Marion's Got a Birthday!

If you are looking for my Grow Your Blog Post, click here. 

If you see this woman below, please wish her a happy birthday! We are escaping the blizzard of 2015 and heading off to our annual February quilt weekend at the Cape. There is an indoor pool and a hot tub, so we can pretend we're in Florida, at least in spirit.

I'm sure there will be ice cream some time this weekend!

Happy Birthday Marion!

Today, we will celebrate in style! (Marion's birthday is actually the 30th, but we're starting the celebration tonight.) I've made this bag for her. There's room to put a couple more presents inside... Marion loves Kaffe Fassett prints, as do I. And I think it is the ultimate compliment to give a gift that you want to keep for yourself!

It has polka dot handles, but I was taking the photo solo.

Yes, it's the ever popular Chubby Charmer tote bag again. I actually made a list the other night, and I believe that this is at least the 10th one I've made. Many of those were in pre-blogging days (PBD), but you can see four others ones that I've made for Eleanor, Diane, Pat, and Rachel. It's a great big bag and most people that I gift it to use it as an overnighter. I own three beautiful versions that were made for me by Pat, Joannie, and Sue. I keep different quilt projects in them.

I can't say enough nice things about this pattern. It's easy to make and the directions are excellent. Here are some views of the interior in progress.

On one side, I make a really big pocket that closes with velcro. I used
the same fabric as the lining, so you can't see it well, but the top of
the pocket is trimmed with polka dots. The zebra fabric is my ironing board.

I made a little polka dot pocket that goes on top of the big pocket.
My friend Lee Anna showed off these metal tags in her blog, so
I had to buy some. They were in the papercrafting section at Joann Fabrics.

There is another pocket the same size on the other side. I divide that pocket in half. I also make the handles longer, so they fit over your shoulder. I add a snap for closure. Marion's bag also includes a strap for her keys inside.

There's a chocolate cake in the trunk of my car. Let the celebration begin! You can't beat a quilt weekend for a birthday: Chinese food, chocolate cake, fabric shopping, sewing, good friends, and hot tubbing!

Thanks for visiting!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy