Sewing Circle Tote {Quilted Tote}

This tote is......

Enormous. Amazing. Versatile. Awesome.

I bought the Sewing Circle Tote pattern some time ago from Elizabeth Hartman when my friend mentioned there was a sale. I wasn't looking for it in particular, but was looking for a bag that could hold a quilt . I'm always hauling them around in the car when I'm handbinding. So it needed hold a large one. Boy does it!

 I gathered all the materials about a week later after pushing. But I could never justify taking the time to make it, just to hold a quilt.

Fast forward to the end of December 2104, I realized we were moving and immediately bumped up to priority. I knew we might have to live somewhere temporarily if we sold our house too early and if we didn't find a house at its new destination.  I needed a bag to hold the minimal amount of tools and the like.   The sewing circle tote fit the bill.   Coincidentally, Quiltcon was also coming up and after seeing my class supply lists, I knew I needed something big enough to haul my stuff.

I won't bore you with all the details. Or maybe I will?  Once I made the decision, I had the outer shell and straps all attached and the inner zipper pouch liner almost completed before leaving Wednesday night for QuiltCon. 

I took my machine with me and I didn't finish it the night I arrived because three hour drive wore me out after a few late nights at home. I scurried back to the hotel after my first day of classes that Thursday and finished it up for the next day!

Fuzzy hotel room picture!

So glad I did!! 

It holds rulers, thread, irons.

My folding cutting/ironing mat fit beautifully in it.

And, yes...it's not a tiny one, the mat is 12" x 17"!!!

 
My rotary cutters and more rulers.

Inside pockets of End of Tote

It can fit fabric or more rulers.

Inside of other End of Tote

Or whatever you need.

Large layered pocket and pouch on inside of side of tote

The zipper pockets held everything

Layered pockets on inside of large side

and anything.

It might seem crazy, but the fact that my books can fit in the pockets?!!

 Amazing!!  I'm a quilt book girl. 

I realize that I worked tirelessly on the bag, but I am so glad I did.  The pattern instructions were very well done.  The only part I hated was the cutting...but if you've followed me long enough, you'll know that cutting is the most tedious and unfulfilling part of quilting for me. 

The fabrics are Essex linen in Charcoal and Moda Fabrics by Sweetwater with a few other fabrics thrown in from my stash. 

I used leftover Denyse Schmidt stripes for my lining. 

I'm writing this post two years later (postmarked to the date I made it) and I have to say that I have used this bag SO much since I made it. It was amazing for Quiltcon. I actually carried our "precious" things in it during our move. I haul quilts to guild meeting show and tells.  It was perfect for the one Sew-in for our guild I made it to.  I use it to haul things to the school for parties.  You name it.

psssst...that book is in this pocket and you can't even see it!!

Can I say it one more time?   I love this bag.

Discipline Notice

I have to say that I felt like I was cheating or playing hookie by missing two link-ups in a row. I am waiting to be called to the principal's office for not reporting my WIPs on Wednesday!

Finishes

This is where I feel like I am really cheating! I haven't touched my machine since November 16th.  Yes.  I know the exact date.  Scary, no?  But I am going to stick to the WIP Wednesday format.

THE Mickey Mouse quilt

I finished the quilt on my birthday, November 16th.  Hubby gave me some time to quilt and prep it for binding while he packed the car (usually he "needs" me to direct him").

I actually finished the binding in the car on our Magical way to Disney World.  The gift of time was the BEST present ever.   I, seriously, will never forget this birthday ever!!

My Mickey Mouse Pants Bag

I was a little nutso and had to have a tote for Disney!

It transformed into a cute sling bag for myself.  Details coming soon.  I don't have the links for the pattern I used readily available!

In Progress:

Needlepoint Christmas Ornament

There was a shout out from my oldest son's school for needlepointers.  They needed us to make a few Christmas ornaments for the school auction fundraiser.

I started it on during our Road Trip and have been tinkering with it for the past few days while I have my feet up.  It doesn't require too much arm motion!

I have to admit.  I am not in love with the darn metallic thread.  It is just not my favorite medium.  But I am close to finishing!  There was a tentative due date for the 15th of December.  I might actually be early?

Imagine Quilt

My do.Good stitches bee quilt has been haunting me...so I am going to spend today stay stitching the piano key border.

I know...shamelessly showing this picture again...but, I can't help myself...the cuteness!!!

When I decided to do a piano key border, I researched the different techniques quilters use match up their corners.  An interesting tip kept being mentioned in the different forums I was landing in.  Many of the veteran quilters encouraged the newer quilters to do a 1/4 inch stay stitch around the entire border.  Apparently, the keys tend to stretch during quilting...especially on a longarm quilting machine.  I never knew!!!

Today, I have been feeling a bit better than I have the past week and a half, so I thought I would see if I could do a simple straight stitch later today!

And maybe cut my backing and piece it so it can be ready for Ole Betsy when my arm is able to do the stretching motion. It is going to be the first quilt I finish after this recovery.  I promised myself!

New Projects:

I have a ton.  Sitting around and looking at my magazines, books, and the internet have added more things to my already Ridiculously Long List.   Not to mention all the Black Friday sales? I had a bunch of birthday money from family burning a hole in my pocket. 

I now have fabric that I have ZERO plans for.  ZERO! I am a bit disgusted with myself actually!  There is much more and I need a better picture than this Instagram picture, so keep your eye out for a completely different post!!

Linking up with Lee, as always at

I am praying she just sends me to detention instead of a full suspension for failing to visit her!  And I am hoping I am off the hook too because Elizabeth at Occasional Piecing is guest hosting today!  Muaahahahaha!

  In all honesty, there is NEVER any pressure to link up on her blog, but I have found the WIP Wednesday link up to be one of two helpful link-ups to keep me focused on my goals!!

Hope you all have a lovely day!  I have to see if I can tackle the laundry and maybe work on the bee quilt during Button's nap.  If not? I am not going to stress about it!  I promise!!!

WIP Wednesday: M.i.c...k.e.y.....

M.o.u.s.eeeeeeeee

 

Mickey is making his stamp EVERYWHERE in my studio right now!!

Finishes:

Button's shirts

More shirts are HERE!  

I don't want you to miss more pictures of very own cute Mickey Mouse!

 

Disney Cruise Shirts

Eight appliqued and embroidered shirts for a friend!  

I have them done right in time for their cruise trip!!

In Progress:

Mickey Mouse Quilt

The backing is coming together.  Still missing bits. 

 Hoping to have it finished and quilted tomorrow?

 But with Button's help HERE?

Wishful thinking?

Sorta Sewing Summit

Have you heard?  Bree from Distant Pickles and Sarah from Sarie's Cherries are hosting a sewing summit via webcam and blogs!  The idea was to have our very own sewing summit since we could not make it to the "real" deal!

 Class schedules are posted on Distant Pickles.  

Head on over and check out all the classes and sign up!!!

 My class on English Paper Piecing is getting some tweeking.  It is set for Sunday, the 17th at 9:00 pm.  I won't be available at that time (boo!) but the class is open and the other ladies will be around to chat!

I am embarrassed to say that I gave THE worst Class description and supplies list.  Things have been so crazy that I really didn't think it through properly..so here is a REVISED class description!

 Class Description:

 In the English Paper Piecing class you will learn the basics of piecing hexagons.  I will give the most BASIC of instructions without any fancy tools!  I promise...it will be so fun that you will be addicted to it just like me!  And to keep it more exciting, I have a Hoop Project tutorial so you aren't stuck with six hexagons and nothing to do with them!

Supplies: 

• 6 3x3.5 sqaures of fabric.  Can all be different. Use your scraps!!
• One sheet of hexagons printed on cardstock using the .pdf link from Moxy Ideas. Precut 5 hexagons for class. 
• 6 paper clip
• Thread 
• Needle
• Scissors
• Pencil or chalk pencil or water soluble marker

Optional hoop project supplies: 

1 8inch diameter embroidery hoop

1 10-12 inch square piece of background fabric 

Embroidery thread in coordinating colors.

Car Seat Cover

For a friend.  A quick project.  I have it all cut out!!

All it needs is a quick zip on my machine and I should be able to get it in her hands by the end of the week.  She is tired of her little man getting breathed on....and rightly so.  I will share details about this special little guy when I reveal the complete project....I promise!!

New Project:

Mickey says "Hey, Heidi!  Don't forget your tote".

Oh, right, Mickey...a tote bag or something....
that is on my list....

....that might be a pipe dream....

 Of course, linking up with Lee!

Just A Few Things

These are all sort of random things, but I have a few things to get out of my head before it bursts.

ONE

It is nomination time for the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

This little bad boy qualifies as a mini, home machine quilting, but  I would say a mini quilt is the best description for it.  If you feel so inclined, do you mind entering it for me? 

Simply click on the image and it will take you STRAIGHT to the form!

My quilt is #3

You can enter mine as a mini, if you feel inclined!

 I have a laundry list of nominations I was working on for others entries  It is quite a job going through 600+ quilts HERE!  It has been fun "meeting" new bloggers and seeing my old blogging friends bring out some of my favorites all over again.  I REALLY mean it!  I just hope I can get through all 600+ entries before the Spring Festival!  I am still just trying to catch up on all the lovely comments visitors have made the past few days.  I promise, I am hacking away a bit at a time!  I like to answer all of my comments!!

TWO

Button and I are off to the Houston Quilt Festival.   

Our goal is to get some pictures of some of my friend's entries and some of the samples they have done for certain fabric design lines and fabric companies.  I hope they didn't pack up all their booths from the Market.  I also plan on looking at some tools for Ole Betsy!

Button keeps saying "titchin" and "kwits" when I say we are going to the quilt show. 

 I hope he behaves!

 THREE

Just three, that is!





 I missed out on October's link up, but I did get more than three things done!

November's goals?  
I am chuckling because I think most people would have their Christmas projects on the list, 

but, oooh nooo, not me!

One: 
 Finish my Imagine @ do. goodstitches bee quilt.

I bought the backing fabric and all I need to do is get it on Ole Betsy sometime this weekend!

Two:   
Finish my hoop project for the Hoop-la-la swap on Flickr

I pulled my fabrics and it seems my partner is happy...so I need to just dive in!

Three: 
 Disney

We have a Disney trip in the near future and I really want to get a
1. A few shirts embroidered for Button

2. possibly a Mickey quilt...it is cold in Orlando in November, right?  *snort*

This is pinned on my Pinterest...but you can click on the image to the original!

3.  And a tote bag that is Disney-esque. 

Linking up with Tracey at Traceyjay Quilts.  The beautiful and wonderful host of Just Three.

Did you notice the THREE theme I had today? 
How about your three things?  What three things can you finish up this month?

My Google Reader says...

I have 810 posts unread.

I will be honest...the T-shirt quilt put me behind 400 and now my newest projects have set me back the other half!

Finished:

First Communion Banner

This is hung at the end of the pew of the the little girl or boy on their special day for their first communion.

 I am extremely happy with the design!!

Plaid Tote Bags

I was asked to make some bags for the two students that "won" the office helper of the day.  I used some leftover denim material and a red check inside for the liner.  They supplied some used uniforms for the school plaid.

 

Second Sharpie Roll

I thought I would make myself one, after making Bunny one HERE.

But mine didn't turn out as well as his!  You can read up about it HERE.

In Progress:

Raggedy Ann Doll:

A friend wanted a Raggedy Ann Doll for her daughter's birthday at the end of the month.  I found this sweet doll on the internet.

I have her bow, and most of the head/body, and arms cut and seamed.  I am waiting for some fabric to be delivered to do her legs, skirt, and shirt!  Easy pattern to follow and

Princess skirt/Disney shirts

Zoo animal quilts for twins:

Remember William and Connor's quilts?

 

I am starting two more for a pair of twin boys!

I am in the layout, cutting mode.  I even found some binding I made from the last one that I forgot I had?  I must have made THREE pieced bindings!!!  So that is good luck, right?

The only thing I am stuck on is the fact that they are twins.  I want them to have two different animals, because I am pretty sure that is important to mother's with twins and the twins themselves eventually...so I should stay away from having two animals, right?  I am stuck!

No Progress

Retro Flowers QAL

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM

Do. Good Stitches Blocks

Linking up with Lee at

Anyone know how many posts Google Reader can hold?  I think I might be approaching the max-out?

If you get random comments or replies from this blog from me on posts from a while back...it is because I am finally catching up!

 

If not, I am just busy quilting...or at least that is the story I am sticking to, okay?