Saga Of The 25 (part 2)

February was getting a bit late in the month and we still hadn't been able to get together for the fabric planning session. I was starting to panic. I felt like I needed to get started by March and that might be cutting it close depending on life itself. Ya know, the best laid plans line or that guy Murphy who owns a monkey wrench. Well, I finally decided to have her pick up the main fabric and I would go from there. We decided on about 9 yards and she could get more if need be.

Finally about the 2nd week in March she brought the fabric. Orange, tan(light and dark), pinky( which I could get to go a couple ways by shade used). Now for you to understand the way I was feeling about then---Yellow is my least favorite color. I like the pale, I actually like yellow. Now you are confused I bet. Well to explain. I like yellow on other people---I look jaundiced. Don't wear it and don't stand close to anyone who does. Orange is very close.

Any way she brought the 9 yards and I figured it should be enough. I ordered an orange crackle that I knew would be perfect for the linings. I ordered 15 yards, planning on having enough left for a few other projects. I also had a bit of some other fabrics that would be perfect if I could find them and they were available somewhere.

I will have you know I couldn't find them anywhere. Murphy's law ya know. So the search was on and the panic was taking hold.

Check back for more of the Saga

THE SAGA OF THE 25

This is the first installment of the Saga of the 25. 25 WHAT!!! You might say. Well some of you in some of my favorite Yahoo groups have been following the job that I have tackled. I have also posted a bit about this job in previous post. But I will start at the beginning.

One day, a friend of my sons who is a member of Job's Daughters, which is a girls organization, was at the house with her mother and sister. She was talking about her installation as state queen and the fact that they give tote bags to other girls around the state. She was looking at my photos of some of the bags I have made and the conversation ended up with would I consider making her bags. 18 was the number and I figured given enough time I could do it. No sweat. But she had to let me know by February so we would have time to talk fabric. That sometimes takes a while to find just the right fabric to all work. It takes 5 or 6 different fabric patterns to make my bags.

To be continued.

At a loss

I have been at a loss for words. I have been really busy sewing and working. Four days in a row. My granddaughter is graduating this year and next year my grandson. Oh to be that young again and have your whole life ahead of you. They have so much to learn and so little time to appreciate life. I hope they find their passion. Something they love to do that will give them a reason to start everyday.

I have been doing a lot of sewing as you can imagine with 25 bags to do. They are coming along fine. I have 3 days that I won't be able to do any sewing so I hope that doesn't slow down the process to badly. I have about 2 weeks to have them finished and somehow I will do it. Then you will all see the end results.

Quiet Days

There really aren't too many of those in my life. A week ago we celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. That is an accomplishment these days. Our son took us to dinner for Chinese. Yummy!!!! We also picked out a couple plants for the yard and managed to get them planted within a couple days.

Other than that I spent the weekend sewing. I have piles of bags in some state of completion all over my sewing areas. Yes in this case it has to be AREAS, multiple. I have outer shells being stitched. Linings that are ready for pockets and pockets in the process. All cut, some sewn, some turned right side out and some pinned to be sewn. Soon, very soon this will all be done.

My stash is calling. I have not been through it since March, and oh my, I know there are things in there that are wanting to get out. Patience. I have to learn that every day. I must put all these ideas on paper so I don't forget.

Ok, good luck with that one, it takes quiet time. And we are right back where we started with not much of that valuable commodity. So on to the projects for the day. Maybe I will even get my dishes done.

ROLLIN' ALONG

I have been so busy, but here I am.
I am making fantastic progress on this huge project!!!! I have been poked by pins and burnt by my iron. Small pieces with edges folded over and irons almost guaranty burnt fingers. At first I just thought it was because I had the steam on-----that wasn't it. It is just HOT.

I am gearing up for a 2 day stretch of sewing over the weekend. The male members of my family will be fishing--yea fresh fish--and I will be sewing and reading.

I am stepping over the dog today because he thinks he is a rug. Well he could be but he would be mighty bumping. This is Ice. He is 5 yrs old and pretty spoiled. But he loves to go duck hunting in the fall.

Well the purse project calls.

How I Started

Whoa!!!! I just noticed that all the bags on the slide have Ka Ra La in big letters. I have changed that. I decided it was to much in your face. I didn't like that once I really looked at it. I have changed that part a lot, they are much smaller and you have to look for it, but it is still on every bag.

Thought maybe I should give a little background on how I started making bags. So here goes. I was being lazy one day and discovering the joys of Dish Network. I ran across a craft show, like duh what else would I be looking for. Well I happened on a program called "Uncommon Threads" and they were making a little(and I do mean little)purse using vinyl. I found some fabric around and made believe I knew what I was doing and made a little purse, it was like 6" x 6". Little, Little. I couldn't have that, so I started playing around. I played with size, well just the whole thing. It evolved into what I make now. I use no pattern for the patchwork, it just happens. It is kinda like a school yard. I have 5 or 6 kids(pieces of fabric) and they play together nicely or they get kicked out. They must audition to make sure they can play.

Well that is my story. They evolve. They are changing everytime I make a new one. I continually have different ideas, some I use, others I file for future reference.

Creative Juices

What a day! I don't usually get started 'til mid-day. You see, I am not a morning person. Although I get up early-6:30am to 7:30am most days, my brain does not kick in until 11 or so. I did some running for Hubby and have working on bags since. I am getting close, oh so close. I am almost ready to start applique and handles. I am not even sick of the color yet which is a huge surprise just for the simple fact that there are 25 bags all the same color. It is sure a challenge. But I am finding that is all I needed to get the job rolling. I am still shooting for the end of May. Wish me luck.