the sea is calling...

These lovelies have been on my 'have-to-have' list for some time now... and now they are eye candy on my sewing room shelf. Beyond the Sea by Cloud 9 is made with organic cotton - I got mine at Cedar House Fabrics. I love the colors and the beachy theme of the prints.

I think I have narrowed down the quilt I want to use them for, I even bought some Konas to match. Now all I need is the time [and some more white thread - how depressing to run out of thread on a snow day!] There are alot of great projects on Flickr using this line - check out Michelle from Cloud 9's photostream.

A few weeks ago I bought some adorable puppy themed fabric with the plan to make Miss Sophia a new bed for in the sewing room. Before I could finish finding the perfect pattern, she had made herself comfortable in an old crate with some fleece stuffed in it. So much for making something fancy for this little dog!

beachy keen...

I am an unabashed purse junkie - all colors, all sizes, all shapes, but never any money to keep inside :D I have been needing [read wanting] a new beach tote for a while now. Pleated bags have been showing up everywhere and I am definitely on the bandwagon! I really liked the Birdie Sling, but that was a bit more bag than I needed and I'm a slacker - Amy Butler patterns are extremely well written, but make me tired around step 37 [she has loads of details and lots of steps in her patterns!]

I modified a tutorial I found on the Warehouse Fabrics website. I changed the pleating pattern and slightly altered the shape. I also wanted to use a big button with a loop - I find that having some type of closure prevents me from accidentally dumping the contents of my purse out at inconvenient times [i.e. in a restaurant, grabbing it out of the backseat of my car, in the movie theater, etc.]

With all the accessories that I carry around - cell phone, ipod, journal, pens, keys - pockets are a must! The tutorial included pockets, but these are my own design [easier when you don't have to follow instructions :]. I used duck cloth for the lining, it gave the bag alot of support and structure.

Sadly, I have no use for a beach bag as we are quickly heading into fall! There are, however, things to rejoice in: football games, chili, baked goods with cinnamon, fresh apples, brisk mornings snuggled in a quilt, and beautiful new colors for the trees.

THERE'S STILL TIME! Don't forget to sign up for the pillow giveaway!! Comment on this post...