Not Quilting

Actually, I am doing a little quilting, but nothing is finished enough to talk about. The one project that I’m working on was much bigger than I expected and I’m still working on it.

In the meantime, I have made a tote bag to take on my trip. I used the pattern for the Wow Bag. It is named appropriately as when people see it they most always say “wow!!!”.

I’ve had this pattern for a long time. I checked the Internet and it is still available.

Once you figure out how to make it, it is very easy and goes together quickly. The designer says to read all the instructions before you begin and she is right. It’s put together a little bit different than most tote bags. I was able to follow along until I was putting the zipper in the bag. The instructions clearly said to put it on the bottom. I didn’t and had to do a little unsewing and resewing. I made two bags. The second bag was made in half the time that it took me to make the first. I plan to make more Wow Bags in the future. It’s a great way to use the large print fabric that you don’t want to cut into little pieces.

The Wow bag is great for shopping at a quilt show.

It has a front and back pocket between the straps.

It has another strap which covers a zipper. When the zipper is opened, the tote bag becomes a double size duffle bag.

The duffle bag strap is long enough to fit over your shoulder. Now, you can buy many more items at the quilt show.

I used the colorful fabric to make a small pocketbook and a change purse. The pocket book has a skinny strap that can wrap around the duffle bag strap. The change purse will go inside the pocketbook along with card holder that I intend to make this week. The Wow bag and a small suitcase will be all that I need for the trip.

The Maximillian Sunflowers are in blossom. They are perennials. Somehow, they self seed all over the place and like to be in the front row. They are so pretty. I just let them go where they want to go.

My neighbor has the most delightful garden. It is beautiful. One of her sunflowers grew taller than her house. I’m trading my rose campion seeds for some of her giant sunflower seeds. If you look close, you can see three bumble bees on the flower.

Another one of her flowers is an avocado thistle.

I’m having new flooring laid in four of my rooms. I’ve been taking items out of closets and moving things out of the construction zone. The rest of the house looks like a disaster area. The project will take about one week. Fortunately, the sewing room floor was replaced a few years ago. Miss Molly and I can go there and have a great time. Maybe I will be able to finish something. There will be no housework for a week.

Then, when the project is finished, I can be selective about what I put back. This is a wonderful way to downsize.

Have a great day and happy quilting.