Carrying supplies to sewing gatherings

Fall is in full swing. The last couple weeks the tree colors have been beautiful and with temps in the high 60s and 70s I couldn't ask for better fall weather.  But alas, all good things come to an end.  The days are getting shorter and the temps are dropping.  Here comes the rains and the wind and most of the leaves have fallen to the ground.  Mother Nature sure put on a great show.  Back to my sewing.

January 2023 I constructed the "Tidy Tote," which has been awesome for carrying my sewing supplies to different gatherings. ( I posted about this tote February 6, 2023 titles "Quickies"). As greats as this tote is I don't always need to carry a lot of supplies.  Sometimes I just need thread, scissors, pins and a couple odds and ends with my sewing machine.  So I found a pattern for a tote from byannie.com called Open Bag 2.0.  With leftover fabric from my Tidy Tote I constructed a small matching bag.

 

The large opened tote in the back is my Tidy Tote, the smaller tote on the bottom right is my new smaller coordinated tote.  It has a zipper closure,  a side handle on the left and inside mesh fabric pockets on both the front and the back.  I put a peace sign zipper closure on the zipper pull.  How fun! This will work perfect.  Even better, I had all the fabric and supplies in my stash except the zipper and pattern.

Matchy, matchy - this project reminds me of the 60s and early 70s when I would have a matching purse for each pair of shoes I owned :).  Now days people don't even wear matching socks.  To be so care-free.  Well, back to the present.  Cleaning up some quick projects and finishing my new UFO list.  I only need six UFOs to complete one every other month.  This should be a breeze, but I didn't finish last year's list.  Maybe I can squeeze last year's list in and have both list done by the deadline - November 2025.  But as you know, there is always other projects that manage to find their way in the mix.  I guess that's why there are these UFOs.

Tackling the little things

I've been busy preparing my new UFO list for the 2024-25 guild year (which starts in November) and came across some little projects I decided to tackle instead of adding them to my list.  

First I came across left over string quilt strips from my Friendship Rings quilt I posted in May 2021.  Yes, I still hung on to those strips.  I'm currently using that quilt on my spare bedroom bed.  I must have known that I would have a use for those strips - I made coordinating  pillow shams.  

The strips are finally used up and you'd never know that I made the shams three years later.    I love using up my stash fabrics and will continue to lessen the load.

Happy Fall Y'all

 Summer has slipped away, but our weather has continued to shine on with fantastic temps.  But with fall comes cooler mornings and shorter days.  That "S" word is now in play - Sewing Time!  Hooray!

I have multiple sewing projects in the making.  Living in Northern Michigan makes getting supplies challenging.  So when I hit a bump I move on to the next project until I can get the supplies I need.

I finished this scrappy "Scrabble Jack" wallhanging a few days ago in plenty of time for the upcoming holiday.

While participating in the Michigan Shop Hop I found this pumpkin wallhanging displayed on a quilt shop wall.  I asked if I could buy the pattern and was told unfortunately the company has gone out of business a few years ago and it is no longer available.  I was puzzled that this was even on display if there is no pattern.   Further questioning I got no further trying to make it.  Eventually I asked if I could take a picture,  I was sure I could figure this out.  The clerk let me take a picture and told me they still had a few accessory packs for sale which included: the buttons for the eyes, the raffia for the bow and the scrabble-like tiles for the message.  I asked if the pack was on sale since there was no pattern for the pumpkin and was told no.  I was ready to walk out and the clerk said I could have 25% off.  So being polite I bought the accessory pack.  I think I could've accumulated those accessories cheaper, but again living in Northern Michigan has its challenges.

So here is my "Scrabble Jack".  I used two inch squares from my stash of fabric making a 26" by 26" wallhanging.  It's hanging in my entryway to welcome my grandkids and when trick or treaters come  they will be greeted by Scrabble Jack.

I've played Scrabble since I was a young kid and have always loved it.  When I sent a picture of Scrabble Jack to my daughter she said - it is so you .  Using scrabble tiles to add a message on projects is a great idea.  If I run into a cheap, used scrabble game I will purchase it for further use.

Well, I've gotten a few more supplies this past week so I'm ready to complete another project.

As Scrabble Jack says "Happy Fall Y'all"