Lucky by Lotta (and On Being Lucky)

I was given the opportunity to create something with Lotta Jansdotter's new line, Lucky (yes, yes, I know I am extremely lucky).  These vibrant colors and patterns are right up my alley. I love the jewel tones and those big prints.  I'm not normally an animal-on-my-fabric kind of quilter, but...check out those cats!  

While I think the individual prints are great on their own, I feel like they really sing when they are all next to each other.  So I decided to make a patchwork bag with my Lucky bundle.

I find that I am always in need of a drawstring bag.  Whether to carry my sewing projects on the go, or corral little kid toys or other everyday items, there is always a use for a drawstring bag.  For this project, I used the tutorial by s.o.t.a.k. handmade.  This is the third time I have made a bag with her tutorial.  I used 3 inch squares (2.5 inches finished) and adjusted the lining measurements just a tad to fit the outer panels.  I also used a slightly wider casing for the ribbon (I reused the ribbon from my fabric bundle for this project!).  I highly recommend her tutorial if you haven't already given it a try. I am thrilled with the results. 

Now, on being lucky.  Until recently, I never considered myself a lucky person.  I can count on one hand the number of times I've won something, and I still have a few fingers left.  No, until recently, I have not considered myself lucky at all.  But lately I've started to realize something.  Luck, and maybe happiness, may just be a matter of perspective.  I have a roof over my head, food to eat, healthy and happy children, a creative passion, and good people in my life.  That is only the beginning.   When I think of those things, I realize I am lucky indeed. 

Giveaway!!!  Thanks to the generosity of Windham Fabrics, one lucky person will receive a complete fat quarter bundle of Lucky by Lotta Jansdotter.  To enter, leave a comment here telling me why you are lucky.  Good luck!  
  

Thank you, friends, for stopping by.  

Ho Ho Ho Pillow

A friend recently asked for a Christmas patchwork pillow.  She leans towards more modern and bright Christmas fabrics - think red and aqua and pink and green.  I immediately thought of the "Read Between the Lines" patchwork pillow by Kelly Lautenbach in the book, "Pretty in Patchwork: Holidays." I also had the perfect fabrics to work with...

Shirt & Tie By Another Point of View for Windham Fabrics

Palette by Marcia Derse for Windham Fabrics

Just look at all those gorgeous colors!  Are these not the perfect stash builders or what?  I pulled the reds, pinks, aquas, and light greens from these two collections for this project and the result was this:

As you can see, I didn't stray too far from the original.  I paired the fabrics with linen and some red accent buttons.

Is it just me, or do those prints in the Shirt & Tie collection look like little snowflakes?  They do when paired with "Ho Ho Ho" anyway.

I am really happy with how this project turned out and hope my friend is as well.  I'm also really excited to have the Palette and Shirt & Tie fabrics in my collection so I can use them in many more projects to come.

If you'd like to make your own "Read Between the Lines Pillow," the pattern is available for free here.  I also recommend the book as well!  Available here.