A new tote....really????

I saw an idea for a tote in a quilt book.....

and wanted to make the tote reversible

which allows denim jeans their second chance

in an upcycled life!!!

It's the perfect size to take what you need on 

an outing, when you can't leave home without

some creative project to work on! Although,

is crocheting dishcloths really that creative??

The tote measures 12 inches wide and 10 inches high

with boxed corners that make it more than 2 inches

across at the base.

There is a jeans pocket inside for your keys

so they don't fall to the bottom of the bag....

and a secret pocket outside for your cell phone.

I think it just might need a button with this particular

denim pocket....

I am wondering if velcro or a snap would be good

for the secret pocket.

All in all, I loved how it turned out and before

I make more, I want your input!

So, please

leave me a comment or 2

to help me make this tote more fun!

And just what is in the pink and brown buttoned

pouch? Why, my essential oils, of course!

Tell you about that another day!!

Have a great weekend!

and thanks for helping me out!!

Recycling a quilt to pouches!

Once upon a time,

I took a batik block sampler class.

Aren't the colors gorgeous?

The blocks were fun to put together.

There were lots of triangles.....

but I struggle with getting the corners on triangles to work

out evenly - not cut off for starters!!

I made 9 blocks in all and made a wall quilt that

adorned our home in Maryland for 4 years.

In our current home, there hasn't been a perfect place

for this quilt! After sitting in the cedar chest for 4 years,

the time had come to make a change.....

each block became a large pouch!

I added more quilting around the block.

Binding was needed around the zipper...

and the results are very satisfying.

One sold on Saturday at the fair in Katy, Texas.

Some will be on my Etsy shop really, really soon!

They are big enough for pencils and school supplies,

lots of cosmetics, or anything else you want to keep together!

Love, love, love when a project works out well!

Skirts, Skirts and more Skirts!!

Is there some Murphy's law about 

people who specialize in a skill 

never getting around to fixing

their own items?

Like me....! I am a seamstress

but it has taken months until I finally

fixed the waistbands on these skirts below.

The blue one had a 3-inch waistband

that was too tight.

The black skirt was also too tight.

And since both of these skirts were long enough....

It was easy to cut off the first waistband and

sew another one in place.

This gave me a chance to wear a 

purple shirt that I can now wear

with more frequency and with earrings from

my favorite jeweler vendor!

The pictures do not show the purple well but I love these earrings!!

Then my daughter needed a couple of new skirts!

This pattern has been a hit and I have her pattern

ready to go any time. The best part was the purple was

a denim I received in a recent fabric rescue.

What are you sewing these days?

Rescuing a fabric envelope to something much more practical!

For almost a year, I had several of these large

fabric envelopes at all the craft fairs.

They were large enough to carry

a diaper and a wet wipe case.

They closed with velcro.

And I sold some but I was tired of them.

And tired of the velcro.

I don't usually like these kinds of buttons.

But they were perfect 

for the project I had in mind.

From one larger envelope, I cut and sewed

4 smaller envelopes.

These are perfect for holding business cards.

Won't that make a great impression

when you pull out your business card?

Different buttons make a different statement

on the same fabric card holder.

So easy and not for sale.....

I like to add a fun surprise to every Etsy 

sale when the package is mailed.

I hope these will be fun surprises

for the next several purchases 

from my shop.

Graduation and A Quick Trip

Saturday was Graduation Day for my daughter

at Rice University.

The weather was predicting rain but they

took a chance and held the ceremony outdoors.

So proud of our daughter here after

receiving her diploma!

Then we went off to Chicago!

She is playing there so I went along to help

get her moved in.

We spent time exploring Millennium Park

See the faces in the fountains?

This is where she will be playing in the orchestra.

A closer look at the stage.

The bean is a fun exhibit!

Get close and you can take your picture!

oops...but you do have to aim the camera in the right direction!

That's better!

And then the flowers!!

I did not realize how much I miss the tulips!!

More artwork in the park!

And then it was time for me to go to the airport. 

She's going to have alot of fun playing in orchestra

and chamber music this summer.

I now feel better because I know where she is!

My mother used to say that to me.

"I always feel better if I can see where 

each of you kids are living."

It's ironic to me that I now feel the same way.

There were 6 of us that she kept up with

and I only have one but I am so

glad I got to go and help.

We had a great time!