WOYWW 254

YES, YOU COULD SAY WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN
RED, WHITE AND BLUE...
(Lynyrd Skynyrd...shows I'm an ageing hippie!!)

A very patriotic desk this week.
Julia's ScrapLady compadre, Ally, asked me if I could make one of those mini totes for her in the Union Jack fabric I had stashed away. It was a close thing but I JUST had enough fabric to squeeze one out!  I gave her the choice of three different linings and she chose the taupe.
Top stitching the side pockets. I topstitch everything - looks neater to me!
Et voila! Just the right size in which to cart a few crafty things if you don't want to lug the massive tote around :-)

These totes plus a few other things sold really well at Julia's card workshop last Saturday, raising £110 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Thanks for the support, I was really pleased :-)

And finally....another landscape pic for Elizabeth. It's Barbury Castle, an Iron Age hillfort (400 - 50 BC), part of a chain of forts all along the Ridgeway (a 5,000 year old trackway through Wiltshire.)  Listen carefully - maybe you'll hear the skylarks too, singing away as they soar up into the blue.

*Happy Dance*

Have a great week!

45 comments:

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Oh I love the crafty bag..Pieced with great Placement.....and pretty scenery too. I popped over to last weeks as I was gone, lots of great things. I am hoping that big bird did no harm to the fish. and aging sons soon take their toll on our DOB. Time just flies by. #14 Enjoy !

Helen said...

Your totes are so gorgeous, I hope you'll have some at the WoYWW crop next month? (loving the apron from last year..) Am wondering how much stuff I'll be carrying again this time...!
Helen 20

Crafting Queen said...

Congratulations on doing so well at the fund raising event. Love the little tote and the fabric is just fab! Have a great day.

Unknown said...

Beautiful beautiful bag Jan! I agree..I top stitch as well because it looks neater and smarter :-)! Ohhh I am still dreaming of getting over to England one day...sigh! Thanks for dropping by earlier, and I hope you have a fun filled wonderful week..happy WOYWW!
Janene #5

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I am loving the bag, it looks great, not surprised they sold so well.
Well done with your fund raising too.
Happy WOYWW day, Angela x45

Jan said...

Happy WOYWW. Your space looks great! xx Jan (48)

glitterandglue said...

A fabulous coloured desk this morning, Jan. Great tote!! Looks lovely. Well done for selling so much for the Guide dogs last Saturday. I guess the day went off well and great fun was had by all. Your cakes all went, too, I imagine!!!!!
Thanks for visiting already. No there isn't really a deadline for sending off the little dolls. We can send off as and when. PCMUSA have even offered to pay the shipping for us. They are great, aren't they. Each little doll only weighs about a couple of ounces - but 1000 of them - well, that adds up, doesn't it? Might take a few minutes to work that out! - hmm - that's 125lb weight if my A level maths has continued in good heart... I think we will be sending several parcels over the pond! Julia has just been in touch to offer the use of red wool - if you are offering to make a doll or two - do ask her for some.
Thanks a bunch. Have a really special Easter as you celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Margaret #18

Annie said...

I'm a little later visiting today cos I've been cleaning, sorting and tidying [again] ready to put our house on with another estate agent....got to get this house sold!!
I love the latest tote bag...colours are perfect. Well done you with the money raised for the guid dogs. :-)
Hugs,
Annie x # 40

Anne said...

Hi Jan. I love the bag!!!! Happy WOYWW and Happy Easter. Anne x #51

Karen said...

Just calling by quickly! Love the tote bag, it would also make a great dialysis bag too!! Just another idea for you! Take care, ♥ Karen ♥ #55 x

BJ said...

Adore the tote bag, it is just perfect. BJ#44

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Jan, oh wow that's just one gorgeous tote, friend will love it, clever lady. Cheers and have a great week RobynO#43

Elizabeth said...

Hi Jan, love that tote! Brilliant fabric mix. And congratulations on raising such a goodly amount for the cause. Love the photo taken at the Iron Age fort ... you've got me missing Wiltshire again. Wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend. Hugs, Elizabeth x #50

Anonymous said...

It's a very English post this week, just needs a pint of good stout and a pickled onion to make it perfect!! LOVE the tote and what a fantastic amount raised for the charity, well done! Beautiful view, I know I always say it, but you really can't beat the diversity of the English countryside can you?

Hugs
Brenda 56

Twiglet said...

Oh Jan - what a lovely bag - you always make everything look so neat. I am a bit slapdash! Lovely photo - we don't hear many skylarks these days do we. Happy Easter x Jo

sandra de said...

Gorgeous pic of your part of the world and perfect bag as always a pleasure to visit.
Sandra

Claire Grantham said...

Hi Jan, love the tote..I might need to make myself one those, doubt it will be as neat as yours! Love the Lynyrd Skynyrd reference..Cx #25

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi Jan - love that tote - and you can't beat a nice bit of top stitching! Have a good Easter break. MMx #70

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Your top stitching looks perfect. That was a great amount to raise, but with goods like that little tote on offer, I'm not at all surprised.

Krisha said...

LOVE that tote! You make me want to dig out the Singer and have a go at one, even though there are 100 plus tote bag thingies around here that never get used....LOL

When I did picture myself as a seamstress (many, many moons ago) I always top stitched too. Makes everything looked finished. I am not surprised that these sold so well. Good for you and the doggies.

Thanks for stopping by this week
Krisha #3

sandysewin said...

That is a gorgeous tote, and that fabric is great. I agree, the top stitching makes it look very pro.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the nice comment.

Happy Woyww,

Sandy #17

Robyn said...

LOVE the tote,and taupe was the exact right choice!
thanks for visiting , your kind words and the snoop around your place!
Robyn 2

Unknown said...

Your tote is brilliant! I love those fat little handles too--much more comfortable! I think you could just run a whole tote workshop if you wanted to. And look at your sweet sewing machine, all fixed up and happy now. Yay! This inspires me to get going on my sewing projects I have lined up. I am kind of in the mood to dig in my closet and do some makeovers of clothes--kind of an experiment, since I'm not an advanced clothes maker. We'll see how that goes. I need to visit the FM store for some fabric and 25-cent zippers. I found this idea to make a little makeup case, and one whole side is nothing but zippers sewn together. Isn't that funny? I'm going to try it. Loads of hugs dearest! Have a good weekend! Happy WOYWW - Sandy Leigh #67

Unknown said...

Hi Jan you are a very talented lady! That little bag is gorgeous. I used to spend many a Sunday afternoon walking around Barbury castle with Mum and Dad. Memories came flooding back when I saw your photo. Have a great Easter xx Lynda B no blog this week

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Jan, that tote is smashing, no wonder they sold so well. Will the guide dogs be your charity for the crop this year? Lovely scenery as always- weather permitting again, we will probably go take in some sights before heading home. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #34 xxx

Andrea said...

hi Jan thanks for visiting earlier and your kind comment ..I love your tote bag great combination and a good choice of fabric ally spotted z db
fc\zin your stash a very big well done too on the money you raised although I'm not surprised they are great ..I like your photo this week too..I look forward to weekly lesson on the given photo subject of the week and I'm sure I'm not the only one who shares that thought .... hope you have a lovely Easter weekend crafty hugs Andrea #24

Sharon Madson said...

Love your adorable crafting bag! So envious that you all are near Julia! Happy Easter! #79

Anonymous said...

Fab tote - I liked all your array. And well done you for raising such a wad of cash for the charity! See you at the crop where I hope more shopping will be available - like I need more bags....

Better late than never :)
Happy WOYWW!

Mary Anne (23)

Chrysalis said...

That tote is amazing - she'll love it! Well done on making so much cash for the dogs. Easter blessings, Chris # 31

Unknown said...

Love the bag, you work is always so neat, no wonky bits! Karen #36

fairy thoughts said...

love the bag (even if she chose the wrong lining he he), that's true patchwork , when you have just enough.
Its a great pattern it would be perfect for my elephant fabric, If I ever have time after fighting off all the pink leopards.
janet #22

Lea.H said...

oh wow the tote is amazing wish i could sew like that

Mrs.D said...

What a super bag Jan, and a wonderful picture of Barbury Castle. Glad the bags mad money for Guide dogs for the Blind, a cause very close to my heart. Have a freind who has a guide dog and my daughter puppy walks guide dogs, so well done.
Chris #39

Unknown said...

Jan, I just saw your comment! It sounds like you have a little of what I have--I can't sit for long either because of my lower back issues, and prefer walking around. Take care of yourself!

Judys Lace Creations said...

I love the tote too.very clever of you!
Thanks for lovely comments on my blog.
Judy #32

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

ah adore that tote LLJ - can indeed see great sues for that and well done on raising all the money too :D and love the last shot ... mm can hear the skylarks.. almost :D
happy Eastertime.. every blessing on you and those you love Shaz in oz.x #60

Angie said...

Cool tote! To answer your question about the honeybees (because I don't know if people ever see the replies on my blog when they ask a question). Yes they mail them to you. Nope not doped up, since they have food or resources to guard they are very very docile!
Angie #87 Thanks for the visit!

Ann B said...

Love all your bags and this is a star. The lining goes perfectly with the Union Jack outer and your finishing is beautiful.
Bit late returning your visit as I lost my internet connection at lunchtime yesterday and only got it back this morning, but I'm here now.
Ann B
33

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love that bag! Well done for the fundraising! Love the view too!Chris 69

505whimsygirl said...

Hello LLJ,

Firstly, I love the mini tote! I can see why they were such a great seller. How wonderful to donate money to the Guide Dogs for the Blind! When I was a bartender I would donate a portion of my tips to the local Shelter. It felt so good!

Oh, no. Now I'm scared about the blouse. I must admit, it's a pullover with one button on the back. I'm thinking it should be straight forward but maybe not. I'm going to JoAnn's tomorrow as the Simplicity patterns will be on sale 5 for $5! I paid $10.00 for the pattern I bought last week.

Thank you for visiting me already!!!
Happy WOYWW
Hugs, Kay (13)

505whimsygirl said...

PS. I love Lynard Skinard!!

Tee hee
Kay

CraftygasheadZo said...

Love your mini crafty tote, perfect, I have no idea what top stitch is but it looks great anyway!! Fab view pic, so pretty. Fab WOYWW, yes I'm a tad late but never mind hey! Hope you have a great weekend. Take care Zo xx 53

Anonymous said...

Great Tote! Jan, thanks for stopping by my blog for WOYWW. I think if I do get to clean my office I will feel better as you say.

Neet said...

Oh Wow - that tote is absolutely fabulous. Love how you have pieced it together.
Hugs, & Thanks for your earlier visit - Neet 28 xx

HeARTworks said...

What a grrrreat tote bag! Love all the pockets! Wish I could make something like that- looks so neatly made too! Patsy from
HeARTworks

WOYWW 769

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