Bottle Bag - V2 - 2026

I have redesigned my bottle bag for 2026 in hopes of making them more time efficient and still keep the key features.  I am very pleased with the results.

This one measures 12.75" T and 3.75" square finished.

For this bag I chose some medium blue fabric which is 50% cotton and 50% polyester which should wear well.

The design has 2 strips which are finished individually then set at 90 degrees in a cross pattern matching the middles of each strip.  This square is top stitched to form the bottom of the bag.

The side panels are then top stitched to the one next to it until all are stitched and I have a tall bag.

The handles are 1" W x 11" long and are stitched to the top edge of the bag with X reinforcement.

To decorate it I added a red strip of fabric along the top edge about 1.5 inches from the top.  It was kept raw edge and zigzagged along both edges.  I created 2 tails hanging down from the cross over where the button goes.

I added a blue button at the crossing of the red fabric and stitched it by hand. 

I added a "My Bag" tag along the top edge between the handles.  This is your bottle bag to carry bottles to a party and then bring the bag home until the next invite.

This bag was made large enough to hold one of the large champagne wine bottles, a 1.14 L liquor bottle or a 2 liter of pop/soda so it will handle just about any other bottle.  Water bottles, food bottles, vinegar and or oil bottles and many others that can be given as a gift.

The bottom is double to provide some cushion for glass bottles.

The flannel is quilted to the outer layer to ensure no separation of fabric.  

The bag is completely finished inside and out with no raw edges.

The lining is navy regular polyester type fabric which aids helps in sliding the bottle in and out of the bag.

The bag is sturdy and the side seams provide body and can stand on it's own.  It will be good for bottles of smaller sizes.

Notes:  Should I add more padding in the bottom?

             After checking my 2024 model - it only had 1 handle so maybe that would work on this bag.

Flowers in Vases - RePackaging

When I made my flower bouquets I thought I was selling reusable vase covers which were machine sewn then enhanced with slow stitching.  Turns out that was not a seller as they have been in the gift shop since March 2026.  I brought those back a couple of weeks ago and decided to redesign the packaging to sell the flower.  

I eventually decide to find small vases into which to package these flowers.  Since there was only one handmade item in the package I have lowered the price.

I put the navy linen flower in this white ceramic vase with a stippled texture.  A nice sturdy vase for this substantial flower.  I kept the bamboo skewer in its stem and that worked well.

I decided to put a variety of sentiments on the tag to see if that would make a difference.

I brought these back to the gallery today.

Sentiment: A Flower Just for You

I am having to find vases at a very low price to keep my margins on these flower bouquets.  I am up for the challenge.  

I trimmed the hot pink strands in the tulle flower a bit to give it a sleeker look.

I paired it with a pink glass vase.

I added a bit of vase filler at the bottom of the vase to cover the end of the wire stem.

Sentiment - Thinking of You Today

For this flower I chose a clear glass vase.

The flower is quite heavy and the stem needed a bit of extra support so I put it into a red and white striped paper straw which worked with the red in the flower.

I added some vase filler at the bottom of the vase to cover the bottom of the vase.

Sentiment: For your Special Day

I placed this peach organza flower in a white water bottle with a peach lid.

The hole in the lid works well to support the flower in the middle of the vessel.

It may be unorthodox but we will see if it works.

Sentiment: A Flower for Someone Special

Fabric Patches - Various Processes

One of the processes I can use is designing my art and outlining it with black. Check out my testing of black marking material.

Using Inktense Color or Acrylic Paint to color the design.

Heat set the color once dry.

For this patch and used a thin top layer onto a white 100% cotton foundation layer.  Ripped to 3.75" square.

I used a ball point pen for the outline and painted it with Inktense color applied with a mixture of aloe vera gel and water.

I can always create my outlining with stitching.  It can be any color I want.

On this patch I used red thread and the back stitch to outline the heart and it's internal lines.

Once it was stitched I used Inktense color with aloe vera gel to paint the various piece of the patchwork pattern.

I added a tiny red button on the top left hand patch.

The background needed something so I just added some black Inktense lines.

I can use the traditional process of drawing the design with a temporary washable pencil which will disappear when the fabric is washed.

The design is stitched with colored embroidery floss - 2 strands.

This patch features fabric collage with slow stitching. 

I created a mountain scene with 3 peaks with a foreground of deep earthy colors.

I added a sun in the top left hand corner with a piece of yellow fabric.

I stitched some trees in the foreground with the fly stitch.  Running stitches on the earthy fabric, white peak on the middle mountain, birds in the blue sky.

All of the pretty squares are then machine stitched to a piece of heavy fabric - typically denim in various colors and weights.

I designed a card stock backer onto which I can stitch the fabric patch.

This allows me to place them on a display for sale at the Christmas Store at the art gallery at the end of the year.

I generally use upcycled textiles in these fabric patches.

I do not use glue in any of the steps of the construction of these patches.

These patches are fully washable.

Some may have embellishments which could include beads, buttons, charms and who knows what else I may be inspired to use.

Fabric Patches - Black Marks

Doing some research into what product to use to make black marks on my fabric patches.

I thought since Inktense is permanent once heat set I concluded that the Derwent Outliner would be as well.  

Micron Markers 08 - some online sources did not recommend them but I always have them in my craft room.

Black Ball Point pen 

Sharpie Permanent Marker Fine Tip.

Daler-Rowney Acrylic Ink Black - I used a dip pen to apply.

Black Ball Point pen

I heat set the marks before I washed the fabric with soap and water 5 times drying it in between washings.

It is interesting that the black ball point pens turned blue but worked well. 

Sharpie Marker performed well.

Micron black marker performed well. 

The acrylic ink would be good it a tool is found that would apply it evenly.  It would work well for abstract marks.

Ball point pens seem to be a decent choice for permanent marks on fabric.

Other than the red ink one the rest did pretty well.

Unfortunately, the black ones after several washes turn bluish.  The Everest one did the best to stay black.  Stayed quite dark as well.

I will keep testing pens and hopefully I will find a black ink ball point that stays black after at least 5 washings.

An the experiment continues.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 31 - P1 - Pocket, Pink, Purple

A piece for the slow stitching challenge hosted by K3N Cloth Tales.  A to Z of slow stitch.

This week's prompt was Poetry and Pocket.

I chose Pocket into which I created a fabric Patch featuring Pink and Purple. 

I added some stitched Petals, and a bit of Persimmon /Pumpkin. 

There is a square of Polka Dots and a Pearl button.  There is a Pointed flap on the Patch.

I added blanket stitch around the edge of the Patch, a Pink button, 

I am finished the stitching for now. More may appear. 

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 30 - O2 - Orange, One, Odd number, Opening

My piece for the O Community Choice in the A to Z Slow Stitch Project hosted by K3N Cloth Tales.

I wanted to document the process of creating a cut out patch Opening in a piece of fabric based on this video.

I chose Orange polka dot fabric and trimmed it to 8" W x 7" T.  I cut a piece of white fabric to the same size.

I traced the circle Opening with a glass container and stitched it with the back stitch. I cut out the center of the circle leaving a seam allowance. The allowance was clipped to permit it to turn when I turned to the back.

I found a piece of fabric with a pleasing image - one of a hare which fit in the circle  Opening.  I trimmed it to be about an inch larger than the Opening. I invisible basted the hare fabric to a 100% cotton white foundation layer.

I used several colors of embroidery floss to frame the circle Opening with rows of running stitches. I add the label to the piece to ID it's place in the book. 

Cards - Charity Donation

I spent a couple of days with my sister after picking saskatoons.

We need some more cards for I Win this fall we decided to work on that project to get it done.

She had these large butterfly die cuts which I decided to work with.

Coordinating card stock to the butterfly, neutral DSP from the stash I decluttered from my place before I moved.

Embossing pieces of card stock and card strips to create a line for a place for the butterfly.

Color printed greetings (Thinking of You) in SU Small Oval punch and Word Window punchies.

Butterfly Cards - Charity Donation

Another set of Butterfly cards for I Win Charity who support people traffiked.

Blue and oranges in this group. Again, large butterfly die cuts.

Some decluttered DSP on some of these cards.

Some backgrounds are just scraps of card stock with black marker markings.

Thinking of You color printed greetings in ovals and word window punchies.  Some are layered with the Modern Label Punchie.

It was great to spend some time with  my sister and get some traction on this project. 

Cards - Charity Donation

Another set of butterfly cards for I Win charity.

We have a commitment for 80 cards in the fall so we needed to work on getting there.

She pulled out her stash of supplies for the project and we just got started.

I worked with large butterfly die cuts so all the cards are landscape orientation.  

Some lovely warm green colors.  The top right is a wooden butterfly die cut.  The blue one is silk butterflies to which she added the black bodies. 

Love the little orange acetate stickers in the bottom card.  The background is commercial handmade paper with variegated stitching.  

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 29 - O1 - Organic, Olive, Onyx

This is my piece for K3N Cloth Tale's 2026 Slow Stitch project A to Z.

We are on O1 - The prompt is Organic.  I cut strips of fabric with Organic curvy lines in colors that start with O. Orange, Oyster, Orchid, Olive, Ochre.  I used a couching stitch with coordinating floss to adhere them to the basic fabric. 

After looking at it for a day or two I decided I need something more Organic so I cut some Organic shapes from paper and traced them onto the strips then stitched them with Onyx (black) floss.

I am happy with this one.

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 28 - N2 - Notan and Navy

Working on the slow stitch project hosted by K3N Cloth Tales for 2026.  We are working through the alphabet A-Z. We are working on the second prompt of the letter N.

This one came together so much faster than the last one.

I chose yellow and Navy which is one of my favorite color combo's.   The prompt was Notan which is a Japanese design concept that translates to "light-dark harmony". It focuses on the balance and interaction between positive (light) and negative (dark) spaces.

I cut 2 piece of fabric the same size then traced a circle in the middle and cut it out. Switched the pieces into the other space and stitched them to my white book page.

Love it!

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 27 - N1 - Needlework, Nature, Ninety Degrees

I am following K3N's Slow Stitch project for 2026 where we do stitching A-Z. One week K will choose a prompt then the other week it will be a Community Choice prompt.  We are free so anything that works for us. We are starting the second half of the alphabet and the year.

I chose Needlework, Nature and Ninety Degrees for my piece.  I tried to include as many elements of Nature as possible - flowers, mammals, birds, fungi, sun, wind, clouds, grass, and insects. I framed the Needlework with 90 degree corners in Navy.

This was a tough one.  I have changed my top piece of fabric because I ran out of the beautiful linen. This white cotton is more tightly woven than I would like. I will keep looking for an old sheet that would work better.

Slow Stitching Fabric Patches

I have been wanting to make some of these so I decided to make some for a prize at our family event.

1. A red left ladybug on white linen on blue denim. 

2. Hills and sun collage onto a cotton foundation layer. Pink French Knots in the foreground. Sewn to a piece of heavy black cotton.

3. A yellow felt sun on white linen stitched to a piece of blue denim.

4. A red felt heart with a white stitched flower onto a piece of white linen sewn to a piece of heavy striped cotton fabric.

5. Four birthday candles made with fabric scraps with stitched flames on a couple pieces of white linen. Sewn to a piece of heavy black cotton.

6. A blue bird stitched to some linen which was sewn to a piece of blue denim.

The patches measure 3 5/8 inches square.  It was a good start to a slow stitching project. 

Placemats with Zippered Pocket

 I made this pair of placemats for a prize at our family event. 

I chose a piece of cotton I purchased at the GA fabric sale a couple of weeks ago (pink floral with a black background).  I made that the front.  I chose a piece of black polka dot poly cotton for the back.  

I cut the back and flannel backing 12 " T x 17" W. 

The front I pieced because my cotton was not long enough.  I added a piece of raspberry polyester knit on the left and side of the zipper.  The solid color helps to direct the user to the zippered pocket on the left.  I added raspberry colored tabs on each end of the zipper to fill in the gaps. 

I added two 12" ties on the opposite side which will keep it closed when rolled up.

Once I had pieced my front with the zipper and the raspberry piece I placed right sides together onto the backer and sewed all the way around leaving a gap to turn it right side out.

I ironed it and then did a top stitch all the way around closing the gap I had left. 

I then made 2 seams across the height of the placement. 1 to define the pocket and another just to keep the backer, flannel and cotton together.

The pocket can hold utensils and a napkin, markers, crayons, or other crafty things.

The fabric is completely washable. The color helps to hide the dirt. 

When going on a picnic at a park it gives you a clean place to eat no matter the condition of the table.

Sewing Project - Zippered Tote

I made a zippered tote bag from microfiber fabric.  I loved the blue of the fabric and I paired it with a slow stitching piece I made in my early days of this craft.   I found a piece of green linen that matched the border on the slow stitching accent for the zipper insert.

The finished size of the bag is 18" T without the straps by 19" wide. I made French seams on the inside to have it nice inside.  The blue bag was stitched with hems on the top.  

The zipper insert which is all finished was stitched to that hem at the top of the bag.  The pieces of the insert measured 4" before sewing and it was just enough so I could turn the zipper to the right side on the second edge. I added green tabs to the both ends of the zipper.

The straps measured 29.5 inches long finished before they were sewed onto the bag. They were all finished with top stitching all the way around.

The slow stitch accent had a piece of cotton poly placed on the back to hide all the stitching and make the inside of the pocket finished.  I cut the fabric to the size of the accent, stitched all the way around leaving a gap to turn it right side out.  I put a top stitch seam along the top edge which will match the top stitching to the rest when it is sewn to the front of the bag. The piece was then sewn to the front of the bag with top stitching with reinforced corners.

I added a few blue beads as a pull to the zipper.  I added a key fob to the front of the bag which is long enough to sit inside the bag. This allows your keys not to be visible when you are carrying the bag.  If there is something else on the fob it may be okay to have it on the outside.

I left an opening in the ribbon of the key fob so that something else like a carabiner or such could be added to carry something else securely.

Microfiber will wear well and makes the bag washable.

Event - Guessing Game - Prizes

I organized an activity for our family event this weekend.  These were the prizes won.  I did some shopping at the thrift store and made a few as well.

Red Stainless Steel Water Bottle

The group was given RSSWB and were asked to guess what the object was.

I loved that it was a Canadian themed bottle.

I managed to find at bag that it would fit in but it will be pretty obvious it is a bottle.  That's okay.

Genuine Gold Gilded Trinket Box

I gave each prize a number so that I could keep them straight in my mind.  I created a key so that I could give the right sequence of letters as the prize was brought out.

Beautiful trinket box with gold gilded bands.

Small, pretty and useful.

Iridescent Heart Handled Coffee Cup

When I was coming up with these prizes I chose items that had lots of adjectives.  The challenge will be to find the noun then they can start guessing appropriate adjectives.

We will see how it goes.

Beautiful glass coffee cup that sparkles every time one drinks from it.

Two Placemats With Zippered Pocket

These placemat are designed for outdoor eating where the eating implements are placed in the zippered pocket.  Gives one a clean place to eat no matter what the table surface looks like.

It is easy for the kids to set the table because the utensils are not loose.  Clean up is a breeze because the used utensils can be returned to the pocket.

When you get home the utensils are washed and the placemats are laundered then they are ready for the next outdoor meal.

Six Square Upcycled Fabric Patches

These patches have been stitched by hand and then machine sewn to a sturdy backer.

I am thinking of adding patches to my slow stitch practice so I decided to see how popular they would be with this crowd.

You can see the yellow sun and the blue bird but they have been blogged separately so you can see them all here.

Blue Plaid Fold Over Card Wallet

I made these for Christmas last year and they did not sell well.  I decided to add one to this collection.

The wallet is lined with RFID fabric inside which protects the cards place inside from being stolen digitally.

It has 2 pockets and can hold about 6 cards.

It has an elastic band to keep it closed.

There is a bit of the fabric attached to help explain the hidden feature.

Grey And Red Curling Rock Mug

I was careful to select some prizes that would appeal to the men in the group.  I have only done this game with women so we will see if there is male participation.

Again, a very Canadian thing.  We have curlers in the group.

I guess it could be used for soup cup as well.

Love it.

One Blue Tote Bag With Pocket

We can always another reusable bag for hauling our stuff around. 

The bag is made from microfiber cloth so wears well and durable.

The stitched art on the front was my first piece done back in 2024.  Nice and bright and makes the bag easily found.

It has a zippered insert.

Butterfly Cards for Charity

I managed to get some cards made for I Win before I headed out for the weekend.  I used some beautiful clear acetate butterfly stickers. 

I used paste paper for 5 of these cards which coordinated with the colors on the butterflies.  Some have a strip of contrasting card stock.

All of them have Thinking of You color printed and then punched with the Stampin Up Modern Label Punch. 

2026 Slow Stitching Project - Page 26 - M2 - Mail, Moss Green, Marine Blue & Mesh

I am following K3N Cloth Tales' Slow Stitch Challenge - A to Z of slow stitch.

This week is community choice for M. 

I chose Mail. I created an envelope in Moss Green, a card from Marigold fabric, I added 2 Marine Blue squares, a Maroon Heart and a bit of Mesh.

I put a stamp in the top right hand corner with Mountains and a Moon.

I put words on the inside of the card in Midnight Black thread.

I added a snap to keep the card closed.  I could have just tucked the card in the envelope.

We are at the half way point.

Sewing Project - Double Tulip Bag 02

I made another Double Tulip Bag.  I loosely followed this YouTube video.

This one is a big larger and a bit heavier than the previous one.

The yellow fabric used here is cotton poly and was thinner than I liked so I lined it with a layer of white cotton. 

To take advantage of smaller pieces of fabric I cut half circles instead of full one.  Check the notes at the end. I added a seam allowance on the straight side but should have on the curved side as well. The half circle measured 10.75 inches before seam allowance.

Once the half circles were finished I added curved lines of stitching to keep the layers together.

The purple is a remnant and again I put 2 layers and cut half circles to take advantage of the size of fabric. I repeated the stitched curved lines even though there was no extra layer on the purple ones.  to create smooth lines I placed a piece of masking tape on throat of my sewing machine and then just kept the edge on that line as I sewed the curve.  Really worked well.

Pocket - After a discussion with my sister yesterday I decided I would put a zippered pocket in this bag. Well, that was a rabbit hole. We had decided that it should be a fully finished patch type pocket so it could just be added to the side seams.  I did not have enough purple so I had to widened with a bit of yellow. That was okay. Then put a zipper in. I did offset the zipper to the front of the pocket about an inch from the top.  Adding the yellow tabs left and right into the side seams was going to be fiddley and make them too thick.  I made the pocket narrower by a bit and only tall enough to not be seen in the center dip of the bag.  In the end I stitched it to the inside of the bag by stitching both sides down to the inside of the layer before I stitched the middle seam.

I stitched the middle seam then the 2 side seams which were thicker this time because of cutting half circles. I added 18" straps from the yellow fabric which have twill tape on the inside for a bit of sturdiness. I added separate reinforcements to the end of the straps where they attach to the bag. 

The layout is a bit different as well. I have 4 full width pockets, 1 zippered pocket and 1 nook pocket on the inside. I ended up with nooks on the outside of the bag so I added a hand cut and stitched flower accent on the front to close off that nook.  I blind stitched the nook on the back of the bag. 

It is quite sturdy and has more body because of the lined yellow and the purple fabric was heavier than quilting cotton.

Notes: 

Doing half circles makes your side seams thicker. Helps with smaller pieces of fabric.

Making the pocket narrower meant I pretty much lost the tabs I had added on the left and right ends. The zipper is full width of the pocket.  I may consider adding the patch pocket on the back of the bag next time.

The bottom of the pocket is not sewn down just the sides.

Interesting how one gets different internal pockets based on how the 2 tulip pieces are layered.

Sewing Project - Double Tulip Bag 01

I tried a new design for a bag today. A Double Tulip Bag.

It is made from 4 large circles. Mine were cut at 19.5 inches in diameter. Two patterned and 2 solid color.

I followed this bag video.  

I chose two cotton fabrics - a floral pattern with light purples and a solid light purple.

It features 3 full width pockets and 3 nook pockets created by the curves in the design.  Allows for some organization of it's contents.

I always include a key clip so those are at easy hand when needed.

The straps are long enough for me to put it over my shoulder and tuck the bag in my armpit. Not too long to just hang on your arm.  It measures 11.25" tall at the sides and  9" high at the center by 11.5" inches wide. The straps are 15.5 inches long.

It is part of "My Bag" line - bags for every day life.  They are durable, washable, and good wearing. A bag chosen by you for a purpose and you can find it when you need it.