Old Dogs

Remember the old adage that you can't teach an old dog new tricks?  Well, this is my attempt to prove that saying wrong.  I am writing my first blog at the urging (coercion) of my daughter The Gypsy Quilter.  I keep horning in on her blogs so she suggested that I get my own.  I guess that is only fair.  Besides she keeps stealing my quilt projects for her blog.  I might as well have credit, right?

The holiday season has caused me to try some new projects for an "All Handmade Presents"  Christmas.  I've made 2 fleece throws for each of my niece's children and handbags for my niece and daughter.  Each was a new learning experience for me.  That's wonderful for me as I love learning to do new things.  Particularly if they actually  resemble what they are supposed to be.

The handbags were quite a challenge.  After deciding that this was the direction I wanted to go for the girls' presents, I bought a Simplicity pattern.  I'd just whip those puppies out in no time.  After all there were only 5 pattern pieces for the bags. Right?  Wrong!  After spending 2 hours just cutting out  the pieces for one, I realized this wasn't going to be the snap project I had envisioned.  As it played out, there were multiple cuts for each piece--14 cuts for the outside sections, interfacings, padding, lining.  Oh, well, you get the picture.  Then there was the fact that the way some of the directions were written, couldn't be done as stated.  But I persevered and was finally able to complete both bags.

Here is a picture of one of the bags.  The other one has to remain hidden from my daughter until Dec. 25.