it's back!

OMG. I got to pick up my quilt from the quilt shop this weekend, and I have to say it turned out even better than I imagined. The quilting pattern they helped me pick is pretty much perfect! This little cave painting horse motif gallops along and isn't too small, as I was fearing in my worst moments. To be fair, I had no idea from the drawing in the book how big or small it would be. I wonder if they adjust it based on how they think it will look? Either way, it's awesome. 

It took only about 4 weeks from drop off to text notification that it was done. I put off going to pick up until yesterday just because of logistics. The price was also not as high as I thought it would be. I don't need to longarm quilt all of my quilts, but - 5 stars, would do again. Especially for a large one!

I am really excited to have this finished up, hopefully this week. I just trimmed all of the extra batting and backing off and have measured around the edge to see how much binding I will need (lots). I also found my extra bit of the floral border fabric and, if my late evening math is correct, confirmed that I have enough to make the binding for it with a bit to spare. How lucky is that! Cannot wait. More to come. 

firefly totes, finished

These are fun to make! I finished up a couple more Firefly Totes, one for mom and one for me. I probably have at least two more in my near future, a small one for me and a large one for mom so we'll each have a set. 

After finishing up my first one in November, I quickly cut out the pieces for this second one for mom. I didn't have enough more of the gray canvas I used, but I do have a bit of this classy brown tweedy weave on a roll, so I decided that was a good option for the outer fabric which is meant to be more sturdy. I love the green zipper with the pink polka dots - it's giving Wicked! We are both big fans. I also found an incredibly cute gnome charm for the zipper pull while out shopping for webbing for the handles. The colors were serendipity. 

  

I wish there were more options for the webbing, but I ended up coming home with a navy as a neutral because the brighter colors wouldn't quite color match. Alas, but the drawstring top done up in this bright hippy bird fabric and the shock of pink and orange inside makes up for it. I used the same thick cord for the drawstring as on my original effort. 

I was planning on making myself a project version next, but I have my eye on a sweater I want to start and I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't start it until I had this bag done for toting it around as I work on it. How's that for motivation? I also had this lightweight canvas I wanted to experiment with (spoiler alert, it worked out great using interfacing) and having made the second smaller version reminded me enough of how it went to feel confident working with a new size.  

It turned out super cute, and I definitely want to make mom a bigger one also because it's a really good size. The combination of the mushrooms with the little snails is just awesome. The colors are kind of off my usual island, but it looks very spiffy and I know I'm going to enjoy using it. I had a bit of an adventure in my stash trying to find a lining fabric. I auditioned lots of things from orange to green plaid, neither of which I had enough of, but I landed on this great Halloweeny fabric with unicorns and moons on it to add even more quirk to the whole thing. I also found a fun charm for this one, it's a little turtle with a shell made out of yarn balls and on the back it says 'slow your roll' - words to live by! 

I have already wound some of my yarn into cakes and they're tucked in this bag ready for me to start. I'm really looking forward to toting this around, I just love it. I am already planning the next ones! I have fabrics picked out and partially cut for my small one (more of that brown tweedy weave), but not sure yet what I'll use for the second large one. More fireflies to come soon!