Since moving across the country, I have had to make a lot of effort to try and get to know people. I've joined two guilds and two mom's groups. One of the mom's groups is trying to put together a book club and I eagerly signed up. I love the idea of a well functioning book club and I even volunteered to host the first meeting. One of the advantages of our move is that I can finally have more than two people over at a time! I've been dying to have a little party, so I decided to go "all out" for this event.
We all voted unanimously to first read The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. I wanted to force myself to read fiction (I almost always read nonfiction for pleasure reading) and we'd all "heard it was good." Well, I have to admit that the first half of the book was agony. I procrastinated and read two other books. I put in a library request to reserve a copy of the movie based on the Hedgehog book. Luckily I talked to a fellow book club member and she encouraged me to press on and it did get better. But as far as the ending goes, let's just suffice it to say that I threw the book after I'd finally finished it.
So while I didn't enjoy the book very much, I had a lot of fun making these door prizes:
I had to order the green hedgehog fabric because although I do have a lot of fabric- I only had one fat quarter with a few hedgehogs on it in my stash. Making this library tote happened in just one evening- mostly thanks to Nick taking over with the kids after work yesterday. I didn't use a pattern. I used wool felt to make the "read" on the front of the bag and I couldn't believe I had some apple-colored webbing on hand for accenting the handles.
I lined the exterior pieces with some thrifted pre-quilted fabric instead of interfacing. This Stof red/white fabric is so pretty and added some grown-up charm to the project:
Finally, I made two pouches. The first patchwork pouch was made using this tutorial. I like how it turned out but I wish I had finished the zipper ends differently- there is no way to make the two top corners not look kind of lumpy. The other pouch is the famous "Open Wide Zippered Pouch" by Anna - I am very late to that party but I love how it came out and can't wait to make more!
Book club is on Friday and I plan to finally break out my crepe makers for the refreshments. Can't wait!
Linking up to WIP Wednesday and Purse Palooza 2014.
3 comments:
I started a book club almost 10 years ago. I have never, not ever, sewn or had door prizes at meetings. Can I join your book club? A bit far, perhaps.
I want to come to your party! : )
Love the fabrics you used for the pouch. Beautiful bags too! Thanks for using my pattern :-)
Post a Comment