A Re-usable Shopping Bag

I'm so behind with everything.  I've managed to injure my arm at work.  Honestly I think I have tennis elbow from pulling and pushing bolts of fabric around all day.  I've no time nor $$ for the Dr. right now so I'm wrapping it and icing it.  I have to moderate my projects so I don't put any further strain on  my arm so projects aren't going nearly as quickly as I would like.
I came across a heavyweight woven cotton at work that isn't quite right for quilts.  I know it will be overlooked, so I thought a quick project to turn it into something useful would be rather fun.

 So I came up with this. A re-useable shopping bag from a half yard of fabric.  Simple to make with two side seams, two strap seams and the edge finishing.

 What makes it look a bit fancier is the fact that I used some wooly poly and a rolled hem on the serger to create the edge "folds" 

A bit of pressing and ta-da, it looks every bit as good, if not better as one you buy from the store.  I still need to work out something stiff to put in the bottom though, I have an abundance of cardboard but don't like how it breaks so easily.  Any ideas?

Current Project

Ok, because Brandie in her genius is inspiring and to prove that I am not without a current sewing project I introduce you to Sunbonnet Sue.

Once again I am getting pictures with horrid lights.  That's one of my issues with this time of year (I have a few issues with it), by the time I get home and get sewing done it's dark. The colors aren't nearly this dark in real life.

 Here's my planned layout at the moment.  I will admit that I borrowed this whole idea from a lady at work who made a darling version.  Can I just offer up a halleluja and praise be for the Go! Cutter?  If I had to cut out each girl with scissors...I wouldn't. 

 I've used about 50/50 scraps and new fabrics.  They all have fusible, some with Heat n' Bond and some with Steam a Seam 2.  Personal experience tells me that the latter is far superior for this application and although it's significantly more expensive it is well worth it.

 

The plan is to embellish the bonnets with a mixture of ric-rac and decorative stitches then to do a machine blanket stitch around all the edges.   More to come on these little ladies.  

Beads!

Given the length of time it takes me to complete one project, I need another like I need another pet, but when I happened upon a bead store I had not known about up until now I just couldn't resist stopping in.  Big mistake, but I'm so glad I did.
They have monthly projects that if you buy the supplies from them, they'll do one on one instructions with you for free.  Check out these adorable bracelets that they had for the month of October. 

 The pattern is called Shut the Shutters  and they're made with Tila beads, flat beads with two holes and tiny size 15 seed beads.  The clasp is a beaded loop and a fancy button.

 I fell in love with this green one but decided to go with a more sedate look for my first attempt.

 We got in just in time too, Saturday night after I got off work I called to see what time they closed, I had two hours, so Alayssa and I dashed over for a girls night out.

They work up fairly quickly.  Here are our efforts so far, Alayssa's is the natural one.  Sorry about the poor picture quality, night pics are never pretty but if I wait until daylight to post it won't happen. 
I'm hooked and I'm excited for Novembers project as well as some of the classes they offer.  Want to see what November's project will be?

Pretty pretty!!!!  I love necklaces...even if I hardly ever wear them.  I love these gorgeous fall colors, these necklaces are made with seed beads and crystals.

 Another favorite color combination, it makes me think of grape vines (and wine!)

Tin Lizzy 18 Trunk Show

Janie Donaldson Mullen from Quilt Central TV came to visit our shop and brought some beautiful wall hangings with her to show.  They were so amazing, I thought I'd share them with you.  
 

 This rooster wall hanging combines a hand painted background with silk fabrics and thread painting.  I think he was my favorite.

This is what he looks like on the back. 

 Here she hand painted her own fabric again then did the quilting and applied Swarovski crystals.

 She also used up her odds and ends bobbins, so this is what the back looked like.  Amazing huh?

 Another hand painted fabric accented with crystals.

And the back.

 Here is a quilted still life. 

 I loved this one with all the cogs and gears.   I'm totally going to make something like this.

 Handpainted fabric to resemble morning glories.  She described the technique and I'm dying (hee hee hee)  to try it.

 This one used a combination of hand painted fabric and cutout techniques. It made me thing of Georgia O'keef.

 

 

Here's a beautiful Mariners Compass

 This was the only full size quilt she brought (you can fit more wall hangings in luggage)  It's actually going to Grandmother Floyd (the wife/mother of the creators of the Tin Lizzie machines.)  She used a variation on a Ricky Tims technique to make this one.  Oh La, isn't it a beauty!

 

 Here's the back.

 And some closeups of some sections. 

 Beautiful eh?

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed my little quilt show.  It was so amazing to get to see these in person and hold them.  I've got lots of ideas, now to see how far the ideas go!