It Has Been Awhile

When my boys were younger, I made them shorts every summer, from fun, funky cottons. They were quick and easy, used a small amount of fabric, and gave them clothes that were unique. The cottons that home sewists can buy are heavier than what is used in retail goods, so the shorts wore like iron.

Last fall, I got a chance to meet Grace Noel, a very talented young designer from Almonte, ON. She designed a collection of fabrics for Trend-Tex Fabrics, called "With Glowing Hearts". 

I had a hard time finding a picture of the entire collection, because it is sold out nearly everywhere.
I did manage to get a piece of the maple leaf fabric, so my baby boy has boarder shorts for his first Canada Day.

Aren't they a-dork-able? He has a onesie, that says "My First Canada Day" and these are perfect to go with them. They have pockets and a fly because, of course, seven-month-olds should have these in their shorts. Never know what he might want to put in his pocket!

They will fit him all summer.

I made another pair, but they aren't quite finished. Next time!

Prairie Girl

I was surprised when someone noticed that I had been missing for a week. I took a trip.

Before I left, I made myself a new bag. I actually made it in about 3 days, around getting ready for the trip

This is Prairie Girl by Emmaline Bags.

I saw this fabric on the Mad About Patchwork website and knew I needed it.  It is part of the Maker Maker line and it is a cotton linen blend, perfect for this bag. Luckily, I managed to get to the store before it sold out, because it sold out quickly.

When I brought it into my sewing room, another fabric that had been resting there for awhile, stuck its hand up and declared it to be the perfect lining. I agreed.

Pink paisley cats just seem to make the lining pop. Exactly what I was looking for. The front pocket served as my wallet, lightening my load.

It also has two large inner sections, that are big enough to stow my tablet, phone, just about everything I needed in transit. Add to that a cross body strap for running between flights, and it becomes the ideal travel companion.

And, because of the name, I felt it was necessary to take its picture, in Calgary airport. It is a prairie girl, after all.

Calgary was actually just a layover, on the way to Victoria.

This was a working trip, so my view of that lovely city was kind of limited.

The mountains in Washington, as seen from the overpass over the Pat Bay Highway.

A beautiful dogwood tree, in full bloom near the Starbucks we frequented.

The "flowers" of the dogwood, British Columbia's provincial flower.

Two Timing Tote Times Three

I seem to be obsessed with making Two Timing Totes.

I made one last year in red.

Then, I made one in green.

So, yesterday, I finished another. This one is in an assortment of colours.

I am calling it the "Going to Nana's Bag", and it has lots of room for a little boy to bring his stuff when he comes to visit.

Pockets, on the front, back, and sides.

The side pockets are elasticized.

Six pockets on the inside make for a grand total of ten pockets.

A zipper closes the top to keep everything secure.

This is the first one I made in home dec fabric. I had a couple of problems with the thickness.

I ripped out the top stitching to get rid of this pucker in the lining, and it puckered again. I decided that it just wanted to stay that way, so I gave up.

The bag is big enough to hold the actual baby, so I think it should get a lot of use.

Meanwhile, my owl shawl now has heads on the owls, with cute blue eyes.

They are looking a bit cross eyed at the moment. I am hoping blocking will fix that.