Jun 12, 2013

Day 2 Tammy Bag Blog Hop---my day!






It is my day to share what I have been working on recently!  Mdm Samm of sew we quilt graciously provided the group of 50 signer-uppers with a pattern of her own design.  Here is what she said about the inspiration behind the design. 

 "I called it the Tammy after watching some old movies with Sandra Dee and Debbie Reynolds playing the role of Tammy.   In the 50's gingham was in its popularity as a fabric that screamed SUMMER.  And you know how much I have a love affair with Riley Blake Designs GINGHAM   ohhhh they will be our sponsors...."   Later she announced that Corrado Cutlery will also sponsor, adding DOVO scissors to the giveaway opportunity.

So there is the story, in part, about the name and her fabric choices.  Isn't that a lovely picture?  She also spoke about making one in aqua colors to match her powder room and using laminate fabric for a cosmetic bag.  Also a great idea.  No doubt the blog hop participants will have some other great ideas beyond fabric choices!   Today's participants are listed down below and the whole list in a prior list.  Want the pattern but no participating this round?  She does offer the pattern on her craftsy site if you to make your own.

Me?  I went with a small project bag as Mdm Samm first suggested.  I grabbed a table cloth from my buffet and headed into the local park to borrow a picnic table and attempt to get some outdoor shots.



front of the bag showing the scissors pockets




back of the bag showing the thread pockets 

bag packed with the accessories I made



contents !


First, I must thank my friend Bev for the little kanzashi flower and the happy face button.  It might look a little silly on Hoffman fabric but I think it adds a touch of whimsy---it makes ME smile!   She was so kind to let me borrow her Clover flower makers recently so I could decide if I wanted to order my own---and which ones.

As you can see I made a matching needle case and thread catcher.  I also made a Victorian thumb cushion and a tomato pin cushion packed with rosemary using a pattern I have had for umpteen years from Just Jennifer.  I don't know how well the rosy pink fabric shows up in the pictures but it is small tone on tone dot from Lakeside Fabrics, as I recall.  I have to admit that I annihilated an existing pincushion to get the rosemary from it though.

 FYI, my friend Brenda made the hexagon flower that I still need to stitch down. It was left over from a large Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt she had made.  I had talked to her about my wanting to make just one rosette for a Farmer's Wife Sampler I started last year.  I didn't know what size hexie to start with to fit on a 6 inch finished background. She just handed me this one---with those little plastic pieces with the hole in the middle?   Who makes those, do you know??   Don't take them out till you stitch it all down, she said!  I think it will make a lovely addition to my quilt and I thank her as well. 

I enjoyed making the bag though I must say that adding a clasp like this was an all new experience!  I have made garments and I have quilted since 1988 but crafty items and purses, not so much.  My mom has always been my "go-to" gal for sewing questions. Running up nearly 700 miles to have her look at something I do/did not understand is not possible.  Carol of Just Let Me Quilt and cheerleader extraordinaire had to talk me down, via email recently.  LOL

I will admit to having some troubles with the corners where the stitching holes seemed to be smaller in the rectangular frame.  However, this was totally operator error, not the pattern.  I was stuffing things up with a knitting needle and even resorted to a dab of hot glue (shhhhh!  I don't think that was quite what I should have been doing!)   In retrospect, I think I probably should have gotten the fusible fleece OUT of the seam allowances to reduce some of the bulk, cut it a quarter inch smaller all around then then I would not have had a double layer to shove up in that slot.  I did cut some of it away in the open area where you turn the bag inside out and the stitching seemed to go a little easier.   I also learned a bit on the first side I stitched. 

I mentioned in a previous post that I had an anecdote to share about staging the photos.  As I said, I was at our local park so definitely a public area.  I was playing with this camera setting and that all around the dial, standing up, sitting down, posing Tammy at another angle. The nearby BMX bike racing area and the basketball court were hopping but no one around me in the pavilion.  Then along the walking trail that passes in front of the pavilion came a girl who looked to be her teens along with two little girls maybe about 6 and 8, possibly her sisters.   "OOOH, that's really pretty", the oldest one said.  "Is that for sale?"  I thanked her but told her " no, it is a sewing bag for me. I need to add some pictures to my blog"  Then one of the little girls, pushing her bike and walking behind the other two said  "that's pretty!  Can I have it?" and she picks it up. Acts like she IS taking it or at least inspecting it more closely.  I told her it probably would make a pretty purse but I was sorry, no, honey.   The oldest girl said that the one who grabbed it "just loves purses".   Maybe that blue flower and button caught her eye too??    You could fasten a chain, maybe a tiny swivel hook on the top of the frame, could you not?

Well enough about me!  Won't you please hop over and see what the others who share the day made with their pattern and show them some bloggy love?  THX for stopping by--------


Les
Marlene  
Lisa 
Anjeanette  
Kristen
Marica
Lynn   
Gingini  
Linda J   <<<<That's ME>>>> 
Nicole 
Judith  

61 comments:

  1. Cute Cute Bag and love your accessories! Wasn't this fun?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful floral fabric for your Tammy bag and accessories! Love the story about the girls wanting it, I totally can understand that. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like your vibrant color choice - beautiful Tammy Bag & accessories :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very sweet and bold! I love your set. So great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Haha! Just keep this little bag for yourself. :) Nice story.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great bag - and I love all the extra accessories!
    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely bag, and I enjoyed all your "added"......
    Thanks for the cute story.
    Have a nice day "hopping".

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh your bag is just so adorable....very cut and I love the story that went with it...great job.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your anecdote is so sweet - girls and bags <3
    I love your Tammy, the fabric is so colorful and the flowerbutton looks great on it! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You should have shot a quick photo of the girl trying to lift your Tammy... lol

    ReplyDelete
  11. How fun! It is always great when someone loves your work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I bet if I'd been at the park I'd have want to take your bag too! :) blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ohhhhhhhhhh....I would love to have that Tammy!!!~ lol. I especially love your flower.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your bag and accessories are lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such a wonderful bag with that gorgeous accesories.Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your bag is fabulous! I so love the colors.Thank you for participating in the hop.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your bag turned out great Linda...great accessories !

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your bag is so cute! No wonder the little girls wanted it!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. just love your colorful fabric I'm all for color

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's beautiful no wonder those girls wanted it too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. A for Adorable....love everything, photos, colours, fabrics YOU

    ReplyDelete
  22. Adorable. Sweet fabrics and happy flowers. Makes me smile ... :) Pat

    ReplyDelete
  23. Looks like you figured it out just fine and it's beautiful with that flower on it. Oh my gosh, all those little accessories are adorable...too cute! Love that story about the girls. I'd say you were lucky she didn't take that sweet bag and run!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I swear, she looked like she might! And she had a bike so I would not have caught her, LOL.

      Delete
  24. Sooo cute. It sounds like you are lucky to still have the bag in your possession!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your Tammy is so cute! I had a little trouble with the corners too. But there is no telling on your bag that there was any kind of trouble! Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your Tammy is very adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love your bag, I am glad it didn't run away with the 3 girls. Maybe you should have told them you would sell them one for $100. a piece.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your bag is darling! I love the flower/button too! Great story to go along with it.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the little sewing details to help me when I try my hand at this cute useful project bag. Lucky girls who got to see this bag up close.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your purse is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  31. Too cute!!!! Maybe you do need to add a chain so you can keep it to yourself:) haha!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love the button, a great touch!

    ReplyDelete
  33. CUTE bag - and accessories!! And I love your story - next time you see the girls maybe you could offer to show them how to make the little purse. Maybe start a "purse" class at the park - for little biker girls and their sisters/friends - that could be fun - ;))

    ReplyDelete
  34. Cute bag! Love the accessories! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your bag is so cute! Even cuter in person. LOL Love the fabric, flower, accessories. You did an awesome job!

    ReplyDelete
  36. BEAUTIFUL!!!! I just love it. It's my favorite one so far. It will take a lot of cute to gain ground on this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll reply here, Beverly since you are a no-reply blogger. Such high praise for my little Tammy bag. It had good bones with Mdm Samm's design and you read how it came to be. I think the fabrics are so vibrant and bright but what is not to like about Hoffman fabrics? LOL.

      Appreciate your stopping by and hope you enjoy the rest of the hop!

      Delete
  37. Your fabric is beautiful! It is perfect for this bag. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Rosemary B here:
    Just beautiful! WOW lovely striking fabric choices. I adore your bag!!
    thank you for sharing today

    ReplyDelete
  39. Beautiful Tammy and very useful extras, so clever!
    Thanks for sharing ☺
    Bente

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your bag is very cute and I love the matching accessories! No wonder the little girl wanted it.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Beautiful purse and accessories! The flower with the smiley button really adds to the bag.

    ReplyDelete
  42. love your bag and all of the lovely accessories. the button is charming.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Linda, I do love the bag (as you know when I was "whining" to you that I wanted one . lol
    You did a great job my friend.
    cheers
    maggie

    ReplyDelete
  44. Can't blame the girls for wanting your bag. It is fantastic. I hope they were at least impressed that you made it!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I like your bag, I think it is really Happy! Thanks for sharing. vickise at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Absolutely LOOOOOVE your Bag!!! The Smiley Flower is Adorable!!! You are soooo Creative!! thank you for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your bag makes me smile too and love all those accessories. Jane

    ReplyDelete
  48. Your bag is adorable. You did a wonderful job. Love the story about the girls!

    ReplyDelete
  49. We all have a bit of learning to do now and then. The bag is still lovely and so cute as a set.

    ReplyDelete
  50. looks even better in the picnic area setting you used! You did a wonderful job and I know how hard you worked on this-now you can relax and enjoy! very proud of you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Lovely bag (and contents)!

    ReplyDelete
  52. What a happy bag! Love the flower on the front!

    ReplyDelete
  53. The flower fabric just set it off. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  54. That's a wonderful bag. The blue flower is perfect on the front and the button is adorable. Thanks for sharing your little antidote.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love your fabric flower with the smiley face button! It is perfect for your bag. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Linda...luv your Tammy bag...the flower and the happy face button are perfect...great accessories...I can see why the girls wanted it. Thanks for participating and inspiring us with your creativity, great job!! Happy stitching, Pauline

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. If you comment will require a reply back, please include your email addy. Unless I am involved in a blog hop, my posts will be moderated and your comment will not appear until I am notified. THX for understanding--this option beats word verification!