An Epic Bag

When I was in Texas this past September for the wedding of Kelsey and Mike,

The wonderful couple with Pastor Diane.

Dru Ann and I did what we always do and visited a few of the local quilt shops.  You never know what they might have that I haven't seen here in California.  I usually end up coming home with something I just have to have.  This time it was a pattern for a very LARGE bag.

The bag is called Anything Goes from Aunties Two Patterns.

I took this picture on top of my washing machine.  Yes it is an odd place to take it but I was trying to give some sort of reference so you can tell the size of the bag.  IT IS BIG! You could fit a small dog in it.  I couldn't get Millie to model inside the bag but you get the idea.



She is soooo cute! But I digress.

To make this bag you need 40 2 1/2"x 42/44" strips.  I used a package of Sumatra batik precuts from Blank Quilting called the Oceanside Collection.

The time consuming part of making this bag is prepping all your strips.

I used a single layer of Pellon iron-on fleece to make the tubes.

I then had to break out this bad boy to zigzag the strips together.  I normally sew on a Juki which just goes forward and back in a straight line which is all I need when sewing.  I picked this machine up a few years ago very inexpensively so when I occasionally need to zigzag I can.  I don't know much about the brand, there's not a lot of information out there about Morse sewing machines, but this one works like a charm!

And for the finishing touches I had Jim pick me up some plastic plumbing tubing at Home Depot to put in the handles,

And I found these great buttons at my  local Jo-Ann Fabrics.

They are made from coconut.

  Aside from being a awesome bag I thought I might be able to make this a class I could teach.  After spending a weekend working on it I decided that wasn't feasible.  It takes a lot of time to make the strips.

 I am now using the bag to carrying my samples of Stof , a quilt fabric line from Denmark made in Japan that I have added to my arsenal of fabrics I rep.

This bag would make a great weekender bag or something you could use whenever you are going to a sit and sew to carry all your important  sewing stuff.
You can also easily slip in a bottle of wine or two - just saying.

Christmas 2015

My favorite son, yes he is my only son, informed me recently that he wanted to come to California for Christmas.

 

I am always up for visitors since we rarely get any.  It really saddens me more people don't want to come and enjoy that what is California. The invitation is always out there people.

 

A little ways back I convinced the DH that we didn't need to have beds in all three bedrooms. So we are now a two bedroom house with an office/sewing/crafting room.

 

Yes I got my own space to sew, quilt, knit and do office things but I might also have migrated just a little into the "guest bedroom". 

 

Okay a little might be a lot to some people so now I will have to sew, quilt, knit quickly to make some spot for him to sleep. 

 

He is my kid so I am hoping he will adjust. 

 

If not there is a Marriott down the road.

Upcoming Nuptials

It's hard to believe but in less then a month my favorite middle child Kelsey is getting married.

This warm hearted, strong willed, creative, nurturing, animal loving woman will be pledging her heart to Mike.

Who knows what the future holds for these two?

I do know it will be filled with love and happiness.

And a lot of furry companions.

And maybe some not so furry.

We love you both!!

 

 

 

 



A Drop (Or Two) In The Bucket

As I am sure most people are aware the state of California is currently going through a major drought.

I was in Texas last month for the marriage of my beautiful daughter  Rachel to the very handsome Brad.



It was a lovely wedding!

And during that time there was storm after storm with flooding all over the state of Texas and I had wished there had been some way to send some of that water west.

 

Wanting to do our part Jim and I recently started taking showers with a bucket to catch the water

being sprayed as the water from the shower head warms up.

 

The recycled bucket has really added to the décor of our bathroom.

I have been using this water to keeps my potted plants in the back yard hydrated.

So far there has not been any adverse affects from this shower water as we are not trying to reclaim any water with soap and shampoo.

 

We seem to be collecting about 3 gallons of water a day between our two showers.

Today I learned  that I need to empty the bucket everyday otherwise it gets HEAVY

carrying it downstairs.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for any news stories about a crazy woman falling down her stairs while doing her part trying to not waste water.

 

 

 

Celebration

In just less then a month my oldest daughter, Rachel, is getting married to a wonderful young man by the name of Brad.

Many changes are coming her way.

A last name that is more than one syllable, a new home in Oklahoma and a new job.

Lots of changes.

And lots of opportunites.

Can't wait to see what the future holds for them!!

 

 

Free To A Good Home

Free to a good home a cute puppy by the name of Maizy although she doesn't answer to that so you can easily change her name.

 

EARLY morning riser (6:00 o'clock is early in my book) who is ALMOST house and crate trained.

 

 

Loves helping in the yard collecting sticks and snails - escargot anyone?

 

 

Gets along with other dogs although they might think she is a pest.

Current on her shots for the week.

 

Can I just say WHAT WAS I THINKING?

 

OHMYGOSHSHEISCUTE!!

 

And no I'm not really trying to find her a new home except at 6:00 in the morning.

 

 

 

Christmas Socks 2015

Every year I make Jim a pair of socks for Christmas.

This year I am really ahead of the game.

His socks are done for 2015.

The yarn is Madelinetosh Sock in the color Spectrum that I bought at  Madtosh  last September when I was in Texas.

 

The toes are Regia Extra Twist Merino.

 

The sock pattern is the SKYP Rib Socks from Mushroom Knits.  I actually just used the stitch pattern for the socks and did my normal heel and foot pattern for the rest.

 

.  I didn't have quite enough to finish both toes with the Madelinetosh yarn as it has only 395 yards in a skein so I made them purple.

 

I think this may be my signature toe going forward.

 

 His Christmas socks for the upcoming year are done so this now means I have the entire year to knit whatever strikes my fancy.

 

Oh be still my heart!