It's a 2fer

I found some paper-pieced blocks I made a few years ago and decided to use eight to make a zippered bag.  These are the photos:

Front

Back

I'll have to find a use for it so that it's out all the time where I can enjoy it.  I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts - Bag It 2017.  Follow the link to see other bag entries.  Or you could enter one yourself.

Also, I've finished another zentangle.  There used to be a blogger who would release a mandala template each week to be used for tangling.  I really enjoy doing mandalas but I haven't found any that aren't for coloring.  There are books that instruct how to create mandalas.  But being how I am, who needs a book?!  I took a roll of duct tape and used it to draw a bunch of intersecting circles and used that to tangle.  I drew it on a sheet of copy paper then photocopied it onto 8 1/2 x 11 inch card stock.  It isn't a mandala but it served it's purpose.  I wanted to practice different tangles and shading.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

-- Pat

This and That

I'm so tired of working on the OMG One Monthly Goal project.  I've set it aside for now.  I may finish it by the end of the month but time is running out.  I'm letting myself off the hook.  I think my new goal is to finish it by the end of October.

Last night I made another bag.  It's an Origami Drawstring Pouch.  The tutorial  is by Debbie Shore.  I really like the look of it.  I used to have a pattern for a different origami bag which was more rectangular but with the same flaps design.  I have another one cut out, waiting for me.  I'm linking up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts - Bag It.

Origami Drawstring Pouch

Today I worked on two more paper-pieced blocks for the 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks Project.  This brings the number completed blocks to 65.

#157

# 110

Years ago, I went through a Zentangle phase.  I worked on a tile last night to see if it still held some attraction for me.  I like how it came out except that I can use some improvement with shading.  Done right, it can add dimension and eye appeal.  You know how I like a challenge.

Hope you had a good day.

-- Pat

Did you know...

I'm crazy?  I finished sewing the last block today for my OMG project and sewed them all together.  I laid the top on the bed to see how it looked.  I think I want to add a border or something around the outside.

Every block has fabric and/or a hexie from the original 'unloved' quilt top.  Since every block has a focus center, I guess it's sort of an 'I Spy' quilt.  I'm anxious to see how it looks when it's quilted.

I also made two more bags for the Bag It 2017 event.  One is a zippered bag using a 12.5 inch block I made and quilted during the 501 Quilt Blocks Project.  The other bag is one I made using this tutorial by Susan Claire-GourmetQuilter using 10 inch squares.  You may notice that all the zippers are dark colored.  Years ago, I purchased 10 each of blue, black, brown, green, purple and magenta -- all dark colors because that's usually what I sew.  What can I say?  I got a good deal.  I'm determined to use them up.

Hope you had a good day.

-- Pat

Bag It 2017 - 2nd bag

Participating in this event could be dangerous.  I love bags!  You can never have too many.  Today I made a little bag that I'm going to use as a makeup bag.  I loosely followed this tutorial by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company.  I've made bags with zippers before but never with the tabs at the beginning and end of the zipper.  I made a boo-boo when sewing the front to the back.  They're supposed to look the same.  I had one of them upside down.  But I never worry about such things.  I like scrappy looking items.

I'm linking up with Elm Street Quilts Bag It 2017.  Take a minute to check out the other entries.  Maybe you'd like to make a bag or two.  ( or ten.)

Hope you have a good day.

-- Pat

Bag It has begun...

Today I made the bag I mentioned in this post.  After I posted about the fabric and quilting, I went back and added more quilting.  It has stipple, blocks outlined and diagonals in both directions.  I figure that gives more stability to those fabrics that aren't 100% cotton.  These are fabric scraps I've had stashed away in a drawer for at least 6 years.

I've made bags before but I've never made one with a lining.  I watched this tutorial for the La Connor Bag by Jera Brandvig as a guide.  So this is my first bag with a lining properly sewn in.  The bag is  approx. 13 x 17 inch.

I'm linking up with Patty of Elm Street Quilts: Bag It.  The event is open from Sept. 18 to Dec. 15.  Be sure to check the link frequently to see all the entries.  You could even enter your own bag.

Enjoy!

-- Pat

Scraptastic Tuesday

I've found the perfect place to display some of my scrap/wonky 'stuff'.  It is Scraptastic Tuesday hosted by She Can Quilt.  I mentioned earlier in the week that I found some 4 inch square scrap fabric.  I admit that they're not all 100% cotton or even cotton, so you can see this is not only scrappy but perhaps a little wonky too.  Today, I spray basted (great invention) the top, batting & back and quilted it with a meandering stitch.  I'm toying with the idea to also top stitch each square.  My intention is to use this to make a bag for Bag It hosted by Elm Street Quilts.  So here's what I have so far:

Front

Back

Don't forget to follow the links above to see other 'Scraptastic Tuesday' projects or to find out more about 'Bag It'.

Hope you enjoyed your day.

-- Pat