I'm an extremist...

...or so it seems! Tara and I had the chance to sew together in while she was here and it was wonderful! We made either very tiny things or very big things, but nothing in between!

We made these tiny wonky whirlygiggle blocks. These were going to be pin cushions, but I think they may turn into a mini quilt instead. Each block will finish at 2.5" x 3". Eeek! I love tiny things!! Especially when they are made from scraps!

I also made this darling little "pin" cushion.

Tara is a part of the Ringo Pie Bee this year, which means she is going to be doing a lot of paper piecing! I thought it would be fun to make her a little cushion to help her keep her sewing machine needles separated. One side is designated for fabric needles and the other side is for needles that have been used for paper piecing (because they dull more quickly after sewing through paper). I absolutely LOVE it! Which means I'll probably be making another one for me. No wonder my sewing list never gets any shorter....but I wouldn't have it any other way!

We also made matching handbags. While we were out shopping, Tara picked up the pattern for the Betty Shopper, by Amy Butler. Amy's patterns really turn out a terrific end product, but they also can be a little intense to sew up. Thankfully Tara was deciphering the directions and then told me what to do after she did hers. Phew!

We didn't have grommets on hand, as the pattern called for, so we sewed the handles to the bag instead, then used antique buttons for a bit of embellishment. I love that touch! And I love making do with what I had on hand.

The bag is HUGE!!! I heard that my almost 9 year old son actually fit in it and it looked like the bag could double as a kayak. I don't actually have proof, and I didn't see it happen, but I would imagine it was hilarious! Maybe I'll have to have him try it out again. :)