Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Quick and easy project...

Rainy days just seem made for a good movie, gentle hand stitching, and chocolate. 
Today I contentedly enjoyed all three.

Meanwhile my family members braved the soaking torrent at work and school - all arriving home at different points in the afternoon equally wet and weary. As hot and humid as it is outside, the house is lovely and cool inside and I am thinking a pot of soup would have been perfect for dinner, but 17yo son is unwilling to forgo his promised pasta supper - his Italian bloodline is never more evident than in his food choices; pasta, pasta, pasta, lasagne, gnocchi, pasta, pasta...oh, and did I mention pasta?

The movie was Julie & Julia, and if you are a foodie *and* a blogger you will love it. Blossom is now snuggled up on the couch watching it herself - waiting for food. ;-) 
Whenever I watch a movie with good food I feel the need to lose myself in the kitchen and create mounds of delectible dishes - do you? 

Before the movie I began sorting through some plastic tubs in the sewing room and found these stitcheries that Blossom did a couple of years ago. They are from an old Bronwyn Hayes design and she still had one block to do when she lost interest in the project.
She's given me her blessing to make use of them so I will have a play around tomorrow and see what I come up with - maybe some scented door hangers. 
I came across this tutorial the other day and mistakenly thought the little fabric baskets were very small. My plan was to make a couple and use them as thread catchers in my sewing room and living room, but after I began the cutting and sewing I realised these were a lot bigger than what I needed. However, I love the look of the little baskets, so I added some extra adornments like the bow and the ribbon hanging loop at the back...
...and found it to be the perfect size for storing 20 fat quarters!
From start to finish this bag took me 30 minutes to make.
You will need 2 fat quarters per bag, and I used some interfacing for extra stability. Tomorrow I am going to make a few more as they are perfect for fabric storage.

Do you have a very quick project you can share, or perhaps a tutorial you've come across for something quick and easy? After I made this bag I thought it would be a gorgeous gift.

Must go now and feed that boy - I hear his tummy grumbling.
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

34 comments:

Vicki ♥ said...

Just gawjus Jen....I love your little basket :) Love the fabrics you chose too. :) Hugs Vicki

Joy said...

Oh I love that!!! I could do with a few of those around here too :o)!!
Love n hugs,
Joy :o)
PS ... enjoy your pasta dinner ;o)

Debbie said...

Jenny your fabric bag looks lovely, which blog was it on?
I didn't realise blossom had a brother, do we get to see a photo of him too?
I haven't seen Julie and Julia but hope to.

Breigh said...

My husband recently took over my craft room as his office so all my stuff is out in the livingroom. These little bags will come in handy for storing some of my things. Thanks!!

Unknown said...

Very very pretty you bag...
Hugs
Deni

Helen said...

I love your fabric basket. Can you please, please let us know which blog you found it on. Helen

Annie Bee said...

Love the baskets = can't wait to see what you do with the stitcheries.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Helen, if you click on 'this tutorial' in my blog post it will take you there. :-)
Hugs
Jenny

Jane said...

Oh what a lovely little basket, I have made a few from the tut by pink penguin but they are smaller baskets. I use them to store my machine threads, so some larger ones would be nice. Thanks Jenny Hugs xxx

Janice said...

I love the basket. Maximum effect for minimum effort - always good. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the stitcheries. I saw Julie and Julia a while ago and loved it. Definitely one for the girls.

Jilly's Space said...

You're so smart! I LOVE the bow and fabric choices for your basket.
You sure have passed on your talent to your daughter, what beautiful stitcheries. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Something genius of course! ;-

Elyte said...

The basket looks great with that special finishing touch and add the fabrics it looks just perfect. You do have the knack.I loved that movie too. I came out wanting to cook and it was after that, that my new herb garden was born. Can't cook without fresh herbs!

Shari said...

Love your basket. For a smaller version that might work for you, here is the link to a tutorial. I won one in a giveaway and they perfectly hold a 'mini charm pack' (ie 2.5 by 2.5 inch scraps)

http://littlebusybee.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-have-been-sew-beesy.html

Have fun! - The tutorial is right at the bottom of the post so keep going!

Hugs

Colleen said...

Love your basket Jenny. We have watched Julie and Julia at least twice. Great movie.

manda said...

Oh yeah, I came across these last night and just love them!

http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-puffy-pouch.html

http://noodleheads.blogspot.com/2009/10/zippy-wallet-tutorial.html

Anonymous said...

That is adorable and a really nice size.
The bow makes it just right :)

Anonymous said...

Here is a cute basket and easy to make.
http://www.psiquilt.com/2009/08/friendship-bag-tutorial.html
Sorry for two posts!

allsewnup said...

The larger size is great. Very pretty.

Carolyn

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Lovely wee baskit and it in my favorite colors. Hugs judy in very cold Michigan

Bonny said...

Hi Jenny - love your basket - but if you are looking for a smaller basket to catch your threads... hop over to "Pink Penquin" and she has a tutorial for an adorable
thread catcher basket. I have made 2 already!
Love your blog - and I cannot believe your daughter, Blossom's, beautiful stitching!
Bonny :)

alice said...

I do like getting lost in the kitchen at times. I usually get nothing else done and have a huge mess to clean, but the boys don't seem to notice any of that. Love the basket(as another pile of FQs falls over)!They would come in very handy!
You will also have to give us a bow tutorial--mine never come out that nice! L, A-

Cattinka said...

I like your fabric basket, it looks so soft with the interfacing you took, the "original" looks more stiff, I think thats why I like yours better. Have fun creating something nice with the Bronwyn Hayes stitcheries, they are very pretty!
KATRIN W.

Lulú said...

Hi: I live in México and it does a little time I discovered your blog. You do very pretty things! I like yor blog much!!
Regards.

MissesStitches said...

I love these fabric baskets! Gotta try some! Yours certainly are pretty.

What Comes Next? said...

too cute! thanks for the link to the tut - I thinlk I'm going to have to give them a try. Your fabric choices are wonderful, as usual!

Allie said...

Wow - that basket is truly gorgeous Jen!
Those little stitcheries from Blossom are darling, I know you'll make something wonderful from them!

I can't think of anything quick and easy to make - nothing I make ever turns out quick, OR easy.

Wendyb said...

Love the basket Jenny, what a fab idea for a guild prize...a pretty basket full of fqs. I'll have to pass it on!! Thanks.

Great weather for pasta...I agree!
Bellissimo!
sugary hugs XX Wendy :O)

Sarah - Kala said...

It's beautiful!
Love the bow, too. Very sweet!

Maggey and Jim said...

I love that basket and the fabric just makes it.. Also those stitcheries are really cute too. I am sure you will do something special with them..
Hugs.
Maggey

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Great bag..thanks for the link Jen, loved what you did with yours...Peg

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Love the little baskets and I must find some time and try one!!!! Love the colors you used on it---have fun with daughter's leftovers!!!!
and a "hint"--be sure to visit me in the next day or so--surprises are there!!!!
Hugs, Di

michal said...

great little basket, lovely!

Anonymous said...

Jenny, I love your baskets!! Especially the fabrics you used!! WOW!! I have saved the pattern and will make me one or more one of these days - have a couple projects to finish/prepare first.

You're right, they would make great gifts baskets, and would work well in a bathroom with extra hand towels or washcloths, etc in them - or in a baby's room - ooh, Lord willing, we will be grandparents again in September! I think I will make one or two for DS and DDIL!!! Thanks for the idea! You rock!

Gerda in Alberta, Canada

Anonymous said...

Plop a plant (in its pot) into them!!

I sure like the other ideas, too - way to go, ladies!

Gerda