We Remember

This post has been excerpted from a blog post that I wrote for my blog at work, two years ago on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This year, the anniversary of 9/11 falls between the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashonah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (day of Atonement). This is a very appropriate time for reflection and prayer. I always remember the families and victims of this horrific event and offer a silent prayer for them.

The events of that day are still indelibly etched in my mind. September 11, 2001, was a beautiful sunny day. I had just gotten into the office when I learned of the first plane crash. My boss and I watched in horror as the second plane crashed live on CNN. The rest of the morning was spent desperately trying to locate friends and family, and searching for updates on the Internet. Quickly, our Internet channels became jammed. We were dismissed early from work that day and I, like many others, spent the rest of the day glued to my television, desperate for information. Some of my other friends and coworkers came much closer…

My co-worker Jon was scheduled to do a series of employee meetings in Jersey City, two miles across the river from the attacks. Standing outside his hotel, he watched the twin towers fall.

One of my friends is married to a pilot for American Airlines. On September 11, 2001, their twin girls entered kindergarten and he took the day off to attend a special breakfast at their school. He regularly piloted one of the routes from Boston that was hijacked. He was friends with the American Airlines pilot who was killed on Flight 11.


My co-worker, Allen was en route to a client meeting on the 39th floor of the North Tower (Tower 1). His plane landed at LaGuardia Airport at 8:30 a.m. As he approached the Mid Town tunnel, he began to hear ambulances. His taxi was turned away 10 blocks from the World Trade Center.

9/11 taught me that life was fragile and precious and that you could leave for work on a sunny Tuesday morning and never return home. Since 9/11 I try to make the most of every day. I never let Mike leave for work without kissing him goodbye and telling him that I love him. As a result of September 11th, I decided to stop waiting for it to be “the right time” to get a dog. My little pug, Romeo, will turn 12 in December.

Sometimes I’m amazed at how quickly the twelve years have passed. I still work with Jon and Allen. My friend’s twins are now seniors in high school. I met Mike in February 2008 and we got married in February 2012. Romeo has two pug brothers, Elvis, 11, and Larry, 4.

Today, one of my coworkers flew from Boston to Los Angeles on an 8:30 a.m. flight. I will be thinking about her and waiting for an email to know that she has landed safely.

Where were you on September 11, 2001? Did the events of September 11 change your life or cause you to re-evaluate your priorities? How will you observe September 11?

Much love and pug kisses to all of you,
Nancy

Ooops, I Did It Again...

Last night, after the success of my small zipper pouch, I started a new project...

Possibly a gift for my sister-in-law, Susan...

This is a free pattern from Moda Bake Shop

The pattern can be obtained for free at the Moda Bake Shop. It is called the Quilted Patchwork Pouch. Moda Bake Shop is a fabulous resource that I have only begun to tap. Hint: patterns are called recipes. You should check it out.

LarryPug says that he is NOT amused.
Where is his quilt, he wants to know?

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Toile Bag: The Details

Here are some of the details of my Toile Bag that I showed you in this post. The first time I make a pattern, I try to follow the directions as written. I take notes, and if I make the pattern a subsequent time, I may modify it. In this case, I did start by modifying the handle directions because I prefer to fold my handles in triplicate, while the pattern called for pressing in each side by 1/4 inch and then folding the handle in half. So I cut my handles 6" wide, folded the edges to the center, then folded them in half again. I was pleased with the end result.

I bought this bag as a kit from Connecting Threads and it included all the fabric. A generous amount was provided. This is not my typical color palette, but I liked it because I thought the fabric was black and white. The fabric is actually more black and cream in person, and the lower fabric is a dark mottled grey. You have to purchase your own zippers and fleece. I used fusible fleece and had good results with it this time. I've used it before and it usually doesn't fuse. This time it cooperated.

I really liked this bag. It closes with a sports zipper. The zipper installation was easy. I had to stop and read the directions a couple of times, but I like the technique. The inside has open pockets that span the width of the bag. I subdivided both of mine into three smaller sections (it calls for this in the pattern).

The bag closes with a zipper.

View of the interior.

Closeup of the zippered flap.

My mother-in-law, Bobbie, modelling one
side of the tote bag before it was finished.
Isn't she cute?

The kit also included directions and fabric for a matching zipper bag. I finished that last night. The zipper insertion is the same technique as the larger tote pattern. This was super easy and fun to make. I did add a zipper tab to each side of the zipper which made sewing it in a breeze.

Matching zipper bag

My Notes On The Pattern
I hope to make this bag again. I've already thought about adding an outside pocket that would nest between the handles. I think that I would also add batting to the inside pockets for more stability. I will be adding zipper tabs to the larger zipper as well. The small matching zipper bag has inside pockets, and next time I will probably omit them. I'm not sure how useful they will be. I LOVE the finished product and I think it looks really professional. Vera Bradley, eat your heart out!

Here I am with my mother-in-law. Don't I look like a giant?
I'm only 5'2". My mother-in-law is tiny! We are both standing
(and wearing flat shoes) in this photo.

I bought this kit in May. I have to say again that I'm super disappointed that Connecting Threads is not offering this pattern right now. I wrote to them and the Customer Service agent wrote back that the kits had sold out, which is why the pattern didn't appear on the website. Can't they offer just the pattern? I also wrote to the designer, Sue Terpin, who was delighted to hear from me, but couldn't help me out either, since apparently Connecting Threads owns the rights to the pattern. She is working to encourage them to re-kit the pattern or just offer it as a download. So my suggestion is that you write or call Connecting Threads and maybe they will offer the pattern again.

Here is a shot of the finished bag again, in case you skipped my original post.

I'm linking this post to Sew Cute Tuesday on Better Off Thread's blog. On Friday, I am adding links to Link a Finish Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Crazy Mom Quilts.

Please say "Hi" if you drop by for a visit.

Have a great day!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

P.S. Ssssh, don't tell Bobbie, but I'm probably giving her the two bags for her birthday in November.

September Finish: Toile Tote Bag

Hello Dear Readers,

I am happy to say that I am sewing again and back in Blog Land. I'm not sure how I ended up on a 2-week hiatus. While I didn't have writer's block, perhaps I was suffering from a slight lack of confidence, as in "Does anyone read my blog besides my Mom and my husband?" and "Are readers turned off by my non-quilting posts about the pugs, gardening, and other blather?" I've decide it doesn't matter. I write this blog for myself, and I greatly enjoy it. I'd love to hear from you if you enjoy it too.

Here is something fun to see, a finished project. Yeah!

I'm super pleased with how this project turned out. It was a kit that I ordered from Connecting Threads. The pattern is called On the Go Tote by Susan Terpin. Sadly, I have scoured their website to give you a link, but they don't seem to be offering this pattern anymore. Which is a shame, because I really liked it.

I'm going to write a longer post later showing you all the great details in this bag. I must get ready to take the pugs for a walk, then go to work. It will be my first day back in the office in over a week. Last week I had a few days of vacation, and worked from home the other two days, so hopefully the re-entry won't be too much of a shock.

Have a great day!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

P.S. Just linked up to Chris W. Designs Bag Brag Tuesday. Lots of fabulous bags to check out.

My Fabric Bargain

Mike and I spent the weekend in Cape Cod with Marion and Merwyn. It was a lazy weekend. We ate lobsta and chowda. Marion and I did a little sewing, Mike played his guitar, and Merwyn did his sudoku puzzles. We went to a craft show on Saturday where I put my Visa card to good use and started my holiday shopping.

Marion and I also made a trip to Tumbleweeds. I believe that Tumbleweeds is now the only quilt shop left in Cape Cod since HeartBeat Quilts closed its doors. Although Fabric Corner is still in Falmouth, and they have a nice selection of fabric, they don't consider themselves a quilt store. They also have decorator fabric as well.

I got this fabric in the bargain corner for $9.90. It is a 10 yard piece. It is a second, with an extra large selvage on one end. You are not allowed to open the roll before you buy it, so hopefully that is its only flaw. One day, I'm going to make a music quilt for my cousin Lise, who is a professional musician and it will make a nice quilt back.

The last time I bought fabric for $1 a yard, it was 1982 and I was a senior in high school. Ronald Reagan was President. Richard Gere was starring in An Officer and A Gentleman. I wore a size five.

Ahhh, memories.

Have a great day!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

Rachel's Birthday Bag

My niece Rachel turned 16 this week. Shortly before her birthday she asked if I would make her a bag as part of her gift. I was happy to oblige. Since Rachel is an accomplished equestrian and her favorite color is purple, the fabric choices were easy. All of the fabric was ready and waiting in my Stash. I did spend about $10 for additional hardware that isn't part of the original pattern.

This is one of my favorite patterns, the Chubby Charmer tote bag. I've made it at least a half a dozen times, which still didn't prevent me from sewing the inside pockets on wrong last week when I was tired and skipped a few of the directions. (Yes, I did go back and fix them.) I made a pink Scottie Dog Chubby Charmer for my friend Eleanor last Christmas, and last week, my friend Karen made this lovely one in Kaffe Fassett prints.

10:30 pm, and the bag is finished!

I also made a matching cosmetic bag.

The purple strap on the left is a "leash" so my niece has
the option to clip her cosmetic bag into her tote bag.

I had a lot of fun adding options to the pattern and making it even better. First, instead of making it as a patchwork bag, I decided to show off the large scale horse print by using it as a single piece of fabric. I added a magnetic snap to the inside of the bag so the bag would stay closed. In addition to the "leash" for the cosmetic bag (see photo above), I also added another strap with a clip on it that my niece could use for her keys. The green clip is a carabiner that I bought in the camping section at Target. I put the clip on a D-ring, so she has the option to remove the clip and use it as a key ring if she wants to. The cosmetic bag was a free pattern on Moda Bake Shop last week, called the Strippy Charm pouch. I made mine out of a single piece of fabric. It was super quick and easy to make.

View of the key clip. Love the purple lining!

I also added a velcro closure to the large pocket with the key clip. I divided the pocket on the other side of the bag in half.

A view of the divided pocket and the magnetic snap.

After 18 years of owning my Bernina, I finally discovered my edge stitch foot! It does exactly that--it allows you to stitch right next to the edge of your fabric. You might not be able to see it in the photo, but the foot has a vertical metal plate that you align against the edge of your fabric. It gives your project a very professional finish!

I've never made such nice straps before!

After my success with the edge stitch foot, I put another four
rows of top stitching in the handles. I think they look great!

I also made an optional hard bottom in a mini pillowcase for the bottom of the bag. This is part of the pattern, but I've never done it before. I used needlepoint plastic for the stiffener. The bottom piece is removable and if my niece is ambitious, she can even wash the cover. Since she may be bringing the bag to the stable with her, I thought it would be a good idea!

This is the removable hard bottom for my niece's bag.

Here is the plastic peeking out of the pillowcase.

This is what the needlepoint plastic looks like.
You can buy it at any crafts store.

Another view of the tote bag.

My lovely niece Rachel on her horse. This photo is from 2011.

Now I must get to bed! I need to get to the Post Office bright and early to mail Rachel her belated birthday gift!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy

P.S. On Friday, I plan to link up to My Quilt Infatuation, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Richard and Tanya Quilts. If you drop by for a visit, please leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Sunday Shopping Fun at The Stash!

I freely admit that I am a fabric buying addict. However, I'm not taking dog cookies out of the pugs' mouths or putting a second mortgage on my house to fuel my addiction, so I think it's ok and under control for now.

With that in mind, Marion and I headed over to the Quilter's Stash last Sunday. Sadly, they are closing shortly as Sue is planning to retire. Everything in the store is now marked down to 40%. There was still quite a good selection when we were there, but the shopping activity was lively.

Here I am with my basket of goodies.
Unfortunately, basket not included.

I found some batik pre-cut half yards that were calling my name, then I moved on to the sadly-neglected animal prints that were languishing on the bottom shelf. Sue has the best collection of black and white cotton prints, so I had to buy a few of those as well. Since the magazines were also 40% off, I got two new issues that had just come out, as well as a couple spools of thread and a few lonely remnants. They will be much happier at my house!

Marion, my partner in crime, and co-fabric addict, also had fun adding to her fabric stash. Here she is below, all smiles at the cutting table with her choices.

I am coveting Marion's lime green and turquoise
fabrics; however she did find them first...

Here is Sue cutting Marion's fabric. Yes, that fabric is part of the
Kaffe Fassett collective, but no, Marion did NOT buy the whole bolt.

Happy new fabric owners, with Stash owner, Sue, in the middle.

The totals will remain a secret.
Only our VISA bill knows...

Barry and Sue--we will miss you!

Marion and I also enjoyed a lovely Chinese luncheon at House of Fortune, a new-to-us Chinese restaurant that Sue has been recommending to us for a long time. Hopefully, there will be at least one more visit to the Quilter's Stash before they close for good.

Have a great day! Go buy yourself some fabric! You deserve it!

Pugs and kisses,
Nancy