Police Week

We stopped at CherryVale Mall to see the Police Week displays this morning. Lots of departments were represented, but of course we were most interested in the Illinois State Police display. We happened to meet Brent, Emily, Mack, and Griffin in the parking lot on our way in. Mack was very excited to take this picture of his dad cleaning his car.

 
My favorite vehicle was this 1951 car.

The Police Memorial Wall was very nicely done. I know Brent and Emily spent quite a bit of time doing it and it shows! Sorry I didn't get a picture of it.

Quilted Tablecloth

I was inspired by a photo of a quilt on Flickr and decided I wanted to make something like it as a tablecloth for our porch. The entire quilt is made from my stash so I guess it cost nothing!

The whole quilt is hand-quilted mostly with stars. I think you can see the detail in the border here:

This quilt definitely adds color to our screened porch!

A few more Snap Bags

Snap Bags are fun, easy, and quick to make and a great way to use up some of my fabric stash!

This bag is from a fat quarter that has been in my stash for a few years. I liked the purple lining with the flowered fabric.

 

I began experimenting and decided to add handles - just a little loop on the side.

 

 

 

 

The last four bags are all from fabric left from baby quilt projects.

When we get back from our trip, I have three young friends - girls ages 6, 8, and 10 - coming to make bags. I've been busy getting things ready. Since two of them have never used a sewing machine, it will be an exciting day! The 8-year-old keeps asking if we are seriously going to use a sewing machine! Yes we are!!!

How To Make a Snap Bag

I wanted to make a Snap Bag and a friend gave me the address of a blog that had instructions. I thought I would expound a little on the instructions and post them here.

The measurements can vary greatly so I'll use a set of measurements and give some hints along the way.

1. Start with 2 squares (These could be two rectangles or just one large piece of fabric!) I used 2 orphan blocks that I trimmed to 9 1/4 inches square. I ended up with a bag that was 6 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 2 inches across the bottom.

2. Sew together the two pieces with a 1/4" seam. This seam is the center of the bottom of the bag.

3. Cut a piece of lining the same size as this piece. Mine was 9 1/4" X 18".

4. Sew the lining to the blocks, right sides together with a 1/4" seam using this method: 

First sew one short side. Then sew the other short side leaving an opening for turning. Now sew the long sides turning the already sewn seam in at both ends. This makes a nicer corner when you turn the bag right side out.

  

5. Turn the bag right side out. Press the bag, pressing the opening in the seam allowance as if it were sewn. 

6. Press approximately 1 1/4" toward the lining on both short ends. 

7. Stitch straight across the 1 1/4" close to the edge leaving the ends of the casing open.

8. With right sides of the bag together, sew one side using a 1//4" seam.

9. Cut two pieces of a metal tape measure about the width of your bag. Using tin snips, round off one end of the tape measure on both pieces.

10. Cover the ends with duct tape. Cut and trim the other ends at least 1/2" shorter than the width of your bag

and cover the ends with duct tape.

11. Insert the tape measure pieces into the casing of the bag with the numbers facing the RIGHT SIDE or OUTSIDE of the bag. (The outside of the bag is probably on the inside right now!) If you don't insert the tape correctly, the bag won't snap shut.

12. Sew the other side seam being very careful to not hit the tape measure.

13. All we have left is to make the bottom. (You actually can stop here and not do anything else to the bottom. Go to step 15.) With the bag still inside out, pin the side seam to the bottom.

14. Measure up about an inch and draw a line across. The measurement should be the same from the side seam to each side. My side seam just happened to be 1" from each side. Sew on the line. 

Repeat for the other side.

15. Turn the bag right side out!

I think any size square/rectangle will work for this project. You could add a shoulder strap or purse handles. This is just a neat bag - the perfect size for a small quilting project!

A New Bag

I saw a pattern for this bag at the April Quilt Camp at Lucky 2B Quilting. 

So I bought the pattern and the fabric that day. 

The fabric is new and has a high thread count - it is cotton but feels very soft.

The only change I made to the pattern was to make the inside pockets a little bigger.

The bottom of the bag is 7" X 12". The height without the handles is 15".

The bag is machine quilted!

This bag is larger than I like for a purse but it will be perfect when we travel or go shopping. 

I can throw my change purse inside and have plenty of room for other stuff!

An Evening of Music

Tim Janecke, of Chicago Lyric Opera, and Andrea Amdahl Taylor performed at the preschool fundraiser,  “An Evening of Music and Dinner” last weekend. The music was incredible! Tim grew up with our kids and it has been a pleasure hearing his voice mature over the years. We enjoyed good food prepared by Wally and 'won' a Japanese meal in the Silent Auction. In addition to the entertainment and the food, it is always fun to see and visit with friends. There was even a mini-reunion of the 1999 volleyball team that went to state! The two coaches and two of the then seniors:

University of Wisconsin Spring Band Concert

We were fortunate, once again, to attend the University of Wisconsin Spring Band Concert. Our friend Wayne always manages to get tickets for the group and we have a great evening. We attended on Friday, April 16, this year. The music was wonderful and the evening a great success. The band was celebrating the 100th anniversary of "On Wisconsin".

Friends - I am on the other side of the camera.