still around, just not here

I don't know how you ladies with jobs, kids, and a sewing hobby find the time to blog regularly.  I find I hardly have the time to blog and so it gets ignored.

I do find time to sew though!  I miss it when I don't have a chance to get behind the machine.  Over the last bit I've made 4 blocks - 2 for a bee and 2 for do. Good Stitches.

I joined the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee for a round and chose to make Icky Thump from 627 Handworks.

This is my 'test' block made in the colours I requested - navy, magenta, and light yellow with low volume background.

This block is for Linnea in the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee.

I also finished up these two blocks for do. Good Stitches.

Amid all my sewing, I also received some sewn gifts.  I received a large tote bag from Jennifer as part of the Secret Tote Bag Swap.  I am in love with this front pocket panel and I want to simply hang it on my wall.

Then I received this gorgeous needlebook and F8's from Leila in the Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap.

Last, I made two bags, one for pattern testing and another as a special order.

This is the Penelope Purse, a pattern by Clover and Violet.  Jennie put out a call for pattern testers on Facebook and I responded to help her out.  This is such a cute pattern, and I love the top zipper panel.  I don't have many pictures of it as my daughter took off with it almost immediately and filled with with her 'stuff'.

I used denim for the bottom and the strap and a fat quarter bundle of Paper Dolls by Studio E Fabrics I had been saving to make something for D. I also did my first bit of 'real' free motion quilting on the top of the bag - pebbles.  It worked out not too bad either!  Not that I'm confident enough to try it on a quilt or anything.  That seems like a lot of work, but then maybe my pebbles have to be bigger.

I just finished up this bag yesterday for a customer who wanted a wet/dry bag just like the one I'd made for her friend.

It has a 'dry' front pocket and a large 'wet' pocket that's lined with PUL fabric.  It's quite a big bag and holds 8 cloth diapers. 

Tomorrow I'm having a sew day with a friend - and truthfully, I'm not sure what to sew!  I'm waiting on fabric to make Sunday coats for my girls, so if that comes first thing in the morning, I've got my day set out, but if not, I might have to make up a project.