Washington is experiencing a bumper crop of 2009 cherries. Our backyard tree joined the party and this is just one day’s bounty that I picked last week. The crows, deer and Rocky, our resident racoon, generally get to every last one the minute they ripen. This year there’s enough for all of us.

This cool little cherry pitting machine came from the Martha Stewart catalog many years ago. I only use it a couple times a year but absolutely LOVE it.

Now I need your help. I made a cherry pie with these cherries but did not like the recipe one bit (waaayyyy tooooo sweet). Any recommendations for a good cherry pie recipe?

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Easiest Accessory Bags Ever is a sewing pattern by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts. It’s been on my ‘to make’ list for some time now. Leil’s birthday party  provided the opportunity. I managed to make 3 of them while staying up late to monitor the sleep over goings ons. Not a recommended approach, I was still threading drawstrings early the next morning, finishing up just before I made the bacon and pancakes.

While the sizes are accurate on the pattern description, I totally underestimated what 19″ x 21″ meant! I envisioned cute little drawstring bags for the party favors. What resulted were these fabulous large bags that the moms were eying as the girls got picked up!

The pattern includes instructions for 3 different sized bags: the large Laundry & Gym Bag (19″ x 21″, the one I made), a medium Girly Girl Handbag (11″ x12″) and a small Makeup & Travel Bag (7″ x 8″).

Step 3 was a little confusing for me. I was probably making it harder than it needed to be. Ultimately I sewed it in a way that was logical to me and after finishing I’m certain that was the same approach being described in the instructions. I took some pictures of Step 3 (above) and Step 4 (below).

I think this is an outstanding pattern. I love it for several reasons:

1. A simple, classic design that is perfectly proportioned.
2. The combination of using different fabrics for each piece made for a colorful project. I had fun picking out coordinating fabrics.
3. The technique of sewing the lining to the exterior and then turning it inside out before sewing the sides results in lovely finished seams both on the interior and on the folded over drawstring casing. Simple, elegant and oh so functional!

Problems I encountered:

1. I found Step 3 to be confusing as I describe above. It’s actually very simple. If you’re like me and take every word literally definitely look at my pictures. Just iron the seam allowance open and stitch it down as shown.
2. FYI on the materials list: it is very tight on yardage! The large bag requires 3 fat quarters (18″ x 22″). The instructions call for cutting these down to 18″ x 21″. If you pre-wash your fabric then you may be short. After making the bag I realized it really wouldn’t effect the construction. Your exterior piece would end up shorter than the pattern called for and the lining could be cut to match. Similarly with the lining yardage. It calls for 3/4 yard (27″) and then instructs you to cut a 26 3/4″ strip. Again, if you pre-wash you’ll probably be short but ultimately you can just cut the lining and the exterior pieces to match before sewing them together.

Materials Used:

Pattern: Easiest Accessory Bags Ever by Fig Tree Quilts

Aiden Linen Natural for the exterior base

Ohinasama Princess (one side of exterior) by Alexander Henry in Pink, Green and Red

Ta Dots (one side of exterior) by Michael Miller in Ocean, Tangerine and Lime

Mod Geo (linings) by Michael Miller in Green, Aqua and Blush

The combos: Bag 1 - Pink, Ocean and Green. Bag 2 - Green, Tangerine and Aqua. Bag 3 - Red, Lime and Blush.

Now, a little Giveaway:

3 randomly drawn winners will receive the fabrics and pattern to make the Laundry Bags as shown (one in each colorway). I’d planned to do kits for the shop but it hasn’t happened in two weeks and it’s summer. What else can I say.

and a Contest:

Leave a comment telling me 3 fabrics (2 exterior and 1 lining) you would use (from the shop) to make these bags. Let’s keep it simple and assume natural linen is the base. I’m going to pick a winner or two from the combination I like the best. The winner will receive a set of fabrics and pattern to make their design.

I’ll draw the winners on Friday morning (July 3).

Happy Summer Sewing! xo Kathy

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Last day of school, yipppeee!

Now back to craftiness. A final post to wrap up my bazaar loot.

craftyFOLK. Wow, everything she creates is magic. The bird sitting on top of the ball of yarn is amazing! I purchased these for gifts but I’m having a hard time parting with a single one. I think the only solution is to buy more.

Made on Bainbridge is a new website devoted to carrying the work of local artists. I picked up gift tags and a fused glass soap dish. Tara, the founder, recently launched the website, I wish her lots of success!

A gift for Leil from LA RU. I really wish skulls had been around when I was coming of age.

The last great find was a silk screened wrap top I purchased from Revival Ink. I still have a goal of taking a picture of myself in it but that may just not happen in our lifetime so I’m using an image from her website. I bought one exactly like the top on the left. I don’t think I’ve ever purchased clothing at a craft fair but I have to tell you the wrap top fits amazingly well and I think it looks good on me if I do say so myself. Her artwork and the quality of the silk screen is unbelievable!

Have a fabulously creative week! xo Kathy

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The LiveSTRONG Challenge bike ride takes place here in Seattle on June 21. The charity event proceeds are all donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The LAF focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research, and the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Tonya is participating in the ride and raising donations. All I can say is Thank God for people like Tonya! I admire her for getting out there and doing all the work it has taken to train and participate in such a worthwhile community event. As a little incentive and thank you for supporting such a great cause, Pink Chalk Fabrics is providing four $20 gift certificates to be given away to donors. If you’re interested in sponsoring her team you can get the details and links on Tonya’s blog.

*  The mural is “Can You read the Secrets of History on my face?” by Carlos Bulson on display at The Eastern Hotel in Seattle’s International District.

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Sometimes a girl just needs a new wristlet. I promptly went home and stuffed this with car keys, my license and a tube of lipstick then headed over to work my shift at the 8th Grade Banquet last Saturday.

The thing I love most about local craft fairs is meeting the maker. Michelle of y.t. lou was such a sweetheart. Look at the detail on her tag! Hand embroidered. I smiled every time I unzipped the pouch. And she’s a very smart crafter too, look at the quality of the lining fabric, her mix of textures and the added detail of some ornamental stitching on the outside. Definitely sold me.

Couldn’t resist this tiny little penguin.

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My friend Michelle Vukic’s booth featured her beautiful line of cards and jewelry. These are the goodies I came home with. I swiped a description of her work from her website (Sandbox Cards and Gifts):

“Most of my watercolor paintings are little “vignettes” of the nature around me, including local birds, local flora and farm animals. These little paintings are then added to collage-style backgrounds, using vintage ephemera from a variety of sources, including my own family’s genealogy and postage stamp collection, as well as postcards, ledgers, advertisements and various old papers from all over the world. The cards are then distressed and antiqued using various techniques to create an old-world feel.”

The hand glittered hummingbird tails give them an amazing sparkle. It evoked for me the beauty of that fast flutter. I absolutely love all of her artwork.

Six more school days and counting!

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I was browsing Maluhia Designs and I kept thinking I know this name! Sure enough, Jonah and I have traded comments and e-mails several times since 2006! What a delight to meet her in person. Her work is so fun and well-crafted.

I LOVE this small notebook holder and the clever elastic to keep it all tidy in my purse.

And look at these fabric backed mirrors! Too cute. I got one for each of the girls and myself.

So you go shop in Jonah’s store and I’m going to go work on some of those deadlines…

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The end of the school year arrives at exactly the same time every year. Amazingly, I forget the chaos that defines the period spanning May 15 to June 17. Of course, if my kids did all their homework when it was assigned much of the last minute frenzy could be avoided. But alas, they don’t. So along with late night paper writing, all day field trips, band concerts, league meets, trips to Target for shorts that meet the dress code, and dances, I attempt to run a full-time business. Only 8 more days! Thank goodness.

On the field trip to Seattle’s International District last week I diverted the kids to an outdoor vendor row as we made our way by foot back to the ferry. I discovered Dawn of Pitter Painter. I love these cards. The butterfly is cut from the canvas cover of a vintage children’s book.

An unexpected delight came when she took the cards I had purchased and placed them in an envelope made from a magazine page. Amazingly clever and oh so fabulous!

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The Socialite Dress pattern by Anna Maria Horner. Made and modeled by Susan.

This is such a fabulously stylish, flattering and easy pattern to make. It has a limited number of pattern pieces, lots of ease and detailed pattern instructions. A customer inquiry kicked off the inspiration to use different fabrics for the yoke and arm facings (you can’t see the arm facings in the photos since they turn to the inside). Both fabrics from the Del Hi collection by Valerie Wells.

The fit is fantastic. Susan pointed out to me how the gathers along the neckline create the bodice dart, allowing for adequate ease through the chest. She chose to make a smaller size for the top and graduated the seam to the next larger size for the bottom. No other changes to the pattern were made.

Happy Summer Sewing!