Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Birdcage Bag for Lucy

 

Found some time to whip up a quick tote bag last weekend - this gorgeous birdcage fat quarter was in my stash and I figured it would be perfect for the gift I was making!

One side only has the birdcage fabric, this side has strip of black and white fabrics.
I quilted this side with wavy horizontal lines.
The lining is a gorgeous blue floral tone-on-tone print.
 

I just LOVE these birds! I quilted loosely around the cages/swings,
following the 'chains' between each cage.
And here is the lovely young lady who I made it for - Lucy Collins-McKenzie has been my  University of Otago 3rd-year teacher trainee for the past three terms, regularly visiting on Mondays as well as long multi-week postings in Terms 1, 2 and 3 to put into practice her teaching skills.  She has totally proven herself to be a superb teacher and will be an asset to any school that gives her a job after graduation! It has been a privilege to mentor such a talented and enthusiastic young teacher.

(Disclaimer: our family connection, Lucy being Reece's girlfriend, does not cloud my judgement at all!) Team Kahu and I have LOVED having Lucy in our classroom (especially over the past four weeks when she has been on full control)  -we will miss her a lot and wish her all the best as she finds a job for next year!

I took photos as I went, to make a tutorial for my future reference (this is a nice, quick bag to put together) so watch this space!

Sharing my finish by linking up with: Lee's WIP Wed and Kelly's Needle and Thread Thursday as well as Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday!  All my favourites! Welcome everyone!



10 comments:

  1. That birdgage is such a great fabric!!! I love it. But the tote you made with this fabric is amazing!! Congrats and thanks for the tutorial.

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    1. Cheers Maartje! I will get onto 'building' that tutorial shortly (now that it is Saturday morning and I have five minutes to breathe ha ha!)

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    1. Thanks Kate! I kept in the living room this week so I could enjoy looking at it before handing it over as a gift yesterday - I will have to use up the birdcage scraps in another project soon I think, such a sweet fabric!

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  3. I keep telling my daughter I will make her a new tote bag (the last one was a curious george when she was much younger) but I just can't bring myself to do it.And I even remember that it was much easier than I expected! I really like yours.

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    1. Yes, go on a hunt and find a fabric that inspires you - such an easy bag to make but looks so effective whatever fabric you choose. Have fun!

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  4. visiting via crazy mum quilts. back to a fellow NZer!! funny world. Fantastic bag and great positive comments about a young person's future. Love it

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    1. Hi! Thanks for dropping by! I do have to say that one of the (many) highlights of my teaching position is the opportunity to mentor student teachers - especially in their 3rd year when they are pulling together all their training and get to fully run the classroom for weeks at a time. It is so cool to see and be a part of their professional growth.

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  5. Love this bag, such a great combo of fabrics. Great size and shape also. Good luck to Lucy!

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    1. Cheers Judy! It was nice to do a quick project (must get back to my bigger ones and get them finished though!)

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