Making Clutches

Hello all! How was your long weekend? Mine was filled with family and friends and food. But I also managed to get some sewing time in. I have been wanting a little clutch to take out with me so I don't have to lug my whole purse around, but still have all the essentials. I couldn't find one I liked, so I decided to design one.

This was my first attempt:

It was okay. I like the bow, but it seemed like it could be a little wider.

And for the inside, I knew I wanted card slots so I wouldn't need a wallet and a pocket for my phone so it doesn't get all scratched up by my keys. It was sort of successful. Everything worked, but the opening was too narrow to easily get the cards in and out and things were just generally a little cramped. Which led me to version 2:

Ooh, those reds look crazy, don't they? They aren't that crazy, promise. But anyway! In this version, I kept the height but widened it two inches. Then I got rid of the bow and went for patchwork instead. And added a wrist strap. I also used the tutorial by Michelle Patterns for hand finishing the zipper corners so they wouldn't look all smashed in. Kind of a pain, but really worth the result I think!

This was a much better size! It fits all my essential stuff: phone, keys, cards, maybe a hair tie and my little portable brush/mirror. The cards slide out nice and easy in this version, but don't come out while you're just walking around. It's perfect! Since it is for "just the essentials," that's what I shall call it. The Just the Essentials Clutch.

Not bad for a few hours' work!

I might have to make a couple more of these. I'm thinking maybe one for work to replace my current pouch that has no interior pockets. Such a handy little clutch!

Linking up at the very last second to Sewjo Saturday with Kim at My Go-Go Life!

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Scrappy Chevrons

Squeaking in just under the wire here, but I was so excited about this finish I just have to show it off :)

I finished this lovely last night! It was such a huge relief. It has been in the works for almost a year now.

There is something like 1,000 2" x 4" (finished) rectangles in this. I didn't keep track of the exact number. Though now I kind of wish I had!

Backed all in one piece because after putting the top together, I was out of steam!

This was my best attempt at getting it all in one shot. I wish I had a second story in my house. Bet that would've helped. I'm not really sure how big this is, actually! It has to be at least 80" on each side because of the amount of binding I used. I would guess probably closer to 90".

I just love Blogger's Quilt Festival. I'm not in it to win it, just for the fun of it. I am looking forward to spending some quality time this weekend going through all the entries and soaking in the quilty inspiration. You should, too! There's so much good stuff over there. Why not go check it out?

Bee Blocks and Big Quilts

Happy Wednesday!

I don't know why happy, exactly. Except maybe that it's halfway through the week. Which is actually true for me this week! Usually I work Tuesday-Saturday, so my "hump day" is Thursday. But this weekend I get Saturday off! YAY!

Anyway. On to the fabric-y stuff.

I have my bee block for this month prepared for sewing together.

This is actually the only space on my cutting table right now. I think I need to do some cleaning over this long weekend...

As you can see, it's quite a mess! And I need to get cutting for a wedding quilt, so all this has to go.

Also! Exciting news! I finished quilting the Scrappy Chevrons quilt!

It hasn't been trimmed or bound yet. But the binding is almost finished (I'm going scrappy with that, too!) so I should be able to make quick work of it. Full reveal pictures when it's finally finished!

What are you working on this week? Linking up to WiP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced!

Giveaway Day Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway! It is now closed and Mr. Random has been consulted.

Out of 528 awesome comments, he chose lucky number 10!

Which was Paula, who blogs at Sewy Stuff. Congratulations, Paula!!

Thanks again, everyone! And welcome to all my new followers :)

SMS Giveaway Day!

Hello and welcome to my little blog! If you've never visited before, my name is Anna and I like to sew. And knit. And crochet. And cross stitch. Ahem. I just like to make things ;) I hope you'll stick around and have a little look around!

But first, I know you came here for some goodies. So here's what I have on offer today.

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***

Two charm packs of Carolyn Friedlander's Botanics!

I think I may have had a plan when I bought these. But if I did, I never wrote it down and now it's long gone. So much better that they're sent off to a nice, new home, right?

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. Followers get a second entry (and let me know how you follow! Always curious!). I am happy to ship internationally, too! Giveaway will close this Friday, May 16th and I will choose a random winter this weekend for shipping Monday. Please make sure to include your email address in your post if you suspect you're a no reply blogger! Thanks and good luck!

And once you're done here, be sure to head on over to Sew Mama Sew to enter all the other great giveaways!

Dumplings for Everyone!

Okay, I do kind of wish this was about food. Do you like gyoza? I LOVE gyoza. But this has nothing to do with tasty little pockets of MAGIC.

I stumbled across this pattern and had to make one.

And me being me (who doesn't understand the concept of "trial run") decided to go for broke right out of the gate and make it in PATCHWORK. Because pretty. :) Also because it's for my mom. And she deserves pretty, special things for mother's day.

But then, of course, I couldn't stop. And soon I had two more. One for mom, one for aunt, one for grandma. Yes, I know, the other two aren't patchwork. But making that little patchwork panel took a lot of time and it's Friday night and I work tomorrow so I can't spend all day sewing like I'd like to. So, quick was the name of the game!

Look how cute! All in a row! I love these little bags! And now I shall fill them with candies and soaps and nice things all in time for Mother's Day.

Did you do any Mother's Day crafting?

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!

Progress!

I did it! I finished ripping out my sad, wonky FMQ on the scrappy chevrons quilt. I am now a quarter of the way through some nice straight lines...

It's still a bit unruly, but manageable! When it's done it will be a lovely cross-hatch. And I am no longer angry at it. So that's good ;)

I've also been putting my scraps to work this week making some mother's day gifts.

It has been a lot of fun playing with all these little squares! I'll show you more on Friday.

What are you working on?

Linking up to WiP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced!