Little Projects Here and There

How is it May already?!  Seriously, where did March and April go?

I started teaching in March, which signaled the end of anything resembling "free" time.  After work, I make dinner, then settle down in front of the computer with notes and books to draft the next week's lectures. Though time consuming, I love it!

I've only been able to sneak in small moments of sewing.  I made the three bags for my aunt, then started on the following bag for Ms. Anna, the Woolie Mammoth blogess.  I promised her this bag months ago- sometime around last October, if I recall correctly.  She's been very patient with me!

The pattern is the "Professional Tote" by The Creative Thimble, with a few modifications by me. The pattern is about 20 pages long and is quite specific.  Unfortunately, there are several parts of the pattern that are very difficult to illustrate.  Having made about 5 of these bags and taught the class several times, I've gotten better at it.  Though I have to admit, I still get frustrated by the top zipper.  Those of you who have tackled this bag will likely agree that there has to be a better way.  Anna's post about the bag can be found here.

I cannot tell you what prompted me to start the following project- not once in my life have I had the urge to pick up needle and thread for decorative stitching. But then, I once said that I'd never quilt and look how that turned out! The pink and green blocks are made from scraps- they were left over from a BJ's sample.  Points if you can locate it in the store...

Anyway, my wonderful sister-in-law taught me how to do some basic embroidery stitches last Christmas and I found myself designing these.  The patterns are from the internet- just doodles I found and liked. Stitch 'em in, buy a couple of shadow frames from Target and voila! Bathroom embroidery art.



And yes, those are the colors of my bathroom.  You should have known- I don't do anything that isn't colorful.  ;)