Flickr Group for Summer Tote Bag Swap

Hey ladies!  Our deadline is quickly approaching for the Summer Tote Bag Swap.  You have one week left to get your bags in the mail.  I have heard from many of you that you have sent.  Please let me know if you have done so already. 

Also, everyone is anxious to see the finished bags, so I created a flickr group  called Summer Tote Bag Swap.  If you do not have a flickr account, but would still like your bag posted just send me an email with the picture as an attachment and I can post it for you.  In the meanwhile, keep checking the flickr group as people post on it. 

Thanks!

Koin Keeper- it's a keeper

I tried a new pattern today and fulfilled one of my goals.  The Koin Keeper. 

I really liked this pattern, it was quite fast.  I think the part that took the longest was turning it right side out.  The zipper was a snap, and I don't have a lot of zipper experience, but felt pretty positive about this one.

Here's a picture of my complete SWAP package.  I will be shipping to my partner this week.

What's better than a new bag? 3 bags!

So, I have been working on my tote for the Summer Tote Bag Swap.  I just couldn't decide which fabric to use, so I made 3 bags using the pattern Mini Bow Tucks by Quilts Illustrated.  LOL.  I really like them.  They are very sturdy.  I used fusible fleece on the outside layer, and I fused craft fuse to inside lining.    They also have great pockets...for you pocket lovers out there.  I quilted each bag differently.  They are 10 inches by 11 inches.

Here they are in all of their glory:

This uses a pretty teal and green from Fig Tree Quilts of Moda.  For some reason, the color is a bit off on these pictures...my apologies.  This is actually a very pretty teal.  I stippled on this one.

This bag features Ginger Blossoms fabric.  I quilted this with a cross hatch.

This bag features Frolic by Sandy Gervais of Moda.  I meandered on this bag with small loops.

Which is your favorite?  I am sending one of these bags to my Swap partner, but I am also going to give one away.  To enter, simply leave me a comment stating which is your favorite. 

THANKS FOR VIEWING MY BAGS.  The giveaway is now officially closed!

Swap Baggers Reminder

Hi Swappers,
Just a reminder that bags must be sent out by July 31st.  I know, I know, it is hard to believe that June is almost over!  I looked at my calendar today and my jaw dropped.  I hope you are working on your bags.  I started cutting mine today.  Actually, and this is kind of funny, I couldn't pick a fabric so I cut fabric for 3 bags.  LOL.  I will be having a giveaway in the near future, I think.  So, for all of my blogland friends, you best stay tuned in, you never know when I might drop the G word on you! 

I promised to list/link all of our swap participants:

Kim of Sherrod Studios
Jen of Punkie Pie
Katie of Something Old, Something New
Nancy of With Thread in Hand
Melinda of Melinda Quilts Etc.
Maria of Life on the Block
Carol of Carol's Craft Blog
Michelle of Shee Designs

Synnoeve of Synnoeves Lappeverden

Cheryl of Cheryl Bugs Blog

Mary of I piece 2 Blog

Kelly of Charming Chatter

Kelly's mom, no blog

Judy, no blog

Robin, no blog

Amanda of That's Sew Mandy

Kim of Kimmie's Quilts Blog

Laurie of Simple Things In Life Blog

Melinda of Melinda's Fabric Fancies

Sinta of Pink Pincushion Blog
Karen, no blog
Brenda of Quilting Along Lifes Way

Meleta, no blog

Dandelion Quilts, of course!

Please email me when you have shipped your tote.  I have had no emails thus far. 

Summer Tote Swap- CLOSED

Thanks for all of the interest in the Summer Tote Swap.  The SWAP is CLOSED. 

We have 21 participants!  When my life slows down in about a week, I will post all of those who are participating.  At the end of the swap, I will also parade all of the bags right here for everyone to see.  :)  I think that would be fun.

Check your email!  Please email me if you did not receive your information. 

Thanks!

Summer Tote Swap- Sign Ups

I've decided to host another swap.  This is going to be a tote/bag/purse swap.  I am very excited and I hope to get some fellow "bag lovers" in on a fun time. 

I seem to get a lot of questions when I host swaps, so I thought these guidelines would be helpful. 

The bag you make should have: 

• quilt shop quality fabrics  
• stabilizer or fusible fleece 
• stabilized handles
• at least one pocket
• a finished lining (no raw seams)

But, you don't have to stop there!  (Optional) Feel free to add:

• magnetic snap closures
• extra pockets
• embellishments 
• material flowers
• cute buttons
• quilting
• pleats
• tucks
• accessories (lip balm, tissues, gum)

 You DO NOT have to have a blog to participate.  This time around, I may ask for a sewing/blogging reference if I am not familiar with you.  I hope that you do not take this the wrong way.  Everyone is welcome to participate and I hope that we all have the chance to make a new "friend".  However, I have hosted swaps where a partner has never shipped their project.  This is EXTREMELY disappointing to the person that doesn't get their item.  Therefore, I may ask you for a reference and I hope you will understand.

So, the sign ups start today through Friday, June 4th.  I will contact you with the information for the person you will be making a bag for sometime over the weekend.  I am going to run this similar to my past swaps...you will know the person you are shipping to, but not the person who is making your bag (or shipping to you).  So, it will be a surprise. 

The deadline to ship is July 31st.  Please, if you sign up for the swap do everything possible to get the bag sent by then.  If something really urgent does prevent you from doing so, please communicate that to me as soon as possible.  Please remember to send me an email when you ship.

If you ship on time, your name will be entered in a drawing for a prize (my last remaining Dandy Bag pictured below). 

If you'd like to participate, please send me an email with the subject heading Summer Tote Swap. (You can find my email address by clicking on my profile on the right near the bottom of the page.)  Please include the following information:
Name
Home Address
Email Address
Blog Address (if you have one)
Are you willing to ship internationally?
When you think of your package arriving, what would you love to see in it?  A bag, a purse, colors? 
What style bag would you like to sew?  (bag or purse)

Don't forget to grab the bling at the top for you blog. :)



SIGN UPS ARE OFFICIALLY CLOSED.  Thank you.