Tote bag is done and even more GG blocks!

The tote bag I'm making for the swap is now finished! I hope my partner likes it. Unfortunately she hasn't commented on any of the pictures I posted on the Flickr swap page. I'll keep my fingers cross that she is happy with what I made but if she isn't she isn't!

This is the front of the bag. I padded the shoulder strap to give it some substance and body. The pockets on either side are fussy cut from a summery print.I used osnaburg for the body and straps so it has a linen look to it.

This is the reverse side of the bag.

I decided to use a light colour fabric for the lining to make it easier to see inside the bag. There is a magnetic closure at the top and a little pocket on the inside. It was fussy cut as was the lining for the pocket! I like adding little details like that!

I've started working on three little treats to go inside the bag and I'll show them to you tomorrow! One of them is an original design and I really like it. If you are a lover of hexagons I think you'll like it too! And speaking of being a lover of hexagons, Chantal of Ramblings of a Quilter posted pictures and a little tutorial on making hexagon pillows. I am in LOVE with her pillows and have added them to my to-do list! You can read about it here!

Chantal's lovely hexagon pillow!

Also be sure to check out Angie's Hexie Weekend! There are links to some really beautiful projects. You can add your own link to show off your project. Angie is also running a Giveaway and you can read about it and enter in the same post! One of the prizes is this book!

In my spare time I've finished more Godstone Grannies (GG) blocks. The knuckle joint on my right thumb is sore and swollen so hand sewing is uncomfortable to say the least. I think it is nature's way of saying "take it easy on the joints Girl" so I'll have to figure out a way to sew that doesn't put any pressure on the thumb! But I digress! These two blocks are filler blocks for the sides of the GG quilt. 

This is the second of a pair of blocks. The yellow fabric started out as a greyish white but I used watercolour paints and textile medium to tint them yellow. I then used my Sakura Pigma pens to darken the inner edge of the yellow hexagons so that they would frame the center hexagon.

Time to do some gentle sewing with my sore thumb! Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H