We have been so busy here since I returned to work. Our weekends have been full, actually too full. Last week I was so tired. On Wednesday, my body told me, "Enough". It sort of shut down. I went home from work and vegged all evening. I kept looking at the clock to see if it was time to go to bed. I was really ready for bed at 6:30 p.m. but finally, at 8:30 p.m. I decided I had waited long enough. Off to bed I went. I slept mostly through the night. Since having children, I never sleep through the night. Then menopause (the "pause") hit, and I absolutely do not sleep through any night, ever!
Back to the point, I finally felt somewhat rested yesterday. I actually was up at 7:00 a.m. (very early for a Saturday), I showered, dressed, ate breakfast, started my wash, swept the grass cuttings out front (left from DH's attempt to mow the front yard on Friday), and then sat down to sew. Wow, did I sew! I finished a tote bag from my class from the previous week, and I cut and sewed a quilt top. It started out as a baby quilt (I am trying to get ahead with the baby quilt obligations), but it finished as a child's quilt. It really is not a baby quilt. I found The Very Hungry Caterpillar panels (and coordinating fabrics). This is a very popular children's book. I thought it would be great for teachers' baby quilts. Little did I realize that when sewn together, it is much bigger than a "normal" baby size quilt. My finished size is more of a lap quilt. But I think it is really cute. The baby will grow into it (and out of it) before long.
Looking at the panel, I tried to decide how I could get all the pictures into the quilt top. They are printed stacked on top of each other just the way you see it in the picture of my quilt. I have seen pictures of finished quilts with this panel, but I did not take into consideration the quilt size. Fons and Porter has one on their website that is a single bed size quilt. I thought I could use maybe two of the pictures, but I could not decide which two. All three are parts of the story leading to the end result of the butterfly. Isn't that butterfly great? Well, two more quilts to go(taking into consideration no more teachers become pregnant this school year). One of the expectant teachers occasionally reads my blog. Monica, if you are reading this, please act surprised when you open your package!
The tote bag is intended as a gift. I have thoroughly enjoyed my monthly tote bag class. When I signed up for this ongoing class, I was not sure why I did it. I really like the ladies at this quilt store, so I thought I might make a bag or two and that would be that. But I am totally hooked on these bags. Next month's bag is a type of carryall bag for casserole dishes. It is quite large. It will carry a 9"x13" size casserole dish. I think it would make a great wedding shower gift.
9 comments:
Hi Pam - it's nice to see you posting today! I think the baby/child quilt is too cute - what child wouldn't love that? But the bag - another cute one. You have a habit of that. I'm carrying my Thursday night Bible study materials in my rooster bag every week. It's just the perfect size. The pattern on this one is different though - are those drawstrings? blessings, marlene
I love the Eric carle quilt - it is one of my favorite books and yours turned out great. It will be a lucky baby to get that quilt. the bag is very pretty- I love all of your purple fabrics - so rich looking.
Hope you are feeling more rested this week and that the weekend was less demanding than the more recent ones.
Regards,
Anna
Glad to see you posting again, Pam. Sounds like you've been toooo busy! Good to see you're sewing again too. I love that tote bag! Beautiful fabrics! And the baby quilt is great. Big is good, you know. They can use it longer that way! I never seem to make a small baby quilt.
Glad to see you are playing with fabrics again now that school has gotten settled into the new year.
The caterpillar quilt is cute. I never really plan what size a finished project will be. Especially ones for babies and children. I just start making blocks or parts and when I get sick of making the same thing over and over I call it done! Sometimes another border or some sashing enlarges the thing, other times it becomes a table-topper or wall-hanging. In my opinion, size doesn't matter...as far as quilts are concerned that is!
There isn't much better than waking up refreshed, energized and ABLE to be productive in whatever endeavors are waiting for you. That quilt is just darling, and will last some little one well into childhoon.
Happy quilting! 8-)
Simply lovely bag - and the quilt is sure to be a hit. It came out so wonderfully.
Glad you got some needed rest. I do that about every other month - just come home and go to bed at 7:00 and sleep straight through - at least 12 hours. Considering I normally sleep about 6 hours a night, that is quite a hibernation.
Hi Pam , lovely bag and I am looking forward to seeing your next on. What is the name of the pattern and by who. I would love to do one.
Hugs Lynn
The Hungry Caterpillar is one of my alltime fav. books. I used to have an entire 2 wk unit on it. THis fabric makes me wish I was still in the classroom!!!!!!!
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