CHRISTMAS ITEMS IN MY SHOP

 It's that time of year again and holiday gift shopping is on everyone's mind. I just wanted to let you know about the Christmas/holiday items I have in my shop all ready for gift giving. 

First is a vintage reindeer Christmas ornament from Avon. His name is Belvedeer and he's just the cutest thing every. He has a red nose, red antlers and a knit scarf in red and green stripes. At present I have 9 of them left and you get free shipping with an order of 3 or more.

Next up is a tote made from some of my favorite holiday print ever. It's called "Coyote Choir" and features a bunch of coyotes singing their joy of the season. They've even decorated the cactus with colorful lights. They are joined by other desert denizens. The tote is trimmed with recycled denim and lined with a deep red fabric.

For the Maxine fan (and who isn't?) I have a super tote bag featuring Maxine in all her holiday glory giving her opinion of the season. The background is red with white snowflakes and the tote is lined with red fabric.Carry this tote and  you can laugh all the way to the new year.

For the cat lover I have a wonderful tote is a prim print of Santa and some very lucky felines. The background is a pale gray with Santa in a prim red robe. The cats are all wearing colorful mufflers just waiting for Santa to break out the catnip. The lining is a pale gray solid. 

I also have a lot of other items in the shop that would make ideal Christmas/holiday presents. I have aprons in fabrics that echo the prints of Provence. There's a lovely girly John Deere theme diaper bag and baby quilt combo. I have a cool teacher print tote for the fav teacher in your or your child's life. There are other tote bags in assorted themes that just might catch your eye and a couple of beautiful rag quilts. 

If you don't see something that meets your needs, please convo me thru Etsy and I'll be glad to work with you to create just what you have in mind. www.grandmabarbara.etsy.com is the place!

NEW TOTES IN MY SHOP

In anticipation of the upcoming "gift giving" season, I'm going to be listing a number of tote bags in my shop. They will make great holiday gifts for friends and family or to keep for yourself!

The first listing is a nifty patriotic tote in red, white and blue. The colors are more of the primitive, darker colors than the usual combo. The pattern is little squares with stars, stripes or USA. The inside is a dark blue with tiny stars and features two 9" x 9" pockets. There's also a handy little pocket on the outside that's been accented with a vintage white button.

Just in time for Halloween, I listed a beautiful orange tote with a spiderweb pattern that could carry you all the way thru the winter. Inside I went wholeheartedly Halloween with a cute print on black with bats, pumpkins and the like. The tote also has two inside pockets and one on the outside with an unusual metal button feature.

I also listed a cute tote that would be the perfect teacher gift. The print is in bright primary colors of red, blue and yellow. If you look close you will see the schoool house, the school bus, the teacher's apple and many other school related items. The background is a denim blue and the lining a great bright red. Inside are four roomy 9" x 9" pockets to handle all of the "stuff" a teacher carries around. I also included the small outside pocket with a bright red button.

The last tote I'm featuring today is perfect for the piggy collector. The print, in browns and pinks, is all pigs. The tote lining is a pale pink. Inside I placed two 9" x 9" pockets with a small pocket on the outside that has a pretty pearly accent button.

All of the totes have a fusible fleece between the fabric layers and a fabric covered matte board stabilizer in the bottom. The 10" drop in the double top-stitched straps make them great for carrying on the shoulder or in the hand. Although the totes are washable except for the stabilizer, most problems can be taken care of thru spot cleaning. And any of these would make a great diaper bag, too.

I'm also open to requests for custom made totes. Just email or convo me on Etsy with your requests or ideas. And be on the lookout for more - especially those with a Christmas/holiday theme.

NEW "MAXINE" TOTE JUST LISTED ON ETSY!

I found this great "Maxine" fabric at a local fabric store a while back and thought it would make a great tote for a dear friend of mine. She's a big Maxine fan and this fabric was totally perfect. So I got enough fabric to make her a tote and one for me, too. Well, I had enough left over to make one to list so someone else can have the total "Maxine experience".

The fabric has a great retro-look aqua background with Maxine and her funny sayings on circles scattered all over the fabric. I added a cool orange button for the loop and button closure. The inside is a pretty aqua just a few shades lighter than the outside fabric. Also inside are two great pockets with more Maxine!

Just head for my Etsy store for your opportunity to experience Maxine in a whole new way!!

KITTY TOTE #4 IS ON EBAY!

Ok, here's another nifty tote from the great Debbie Mumm fabric I was given. I just love the prim colors - gray, gold, dark red. So pretty. And all the great cats!!! This is what I would call a "wallpaper stripe" fabric with all the kitties in a row. This tote is one you can carry now and straight into winter!!

Inside I used more of the kitty print I used in the first rag quilt. It's a cream with cute gray, orange and black kitties. The inside pockets are more of the outside fabric and I used another Mumm gray print for the bottom stabilizer.

To get a look at the auction and more pics of the tote, use this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320735635002&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

MY FAVORITE TOTE BAG YET!

As promised, here is the first of two totes I'm making from the beautiful Debbie Mumm cat print fabric I received. I swear this is one of my favorite totes ever!! I love the colors and the little cat "portraits".

 front

The inside is cute, too. The fabric has all sorts of words and sayings pertaining to cats. I used some of the same fabric as the outside for the great pockets.

inside

Here's a link to the ebay auction for this tote:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320734278721&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

MORE KITTY FABRIC ITEMS

Just when I thought I was totally out of kitty fabrics, my wonderful friend, April of Frog Hill Farm, sent me a big package of kitty fabrics by my favorie designer, Debbie Mumm. Of course they are in those lovely prim colors of gold, blue, green and that great dark red. Again the proceeds from these projects will go toward paying Mimi and Mikey's mounting vet bills.

So, with all that fabric right in front of me I started planning. First I made a nice 32" x 47" rag quilt using four coordinating fabrics. On the front I used matching fabrics with a gold and a blue background, combining solid and four-patch blocks. For the back I used two additional coordinating fabrics in that pretty blue. There's white flannel sandwiched in the middle. I love all the different kitties pictured in the prints. Anyway, I posted the quilt on ebay. You can find it at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320733351547&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

front

close-up

back

 A couple of the fabrics in April's generous gift are more like border prints and lend themselves to super tote bags so they will be coming soon. One has a green background with "portraits" of cats in different sizes. The other is in the same colors as the quilt. I will let you know as soon as they are listed. Please go check them out and pass the link on to anyone you think might be interested in something like this.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me in this effort to get these precious kitties back on the road to good health and a long and happy life.

TOTE BAGS ON AUCTION FOR VET BILLS

I almost forgot to tell y'all about the two totes I have listed on ebay. The proceeds of these, like the quilts, will go toward Mimi and Mikey's vet bills. Both are kitty themed, of course.

This one also has a bit of a crafty theme, too. It's all lovely pastels on cream with a turquoise lining.

It has two inside pockets and a magnetic snap closure. It also has a smaller outside pocket.

The second tote is a cat print in shades of pink and green with a pink lining. It also has an outside pocket with a big pink button.

I used a pretty window pane plaid in shades of pink and green for the inside pockets. This also has the magnetic snap closure.

These totes both have a few days to go in the listings so go check them out. Please pass the info on to anyone you know who might like to bid on one or both of these totes.

SPECIAL ORDER LITTLE GIRL TOTE

A friend of mine asked me to make a tote for her 8-year old neice and provided me with a variety of fat quarters in shades of green, pink and yellow. Such pretty prints and bright colors. I used the fabric to make two disappearing nine patch blocks about 13" square. The lining consisted of two different pink fabrics - one with princesses and one with crowns. The tote measures roughly 10" x 12" with a 3" flat bottom. The straps are a patchwork of the various fabrics used.

I had a bit of fabric left after making the tote so I whipped up a little wonder wallet. Easy to do and sooo very handy. I found a neat vintage dome button with rhinestones to go with the crown print fabric. I hope she likes it!

I just love these fabrics - so bright and springy!! And so perfect for an 8-year old princess.

PAISLEY TOTE UPDATE

Yesterday I was looking at this gorgeous tote and thought to myself, "It needs something!" Looking around I spied this cute pink crystal star pin on my bulletin board. I've had it around for years, just waiting on the right project. Well, I put it on the tote and it just fit! Now the beautiful tote has some bling for a finishing touch. Let me know what you think. Does it work? (The pin is even more sparkly than in the pic. Just couldn't capture it.)

PASTEL PAISLEY TOTE

I've been in love with Sentimental Studios Kashmir collections for a long time. The intricate and colorful paisleys are just facinating. Collection IV is the best yet, in my humble opinion. The colors are those great pastels that remind me so much of those wafer candies we used to eat when I was a kid. Anyway, when I saw the charm pack of the Kashmir IV collection, I just knew I had to make a tote. And here it is!!

For the tote lining I used a light green vintage cotton fabric while the straps and pocket linings are a soft pink.

I just listed this confection on Etsy so go check it out if you are interested. And don't forget that I take custom orders, too.

BACK TO SEWING, AT LAST!

A few days ago I finally fired up the ole sewing machine and got down to making totes. The first uses charm squares from MODA - these are called Rural Jardin by French General. I love the classic French floral designs in these great colors. I lined the tote with a cream tone on tone print. I'm thinking of listing this one on Etsy so, if you're interested, keep an eye out.



The second tote is made using charm squares from the Glory collection by Kathy Schmitz LLC for MODA. I combined the patriotic print squares with squares of recycled denim for real down-home American style. The lining is a deep red tone-on-tone tiny floral print. This is the third tote I've made from this collection and I think I'm gonna have to make one for me! It's perfect for all those casual outfits. Although this particular tote is already spoken for, if you want one, let me know.


I have one more set of charm squares ready to sew up into a tote. They are from the Kashmir IV collection by Sentimental Studios for MODA. If you are familiar with the Kashmir collections, you know that they are lovely paisley prints and this particular one is in pale pinks, blues and greens. The tote will have a pale green lining and pale pink straps. I should have a pic posted in the next couple of days.

Along with sewing I've been taking advantage of the great weather we've been having to do some yardwork. There is something very theraputic about pulling weeds and trimming shrubs, don'tcha' think?

DOGGY AND KITTY TOTES

I was so lucky lately to have sold two of my totes to volunteers with a local animal adoption group called HOPE (Homeless and Orphaned Pet Endeavor). I went to the site at a local Petco a couple of weeks ago to pick up some kitty hammocks from another volunteer and took my doggie print tote for a "show & tell". One of the dog foster parents fell in love with it and bought it then and there!

In addition, a cat foster mom asked if I could make one with cats on it and I said that of course I could. I delivered it this weekend and, again, it was a big hit. I loved the fabrics and I'm so glad each tote has found a good home.

I'm currently working on a rag quilt that features another cat print in pinks and purples on cream. I'll post a picture as soon as I'm finished.

DOGGY LOVE?

I've had so many posts about cats that I thought I'd talk about dogs. My latest dog-themed tote to be exact. I just listed this cute tote on ebay and etsy. The outside of the tote is a patchwork of cute doggy drawings and phrases. Inside is a coordinating paw print fabric. All of it is accented with topstitching/quilting in red. There are two roomy inside pockets and a magnetic snap to keep everything secure. This is the perfect year-round tote for any dog lover.

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH TOTE BAGS

Hey, I got the totes finished today. I had to scramble for some fabric for the pockets and straps, but I think they turned out pretty good. I love this combination of fabrics. MODA always has beautiful prints and colors and this collection, Gypsy Rose, is no different. Here are pictures of both totes. The fabrics are different on each side since it's from charm squares.

This is the Gypsy Rose 1 tote, side 1.

This is the Gypsy Rose 1 tote, side 2.

This is Gypsy Rose tote 2, side 1.

This is Gypsy Rose tote 2, side 2.

DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH PROJECT

I should have started taking pictures of this project sooner, but, oh well!! I'm making two totes from a charm pack from MODA of the "Gypsy Rose" collection by Joanna Firueroa of Fig Tree Quilts. This is a beautiful collection of fabrics with soft, rich colors and sort of boho florals and prints. This project used 36 of the 38 squares in the collection. Not enough for even a small throw quilt, but good for two mini totes. The lining will be a very pale shell pink floral. I'm not sure about pockets, but there should be at least one interior pocket. I also need to come up with something for the straps. Anyway, this is a picture of the four blocks I created. I really love this look and I'm sure I'll try it again. I want to thank Fabricsnquilts for the tutorial she posted in our Quilters Corner Group. You can also find other tutorials/instructions on the net. It's a very easy way to make very interesting blocks.

PLAID TUTTI FRUTTI MINI TOTE

Here's the new tote. The pictures just don't do it justice. I think I need to get a new camera. Anyway, it's a very sweet little tote with this super summer plaid and vintage button trim.

GREAT GIVEAWAY

Check out Magnolia Bay Quilts new blog and her great giveaway. I've added the blog to my list and you will want to add it to yours, too.

http://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2009/04/time-for-blog-give-away.html?showComment=1241281860000#c6074351458203835047

By the way, I just finished a new mini tote with button embellishments. I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow. I was looking at it when I finished and it just didn't look, well, finished! I thought and thought and then it came to me - BUTTONS!! I got out my big button stash and managed to find enough white buttons to add that final touch. Kinda cute if I do say so myself. Well, I'll let you be the judge tomorrow!

JUST LISTED - PINK

I Just listed a pretty rag quilt and burp cloth set along with a cool summer tote bag.j

Check these out on eBay or Etsy.

NEW TOTES

I listed two new totes yesterday - one in great summer fabrics from the Tutti Frutti collection and the other a super quilter's tote in two fabrics by Debbie Mumm. I so enjoyed making both of them because of the fun fabrics. I have them listed on ebay, Etsy and Bonanzle so get over to the venue of your choice and have a closer look!

Tutti Frutti Tote

Quilter's Tote

DREARY THURSDAY

It's another dreary day that threatens rain, but doesn't follow through. It's been cloudy and cool for the past few days and we did get about a quarter inch of rain last night. We could sure use more. At least the weather is an incentive to stay inside and sew.

I'm currently working on a cute sewing tote made from two Debbie Mumm fabrics. The base color is a lovely milk chocolate brown with touches of citrusy yellows, greens and oranges. The pockets are trimmed with a yellow-gold crackle print. It will be the perfect tote to transport all of your quilting goodies to a class or quilting bee. There will be plenty of room for scissors, rotary cutters, thread, needles, pins, rulers, templates and, of course, fabric. I should have it finished today, but the weather will play a role in when I can get good pictures. Watch this space for this great tote.