Beach bag

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Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

I made this beach bag from materials I had on hand. The sandy colored fabric was found at the thrift store a few weeks ago - I think it is a home dec fabric. The outside pocket is made from some fabric I've had for several years - I think it is Michael Miller. The print depicts two children playing on the beach.

The bag is lined with the same yellow gingham that I made the sun out of. Everything we make must have at least a bit of yellow in it since it is Chatterbelle's favorite color.

Train tote

This is the train tote I made last week for Chatterbelle to take to a Day with Thomas.

But by the time we figured out what day we could go, the event was sold out. So we had an outing to the fair instead. Chatterbelle was thrilled to come home with a balloon.

It's a nice sized bag for carting around her treasures - big enough to get more than a few toys in it, but not so big that she can't carry it herself. At some point we may use it to store her train toys when she is not playing with them.

I made it to be floppy on top so it would flop closed when not filled up. But when I see it carried around it looks sloppy floppy to me so I probably wouldn't make it that way again. The train is actually a pocket. And because I wanted to make it a bit more snazzy, I added the strip of patchwork pieces cut from mostly vintage fabrics and attached it with a satin stitch.

The train fabric was cut from a piece that Chatterbelle picked out at the fabric store a few months ago. Whenever we go shopping, she gets to pick something out. Usually it's stickers, sometimes it's buttons or ribbon, and occasionaly it is a 1/2 yard cut of fabric. At the time we bought it I didn't know what we would do with it, but then later decided it would make a nice pocket for a tote. So on our next outing we picked up the ivory denim (on sale) and beige webbing (Chatterbelle selected the colors for both). I had hoped to find some railroad stripe denim, but there was none to be found at the store.

Not sure how disappointed she was at missing the train ride with Thomas. But she has been giving us tickets and then escorting us to take a seat on the couch for a ride on the pretend Thomas train. We may try to get tickets on a regular train for a short ride - perhaps in the fall.

Lucy Locket apron

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Originally uploaded by pout on a whim

I decided to do a nursery rhyme apron for tie one on. The theme was pocket. Inspired by a vintage clothespin apron, it has one large pocket and three small pockets. Lucy Locket and Kitty Fisher both wear an apron with a pocket. And Kitty Fisher holds a working drawstring pocket (or purse) that Lucy Locket lost.

I used saral transfer paper to copy my design onto linen fabric. Then used a combination of embroidery and applique to complete the apron using fabric and thread I had on hand. Lucy's pocket is a small working drawstring purse that I tacked down. Chatterbelle has already put two beads and a button in it. The purse is yellow because it is Chatterbelle's favorite color and so most things we make have some yellow in it. I find that adding a bit of yellow to things quite cheering actually.

As soon as I finished the apron, Chatterbelle was eager to put it on. She promptly started finding things to put in the big pocket - leaves and flowers mostly as we were outside. But I expect it will be useful for gathering peas and other yummies from the garden.

Lucy Locket lost her pocket
Kitty Fisher found it
Not a penny was there in it
only ribbon round it.