BAGS FROM HOLLY

My cousin, "Holly", is a very talented bag/tote designer/maker and has inspired me to try out bag/tote making after seeing her creations.  Recently, I picked up an "envelope" from the Post Office and was really excited to see the return addy was from Holly.  

Aside from the goodies she packed for my two kids, she also packed me the cutest reversible handmade tote:

I have to give full credit to my at the time 9-year old "photographer" daughter who insisted this is THE photo for this post.   Why, of course it is!  Totally love the length of the handles and the size of the tote is perfect for many uses! 

She sewed in a strap on each side of the top to tie it closed and also sewed in pockets (I love pockets!).  It was perfect for my Farmers Market trip.  Got lots of looks w/smiles when they saw my tote so I take that as a compliment!  Love the earthy warm colors she used!

These are just a few of her fabulous handmade gifts that I am so lucky to be the recipient of:

Thanks Holly, I appreciate them all!  Don't you just love gifts that are handmade!

CANVAS BUCKET SWEETWATER PATTERN

Last week, we celebrated TEACHER'S APPRECIATION WEEK.  Each day, the students in my child's class did a little something for "Ms. Nakao":

MONDAY - Write a note to "Ms. Nakao"  on why she is appreciated and drop off on her desk first thing in the morning.
TUESDAY - Bring a fresh hand picked flower(s) and place it in the vase provided on her desk.
WEDNESDAY - Bring a fruit for her.
THURSDAY - Bring in anything that the student wants to give "Ms. Nakao" (draw a picture, write another note, lei, more flowers, more fruits, treats, or simply a verbal "thank you")....

Well, my "Little b" wanted to give her teacher, that she so admires, a handmade gift that she could use either in the classroom or at home.  She knew a of a pattern that came in the mail recently and inquired about it..  Yep, I got purchased a CANVAS BUCKET SWEETWATER pattern from Crazy Quilt Girl Fabric Shop.  We both agreed it would be a nice gift and here it is alongside the pattern:

I decorated the front with some iron-on studs I got from Creative Crystal.  It really "blings" with the slightest hint of light on it.  So pretty!

Found some cute fabric in the remnant section of the local fabric store and used it to line the bucket.  Thought this would be appropriate for an Asian teacher.

On the reverside of  "NAKAO" is "SENSEI" ("teacher" in Japanese):

Here's another pic of it with the pattern inside:

This bucket is a great gift for all ages and so easy to make!  It can be stuffed with all kinds of goodies for the recipient.  I pre-cut a few more w/the extra fabric for those last minute gifts throughout the year.  Hope "Ms. Nakao" loves  her bucket as much as we enjoyed making it for her.  Here's to all the Teachers out there who chooses a career to teach our children to make a difference for our future.  HAPPY TEACHERS APPRECIATION WEEK!