Zipper Bags

I had been seeing lots of zipper bags on Pinterest. They looked fairly simple and would work great as storage for my essential oils, makeup, and smaller items in my purse. 

I made the first one in the same fabric as my sister's tote bag. After looking at several patterns, I used parts of three of them to make mine. 

I sewed fabric tabs onto the ends of the zippers so there's no sewing into the seam allowance. Then each side with lining is sewn to the zippers.

I used coordinating fabric for the lining and also fusible fleece to add padding to the bags. The pieces of the bags are sewn wrong sides together and then turned out thru a section of lining that was left open. The lining is sewn shut and put inside the bag.

Picking out fabric was the best part. 

I made up a few to sell and then a friend of a friend wanted lots and lots so I made them up for her.

I also made up some fabric holders for the oils. Each bag holds ten 15-ml oil bottles. 

More bags.

The two bags in the front (brown/orange and gray/pink) are smaller bags. Instead of removable inserts like the larger bags, I sewed elastic in them to hold five 5-ml oil bottles. 

Here's the inside of a small bag.

And finally I made a pencil bag for a couple of my favorite kiddos.  

New Bedroom Carpet

It's been quite awhile since I made many updates at my house. Most of them happened within a couple years of me buying it. 

But the bedroom carpet needed to be replaced, and it finally happened. 

The installation took just a couple hours and he did a great job.

I knew I wanted a light color and once it was down, I knew I'd made the right choice. 

But now it really makes the living room/hallway carpet look dark and it has way too yellow of a tone. But it's in decent shape so it'll stay for now.

Birthday Tote Bag

It's been way too long since I posted. Time to get back at it and update you on some of my recent projects.

I had made myself a tote bag a few months ago. When it came time for Lisa's birthday, I decided to make one for her. I admit I picked the fabrics because I loved them, but I knew she would too. 

It was much easier to make the second bag since I now had experience with adding a lining. 

I also made a small makeup bag to match. 

Happy Birthday, Lisa!!

Log Cabin Wallhanging

A few years ago I made this wall hanging for my sewing room. I was going to teach myself to hand quilt. Well, after five years, I knew that I wasn't going to do that. I've started to do machine quilting on small projects, and I like the idea of faster completion. And my eyes just don't like to do hand stitching anymore. Binding quilts is enough for me.

I blogged about it here.

I made the usual quilt sandwich with some basting spray.

Machine quilted it and bound it.

And hung it in my sewing room. 

Tote Bag

I found this tote bag pattern on Fort Worth Fabric Studio's blog. I hadn't ever made a bag with lining before, but I knew I was up to the challenge.

 I found some fabric (really like the larger design) and then had to work with interfacing and fusible fleece. Since I've become more of a quilter over the years, this was new too. Just had to follow the instructions....very easy.

 Added some box corners.

 Made the lining the same as the outside and then sewed them together. I'm missing some pictures of a few of the steps. By the dates on the pictures, I'm guessing I got sidetracked by another project so no wonder I forgot to get pics.

 The lining was pushed inside the bag and topstitched around the top edge to hold it in place. 

I made a couple of tweaks to the pattern. I made the handles a couple inches longer and also added a pocket on the inside. 

You can never have too many bags, and I love this one!

Bike Ride Sights

I've been on several rides in the past month. A few things I've seen.... 

I got caught in the rain on this one.

The Clive Greenbelt is closed right past the interstate so I had to turn around and go back.

But not before getting a shot of the river under the bridge.

This was my first venture down to Gray's Lake.

And since then I've ridden down there three more times. Always lots of people enjoying the lake and park.

 

Saw two deer on another ride right up close to the trail. I also saw two cardinals and an indigo bunting on this ride, but they fly away too quick to get a picture.

And I think the best thing yet...a field of lilies. And this is only about half of them.

 

 Ranking high up there with the field of lilies is the open country view back home.  

And last but not least, the ice cream truck at Water Works Park.

 

West Bend Biking

I was home last weekend and took my bike with me. 

My first ride was a short trip thru town and then out around the section. Those few miles were definitely harder than what I've been doing on the trails. No wind protection and the legs really get a workout. You can see forever out there though.

My second trip was also out around the section. I went further east on one leg and then when I got back to town I went north. Got about eight miles in.