Wine bottle bag

I finished a bag this week, and it's just in time for a wedding gift.

I used a pattern from Atkinson Designs, called Wine and Dine.

This bag holds 2 bottles of wine.  It has 2 pockets - I think I will put a corkscrew in one of them.

 

Here's the inside

 

It's so nice to have a divider - it keeps the bottles from clanking together. 

The pattern gives clear, easy to follow directions. 

 

We are invited to another wedding next weekend.  I'll have to make another one!



 

 



Bright baby quilt on a dreary day

I finished hand sewing the binding on this baby quilt late yesterday afternoon.  It will be a gift for a new baby girl.  I know of a lot of babies that will be arriving later this spring and summer, so I will be making more baby quilts. 

I thought this photo shows had good contrast with the brightness of the quilt, to the dull, dreariness of the day today.  There are remnants of snow in the background, and it sounds like more snow to come tonight. 

My oldest son and daughter-in-law had given me a bunch of 4 inch squares of fabric.  There weren't enough for a whole quilt, so I cut a few more.  I also cut 2 1/4" squares to make the smaller 4 patch units, and 7 1/2" squares for the larger units. 

 

I machine quilted a quarter of an inch on either side of the blocks, using a variegated purple thread.  I probably won't do that again, as I am not liking the dark thread showing up on the fabric.  I did some hand quilting - x's across all the largest blocks in white #8 pearl (perle?) cotton.  I had a terrible time finding #8 pearl cotton in anything other than white, cream, black and burgundy.  I think next time, I'll have to order it online.

I used a sheet for backing, and I'm not caring for how the quilting shows up.  Oh well.  Live and learn!

 

 



Saturday Stuff

Ok, lots to blog about today, I'm not sure where to begin!  I just finished up my 4 blocks for March's Block Lotto.  Here they are - I took them outside and set them in the snow, hoping to get a better picture than I can get in the house.

I mailed my February blocks today.  Here's what I had...

3 of these went to New York, and 4 to New Hampshire.  I just joined Block Lotto in January.  I really hope I win the March blocks!

In my last blog post, I promised pictures of the purse I made to go with the messenger bag.  Here it is, sitting next to the messenger bag.

 

And here's the back...

I used strips from the same Honey Bun that I used on the messenger bag.  The flap is made from an embroidered doily I found at a thrift store.

 

And as I recall, I also promised to post pictures of our vacation in Arizona...

The olive mill was a fun place, too.

The weather was perfect - in the 80's everyday.  Even at the Grand Canyon, it was in the 60's. 

I thought this book looked interesting...

I think I'll see if I can find it on Amazon.  I didn't have much room in the suitcase, so I didn't buy it there.....

Lots of other projects in the works.  Have a great weekend!