The back is the "orphan block," a blazing star, and the front is actually  vinyl in the lime green area so you can see your project inside. I really really really need to make more of these as I do have lots of ongoing projects. It's so wonderful to just grab the bag already packed when I go to the monthly sew-ins.

I really appreciate "By Annie" patterns as they are so well written. Zippers and vinyl are easy with her instructions... So quick and easy that in the same weekend I made her Appliqué to Go bag with a slight variation of adding a center pocket. I use this as my Binding kit - Superior Threads in a rainbow of colors so there is always the right one when I want to sit down and do some hand-sewn binding...the center bag holds my scissors, needles, etc.

Applique to Go bag made at Island Quilters Guild Sew-In

And then I discovered Craftsy!  Oh my! I highly recommend the Zip It Up Class by Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs.  I enjoyed making her Run Around Bag, Nikita Bag and Bendy Bag...which lead to my addiction to Sweetpea Pods and Fobio Key Fob - a real hit for Christmas!

Zip It Up Class Project

Zip It Up Class Project

Zip It Up Class Project

Sweetpea Pods are great for holding Wonder Clips 

Sweetpea Pods for Christmas Gifts

Sweetpea Pod and Fobio Key Fob
Lazy Girl Designs
"Matchy matchy is fun"

Yep, I've kinda gone off the deep in with making bags this year...seriously, when I shared with a friend that I had covered one of my grocery bags with fabric to make it prettier the reply was "I always ask them to double bag my groceries to make up for the lady in front of me who brought recyclable  bags -  someone has to look out for the plastic manufacturers!"  I have since tried my hand at making my own...didn't get a chance to check it out because I gave it to my mom...but I really like the Stow-Away bag pattern I found on Craftsy and plan on making several more.

This is what you do when you change grocery stores
and still want to use the competitors bags

Stow-away bag by liz-moments.blogspot.de

But I think the craziest thing I did was make a bag out of a candy wrapper...it was such a sacrifice to have to take care of all the candy inside so I could put vinyl over the wrapper and add a zipper....tough job but I was up to the task!

Pretty cool that this was the 150 Anniversary for my favorite Valentine candy
The bag will "live on" as a memento!

Have to admit it was fun even if it was a little crazy! And I totally enjoyed giving out individually wrapped candies from my bag on Valentine's Day at church

As if that wasn't enough I went on a quilt retreat...I had all good intentions of piecing a quilt - and I actually did - but the bags took over! Here's what I came home with....

The Duffle Bag Pattern by Cindy Taylor Oats 

The Project Bag (small) made from leftover quilted fabric
 Patterns by Annie

I added a pillow case to match a previous made quilt
"Matchy Matchy" is still fun!

I also finished up a fun "Patterns by Annie" pattern called Open Wide The pattern has three sizes, this was the medium one. I think I will make the other two in the near future - it was just so rewarding and there are so many things you can do with this bag.

Open Wide! Patterns by Annie

Prior to going on retreat I quilted fabric to make a purse pattern but decided I still needed a little more practice on my techniques (stay tuned for that one!) so instead  I just used the scraps to make  the Stash & Dash, also a Patterns by Annie pattern

See, I still use my longarm even though it has been hijacked
by quilting fabric with Soft and Stable for future bags as of late

Stash and Dash with an added zipper wristlet
influenced by my Fobio Key Fobs (Lazy Girl Designs)

Back side of Stash and Dash with a vinyl pocket that I have
no idea what to use it for...

Inside of Stash and Dash
with Sew Fine #50 Superior Threads

In addition the last day of the retreat one of my fellow quilting friends showed me a bag she had from a department store with the challenge "I bet you could figure out how to make this"....yep, I gave it the good ole "I'll try"  besides, what else was I going to do with the leftover quilted fabric?!!!!?

Original "Store Bought" Bag

Copy Cat Bag with added Fobio wristlet

And just to prove to you that I did piece a quilt top.....it's called Stereo by Jaybird Designs

Stereo by Jaybird Designs

Auditioning border fabric

If I do say so myself, I think it was a very successful bag making experience for the week...

Bag Lady Booty

But wait! There's more!  That's what I said when I took my bags for "show and tell" at the Island Quilter's Guild meeting in February. I had all my bags inside the duffle bag and warned everyone that I had a Mary Poppins bag - it was bottomless!!

I do have a couple of other bags I have made in the past few days that I will save to share another day... I just thought this being "Leap Day" Feb 29, 2016 that it would be a good day to LEAP back into blogging!  I hope there is still an audience, if not that's okay too as blogging is sorta a public diary and I enjoy taking a walk down memory lane every now and then...

until next time, take time to do something you enjoy - life is too short not to have fun and share love.

1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us

Sweetheart Table Topper Tutorial by Jaybird Quilts 

karen O in TX

THE Quilt Rambler

A Writer Writes

6/22/15

 1100

And so I wait…in a cold, sterile, rigid feeling room – one in which silence, formality and respect rule. All eyes either forward or focused on private musings. No chit chat, no hushed laughter, just focused waiting. I am among the early birds, dare I suggest - the obedient, the compliant, the serious folk who somewhere in their DNA have been trained to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of schedule. No doubt the room will continue to fill – hopefully the added body heat will take the chill out of the room, but the stone cold silence will undoubtedly remain. There will be others joining us, the stragglers, those who were uncertain of their appointed destination, those easily confused in following directions and those who are by nature habitually late. As one enters the room they must make a decision as to where to sit. Many hover near the entrance as if they hope for a speedy exit. The back row is filled first, reminiscent of a southern Baptist church. The more adventuresome traverse to the far side of the room, the more confident fill the first three rows. Many are dressed very conservatory in colors that tend to make one anonymous in a crowd – perhaps that is their goal – or perhaps it’s just more respectful and business like considering the surroundings.  A few, like myself, can’t help but display bright happy summer colors. Perhaps we are the peacocks of the world – those who aren’t necessarily trying to stand out but who just feel the need to add a little color to a dreary world – shining a light in the darkness - whether intentionally or subconsciously. The flow of participants continues, the vacant seats becoming fewer. Those arriving near the appointed time have a bigger decision to make than those who arrived early. No longer is it a matter of front, center, or back of room. Instead it’s more of looking for several open seats together to avoid sitting by a stranger. We have become a society fueled by the motto “stranger danger”, having been taught “no eye contact” as if this makes us invisible in a crowd.  Yesteryear a similar gathering would have been more “community,” more jovial, similar to  small town chatter as we awaited the events that are moments away of commencing.  Precisely at 1115   “All rise!” 

Welcome to the Galveston County Jury Selection….

********

The above was scribbled in the journal I brought to take notes if needed. So what does a rambler do while she waits? She writes! I was released today after being "on call" all week. I was not chosen for a panel.

To blog or not to blog - that is the question

6/22/15. It's been a long long time since I've blogged. In the busyness of trying to juggle too many things blog time was severed. A good or bad thing I know not. Instead of justifying or regretting the lack of this form of communication or trying to "catch up" I think the real issue is whether to take up the task again. Or not.

I have to ask myself the why or why not, the what or the what not, the how and when and most important the who cares factor must be considered.

Why would I blog again? It's time consuming to write, edit, polish thoughts not to mention pictures. What would be the purpose? What would I write about? Quilting? adventure? or lack of? How and when would I find the time and seriously "who cares!?!??"

Bottom line. I write for me. Pure and selfish. I write because there are so many words in me that need to be said, and perhaps because at times there is no one to listen but pen and ink - or keyboard and screen. An audience is actually a side benefit. The words just need to flow. The danger comes in seeking an audience and their approval   If I blog again it must truly be for self expression and I must continually remind myself does it matter "who cares?!"

If it's my self expression and someone else finds it entertaining or can " relate" then there's another side benefit too - but not the goal.

It's like making a quilt. Generally I don't have a purpose in mind other than expressing creativity or needing a challenge of working through a pattern - sometimes designing my own -or perhaps just the comfort of feeling the fabric and listening to the sound of the machine. Therapy. Joy. Passion. A sense of accomplishment. Not approval seeking or self promoting.

Perhaps blogging again will offer me another sense of accomplishment - journaling thoughts, documenting & chronicling my journey - providing a place for my words to rest  - read or unread -  

Therapy. Joy. Passion. Regardless of who  cares.

It's worth considering.

By the way - here's something worth sharing! My precious pup is still my professional quilt model! Life is good

Seasons of Life

 Ever notice how things seem to be in cycles. Take dishes for example - the need to do them seems to roll around quite often (grin). Sometimes they pile up, neglected. Other times they seem to be such a bother, gotta do the dishes, AGAIN. Yet, when I stop to think about it, dishes are a blessing. In my case, just the beautiful colors make me smile. But beyond that, dishes mean I've had something to eat! Perhaps something to share with others. Maybe even a celebration! Or more than not, just routine of daily life...still! Dishes mean life is continuing, normal or not, there is something to be thankful for.

Days, like dishes, sometimes pass by unnoticed. Soon the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months. Before you know it, seasons have changed. To my regret I don't always pause long enough to enjoy the blessings of the day! Time passes by quickly and before ya'know it, summer has turned into fall and fast approaching is the holiday season.

One day last month my daughter in law, Katie asked if I'd help her get started on a special Christmas project....seems there's a fabulous tradition in her family that everyone has a special made stocking from a certain craft manufacturer's kits using felt, embroidery, and other embellishments. Wanting to make a new tradition of her own, Katie ordered a Christmas tree skirt from this same company. Eager to get started she was a tad overwhelmed by the 400 step instruction sheet! She brought it over to the studio and we deciphered the instructions (actually Katie had them 99% figured out) and I taught her a few embroidery stitches and she was on her way!

In keeping with the mood of the day I put on Christmas music and began working on a Christmas project of my own - tropical santa....details on him later as he's not complete yet.  Katie worked hard that afternoon and after what seemed a thousand small steps she had a beautiful peppermint candy as the first deposit of multiple embellishments on what I know will be a treasured family heirloom.

Yes, the cycle of the holiday season is fast approaching!  Not too long after my craft day with Katie I went to visit my mom and sister. I brought along my bag of fall tricks and soon had each of them working diligently on making fabric pumpkins.

In case you missed the tutorial last year you can revisit and have fun making your own pumpkins.

Seasons come, and seasons go. Sometimes I wish my life were as simple as my sweet Pixxie's. She eats, she sleeps, she does dishes! (well, if you consider licking the plate 'doing dishes'), she chases squirrels, she poses with quilts - still my Professional Quilt Model, how be it, with age she seems to be caught on camera sleeping with my old quilts instead of the "ta da" poses with new quilts. And she loves. Unconditionally. This pup loves me. She's always eager to greet me when I come home, she's sad when I leave. She cuddles up to me when I need a hug...this is one season I hope never changes.

That said, there have been some significant changes in the past 24 hours....a new season in not only my life but the lives of our entire family....

Tuesday morning was bitter sweet as Eric and Katie closed the door (literately on the U-haul) to their lives here in the Houston/Galveston area to begin a great adventure in the Dallas area. 303 miles seems so far, and yet that's where God has called them.

A new season - for them as well as the extended family they leave behind. The cycle of seasons continue. You raise your children to be independent and to love God...and they do just that, move off to serve Him.

If they obey and serve Him, 

they shall spend their days in prosperity, 

and their years in pleasures. 

Job 36:11 

Seasons come, seasons go. Dishes pile up. Sometimes there's been a celebration, sometimes just a simple meal. Reminders that we should never take a single day for granted. He's placed us here, today, to love, be loved, and to do His will. This is the day the Lord has made! We will rejoice and be glad it in!

Seeing Stars

 I love stars, and star quilts! Perhaps it's because I inherited this beautiful block hand pieced by my great grandmother, Roxie Reynolds Brown 1885-1924. This is a pattern sometimes known as Snow Crystals.

Early on when the quilting bug bit I decided that I wanted to make these 8 pointed stars, referred to as Leymone Stars. I remember in 2001 collecting almost 200 fat quarters of purple fabrics with the plan of making a huge quilt just of Leymone Stars. I went to the Houston Festival and purchased Marti Michell's templates and started cutting out hundreds (or was it thousands) of little purple diamonds to make 6 inch stars.  And then there was....realization...not only did I have to cut out the diamonds but also the setting squares and triangles...enter in procrastination... sigh. Truth was, I was a beginner way over my head!

Fast forward to this year, 2013 (yes, I can do the math too - 12 years later!) I decide that I truly need to be working on some UFOs and I had such history with those purple prints....surely it was time for them to come out to see the light of day.

What changed you ask? Simply that I found a method to strip piece and eliminate the y seam...how be it, I was having to adjust the method a tad since my diamonds were now considered "fussy cut" and the real beauty of fully strip piecing wasn't a walk in the park as it should had been had I started out with this method.  Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained.  I'm proud to say with the use of a fantastic ruler by Deb Tucker, The Rapid Fire (TM) Leymone Star ruler, and her pattern Pop Stars I have pieced a project that was long over due. Now it enters the line of "quilts in waiting" (as in waiting to be quilted) hopefully it won't be as long as the piecing!

Eager to try her method "the right way" I quickly pieced her pattern Crown Jewels and actually quilted it all in the same weekend (It was Labor Day and I was working for myself GRIN)

   

Thought you might like to see the close up on the quilting.

I've always been one to want to share my new discoveries so I arranged to have a few friends and their friends for piecing classes this past week.  Here's how a longarm studio gets turned into a classroom.

Thursday's  class had 4 lovely ladies. I was so pleased that after a long day in the saddle they each were able to complete the center block of Crown Jewels (the snow crystal block)...And of course, my ever famous professional quilt model, Pixxie had to share "her block" when it came time for bragging rights. 

A day to catch my breath and then it was time for Saturday's class of 6. Table "A" had some "smokin' needles" and they were the first to complete their center block (one of them had to leave early for a previous engagement so she really was a speedy on the machine!)

By the end of class everyone had a center square. With detailed instructions in their pattern and ruler to be able to finish at home.

Sunday afternoon came and I found myself with lots of hands on demo parts and pieces...I'm a "see one do one" type of teacher... hum... this looks nice...

But I wanted something a tad different...but still with no Y seams...I remembered a class I took in 2004 with Nancy Johnson-Srebro and went to find my autographed book "Stars by Magic"  Her method uses squares and rectangles....

yep. A design change...that's what I'm talking about...add a little twist of shocking pink and by the time its quilted and bound in hot pink I think it will find a place in my kitchen!

Time for my final class, Tuesday's class had 3 ladies with my friend Annette returning from Saturday. Unfortunately Trish had to leave early so she's not included in today's photo....Pixxie missed her.

I just sent out "class photos" to all the ladies and I'm getting reports in that several from the earlier class have already finished their piecing! Way to go girls!  I told you once you got the hang of it you'd be addicted!  I know I am....

Now what to do with my parts and pieces from teaching.....guess what! I do have a plan, but it's going to take more - can't wait until another Sunday afternoon to do a little quilt therapy with the hum of the sewing machine!

Congrats to all my "students" for choosing such gorgeous fabrics for your quilts, and for your hard work with this slave driver of a teacher! You were all so much fun to work with, love the fellowship of quilters!  But I think we wore Pixxie out (grin)

Me? I'm still seeing stars!