Tulip Purses

Ta Da! Here they are. The Two-Hour Tulip Purses. I am really happy with the end result. I had a couple fits and starts with them with a shout out to Treadleworks by Tammy and the designer herself, Janice Pope. Both helped me out and I got 'em done.

This one is mine. The colors are just a little more vibrant than they are showing here. I used the large pattern version which the designer, Janice Pope, describes as volleyball size. I also used flap 'B' with a magnet closure. One side of the magnet (female side) is on the outside pocket which is under the flap. She has you place the divided pocket on the inside of the front. I chose to put the inside pocket on the backside to help balance the purse.

This is the lining which is the same print as the outside of my Mom's.

This is my Mom's purse. It's nice and springy. Evan, my grandson, helped pick out the button. He was pretty emphatic - "The black one Mawma" (even though it's brown).

Here is the lining on my Mom's purse. I liked her lining a lot. She chose a simple print. I made her a divided pocket for the inside too. The pattern does not say to sew it to the lining to divide it in half but I did for both of them to help contain items.

They take more than 2 hours, but that's ok. I think another one in a smaller size I could now knock out in 2 hours - maybe. Hope you like them.

Marsha

So, I took a small vacation and travelled to Pgh., Pa. to visit my parents. We had a nice time catching up with each other. My mother and I took a few shopping trips and we went out to eat every night. One evening we went to The Rivers casino to enjoy their international buffet. It was yummy. My mom gave me $10 to play slots and I won! She won too. That was enough for me. Quit when you're ahead. It was a great visit. My Dad is writing his autobiography and it was interesting to read about the depression, his early years as a child, his experience in World War II and then his work years. I'm looking forward to it being completed.
Here they are, aren't they adorable. They were married in 1948.


I arrived on my Dad's birthday and my Mom's birthday is a week later. My nephew, Eric, sent his grandparents this wonderful fruit arrangement. I was happy to help eat it.

One of my favorite places to shop while visiting my parents is The Quilt Company. It's just a short trip away from their apartment and I always find something I want to sew. (Like those darn 2 hour petal purses) This time I found:

A sample jacket of this pattern looked really simple. Easy fitting, no facings, just a light something to slip on in the evening when it's cool and a fleece or sweater is too warm. Just right for coming home after second shift in the summer. The batik fabric is what I'm planning on making it with.

This book has lots of cool projects to sew and make.

I love bees and I found these coordinating fabrics. I want to make an apron from them. (the picture is washed out, it's a little more vibrant than this but still muted.)

From Pittsburgh, I traveled to Grove City, Ohio. Saturday was the Ohio Soap makers annual gathering. There are vendors, demos, a swap, garage sale and gathering of like minded people who like to make soap and toiletries. Hobbyists and professionals are welcome. It is fun reconnecting with other soap makers every year. I gave up my soap business a couple of years ago but still have friends in the biz and I like to keep up with what is new and try some new products.

This year a challenge was thrown down - Iron Soap maker! (A take off on the food channel's Iron Chef) The surprise ingredient? Oatmeal. It was a lot of fun watching the two women weigh their supplies and get busy making soap.

The winner was Joan W. It was a slanted contest - no surprise. She was showing off a new product by Oils by Nature which eliminates weighing out all your oils from different buckets into one step - all oils bought premixed. If you're a soap maker, you're impressed and, of course, I bought a bucket!

My favorite demo. was the color swirling. Here are two examples. The one on the left is in a log mold and the one on the right is a slab mold

Here is a close up of one of her bars of multi-colored soap. Isn't it gorgeous?

People are really generous with their time and knowledge at these gatherings and it is greatly appreciated.

After a fun and interesting day, I packed up what was left of my garage sale items (yeah, I sold a LOT), my goodie bag, my new items along with Kay's homemade goat milk fudge and headed home. It was a good week.

Marsha

Vaca.

I am going on a short vacation to visit my parents in Pittsburgh. I will share new pictures after I return. I need a break.

Marsha

Clark

Our Clark died April 1st. He was only 7. All Cavalier King Charles Spaniels develop heart problems and I guess Clark's was worse than we thought. He died too soon. We will miss our snuggle bunny. Our hearts are broken.

Marsha