A Summer Bag for Sharon Holland's Everlasting Blog Tour!

Today I'm excited to share my project for my talented friend, Sharon Holland's Everlasting Blog Tour!





Sharon is a dear friend, who I've mentioned quite a bit here on the blog as we've co-hosted a few different events together, and she's also a fellow Art Gallery Fabrics designer. Everlasting is her seventh fabric collection, full of romantic, summer-inspired prints with a classic palette of navy, red, turquoise, and blush. It's so pretty!



I had the pleasure of sewing up a few different samples for the Everlasting LookBook back in May and for this blog tour project I chose several of my favorite Everlasting prints to make a variation of this Summer Bag using my go-to Quick Quilt As You Go and I love how it turned out!



Following the Summer Bag pattern, I used the same size blocks that are suggested only I had I to use different size pieces of Everlasting fabrics since I was working with what I had left from making the LookBook projects. Using qayg, I densely stitched each fabric to a cushiony layer of Hobbs Tuscany cotton batting with a pretty turquoise Aurifil 50wt, assembled the bag according to the instructions with just slightly wider bag straps, and then I finished with a lining made in my pretty Sun Kissed Canvas!



This pattern makes a HUGE tote-style bag that is perfect for Summer outings! The extra quilting, layer of batting, and canvas lining make this a sturdy bag while keeping it still very soft. I just LOVE how good Sharon's Everlasting fabrics are for quilt as you go patchwork!



I hope you're inspired by my stop on Sharon's Everlasting Tour! It's such an honor to be amongst this amazing line up of designers:

THE EVERLASTING BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Friday, July 12 - Sharon Holland
Monday, July 15 - Marija Vujcic
Tuesday, July 16 - Carolina Moore
Wednesday, July 17 - Dana Willard
Thursday, July 18 - Lisa Ruble
Friday, July 19 - Dritz Sewing
Monday, July 22 - Eleri Kerian
Tuesday, July 23 - Marisa Wilhelmi
Wednesday, July 24 - Sharon McConnell
Thursday, July 25 - Modernly Morgan
Friday, July 26 - Alexis Wright
Monday, July 29 - Priscilla Geissler
Tuesday, July 30 - ME
Wednesday, July 31 - Elina Temmes
___________________



xo Maureen

A Herringbone Drawstring Backpack : :

Since Summer for my family means daily trips to the town pool and routine bike rides, while mooning over the gorgeous bundle of Tapestry fabrics that recently arrived, I quickly settled on making myself a new, drawstring backpack to have something easy to wear! A functional and pretty project to try seemed like the perfect place to start my Tapestry sewing. Oh how I adore this collection!



After last week's little scrap pouch and personalized drawstring bag making, I felt comfortable taking what I had learned while making those and modifying plans to fabricate myself a little quilted backpack. Since sewing plans for this project hatched rather quickly and I don't have much for bag making supplies on hand, I kept it simple using inexpensive cotton clothesline for my drawstring. It worked perfectly!



I started by cutting just a 2" strip from each Tapestry print, adding in some Solid Smooth Denims to make a Herringbone quilt as you go bag front. You may have noticed, I LOVE using this pattern for just about everything!



For the back I used my Quick Quilt As You Go technique once again, this time with a simple strip quilting pattern. Since this bag is reversible I wanted to change it up just a little from the front!





After finishing up this first bag, I knew immediately that this project will be a regular, quick sew for me this Summer. I think I may even take orders for them in my Etsy shop! I already made a second with a little more added embellishment that I plan to share later this month as part of Bonnie Christine's Forest Floor Blog Tour!

You can find these beautiful Tapestry fabrics by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics newly available at Fat Quarter Shop and Llama Fabrics!

Happy Sewing!

♡ Maureen  

A QAYG Tote in Denim : :

Last week I shared a peek of a new quilt as you go project I dreamt up while working on my latest Herringbone pillow using Art Gallery Fabrics' beautiful quality denims. I didn't know then that Fat Quarter Shop was having a special Denim Week, beginning today on their blog featuring a wonderful lineup of AGF denim-based projects, inspiration, sale, and giveaway!! Be sure to stop by the Jolly Jabber blog for all the details if you'd like to join in! My own denim project began with a heaping pile of solid smooth denim scraps leftover from all of my Nightfall Quilt Market sewing and a new bundle of gorgeous Denim Prints!





Back when I started created my Quick Quilt As You Go Craftsy class I began working on bag sketches that would work well for utilizing my qayg method. It didn't take long for me to design several different bag styles to try. In the end those plans were set aside and eventually forgotten about when we decided on the final group of projects for my class, until last week when I remembered them while making my new pillow. I'm happy to report that I LOVED making this bag! Even better, I absolutely love the way it turned out!



You may have already seen it, since I eagerly shared it both on my Instagram and Facebook immediately after finishing it up. Still, I think it deserves a blog post!









I'm happy to share that I took notes throughout it's making and I plan to offer as a pattern soon! I already started a second bag just to make sure I get it right before typing it up. I hope you love it as much as I do!!

♡ Maureen

A Ballet Bag : :

This past Saturday afternoon my girl and I made a little, dance class bag together. This is her first year doing ballet and we're both so excited! I've been patiently waiting for her to reach this time where she feels comfortable enough to join teams & take on extra classes without wanting me to coach or volunteer. We made it and I'm thrilled!!

She picked out the fabrics -- several of Sarah Jane's Children at Play prints left over from the pillow & crown set I made my niece Molly, while I tried to find the blog post for when I had shared the ballet class bag I made my niece Ceci for Christmas. Rather than trying to remember how that bag was constructed, we decided to just go for it and make something new. It's a little big, but we think it turned out pretty cute!



We had fun making up the design as we went along including a large, front pleated pocket, an inner smaller pocket, an inside drawstring for cinching, and the handle design was definitely inspired by Anna Maria's Multi-Tasker Tote. For a little extra sturdiness I used a light weight fusible interfacing by ThermoWeb. A medium to heavy weight would have worked much better, but the light weight is what I had on hand. I'll need to stock up soon, I've been going through my interfacing, stabilizers, and adhesive like crazy!





Besides all the crowns & fox pillows I've been making, it was so nice to start and finish this smaller sewing project in just a little over an hours time. Now that I've been busy making all these quilts, I've let all my smaller project ideas fall to the wayside. I really need to work on finding some project balance. While there's nothing quite like making a quilt, creating something small & special can certainly be just as rewarding!



Happy sewing!!  ♥  Maureen

But First : :

Oh my gosh! After the kids were off to school this morning, I wrapped myself in a blanket to get warm, laid down on the couch and I just woke up! I have never done that before. This cold/flu whatever is definitely still kicking my butt! I did get that curtain made yesterday and of course I started a few new things, including staying up late revisiting these Quilt As You Go blocks!



I can't wait to get that quilt finished, but before one more day goes by I have to share just a couple more of the handmade gifts that were made this past holiday! I probably should have done one long post with all of them last week when I shared the Alegria Pillows! I have promised two more coordinating pillows to go with these -- stay tuned!



Well, this is one of the little bags I made to give to some little people, my niece and nephew, filled with beautiful art supplies from Stubby Pencil Studio! Have I told you how much I love Stubby Pencil Studios? They are a wonderful sponsor here and I am grateful for their support, but I SO look forward to buying the stocking stuffers, art supplies, and before we know it -- Easter basket goodies from their lovely shop each year! We prefer to pick up creative supplies of the Eco-friendly variety, for a fair price, and they really make that easy! I can't say enough good things about them. Yes, I LOVE em'!



This little bag I should really make into a tutorial -- My Drawstring Mini Satchel! Made with some pretty, pink Outfoxed by Andover Designer Lizzy House. Just the right size for carrying those ballet slippers to class, which was the request! This bag is lined, can be reversed, and is very washable.







And this Boy's Shoulder Bag was made by my sweet friend Jodi of Tickle and Hide! Jodi is a huge inspiration to me for a great number of reasons, and the generous heart who sent me this amazing quilt to receive on the day my youngest went off to school. Which is still so amazing to me! Well, I won this bag in one of Jodi's giveaways not too long ago, and I knew right away that my nephew would be the perfect recipient! Again I filled it with lots of art goodies from Stubby Pencil, including this wooden train. My nephew Benny loves trains as much as I love sewing!



In fact, I think my perfect wish would be for everyone to find something they love as much as Benny loves trains and I love sewing!!

p.s. If you happened to stop by before early afternoon Monday I had my date to share my Luxe in Bloom tutorial and Giveaway wrong -- This Monday is my day!! And, I also found out since then that the wonderful iron was sent from Oliso, a generous gift from Riley Blake for being a part of the Design Team!!  ♥, Maureen

Ruby Star Wrapping Button~Down Shirt Bag : :

Today is my stop on the Ruby Star Wrap-Along!

I chose to make the Button-Down Shirt Bag -- a smart, simple, and seriously quick sewing project!!



Ruby Star Wrapping : : Creating Packaging to Reuse, Regive, and Relove, is the brand new book by the lovely and adorable Melody Miller and Allison Tannery. My friend Sukie is hosting a Wrap-Along, invited me to join in, and I'm so glad she did!

This book is full of fun and thoughtful ideas! Each teaching you through step-by-step instructions how to create amazing, thrifty, easy-to-make unique and beautiful projects for gift giving that are really special and lovely! And what's really, really awesome -- it shows you how to do just that by re-purposing and recycling many items that we all already have or have access to!



I decided right away to use a button-down shirt I bought a few years ago, that never fit me right, but I loved the details and decided to hold onto it in case I ever became a tall, thin, modelesque woman -- yeah right!



I actually plan to make two bags out of the shirt I'm re-purposing! This first one is for my daughter and she loves it! I used a heavier ticking fabric for the lining, to add some sturdiness since the shirt I chose is a very thin cotton. For the bag straps, I decided to keep with the up-cycling theme of this project, using one of the belts that came with a pair of the boys cargo pants from the Gap or Old Navy. It worked great!!



I think it turned out super cute and it's definitely the quickest bag I have ever made!!







You can find all the details, prize info, and the list of blogger's participating in the Wrap-Along in Sukies post right here! You can pick up the Ruby Star Wrapping book at Roostbooks, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Random House.

Be sure to add your own Ruby Star Wrapping projects to the Flickr Group! And, don't forget to link up your Wrap-Along projects at Amy's blog for a chance to win great prizes -- You can link up right HERE!

Thanks again, Amy, for having me on the Ruby Star Wrap-Along! For more great ideas, be sure to check out the rest of the blog stops : :

11.7.12 - Anna of noodlehead

11.9.12 - Amanda of A Crafty Fox

11.12.12 - Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson!

11.14.12 - Brooke of Pitter Putter Stitch

11.16.12 - Erin of Two More Seconds

11.19.12 - Jennifer of BettyCrockerAss

11.21.12 - Rochelle of Lucky Lucille

11.23.12 - Sukie of Sukie - don't you know who I am?

11.26.12 - Elizabeth of Don't Call Me Betsy

11.28.12 - Gina and crew of Bolt Neighborhood

11.30.12 - Ellen of the Long Thread

12.3.12 - Katie of Swim, Bike Quilt

12.5.12 - Faith of Fresh Lemon Quilts

12.7.12 - Lee of Freshly Pieced

12.10.12 - Maureen of Maureen Cracknell Handmade

12.12.12 - Sara of Sew Sweetness

12.14.12 - Colleen of The Busy Bean

12.17.12 - Amy of Diary of a Quilter

12.19.12 - Monica of The Happy Zombie

Sew Mama Sew! is also participating in our Wrap-Along by hosting a Ruby Star Contest! They are sharing all the details right HERE today!

So... get those Button-Down Shirt Bags made and join in the fun to win some fantastic prizes!!!





And finally, I have some BIG NEWS to share : Tomorrow I'll be back with an AMAZING GIVEAWAY Event that I am a part of! I'm so, so excited about this one -- you all know how much I love a good Giveaway!! If you can't wait until tomorrow -- visit my friends Rachael &  Lindsay today! ♥,  Maureen