GRAB BAG
Posted by mountaintopquilting on Monday, January 5th, 2009
I can't remember on which blog I read about challenging the readers to celebrate the New Year by making up this cute Grab Bag pattern from All People Quilt, but I decided to accept the challenge. All-be-it a little late, I still had fun making the bag and I like how it turned out.
I had seen the pattern/bag before and different sites, but the time was right yesterday to give it a whirl. Construction was easy and the size is just right for carrying as a small purse. I even loaded it up with my wallet, cellphone, and a couple of other things to test how the weight felt on my writst. Different jobs through the years and age have not been kind to my poor wrists and they can become quite sensitive to carrying heavy items these days.
Another good thing about this pattern ... it's a great stash-buster using up 1/2 yard of fabric for the bag, 3/4 yard for the lining/pocket, and a good chunk of left-over batting scraps.
There is one thing I would change about the pattern. I would like the pockets to be deeper and will probably reconfigure the pocket divisions when I make the next one. These changes will be easy to make and still work within the basic bag construction.
On another note, I'm happy to report that we are finally above freezing temperatures for the first time in nearly a month. I expected our snow and icy driveway to be gone yesterday afternoon. However, to my surprise, the warming trend did not include our elevation and instead we got almost 3 more inches of snow. So much for my going out and about in the afternoon. Toby (DS is home visiting, giving lessons, and teaching master classes this last week) and Mike found the trip home from MHCC much easier and safer when they put the chains on the tires for their trip back home.
But this morning, for the first time in a very long time I was finally able to resume my morning walk on Spring Water Trail. Hooray, hooray ... a beginning for one of my 2009 goals ... getting in a good walk every day that is possible - going for at least 5 days a week.
Also, if you haven't had a chance to read PAY IT FORWARD check it out and consider joining in the fun. The gift you share doesn't have to be large or elaborate. Rather, it's all about reaching out, touching lives, and possibly making a new friend with similar interests. Just post a comment to my blog that you'd like to join in the fun and I'll help you through the rest via email. Feel free to drop me an email if you have any questions.
