Project Bags

These are Project Bags, made from the pattern of the same name. I have made lots of them; as gifts, and a few to keep. They are pretty to look at and straight-forward to construct. According to the write up on the pattern, they are: 

Great for organizing everything you need for each of your projects, these handy totes in four sizes have sturdy quilted bases and fun fabric details. A zippered closure keeps everything safe and secure and a see-through vinyl window allows you to see at a glance what is in each bag.

I concur, although I have only made the large (13" X 13") size. For me, they are especially handy to place chosen fabrics, supplies and the pattern or booklet for any given project all in one tote for workshops or retreats.

If you haven't made any bags by Annie this is the perfect one to start with. 

Fear not the zipper-- the instructions are easy-peasy; go forth and get yourself organized!

Life is Good!

Just In Case

 As a participant in this year's "Let's Get Organized" club at my LQS I have been busy keeping up (or attempting to!) with each month's project featuring patterns By Annie. All of the patterns are inspiring and the instructions straight-forward and simple to follow. 2017 will go down in history as the year that I have conquered my fear of zippers. I made this foldover carry-all for Mason. He can carry all sorts of treasures with him: a tablet and pencil, paper back book, whatever he chooses. There is a hidden magnetic catch that holds the case neatly closed.
This is made using the "Just In Case" pattern in the large size, 8" X 10.5". It opens up to reveal two zippered compartments; one mesh and one see-through heavyweight vinyl. The mesh pocket expands and will conform nicely to accommodate almost anything that Mason chooses to stuff in there. I will definitely be making more of these.

These photos are from the website. Couldn't you think of a thousand uses for one of these?

I will give Mason his tomorrow. We will be traveling to the Capital City to watch him play soccer in the morning and celebrate Lucy Ann's seventh birthday belatedly. Seven?!? How did that happen? As always, time is fleeting-- where did summer go anyway? I don't feel as though I even had a chance to say good-bye. I need to replace the withering annuals in the pots on the front porch with some fall color today. Did I say withering? That's not exactly accurate; decimated is more like it. I caught this guy blatantly devouring what was left of the potted Impatiens on the front steps earlier this week. Seriously; if he had been any closer to the front door he could have rung the doorbell!

I don't believe that he and his friends have a taste for Chrysanthemums.  At least I hope not. 

Life is Good!

Buried and Busy

It had gotten to the point that I couldn't pull open the file drawer in the studio anymore, no matter if I'd had my Wheaties for breakfast or not! It was time, long past time, for cleaning out the files. Do you ever have looming jobs that seem to be so much greater in scope, in your imagination, than they actually turn out to be? I do; this was one of those tasks which seemed too big to tackle... almost! I started yesterday morning, one file at a time. The waste basket became my best friend. Pounds upon pounds of paper were carried to the trash can outside. Quilt sketches from the 1980's, quilt judging critique forms and quilt show programs that were also decades old; did I need to keep any of these? NO! This afternoon I can open and close the file drawer with ease, it's one fluid movement again, with room for more files if the need arises. A job successfully completed, such as this one, always makes we wonder why I waited all this time to begin. A huge sense of accomplishment is my reward.

Digging out from all that paper was cause for a celebration. For me, getting organized is like throwing a party; so, how better to commemorate the occasion than by getting busy making pencil cases for the grands. This was fun, I trimmed each with their individual favorite colors and filled them with a few treats to celebrate the end of school; who knows what treasures and treats they may come to hold over time. Another pattern byannie.com.; this one is a free download. And to think, I was once afraid of zippers! 😉 What needs organizing at your house? Attack it head on, you'll be happy that you did!

Life is Good!

Project Bag

I made a Project Bag today, actually I made up several! This is the fourth in the series of organizers being highlighted each month at my LQS featuring Patterns by Annie. This quilted tote makes up quick and easy and is handy for keeping up with everything you might need in one place for any type of projects on-the-go. I made mine in the large size, which finishes to 13 inches square; these are the perfect size for fabric bundles and a pattern and/or book, for carrying completed and pressed quilt blocks, or anything else you can think of. The fabric requirements are minimal: a few coordinating fat quarters and you're good to go, the addition of a see-through vinyl window in front for easy identification of the contents and a zipper to keep it all secure. I think this is an ideal gift, too, I am already thinking about making a few up in children's fabrics and slipping in a coloring book and crayons or travel games for in the car! (There are three other sizes for this bag too, I might just have to make one of each.) What would you carry in your project bag?

       

Life is Good!

With Apologies to Jack and Diane

This post is about Ditty Bags, beginning with a little ditty; but, sorry, this one isn't about Jack and Diane*! The Ditty Bags were last month's project from the Let's Get Organized club at my LQS. Featuring patterns by Annie every month this year I have already managed to make a Stash and Dash and a set of Nesting Boxes, I am quite pleased with the results. For the Ditty Bags I chose to make the smallest one first, to keep for myself. My idea was that I could work out any "kinks" in the construction before I turned my attention to the two larger ones which I planned to make as a gift set. As it turns out, the instructions were so well written, and clearly illustrated, that there were no kinks to be found!

The small Ditty Bag is perfect for a few essentials, just the right size to fit inside my purse. 

I love this pattern, all the seams are finished inside, making for a very neat and tidy interior. I chose to bind the inside seams with contrasting fabric in the bag's accent color, just for fun.

This is the set, the large and the medium bags, a gift for my daughter. She is an Auburn grad and will love these fabric choices. War Eagle!

I have an extra Ditty Bag pattern for these bags in all three sizes, as shown; I would love to give it away. If you would like a chance to win the pattern simply leave a comment below with your best organizational tip and I will draw a random winner one week from today. Make sure that you have an email address attached to your account so that I can reach you, should you win. We'll all be winners with a list of organizational tips; thank YOU, in advance. Good luck!

This post has it all today: a project show and tell, a giveaway and music (click below)!

Life is Good!

😊

* Jack & Diane, John Cougar Mellencamp, 1982