A June Finish~

You have probably seen many version of this bag 

lately.

It seems to be popping up all over.

At the beginning of  June I chose this bag as my goal 

and have come up with this version..

I finally decided to make my first one using only things I had on hand.

Two winters ago I was wandering in Walmart and spotted

 Fat Quarter bundles on sale for $7.

These fabrics were bright and cheerful on that winter day,

and the fabric was a good quality,

so I bought both bundles and saved them for "Someday".

I added a few other fabrics and began using them in a 

Row Along last summer.

But I wasn't loving it.

Rather than invest anymore time in blocks I didn't love,

I set them aside.

Some of those are now Sewn Together in a bag!

None of my zippers are the same size..

but I wanted these colors and 

had to use my things from home.

Because the top zipper was shorter than the pattern suggested, 

I added 4" to each handles.

Inside was full of happy colors!

I like how everything can be zipped in for travel.

I can't wait to use this bag to take advantage of its organizational pockets!

The handles may be a bit too large, 

but they will be easy to snag on the go.

When I make my next one I will hand sew the bindings.  

I am never happy when I sew them by machine. 

Other than that, I am pleased with the outcome.

It was a well-written pattern

and a great idea.....

Check out all of other finishes here~

A New Kind of Stitiching~

Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill.

For a really long time?

Knitting socks has been on my learn to do list for years!

And years!

I have knit three things before-

a bag and dishcloth-- following directions,

and an Icelandic sweater with a teacher helping me.

But, I love the knit socks I have seen and wanted to try some.

On my trip I went into a yarn shop who had a sign about a 

free class..

two days before I arrived :-(

As I was bemoaning my timing, the sales person said, 

"Oh Jen will be in tomorrow, she can 

teach you then."

So I picked out some yarn and needles.

And they wound it into lovely, calorie-free cakes.

The next day I came back and Jen started me off.

I tried to keep the stitches looser than my usually snug fit.

After a morning of stitching, I had it completed to the toe.

She was a very patient teacher!

I returned after my delightful lunchtime flight,

and Jen showed me how to do the toe.

By that night I had the first one finished.

So exciting!

The second one I did entirely on my own.

Yes, they are a little loose, 

a little loopy,

and way to big for the little person I intended them for.

They were so small that it was a fairly quick travel project.

But, I will admit that I was awfully happy with the

pair when I finished 

while waiting at the connecting airport!

Luckily I had yarn with me to practice on another pair--

one size smaller.....

Plymouth Select DK Merino Superwash 50 Grams/130 YDS

Size 2 DPN

Let's Get it Done in June~

Isn't this a great bag?  

I bought this pattern on Craftsy..

..a while ago.

This month I want to get one sewn together!

I thought I had my fabric chosen, 

and then I saw something else--

it would be perfect,

but then,

maybe this one?

Too many choices!
My plan is to do it from my stash,
and there is a lot of happy fabric in that mix.

But, I will decide and get it done.

The Sew Together Bag is my June Goal

in  A Lovely Year of Finishes.....