Tuesday, April 29, 2014

eight is great

These past few days have been completely crazy, but I managed to finish another sew together bag! This one is for my daughter, who turns (turned?) 8 today. (Kids' birthdays=a whole lot of work for the parents! Phew!) I made this one without breaking OR bending a needle. I'm pretty happy about that! It's the year of the sew together bag for my kiddos. Two down, one to go. I kind of think I should make the 3rd one now while I'm still in the groove! If you aren't familiar with the sew together bag, it's a handy zippered bag that was designed for carrying all your sewing gear. My kids each want one to store their treasures (of any kind) inside. I can't say that I blame them!

(The pattern is available for purchase here, if you are interested.)
My daughter loves color as much (or perhaps even more?) than I do, so I used as many fabrics as possible. I counted 11 in all! She's gonna love it!
Actually, I was inspired by this piece of artwork that she drew a few weeks ago. I found this list next to it, which are the rules for her drawing class.  
Tip #1: use as many colors as you can.
Tip #2: take your time.
Tip #3 always take a good look at what you're going to draw.
Tip #4: try your best.
Tip #5: Have Fun!

Isn't that awesome? I especially love tips #1 and 5. I'm going to have my husband laminate this and keep it forever and ever. I think I could apply these rules to my quilting, too!

48 comments:

Clair said...

Love that list. Hope you have a happy day of little A's birthday.

Susan C. said...

I love that art! What a creative family, no small doubt nurtured by you. Love seeing all your projects, and finally plucked up the courage to leave a note after all this time.
Thank you for your blog and it's inspiration....from a fan!

Irelle said...

You should copy both of those onto fabric and make her a quilt of all her art as a keepsake! Both are fabulous.

C. Jaeger said...

I love it all! The Hello Kitty fabric is adorable, her drawing and writing are precious, and this post was super happy. Thanks for sharing!

Tamie said...

What a lucky little girl. I love the sew together bag you made her. And I agree, the artwork should be framed and kept. Maybe you could sandwich it between two pieces of glass so that you can see the list too.

Deb said...

The bag is PERFECT for her! Gotta love those rules and take them to heart! She's an inspiring artist!

Hayley said...

That list is so gorgeous! The things kids come up with are so precious

Cheryl Arkison said...

She is so awesome!
I'm giving my almost 8 year old that list tonight.
Happy Birthday dear A!

tink's mom said...

she has a wonderful sense of color. Love her art and her gift. great jobs by both of you.

Shari said...

From the mouth of babes.....tip #5 is my favorite.

Little Quiltsong said...

Yes definitely laminate that - it is priceless!!

Maria said...

Fabulous zipper pouch for treasures and great,ids for kids as well as us..
Love your
DD rules...

roxi said...

like mother, like daughter! she comes by her love of colour honestly doesn't she! Hope she had a wonderful 8th birthday!!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

She is an artist with a great list of tips! She has a very talented mom too!

Lorna McMahon said...

The bag is perfect - such a pretty rainbow of fabric goodness! Love the drawing your daughter made and her list of rules. She sure knows her stuff!

Jo Ann said...

Awesome rules for living!

Suzanne said...

Aw, happy birthday to A! I love her handwritten list and the creative spirit that she exudes. May she let if loose forever!

Karen said...

I noticed on this one that you got a little fancy, how did you make the stop pieces at the beginning and end of your zipper units? Love to know how, I am not a zipper person, but would love to be. Very nice....

Marjorie said...

Brilliant! And now I want a bag like that. You suck.

Svetlana said...

fantastic pouch, love the list and the artwork, too.

S Staum said...

Happy 8th birthday to your daughter! She sure has an eye for color and design!! What a fun pouch!!

Vera said...

Happy Bday! The pouch is really great with all those colors included.

dream quilt create said...

How adorable! The cute bag does have a lot of colors as your grand daughter requested. So sweet!!!

dream quilt create said...

Yikes, I meant to say daughter, sorry! If it were me, it would be my grand daughter :)

Tina said...

Wow, another one! I have had the pattern here for a long time, but somehow I find it really scary with all those zippers. I love how you used so many colours. Makes for a really happy bag!

Katie said...

the pouch is amazing and it looks like your daughter is as well. That list is awesome -- I think you should frame it and put it above your sewing machine. Simple rules to live by.

Kay said...

The list is just so funny, good for her.

Linda said...

Tell miss A Happy Birthday from Jason and I. Gotta love that girl! Love her artwork. Tell her I still have the minion she drew for me. :)

I knew as soon as I saw Hello Kitty that it had to be hers. :) Such a fun little bag!

liniecat said...

Wonderful bag that and great colours!
I wish more teachers would give a list like that out to children to stimulate their creativity!
Loved her drawing!!

Granny Maud's Girl said...

I am going to apply all of those tips to one of my current sewing projects!
Love the bag.

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

Love the Hello Kitty fabric and dots! This bag is so much fun. I made my first one over Easter break. I broke 3 needles so in a strange way I am happy to hear your comment about not breaking or bending a needle :) Happy birthday to your daughter! love her artwork!

Unknown said...

Love your daughter's steps to creating! Happy Birthday to her! My her pouch soon be filled with very special treasures.

Brenda said...

Love the bag, just absolutely adore her drawing, and the list is wisdom for life! Love what they teach children now, #1 & #5 rule!

margaret said...

such words of wisdom form one so young. I am sure she will love and treasure her new bag

Brenda said...

First, I think your daughter's bag is great. Such a wonderful, joyful mix of colors and patterns. A very special place for her very special treasures.

Second, I agree that her list is one that applies not only to quilting but just about every area of our lives. I too am going to make a large version of her list and post it for myself. I need to remember to look for and add lots of color to the things I do. And to look carefully (mindfully) and take my time and have fun and can't remember the last one.

Wonderful. I have a smile on my face.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Abby is the sweetest thing. She will LOVE all the zippers and different fabrics.

Melissa said...

You have a budding artist on your hands!!! Looks like she inherited her Mommy's love of color!;)

Sallie B. said...

Your daughter is an awesome little girl, and I hope she has a very happy birthday! Eight is such a nice age.

Samantha said...

The bag is fantastic, but I'm even more enamored of those rules! I need a laminated copy for myself ;-) Happy birthday to her!

Unknown said...

Just today I ran across a drawing my daughter did in elementary school and I posted it on my design wall for inspiration for an upcoming birthday present for her -- a cosmetic bag. She's turning 20 and she's an art major. Your daughter is a budding artist and philosopher.

jenni said...

You should put those rules up in your sewing room. Aren't children the BEST!

Lyndsey said...

I love the bag, I can see why its so popular. I can see myself making several in preparation for Christmas.

Unknown said...

I just have to make one of those, but craftsy via the link above is telling me it's no longer available :(

Annemieke said...

Lovely pouch and the bests tips ever:)
Groetjes
Annemieke

Aimee said...

Hi AJ! Love that bag! It is adorable and so functional! I clicked th link to purchase it, but got an error message from craftsy saying it was no longer available. Is there another way I can buy it? Thank you!

sulu-design said...

So cute (the bag and the drawing class rules). I love all the pockets in the bag. Happy birthday to your sweet girl!

Donna S. CNY said...

Awesome attitude and personality. I too love color

Päivi said...

Hi, I bought the patter due to you have made so cute bags. Did you have somewhere a tutorial for this bag. I had saved it in my tablet but it broke and I can´t find it anywhere. Thanks if you can help me.