Oh My Goodness

I haven't written a post in what seems like forever - very unlike me.  But in my defense I've been just a bit busy.  I am in the fifth week of a mission trip and will be going home on Friday.  As many of you know Jerry and I often serve at UMCOR Sager Brown in Baldwin, Louisiana and that's where we've been this last few weeks.  Jerry is back at home but I'm still at the mission - he has another volunteer gig he's going to next week so he went home to get ready.

Unlike other times I've been here I didn't do much sewing this time.  It's been a bit busier than usual and our groups have required more of my time - and I love what I do!  I had big plans before I left home and brought 3 or 4 tops I wanted to get put together but that didn't happen.  I did, however, do a couple of little things.

I made a little zippered bag with a vinyl window so I can see what's inside - love this!  Originally I planned to make it a pencil bag for a grandchild but I decided a super hero fabric might be better received so I'm going to keep this one myself.  It makes a perfect bag for my embroidery.

The ruler fabric is the lining and also the back - don't you love it?  I bought the kit from Quilt Taffy but I'll be making many more from my stash.  There are two sizes in the pattern and I made the smaller of the two.  I think the larger size would make a great makeup bag - and when I do that I'll use vinyl fabric for the lining so it will wipe clean.  I have some cute red polka dot vinyl that will be perfect.

I also complete another of the wool candle mats from Primitive Gatherings - this one for the Independence Day celebrations.

I used Valdani wool thread in this project.  The blanket stitch on the outer edge is done with a variegated blue.  The tails on the stars are a chain stitch and I used a star stitch on the stars with just a french knot holding the red circles down.  I'm not sure what those are supposed to be but the pattern called for them and the color added to the mat was a nice touch.  If you've never used wool to applique with you really should try it - such wonderful soft stitching!

The first thing I'm going to do when I get home is to head into my sewing room to work on my picnic quilt for the next blog hop?  What's on your agenda?