Another Tote Bag

Tote bags It's fun to have them filled with some of your favorite things and works in progress to take on the road.  I used to sit for hours at the dance studio working on a hand applique project, cross stitch, embroidery, letters, cards, etc. while our daughters danced.  Now I use them for traveling.   

This is actually a finished UFO.  I bought the pattern and fabrics last summer.  The pattern is "On the Road Again, Part I" by Reets' Rags to Stitches.  It's described as a 22" X 17" Quilted Travel Bag with Lots of Pockets.  

The sewing fabric is by Alexander Henry.  Many of his fabulous fabrics have made their way into my many projects and quilts over the years.  Here's a picture of some of the inside pockets:

Can't wait to fill this up with another cool project to take "on the road"!

More from Sylvia's Bridal Quilt

My progress is slow but steady.  Here are a couple more blocks.

I know the names of these.  The top one is the Friendship Star.  The bottom one is Jack in the Box.

Our fearless leader and teacher converts many of the blocks into paper piecing patterns using EQ.  This is a lifesaver when using such small pieces of fabric.  Our accuracy is much improved, but mine isn't perfect still!

There is quite a little pile there to finish -- as you can see!  I'll get busy some more tomorrow.

A Great "Listen"

This was a book recommended by a friend.  I checked it out from the library as CDs on tape.  This way I can listen while I sew!

I really like it so far, I'm on CD #3.  It's a good little mystery.  I news reporter happens on a story about a couple of murdered women named Susan.  So far, so good.  Look for it at your library.

My "Bestest" Sewing Machine

I am lucky enough to have three sewing machines that have accumulated over the last 20 years.  My workhorse machine was my Bernina 1011 which is over 20 years old.  I have a tempermental Singer Featherweight that was built in 1935 -- I guess she has a right to be inconsistent after all these years.  And my newest and most lovely is my Viking Designer I.

This was a special birthday present for a special birthday last year.  I still need to learn a lot to utilize all the machine's features.  I'm learning to machine quilt with it and am starting to love the free motion options.  I've done a little embroidery which I've shown in the past.  It travels places near and far too. 

Sylvia's Bridal Quilt Blocks

This quilt is definitely a work in progress.  It will be a race to finish by November's class where we'll work on sashing.  I ONLY have about 80 blocks to go!  Yikes!

 Here is a sampling of some of my blocks so far.

I'm sorry to say I don't remember all the names anymore.  I mark them off as they are finished and then my mind goes blank when I see them again.  I love the way all these 6" blocks are coming together.

Another Good Read

This was a book club read for me several months ago.  We were out of town and I never got around to the book.  I just started it and plan to take it along on our next vacation to finish it.

It's a story told to Dave Eggers by one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.  This boy was relocated to New York City and he tells his story many years later.  It poses some big questions, especially "Where was he better off, here or Sudan?"

Sylvia's Bridal Quilt

I showed you one of the 144 blocks to make for Sylvia's Bridal Quilt a long time ago.  I meant to get back to this much sooner, but well, you know how it can go sometimes.  We have been working on this all year in my quilt club group that meets monthly.   Here is my book, made into a notebook.  A friend took it, had the binding cut off, hole punched and we made a notebook out of it for easier handling. 

I've done this with several other quilt books that got a "workout".  It's nice to be able to put your monthly instructions, notes, patterns, etc. in the notebook.  Has anyone else tried this with a much loved quilt book?

Another Great Book!

My reading list gets a work out during the summer months.  It's so hot here during the summer.  And in the late afternoons, the coolest place in our house is our master bedroom.  So I'll often retreat there and read for an hour or so.   I just breezed through this book in a few days.

It's checked out from the library and they only had the Large Print Edition in which really was good for me!  This is Anna Quindlen's newest novel and it is fabulous.  There is a tragedy in the book which makes it difficult at times.  Anna writes so well you can feel yourself there with Mary Beth, the mother.  I highly recommend this one but you will need some kleenex for the last 100 pages.