Custom Quilted Crafting Tote for Donna!

My Mother-in-Law is celebrating a Birthday today!
Ty & I get to see her several times during the winter months each year while they do their snowbird thing, and last week I was able to hide a birthday gift when we were visiting her on Christmas. Look in your guest closet Mom!!

We are very lucky that Ty's Mom is sooo talented! She enjoys knitting socks, and we have received a few of her yummy creations to keep our toesies warm:-)

Last spring I was working on quilted project books when Mom traveled through Vegas on their way north. Although she adored them, her knitting needles would not fit(!) & I decided to make a large-scale project book for her. Six months went by before our next visit and I had only roughly planned the tote, and meanwhile she had begun making amazing beadwork! Look what she gifted me in November:

I knew I had to add more nooks and crannies to her tote, to accommodate 'other' supplies she may need to pack.
The finished tote is a large tri-fold with a warm desert vibe about it:

It measures about 22" x 14" when it is all the way open.

Outside Layout

Inside Layout

Happy Birthday Mom - You are the best and we love you!!

Linking up with gratitude!
 

Stop by and thank Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for hosting Needle and Thread Thursday!

And Lily at Lily's Quilts for Fresh Sewing Day!



Needle Book / Sewing Wallet: Fit for Myself!

I have been working on my 'finishing up' projects the last couple evenings, and, although I have used my needlecushion for some 35 yrs, I have just not really ever noticed it. Not only have I been complacent to it's shortcomings, I never thought twice about it when needles have poked me, or caught on other neighboring items, or disappeared altogher (to be found in the sofa later). I recall now many times inserting a needle and out pops Poly-fil instead of the needle exiting. Of course, I just find a new exit point and move on...

Why it never occured to me that this pincushion that I made for myself at10 yrs of age does NOT have to last a LIFETIME!

Sooo, for my birthday yesterday, I sewed for myself this great little needle book/sewing kit :-)

I can easily tote things around safely now.

Small projects will actually fit inside, and the whole thing fits in my purse.

 

I was inspired then to make a smaller version for my secret recipient for the Mugrug Swap. 

(I wouldn't want anyone else to go 35 years without knowing what they were missing!)

I hope she enjoys it:-)

 

 

And now a bittersweet Goodbye to Ole Blue,

you will always be my first love...