Busy Sewing

These are pillowcases that I made for our bed.  This fabric was in a box in my closet, have no idea when I purchased it or what I purchased it for.  They are really easy to make.  Made another set, forgot to take a picture of it.

I purchased a yard of this upholstry fabric (barkcloth) from my friend, Barb Sasaki, Sasaki Bags of Kailua-Kona, HI.   I have always loved this pattern.  I made a tote bag for my neighbor, Sally, and then made one for myself this afternoon.  The background is black with red hibiscus and bird of paradise.  The colors are gorgeous!! 

This is the other side of the bag.  I have some fabric left over, enough to probably make a couple of zippered pouches...Want one?  Let me know.

Last summer I started a quilt top, my first one...ever...had to put it aside because of my cataracts and not being able to see.  A few weeks ago, I finally got the rows sewn together...last week I purchased everything else I needed to finish the quilt.  I got the borders sewn on earlier this week and now need to put the sandwich together to finish it...I'm avoiding that part...once I got the borders on, it changed the whole look of the top.  I have it hanging in the doorway of the closet in my craft room.  Didn't want it to get wrinkled and have to press again.

Here's a close-up.

I sold 4 tote bags, the 3 that were listed in the previous post plus one like mine that I just made.  Sally, my neighbor, bought 2 of them and Didi, my Hawaii friend Jalna's sister, bought two.  I have squares put together to make 2 more...will get around to those in the next couple of weeks.

I've also made some flag bags for 3 of the PGR guys...those were simple to make.  I am enjoying so much being able to sew again.  Card making has kind of gone by the wayside...lol!

Saw the optometrist yesterday at Kaiser and got my new glasses ordered.  I need glasses to read and do close up stuff...should have those in a couple of weeks or so.  Otherwise my vision is excellent...was able to read the 20/20 line without any problem...my eyes have healed very well from the surgeries...still have to use the drops for the glaucoma...the pressure reading yesterday was very good...will get that checked again in October.

What I Have Been Doing

 With my new eyes I have been busy sewing.  The above quilted tote bag is available for purchase.  It was made from a charm pack called Peony Blush.  The colors are pinks and greens.  SOLD 

A close up view. 

Pale Pink lining with a pocket.  The green fabric was also used for the handles and a panel that joins the front and back of bag.

This is the second bag I made from the same charm pack.  My neighbor saw the squares before I got it put together and wanted it.  So it is sold.  I was pretty happy since this is the first bag I've sold!  :)  SOLD

The colors are gorgeous.

This is a smaller tote bag I made last summer from left over squares that I am making my quilt top from.  It is not quilted, has a lightweight interfacing to give it some body.  The bag alone is $10.00...with the zippered pouch $12.50.  SOLD
The other side.

The lining, also made the straps from the same fabric.  They are about 9 inches long.

Then I made a zipper pouch with different squares on both sides.  SOLD

This is the inside of the pouch.  THE ABOVE 3 TOTE BAGS & ZIPPERED POUCH ARE SOLD.  SCROLL DOWN TO SEE TOTE BAG THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE.  THANKS!

I had my second cataract surgery on April 8th...left eye.  It was a complete different experience.  I did not doze off after given the IV sedative so I was aware of everything that was going on.  There was a tiny bit of pain and could feel tugging and pulling.  I also felt the injection that the doctor gave me to numb the eye.  He and the OR nurse were chatting back and forth.  I could have said that I needed more of the sedative, however the pain was tolerable and I wanted the procedure to be over as soon as possible.

I didn't have a long wait as I did the first time.  I think I was there a total of about 2 and a half hours.  I have done real well and have 3 more days of putting eye drops in that eye.  It is absolutely amazing how well I can see.  Everything is so clear and vivid.  I am enjoying being able to get back to my regular activities and especially enjoying being able to sew again.

Haven't done any card making, need to tackle that one of these days.  Actually thinking about downsizing my card making stuff so I have more room for fabric, etc.  I could really use my 6 foot table.

I need to make an appointment with the optometrist now to see about getting glasses.  Thankfully I still have my old glasses so I have been using them to read and see things up close.  My distance vision is fantastic.  I still have to use the glaucoma drops for another 5 months and will have a check up in October to see how that is doing.  Then next year in April I will have a complete eye test.

I couldn't be happier with the care that I got from my doctor and the entire staff at the Eye Surgery Center.  I got cards from them after both surgeries and a Starbucks gift card.  Well, the Starbucks was because of the 5 and a half hour wait I had the first time. :)

 Almost forgot to add this bag.  I just completed it this afternoon.  It is another quilted tote bag made from a charm pack called Tapestry.  The colors are corals and greens.  It is also available for purchase. $25.00  THIS TOTE BAG IS STILL AVAILABLE.

The lining is green.  I forgot to sew in a pocket.  The handles are about 9 inches long.

Leave a comment or email me if interested in any of these.  bettytownsend@hotmail.com

Thanks!