A Tote Worthy of Vegas!

Ta-da!  I've finished my tote...

and just in time to take Vegas by storm with it :)

I love how it turned out, and all the bright, fun colors.  I do believe that after 31 years I am finally beginning to warm to the color pink... even if only in certain shades!

Again, this is the "Perfect Tote" pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.  I have a few gripes with the pattern-- mostly that you have to go back and forth through the pages (there are 2 sizes tote in the pattern, and the directions for the two are split throughout), and then a few minor typos that added a smidge of confusion.  But on a whole... what a great tote!  The structure gained by using the duck cloth in her quilt-as-you go method is awesome!  I see another one of these in my future!

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!  I'm off to Vegas for the first time ever (wish me luck), for one of my closest friends' bachelorette parties!!!

Toting along

Well, Chloe's graduation t-shirt quilt is bound, signed, washed, and packaged for delivery.  

I can't wait for her to get it this weekend, and to share it completed with you all next week.

In the mean time I am slowly working on my quilted "Perfect Tote" bag (pattern by Elizabeth Hartman).  And I mean slowly with all those layers!  Things were moving right along yesterday with my panels...

... that is until this happened:

After some cleaning, tweaking, and needle changing things are back on track today.  The top and bottom bands are being quilted on as I watch old movies... today's movie-- Kismet.

If I stay on track I should have my bag done in time for my trip this weekend!

In a bind...

There was a bit of a snafu with the binding yesterday.

But this morning it was fixed, with less hassle than anticipated, and the binding is being sew on while watching old Westerns.  What a great way to spend a Friday!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

What's with Wednesdays?

There was a time where it seemed I only sat down to write on Fridays, and now it seems to have shifted to Wednesday.  I'm going to have to work on changing things up a bit I suppose!

Today I've finished up quilting the t-shirt quilt for my niece.  In the long run I opted to machine quilt (using Aurifil Thread 50 wt. #Light Grey)  instead of hand tie it.  It's a diamond grid with a 6 inch spread.  Honestly, it was the most difficult time quilting I have ever had-- despite all the shirts being interfaced, there was still a lot of stretch to deal with.  If I had to do it again, I would hand tie.

The binding fabric was delivered today and is in the wash.  As soon as it's dry I will start getting the binding made.  Typically I do not prewash my fabrics, but since all the shirts were washed to start out with, I chose to wash the backing and binding fabrics as well.

Chloe graduates  in a week and a half, and will be given her finished quilt then!  I can't wait for her to have it!  I will do a full post of the finished quilt after she has received it, and will try to give some pointers for anyone looking to make a t-shirt quilt in the future.

While I wait for the binding fabric to finish up I am working on that tote bag I told you about last week-- the one for my trip in a week.  And soaking in the spring time air by taking a few outdoor breaks as well!

I hope you are all getting some time outdoors these days, enjoying the beautiful weather (depending on where you live)!

W.I.P. Wednesday

Not a whole lot to report on this week.  I haven't been feeling so great, and haven't managed to get much done.  Also, I'm still not able to reply to any of my comments here on the blog-- so hang tight.  

I did managed to get the t-shirt quilt basted... and am working on slowly getting the quilting lines marked with a Clover Hera Marker.

I'm not sure how anyone can get through basting a quilt without the help of a Kwik Klip Safety Pin Fastener Tool.  If you don't already have one it is something I HIGHLY suggest purchasing-- it's well worth it, and under $10!

Lastly I'm going to attempt to whip up a new tote for myself before an upcoming trip.  I'm toying with the fabric combo above, and using Elizabeth Hartman's Perfect Quilted Tote pattern.  It's got some tweaking left to do... but I think I'm on the right track.

A first, a finish, and a W.I.P

Let me start with a little house keeping...

for some reason I am unable to reply to, or make, comments on my blog at the moment.  I apologize to everyone who's comments have gone unanswered.  Please keep the comments coming, I'm not trying to be standoff-ish, I swear!  I've sent an e-mail requesting help with the issue, and still have yet to receive an answer.  Any one else ever have that problem with their blogspot?  Any thoughts on how to fix it?

Wombat Quilts, if you're tuning back in-- the binding fabric you were curious about is Joel Dewberry; the Herringbone print from his Modern Meadow line.

The "first" that I made mention of is an art walk.  The Art Council of Greene New York, along with local businesses, held an Art Walk.  I have never participated in a craft show or art walk of any kind.  It was a lot of fun, and I met a lot of wonderful people and artists!  The Greene office of McKinney Real Estate was kind enough to host myself and three other artists.  A special thanks to them for hosting us; it was no small task!

My set up at the Greene Art Walk at the McKinney Real Estate Office

And I have finally been able to stock my Etsy store with some items that were left after last night.  You should stop by and check things out!

To follow up with the promise of sharing the finished table runners with you all I have a few better pictures of them (not including them in the photo above!).

Both runners are for sale on A Trio Beautiful's Etsy store.  

And lastly for the day... the backing fabric for my nieces t-shirt quilt has arrived.  If you're just tuning in, you can see the quilt here.  The fabric is all washed up now, and ready for ironing.  Next step-- basting the quilt!

** Edit ** I've only just now realized its Thursday.  Day late, dollar short! Lol!

W.I.P. Wednesday

I'm busy whipping up some smaller projects for the May 1st Greene Art Walk in which I will be displaying some of my items.

In the works today is another table runner.  The binding is made and ready to go!

I never shared completed photos of last weeks W.I.P. table runner... 

hopefully tomorrow or Friday I will get some completed photos up of both!

I'm heading outside for the hand sewing of this binding-- it's too nice today to be indoors any longer!