Zippity do da

 I've been working on the first UFO challenge for the AuSable Quilt Guild.  November UFO #2 was selected.  Number 2 on my UFO list was bags.  I've accumulated quite the collection of fabrics and patterns to make bags so this is an opportunity to put a good dent in them.

As I was making bags they were coming out darn cute.  Although I didn't plan to make any of these bags as gifts it seemed to be perfect for giving as Christmas gifts.

The shopping bags were copied off of my Traders Joe canvas shopping bag.  I love the size and fabric of this bag so I made a few for my own fabrics.  If you follow my blog you will see a repeat of fabrics in these bags as I'm using up stash fabric.  I very seldom use plastic bags at stores.  I'm always carrying totes, so I might as well make a fashion statement with these beauties.  Also, an easy gift to give - everyone could use a tote.

Then I got caught up in the Zippy Bags and Zippy Bags 2 by Lori Holt with other guild member ladies.  Cute bags, but what will I do with all of them?  Besides the fabric pattern is very sewing/country themed which isn't for everyone. What was I thinking?  Like I don't have enough projects!  Well, I committed by purchasing them so instead of putting them in a pile to become a future UFO I got sewing.  I even copied the pattern and made bags in some of my own fabrics.  I'm loving these bags.  Maybe they will become a special gift for someone in the future or maybe I'll just use them myself.  Rumor has it that a new Zippy Bag group is coming out this year.  I'm going to resist, I hope.

All in all 6 shopping bags and 23 zippy bags.  I still have some more fabric and zippers to make a few more bags.  I know,  more!!! Yep.

Okay, still more finished projects to share.  I'll be back soon.

Crazy Christmas Trees

 Happy New Year!

With the holidays behind me I need to do some catching up.

As I was reviewing my UFO projects I came across a few patterns I purchased over the years that still need to be made.  One of them was the Crazy Christmas Trees table runner designed by Karla Alexander. I also came across a Christmas 10" Charm Pack I won at a shop hop.  This pattern was perfect for using some of these Charm Pack squares.  I made a table runner for my daughter-in-law and another for myself from this pack and there is still at least half of that Charm Pack left waiting for its debut.

At first, the construction was a little slow trying to understand the pattern, but once I figured it out it was a snap to put together.  The finished size of my runners are 22" by 46".  A little bigger than the pattern size, but hey if you have leftover cut-up fabric you might as well use it.

I call them tipsy Christmas trees.  They remind me of playing a balancing game with blocks.  Although they didn't get a lot of display time this Christmas they're ready future Christmases.   I hate jumping into holiday sewing until we come up on that holiday.  Bah hum bug to Christmas in July, although it is a smart idea.

They were fun to construct and fun to look at.  Definitely a pattern I will use again.

Happy New Year and may 2024 be creative and bring joy to your soul.

Back to my studio to gather up my next blog contents.