Through My Window

 

On one of my quilt shop hops this year, I visited LA Sewing Centre, where I spied the pattern for the Through My Window wallhanging. I decided this wallhanging would make a perfect gift for my oldest sister, who had recently experienced a cardiac event and was slowly recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery. I felt that it would have more lasting value than a bunch of flowers. But I had to find a good fabric panet that would work with the pattern. Searching the store for an appropriate panel, I finally found this one, and it was the last one of its kind. And I knew my sister would love it. She has since searched for - and found - the perfect rod from which to hang her wallhanging.
The pattern is from Patchwork Studios, but unfortunately it appears to be no longer available as I couldn't find it on the website. The designer does, however, offer a workshop in Too Easy Stained Glass, the technique used in this wallhanging, and has also co-authored a book on the technique, Simple Stained Glass Quilts, which also appears to be out of print as the link on the workshop page goes to an error page. 
So, I'm very thankful I found this pattern. Especially since I decided to make another one for my middle sister for her 70th birthday. 

I asked her what her favourite season is, and she said "Fall". I was able to find a 4-patch fall-themed panel in Marshall Fabrics. The individual panels were just about the right size for this pattern. And I have 3 more to work with for future projects. 
This one is a lot brighter than the first wallhanging, so I'm hoping that my middle sister likes it. Not everyone likes vibrant colours like I do. 
While I think this pattern is pretty amazing, there is one drawback. The technique is basically tracing the design onto a big rectangle of paper-backed fusible webbing (Heat'N'Bond, Steam-A-Seam), applying it to black fabric and then cutting it out. So, all of those empty spaces between the black lines in the wallhanging are big pieces of black fabric backed with fusible web. Pretty much wasted. I haven't thrown them away yet because I hate wasting fabric, but I haven't figured out what to do with them. It's not like they can go in the scrap bin because of the fusible web. And it's not like black is the most useful colour for appliqué. But at least solid fabric is generally cheaper than print... 
It still makes a very lovely gift, and an awesome way to use a fabric panel. 
Tortoise projects update: 

I finally finished applying the binding tape and added a hanging sleeve on this rug-hooking project. I still haven't decided where or how to hang it. Unfortunately, the old style sashing rods are no longer available at Walmart, so I may just have to go with a dowel and hooks. 
I have completed 24 of 48 squares for the Shannon afghan. 
Absolutely no progress on the needlepoint (remind me again why I thought I needed to try needlepoint), other than that I was able to locate the original project for which I purchased the frame that came with the unfinished needlepoint on it... Although as I'm writing this, I again don't recall where it is. 

This is the current status of the English paper-pieced quilt block. 
I have completed 13 repeats of the 13 yarns being used in the Variegated Moss Stitch throw, but I had to buy some substitute yarn (Red Heart Comfort pink/gray print) for one of the yarns already (Craft Smart Value Arizona). Since I can't find exact matches for most of the yarns that are running out, and I didn't want to buy a bunch of skeins for just a couple of rows each, I decided to improvise. I used/will use another yarn already being used in the afghan for a couple more yarns that have run out or are about to run out (anonymous purple and green ombre for the Craft Smart Value Purple Flowers, and Red Heart Super Saver Mistletoe Ombre for Craft Smart Value Rainbow). They are definitely not perfect substitutes, but in this particular project, it's unlikely to be really noticeable. And I was able to find another skein in my yarn stash for a 4th yarn that ran out (Red Heart Super Saver Grape Fizz). I was originally planning on doing 15 repeats of the 13 yarns, debated on stopping at 13, but decided to continue to finish 14. If I go beyond that, I will run out of too many more yarns. Hopefully, I have enough left for that. 

Damian's Dino Backpack

 

I've been the rounds with Craftsy. I started with them back when they were Craftsy the first time. Then went through their Bluprint period and am currently a premium member of Craftsy. During one of their sales, I purchased the DVD for The Essential Backpack by Annie Unrein. And I planned to make it - eventually. Well, that time finally arrived when I decided to make one for my grandson for his birthday. I already had the dinosaur fabric - different from the fabric I used for his laptop carrier bag. So, it would coordinate, but wouldn't be identical, though I used the same contrast fabric. 
When I quilted the fabric for the laptop bag, I realized a few things. The first was that it wasn't necessarily necessary to quilt all of the fabric. I ended up with so much leftover quilted fabric that I was able to make Damian this bag for his headset,

and I still have quite a bit left. I think Annie has some ideas for smaller projects you can use the leftovers in. I will have to look those up when I have time for another unplanned project, in between other projects. 
The second thing was that I think the quilting should be a little denser and the third is that it really is a waste of time to use a pantograph for the quilting. I used Dave's Dinosaurs to quilt the laptop bag, but it was a wasted effort. The pieces cut are so small and layered on top of each other, that it's not really evident that I quilted it with dinosaurs. So, I tackled both of these things (denser quilting and not wasting my time doing a pantograph) by doing a basic free motion meander - something I don't normally do, since I consider myself the pantograph queen. And I only quilted the fabric I needed so I have much less quilted leftovers. 
Annie's instructions are very straightforward and detailed, plus I had the advantage of owning the DVD and/or watching it on Craftsy. 

Front pocket flap with sewn-in magnet

There is lots of work involved in making a bag, a lot more detail than just my basic tote bags. And I learned new things, like how to sew in magnets for closures. 

Backpack front and back

The Brain Docs say that in order to stay cognitively sharp, we should constantly seek to learn something new and challenge our brains daily with complex tasks. I think this type of bag making can fulfill both tasks. 😀

Inside of front and back, showing inside pockets

I had to review how to make my own zippers from zippers by the yard. 

Card pockets inside the front pocket

I can't say that bagmaking is my favourite activity. It's pretty labour-intensive and can be pretty challenging, especially stitching the multiple, multiple layers together. But the sense of satisfaction when you have created a relatively professional-looking bag, makes the labour worthwhile.
This is not a full-sized backpack, but, as my daughter pointed out, my grandson can carry his library books in it. And it appears to have been a hit since he left my hourse wearing it on his back.
I have plans to make one for my daughter and one for myself. Especially since this backpack would also make a good purse substitute.