Trying to go Euro and stop collecting so many disposable bags when I run my errands. We have canvas grocery bags, but I want to cut out the shop bags too. So, another new bag:
Sorry, but the wind moved the door every time I hit the button - it was personal I'm sure.
Take a last look at this boring gray concrete because soon this courtyard will be refinished. My turn! Neighbors on each side are landscaping and the courtyard becomes a sound chamber for jack hammers and tile saws (think big dentist's drills from 7:30-4). We are on volcanic rock and everything seems to require jack hammering. Add street refinishing to that today and you have a virtual NYC street symphony around here. Can't believe these lines are actually sewn straight considering hormones, presence of little people and ambient noise and smell levels!
Loved this mod fabric from Alexander Henry and ordered a yard of each to make ... something. Not right for a skirt for me, but just had to have it.
That's not black but the darkest semi-sweet chocolate brown behind the flowers and a Nekko chocolates pattern on the bottom and inside.
Just happened to have the blue thread in my machine from putting the Chenille-It on the Monkey quilt (OK so far - cross your fingers) so I knew I had to make this next.
Going to start calling these my 2-yard Bags. This was all that was left of these two fabrics. Wouldn't have even had that long strip if not for a mistake. I prefer my handles wider, but only doubled my final desired width rather than quadrupled it when I made my first cut and then it was too late. When I'm feeling really obsessive I make more pockets out of the remaining bits, but I liked it with only one this time. I'm sure these will find their way into a quilt.
Having a heat wave here. Only in the mid 80's ... but, we don't have A/C. I admit it, we're CA wimps. The zonies have sent one of their monsoons our way. Humid summer storms off the Gulf of Mexico produce great thunder, lightning and rain over the desert, but get wimpy by the time they cross the mountains - zero precipitation for us, just humidity.
Wouldn't be so bad if there was a spot of shade to be found. Nope, no shade here! It's a SE face - boy howdy it's hot by noon! Hope on the horizon though since I'm starting my final landscape drawing tonight and the contractor starts after the holiday. Imagine a patio, fountain, trees and plants filling this area. I'm trying to keep the faith.
So, what's this?
Answer in a bit.
The kids' summer is moving along: Pool, county fair, friends, pool, torturing your sister ... OK, what's next - I'm bored ...
Me, I'm not bored, so get over it kiddo and find ways to amuse yourself. One of the best life skills I can teach you, and - ding ding ding - I get to reap the benefits from the get-go.
Wanted: a pool/beach bag to hold all the stuff in one trip. Bonus points if my DH isn't embarrassed to carry it.
Success. It had already been to the beach before I could grab this photo. DH reported he loved it. Waverly home decor fabric on sale from JoAnn's last year. I've seen loads of Amy Butler knock-off inspired prints there this year. Go make yourself one. Costs about the same as some seasonal tote from Target (seasonal as in "lasts only one season, if you're lucky") and holds the world... Well, four beach towels, knitting bag and usual paraphernalia to be precise. One bag for the whole family.
One of my favorite orchids. Four bloom stems! Past its peak, but still lovely. Especially against the dog/kid crushed family room sofa. Note to self ... tidy before blog photos. As beautiful as the blooms above are, this really makes me happy:
Found this slipper orchid stalk hidden today, along with three orchids with other unopened bloom stalks. Send this plant your best vibes. It had a bloom growing two years ago but young one knocked it over and it went into shock, dropping the bud and has been dormant since. This will be its first bloom ever. Needless to say, this bud is a secret (safe here since the youngest one doesn't read yet).
So, what was that hand in motion up to?
A new knitter is born!
Ah the bags are gorgeous. I love the blue/brown combo!
Posted by: Melinda | June 30, 2006 at 04:38 AM
Woo-hoo a new knitter! Like your pondering on the summer...we are CA wimps...esp. when this Navy housing has NO AIR!!!!!!!!!!!Arizona can KEEP their weather!
Posted by: PJ | June 30, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Yay for new knitters! The orchids are exquisite! I can't believe that bag holds 4 beach towels, I may have to make one as we would end up taking 3 or 4 bags for 3 people. You find the best fabrics. I'm anxious to follow your landscaping adventure. Here we have squirrella warfare - really - firearms and everything.
Posted by: Julia | June 30, 2006 at 07:55 AM
LOVE the orange circles bag!
Posted by: Monika | June 30, 2006 at 01:28 PM
way to bring another knitter into the fold! she'll never be bored again :).
I love your shoppping bags! now that's the way to go.
Posted by: moni | June 30, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Both bags are beautiful!!! I love your fabric choices.
And yay for the new knitter!
Posted by: caitlyn | June 30, 2006 at 03:45 PM
Yay for the new knitter! Looks like she's doing a fabulous job!
Posted by: Wendi | July 01, 2006 at 08:55 AM
Cool, a new knitter! Blogging, yarn stash, quilting even on the way? She'll never forget her first project :)
I've been thinking of sewing bags and have bought three Japanese language books on bags (some found on the Crafting Japanese org. blog) - but I love your classic lines of the bags you shown us - with great fabric choices. Where do I go for fabric inspiration? Here! (You know, I can envision a color/design type of book authored by you, hint, hint.)
Lastly, sending "grow, grow, grow" cyber vibes for the bud.
Posted by: Terry | July 02, 2006 at 07:33 AM
Love the Orange Cirlces bag. I need to know the dimensions!! I want to make one, too. Congrats on the new knitter. You know what that means- more yarn in the house! ;)
Posted by: Michelle | July 03, 2006 at 05:36 AM
Totally cool bags! And way to go with the your new little knitter!
Posted by: Donna | July 04, 2006 at 03:43 AM
Your post touched on everything I'm doing right now! Summer bags and trying to lead by example in having the girls keep themselves busy. I love the beach bag. Nice size and fun colors. Chocolate colored fabric is my favorite. Great description of that color. This is my first visit to your blog. So glad I found it.
Posted by: kathy | July 05, 2006 at 11:42 AM
Woo hoo! WTG on getting another one into the knitting circle!
Love the bags.
Posted by: Risa | July 06, 2006 at 09:34 AM
Oh a new knitter - I am impressed! She looks angelic and how do you get her to sit still, Madam would like to knit but would like to wake up a knitter rather than sit and actually learn...she also wants the best yarns. I love the bags - the beach bag is fabulous, even when colours like those fade they still look gorgeous, the other bag is very Jackie O in her yacht phase - v v tasty. What do you do with the orchids to get them so prolific, I have only just started on orchids (we have two of the babies) and yours is covered in flowers - those colours would be a perfect next project
Posted by: juliet | July 06, 2006 at 01:36 PM
The bags are amazing .. makes me want to sew .. but then I remember how bad I am at it. I'll stick to knitting!
Good, green grow-y thoughts for your orchids. I had one once .. it bloomed once, then hasn't since. I've given it to my MIL even, and she's not been able to coax it into growth.
Posted by: Tania | July 11, 2006 at 03:16 PM
Love those bags and I was wondering whether the two yard bag was from a pattern or just your own sheer genius? Would you mind letting me know? Also, my rocktorp is seriously hibernating zzzzzzzzzzz That pattern does my head in!
Posted by: Stephanie | July 13, 2006 at 05:46 PM
Hello, your Bags are just so wonderful!
I wish I could make them the same way as you do. But it's wonderful to look at it.
I already bought a book about bags, but something like yours isnt' in there.
Since three days I have my own blog - but it's not a knitting blog, it's a food blog, written in German. Feel free to have a look on
http://dolce-claudia.blogspot.com/
Greetings from Munich, Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | July 15, 2006 at 12:46 PM
Okay, I wanna make one of those danged gynormous totes and I can't find the pattern you used - Did you tell us and I missed it. or is it your own brilliant design? Please tell me I can buy it.
Posted by: Julia | July 17, 2006 at 07:45 AM
The bags are wonderful! As is the new knitter!!!!
Posted by: christine | July 26, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Both your bags are wonderful! Did you follow a pattern for them or make them up yourself? Inquiring minds want to know LOL! And yay for a new knitter. My 8yo dd wants to learn and so she and I are going to learn together. *gulp*
Posted by: Jennifer | July 29, 2006 at 03:47 PM