A Bird Convention and A Great New Tote From C&T Publishing!

 

It's a convention! I sweep the deck daily but this is what it looks like before I get the broom out! 

This only a part of the deck too!  I have so much fun watching their antics and their personalities coming out

I wanted to mention another cool product that C&T has come out with. Have a look at these very roomy, well made tote bags that would be perfect for daily shopping, groceries, taking to work, using on a trip  (maybe take to a quilt camp?!) They are made of a sturdy plasticized material and have a full length zipper across the top. A handy removable insert keeps the bottom sturdy. and they fold flat for so that you could pack one in a suitcase for things like travel shopping or taking quilt shows. They are available in several different patterns from various quilt artists and, best of all, they are a real bargain at only $6.95 each!

Finally Finished: The Best Tote Bag Ever!

Here's the front. One zippered pocket and a slip pocket behind that.
Also shown are the two bottle holders on either side.

It's finished! I finally completed my tote made from the 'Professional Tote' pattern from Creative Thimble. I love this bag! It suits my needs better than any other tote bag I've used before. No kidding - it really does. Finally, I have enough pockets for all of my "important" stuff! A place for everything & maybe everything will even stay in it's place! In total there are 5 outside pockets (which includes the two bottle holders on either side) & 3 interior pockets which includes a large zippered center pocket & two others that can be divided into several 'pockets' each. One of the interior pockets is covered & has a velcro closure. I even have a vinyl business card holder on the center pocket - it's great to have my cards so easy to find now. I learned so much by making this pattern- following the directions was almost like having a teacher right there - just well done how-to's & techniques that I am pleased to now be more comfortable with. I highly recommend this pattern! The usual caveat of no affiliation etc etc.....

Here's the back. One slip pocket runs the entire length of the back and has a velcro closure.
The black strap with the shell is for looping onto your luggage.

Looking down on the bag you can see the zippered cloing on the top.
Oops .. I didn't finish zipping it for the photo!

One of the two large interior packets. This shows the middle pocket with the top being held up. It's a pleasted pocket
with a velcro closure. On either side of this is one medium pocket area & an area that I made two pen holders out of.

This shows the zipped pocket that is in the center of the interior of the tote.

Tote Bag Update & Beware Mecury Retrograde

Front of the Tote with a small outside zippered compartment.

There is an open pocket behind it.

This is the "Professional Totebag" pattern from Creative Thimble. I finally got the front finished. There is a nice large pocket behind the smaller zippered pocket on the front & the back has an entire length pocket held with a bit'o'velcro in the center. I've started the inside now - lots of zippered pockets and room for organizing all of daily life's impedimenta. This is one of the more complicated patterens I have ever made - because of all of the various pockets - not the basic construction. I really like the pattern & the size of the tote. I have no doubt that I will be making another. The directions are really excellent, althoughb I found one step that was a bit confusing - but I might have been too tired by that point. Either way I eventually "got" it and happily stitched along. It's the best tote pattern that I have found ! I'll post once more when it it entirely finished.

If things feel edgy or if things are breaking down, communications going sideways & life in general seems topsy-turvy it may not just be "you". Mercury is retrograde beginnning today & will to be continue for three weeks - or until mid October. It's a great time to review, to go back & work on projects that have already been started. Retrogrades occur several times a year and they are a good time to reflect, review & try to just "go with the flow"; it is not,generally speaking, a good time to begin new projects or transact large new deals. Travel may be diverted, computers can get cranky. There is a lot of information about this phenomena on the web. Generally, it's a good idea to back thing up right now. Most of us have lots of projects "in the works" - so not starting anything new shouldn't be an issue right ?!

The back of the Tote showing the large open pocket area and

the black "travel strap" made to hook over your suitcase handle.

Here is one of the two expandable bottle holders on the side.

Adjustable cord locks make the pocket easy to adjust.

A Great Pattern Find: The Professional Tote From Creative Thimble

I thought that I would have more progress to show you on my tote by today, but when I took the bag parts outside I really dislike the blue pocket - so I have torn it all out, saved the great kiwi color zipper & I am ready to start all over. I have always been hesitant to make a bag for myself, mainly because most patterns seem to look - well - like "loving hands at home-made". I loved the look of this pattern because it has lots of zippered pockets, water bottle holders on the sides & an optional strap that allows you to stow the bag on your luggage (not that I travel all that much mind you!).

The directions are exceptionally well written; clear, concise & well illustrated. I have learned a lot that I had always wanted to know about pocket construction from this pattern & helpful "tips" are scattered throughout. You need to have three zippers on hand - a 7", a 14" & an 18". The zippers were a real problem for me since they are not available here in 'Paradise'. I called our nearest, friendly, FabricsPlus on the mainland & they were kind enough to read the colors they had in stock for the longer length zippers & send them to me. I would like to be better prepared for that the next time around and find a wider range of color for the long zippers. You also need cord locks - another item I had to track down & order first. For most people there is nothing out of the ordinary that you would not be able to find readily. Pellon DecoBond interfacing is used for this pattern & my friend, Lauren, was kind enough to stop & pick it up for me during one of her mainland jaunts. There are LOTS of pattern & interfacing pieces to cut & fuse. Once that's done you're ready to roll - that is unless you're like me & have to rip things apart to get it to look the way you want! The pattern is $10.00 and, when I think of how much patterns for anything cost these days, I think it's an exceptional value. Creative Thimble sells this & lots of other good bag patterns on their website - along with webbing - which can be used in place of coordinating fabric for the handles. I'll most likely be making another bag & might try webbing to see if I like the look or not. The usual disclaimers of no affilation etc - just a person that loves this pattern!