Autumnal Equinox

Last week, the weather here turned hot and humid. Just when we were sorting clothes for cooler weather, we had to pull out shorts again. Needless to say, my sewing suffered. I did some knitting, but don't have much to show for it, so today, I thought I would show you what my world looks like just now.

The garden that we ripped out in July, and replaced with planters, has taken off gloriously.

This:

Now looks like this:

Hard to believe it is the same space.

A little rose bush I picked up at the grocery store, is covered in flowers.

The Acidanthera is adding a bit of exotic beauty to the mix.

However, we are seeing signs that despite the warm weather, winter is coming.

My neighbourhood was built over fifty years ago, and the trees are big and beautiful.

Last week it was all green, now it will change quickly.

This is a "Parsley Worm", snacking on some parsley in a pot on the back patio. Next spring, it will become a Swallowtail Butterfly. Eat fast, little guy. The frost will be here soon and the parsley will be gone.

Flora

Flora is the first bag of the fall collection of patterns from the Bag of the Month Club.  The pattern is by Janelle MacKay of Emmaline Bags and is exclusive to club members until December.

Since my favourite colour is purple, of course, my camera will not render purple properly. This is my best effort.

On my monitor this is the closest to the actual colour of the fabric.

It is a simple bag. There are only six pattern pieces.

Of course, I added a zipper pocket. (This fabric is actually bright purple.)

And a credit card pocket (or two). More purple!

The bag has a recessed zipper.

The bag has these wonderful pleats.

Although the pictures don't do it justice, the hardware is rainbow iridescence.

I think this is the first time I managed to finish the Bag of the Month Pattern in the month it was released.

In case you were wondering, I think one of my dear ones is planning to claim this one.

A Tote Bag

I seem to keep getting lost, but I have been working on things.

I started a new shawl that I plan to finish this week.  I finished one sock and promptly cast on the second so the first wouldn't be lonely.

And I made a tote bag.

It was a commission for a friend, who wanted a gift for a lady who runs an alpaca farm.

The applique is the logo for the farm. I traced the pieces onto paperback fusible web. I carefully labelled them as to the colour of the piece. I now have an extra set of animals. It seems that I don't bother to read what I write on the pieces so I have a black llama and a white alpaca sitting on my sewing table, with the opposite label on them.

I used my standard tote bag pattern. It has a zippered top.

Two big interior pockets.

I also did a faux binding on the top to add a finished look to the bag.

I actually remembered to add my label.

After I quit looking at the flaws, I think it came out very well. My client was quite thrilled because it came out much better than she had pictured.

I feel a couple of "squirrel" type projects calling to me, and I think I may indulge myself.