Ticker tape the rainbow

I combined inspiration from a number of sources for this tote bag. First, I've been saving a bunch of "rainbow order" quilts and projects on Pinterest and Flickr. Second, I've been wanting to try ticker tape ever since I saw the Bottled Rainbows quilt along and quite a few lovely versions of that design. Aaaaand third, this is a repeat of a tote I made this summer in handstitched class. What you make for one niece, you must make for the other. :)

Instead of using pieced hexagons I sorted through my scrap jars and found a set of scraps in each color of the rainbow. I like that I ended up using a few little pieces that I was sort of wondering why I saved at all. In retrospect, I probably should have used some fusible interfacing to attach the fabric scraps onto the bag instead of just zig zag stitching them in place. The problem I ran into was edges popping out of the stitches. Oooops. I ran back over them with more stitching, but this might not be the most durable approach ever.

I do like the rainbow effect of the layout, though. I didn't have any small purple scraps, so I decided to skip using purple on the front and used a big piece for the lining. The handle is the cutest part, though. I had some leftover Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar scraps from a comforter I made for Samara a loooong time ago (well, 6 years maybe) and I used the fruit series in the strap -- makes for a nice little rainbow in there, too!

These two totes are destined to hold some Christmas goodies, so I'm crossing another handmade gift off the to do list. Hurrah!

Update: linking up to Finish It Up Friday