Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday.  My brother and I are planning a larger gift for her, but in the meantime I decided she needed a new bag.  She currently uses what I consider a shmata purse, something you would take camping, not out to dinner.  (She disagrees with this assessment).  Naturally, I turned to Noodlehead for a pattern.  Anna had just published her Sidekick Tote pattern, which I was planning on buying anyway because I also need a new bag (very displeased with Kate!) and cross-body's are my preference.

I used linen home dec fabric for the exterior and some Denyse Schmidt for JoAnn for the lining.

Naturally, I made a few changes.  I made the small size bag, but used the large pocket.  I also replaced the velcro closure with a magnetic clasp.

I changed the inside pocket to a zippered pocket instead of a slip pocket.  And added batting to the strap to make it a little softer.

I attempted to add a zipper pull (you can kind of see it at the top right of this photo), but I didn't do the best job.  I gave Mom permission to cut it off.  Oh, and she's a big fan of my homemade labels, so I sewed one in for her (and told her to show it off to her friends and drum up some commissions).

Mom opened the bag when she got home from her birthday dinner last night - she loves it.  Hopefully I'll get a picture of her using it over Thanksgiving.

Quilts donated!

Well, after sitting on my 100 Quilts for Kids donations for about 3 months, I finally donated them!  I had a few unsuccessful attempts to include them with the DC Modern Quilt Guild group donation, so instead I did a little research and found my own organization: Mary House. With several centers throughout DC, Mary House provides transitional housing services, shelter and support programs to homeless and struggling families. 

I dropped of my two quilts on Wednesday, and they were so pleased to have them!  They'd even just had a little boy born to one of the families, so the Zig Zag ROAR! quilt will be perfect!

Four Square

Zig Zag ROAR!

WIP Wednesday

In addition to the few projects I mentioned in my update on Monday, I have one other almost WIP.  I say almost because I have the plan, but I'm still building up the nerve to make the first cut.

The goal is to turn this stack of fabric:

Heaven and Helsinki by Patty Young, plus some coordinating solids

 Into this quilt:

Thanks to Mr. T for all of his help in figuring out Illustrator (first time user).

Using this pattern from Elizabeth Hartman's The Practical Guide to Patchwork:

 We shall see...

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced