Cherry Summer Quilted Tote

Okay, okay!! I know I have been on a quilted bag kick...but aren't they just too cute??!!! Leah Lowe turned 5 on September 7th and I had her fabrics thought out weeks in advance...

*Black double cherry
*Fresh green grassy
*Frolicky yellow bumble bee
*Crisp red with shooting stars

I was excited to try something new and went with "reversible" straps. I really wanted the black to end up on the bottom of the bag which would help the bag not get dingy on the bottom with use. This left the tips being black as well. I didn't want to line the bag with black since it was a whimsical bag for a little girl...I much rathered the fresh green fabric for the job. Instead of choosing one or the other and having the strap ends seen "ending" at the bag, I did the green under and the black on top so it looks seamless. I was quite pleased, indeed.

This is the same miniature size as the little quilt tote I made for Daniella a few weeks back. The finished bag stands 8 1/2" tall without straps and 5-5 1/2" wide. This charming tote is 14" from top of straps down if you are holding it. Each dainty quilt block measures 1.5" X 1.5".

I listed this bag on my Etsy store online: http://www.IceCreamDream.etsy.com/ . It would be nice to start listing these and making them to order...I will whip it up this weekend if I haven't sold it by then and just have it done and ready to ship. Worst case scenario, I will gift it for the holidays :)

Finished bag picture, thanks to my brother-in-law's studio:

Tropical Quilt - Singletary Wedding Gift

Goodness me, my friend Laura (then surname Hooper) is married! I had no doubt in my mind that I would be making her a quilt for her wedding...I was, however, originally going to make it for her bridal shower gift. Time got away from me and the shower date was upon me! I hadn't even cut the fabric yet...oops, I think I may have had swatches but actually hadnt even purchased the fabric. HM, well I dusted off my breeches and decided I needed to get to work!

I knew all along that I would do a rail fence design and that I wanted oranges and greens involved, as Laura just reminds me of orange colors (I think she wears the color well too) and, well, green goes well with orange, doesn't it??! I also knew that I wanted to incorporate some sort of tropical theme since she loves the beach and tropical vibes! A perfect pallette...

I found several Keepsake Calico prints at Joann's that worked for this quilt. I settled comfortably with one orange leafy pattern, one green reed/leaf, and one creamy khaki fern pattern. Next: WASH, PRESS, CUT!!!

It was hot inside during the days that I was making this quilt. We had a couple of buffet tables still outside from our family dinner we had on a previous weekend (we all went frisbee golfing than came back for salad feast around a square table!)...I got to thinking, how perfect! I could lay out all of my fabric and cut it and even sew it OUTSIDE!

This quilt was being made to a "lap blanket" size. I cut 10 strips at 2 3/4" wide for each of the three fabrics. I ended up with leftover fabric, but my mind went reeling as I put this quilt together and it is all locked up in plans now :)

While sewing on this quilt, I found myself thinking about Laura and how we have known each other for, goodness, 23 years! I think she would qualify as my oldest friend for sure! I met her when we moved to Spring Valley and started at Kempton Elementary in 6th grade. I would have to say that we had a bit of a hot/cold relationship, but we always ended up back at best friends. Up until 11th grade we were tight. She left for Mount Miguel High School and their superior band program, I remember, and a trademark tiff left us out of contact for a few years...

One day I was working at the Disney Store. I had to be around 19 at the time. Anyhow, I was working (on my birthday, what a trooper!) and she came in with friends. I remember we hadn't spoken in or seen each other for about 2 years at the time. ANyhow, she walked by me...smiled...and mouthed "happy birthday" to me! I smiled back and mouthed "thank you". I think things were right after that. We kept in contact, and a couple years later she moved up to Long Beach. We always kept in contact since.

The quilt went togehter pretty quickly. I had the top of the quilt done in half a day. Mom helped me sandwich the top and the backing with the batting and we pinned it in preparation for quilting. I started quilting it, and thats when I really started to smile. It was turing out great! Its amazing how much I can get done with a companion like my mom just sitting there and chatting with me as I sew :)

Binding is always where I do my mess-ups...darn frustrating at times! SO I followed suit with a couple of friends mom has...she said that they cut their binding 2 1/2" wide. WOO HOO! Then those little spots that don't catch are a goner! I am notorious for "finish-line" mishaps and it is TOO frustrating! This time I told myself that, no, I am not a well-seasoned quilter as of yet and I shouldn't knock myself around for having to use the "jumbo crayons" once and a while to get it right. HAhaha...so the binding went on without a hitch, and that was good.

Okay, so I was pretty much done with the quilt. All I needed was a tag for it. I have made detailed tags using templates etc but decided that this time, I would hand script their names, the date of the wedding and "lovingly made by me" sort of thing. I forgot how to slip stitch for a minute...then voila! It came back to me. And I cannot say it was my best hand stitching, but I can guarantee that tag won't come off in its first wash...and after the first wash it is considered their fault, right??




Finished Quilt:




Fabric detail:



Set on a netural background (as if in a catalog haha):


I do want to thank my mom, who always has more faith in me and my abilities than I do. I wouldn't dare half of the things I do without her giving me that nudge in my back! I know this isn't the world's end in quilts, but it is a little out of my comfort level being that I can create bags, clothes, home dec without guidance...but quilting is pretty close to the most precise sewing I have had to do! When I first start any quilt, mom sits there and just talks to me...and then like helping a kid ride a bike, she lets go of the seat and lets me be...and I can do it on my own, I find. Thanks MOM!