Anyone Seen Spring?

 We currently have the 9th snowiest winter since records started. Every time we think spring might be coming, it snows, again. We had another blast of snow, yesterday, though with some rain mixed in, so it was heavy shoveling this morning. I just want to curl up and read a book, or knit. So I have been doing both. 

I did have a squirrel project, early in the month. I came across some fabrics, that I had forgotten about, and decided to turn one fat quarter into a small Retreat Bag. Details are here.

After posting it on my blog, a friend asked if I would make her one. I offered her this one, and added a zipper charm to the pull.

Meanwhile, I have been planning out a set of three phone clutches, for three different users. 

The first is going to be from a Tula Pink fat quarter, with some other fabrics added from my stash.

The second request was for cat fabric, and she chose this fabric. I added the the text fabric, the blue lining and the splashy cork.

The third is dreaming of spring.

Not quite sure about the lining for this one. 

I managed to find suitable fabric in my stash (no surprise, really) and have the exterior for the first bag cut. Perhaps this week, I will feel the inspiration to move forward with these. The cutting always seems like the hardest part. 

I needed a new sock project and after 2 pairs of dark socks, I decided I needed something bright.

Of course, my first attempt at a picture was much darker.

Always make sure that your helper is out of the room when you try to take pictures. Mudd loves to photobomb my knitting pictures.

Linking up to Sandra's Dreami #71

Happy Mail

 This week has been a mailbox week. Two of the parcels are blog worthy.

I am making some clutch bags. I have noticed that handbags seem to be shrinking and I had a request for some, all from the same pattern. So, I consulted with the future owners, and pulled fabric from my stash to get their approval. Then I ordered the hardware and straps. 

First to arrive were the straps.

I bought four colours of seatbelt strapping from Blue Calla in Toronto.  I haven't used it before, but it looks like a good choice for cross body straps.

I also bought one of her Bloom Box Sewing Kits for a Crocus Pouch. It comes with everything you need to make the bag.  I I have lots of fabric, but the fabrics in this kit were wonderful. so I treated myself.

She also gifted me with a pink and white rainbow zipper tape with four pulls. I am sure I will have fun with that.

I didn't have enough hardware in the correct sizes so I ordered that from Emmaline Bags, my favourite source for hardware.

I also bought some 3 mm double sided tape, which is great for zippers and slip pockets, as well as a set of pretty notebooks.

I like to use squared paper to keep notes and figure out projects, and these books are the right size to keep in my sewing table drawer. One for sewing and one for knitting!

I also finished another pair of socks. These are for my favourite little guy to wear in his rubber boots. I have hope that the snow will stop soon, however, there is more on the way this week.

We won't talk about the poinsettia tablecloth, except to say that it is currently protecting the table from a couple of little kits who like to lay there. If it ever stops snowing, I change it for spring flowers.

Hopefully, we will have some progress on the clutch bags this week, but it is March Break and I am on Nana duty so we will have to see.

 

Project Quilting 14.5

 This week's challenge was "Sew Not A Square". Okay, I can do that. I grabbed my ruler, and some border stripe fabric and made this.

I made a couple of spring coasters. They both have flaws, but they will serve the purpose.

I keep a glass of water on my night table and somebody (some feline) managed to destroy the coaster I was using. I was reduced to using this.

Not exactly my style. It also might have some tea stains on it. The cloth ones are an upgrade.

This is the back.

I'm sure it is only a matter of time before some accident befalls them, but for now, they are pretty and have a spring feeling.

Another Bag

After making 2 zippered bags for Project Quilt, I realized remaking zippered pouches that I have made before is a good way to practice some basic bag making skills, without having to concentrate on trying to figure out the instructions for a more complicated project. My zippers are becoming tidier, my seams are nicely matched. 

So, this week, I made another Retreat Bag. The Retreat Bag is a free pattern from Emmaline Bags.  It is much like the Wide Open Pouch but it has these frames that help hold the bag open.

I discovered that I had 5 of the frames in my stash. These are the small size, Style A on Emmaline's site.

I hid some kitties on the slip pockets inside. As you can see, it stays open so you can get your contents in and out easily.

The outer fabric is one of a collection of fat quarters, I found hiding in my stash (this tidying thing has found lots of treasures.) I had forgotten what it was but after some research, discovered that it is an African batik fabric, heavier that the ones from Bali, and with simpler patterns. 

The lining was another fat quarter that seemed to match the outer fabric. The zipper was from a pack of zippers that were a bargain because I didn't get a colour choice. I wondered what I would use the colour for, but this is perfect.

I have made the large Retreat Bag before but this is my first small one. 

Today, I spent some time preparing for my next project.

The cutting table is clear.

The bin for the pieces of the project is empty. What will be next? Wait and see. My next step is to make sure I have everything I need.