Carol just left me a comment kindly asking whether I was swamped with my reading... She guessed it pretty well! To tell you all, I'm swamped with my reading during the day, and with bag-sewing at night!
Things have been so busy here since last week...
Since my last post, all my free time has been spent in sewing and in exchanging emails with friends willing to participate in Zoanna's project (in France, Switzerland, and the Reunion Islands).
As a result, a first batch of 40 bags shall leave France for the US tomorrow morning. I made 14 bags - it was my limit as my stash is all used up now! - and I received 26 more bags from a couple of friends. But I'm expecting many more in the next days/weeks! How wonderful!
Violette has been a very helpful assistant: checking the softness of fabrics, watching the cording process very closely (that twirling yarn was driving her crazy!), and finally inspecting each finished bag:
Things have been so busy here since last week...
Since my last post, all my free time has been spent in sewing and in exchanging emails with friends willing to participate in Zoanna's project (in France, Switzerland, and the Reunion Islands).
As a result, a first batch of 40 bags shall leave France for the US tomorrow morning. I made 14 bags - it was my limit as my stash is all used up now! - and I received 26 more bags from a couple of friends. But I'm expecting many more in the next days/weeks! How wonderful!
Violette has been a very helpful assistant: checking the softness of fabrics, watching the cording process very closely (that twirling yarn was driving her crazy!), and finally inspecting each finished bag:
Here are my bags (click on the images to see larger pictures):
8 bags for ladies:
8 bags for ladies:
(we want each bag to be unique, so I embroidered them with different motifs)
And 6 bags for men:
Better picture of the bags in a dolphin print, embroidered with dolphins:
I can't wait for that first batch to reach the US! But to own the truth, I'm pretty worn-out now. I'm afraid I'll have to slacken my rhythm somewhat... Especially as I'll start teaching on Monday. And I really need to make myself a few new clothes. There's also a Round Robin I need to finish, and the Xmas Ornament Exchange which I can't wait to start!
Zoanna, I truly don't think you'll notice any difference in the next batch though... I shall try to sew a few, and I should have received more bags from 3-4 sewing buddies...
Jo sent me the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments issue, and I love it! Jo, again, thank you so much for being so helpful!
I also made a few gifts for friends last Sunday (but I'll have to wait till they have received them to show you!)
And I finished my first Christmas present: a mohair scarf for my little sister.
And I started stitching a Cattitude cat on the next Round Robin fabric...
How did I manage to do so much last weekend? Well, I had to attend a seminar on Saturday which lasted from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. On this occasion, I was told that this seminar would be held again in two weeks... Meaning I can't go to the Alexandra Palace stitching & knitting show in London!
I was so angry that I decided not to work or read at all for the rest of the week-end... And was therefore quite productive craftwise!
Wish I could do that every weekend now!
Better picture of the bags in a dolphin print, embroidered with dolphins:
I can't wait for that first batch to reach the US! But to own the truth, I'm pretty worn-out now. I'm afraid I'll have to slacken my rhythm somewhat... Especially as I'll start teaching on Monday. And I really need to make myself a few new clothes. There's also a Round Robin I need to finish, and the Xmas Ornament Exchange which I can't wait to start!
Zoanna, I truly don't think you'll notice any difference in the next batch though... I shall try to sew a few, and I should have received more bags from 3-4 sewing buddies...
~*~
Other news:Jo sent me the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments issue, and I love it! Jo, again, thank you so much for being so helpful!
I also made a few gifts for friends last Sunday (but I'll have to wait till they have received them to show you!)
And I finished my first Christmas present: a mohair scarf for my little sister.
And I started stitching a Cattitude cat on the next Round Robin fabric...
How did I manage to do so much last weekend? Well, I had to attend a seminar on Saturday which lasted from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. On this occasion, I was told that this seminar would be held again in two weeks... Meaning I can't go to the Alexandra Palace stitching & knitting show in London!
I was so angry that I decided not to work or read at all for the rest of the week-end... And was therefore quite productive craftwise!
Wish I could do that every weekend now!
11 comments:
I'm first! I'm the first person who can tell you how impressed I am with all the bags you have been making! It must feel good to see all those bags finished: knowing you did a great job for other people. You're allowed to give your sewing machine some rest now and concentrate on others things.
I'm always impressed how much you manage to make and do.
Congrats on all the stuff you made and good luck teaching.
your bags are wonderful Isabelle.. thank you so much for your kind wishes on my blog.. you're so sweet. *hugs*
Isabelle, I can't thank you enough for helping out the Katrina victims. It does my heart good to know that you and your friends are not letting distance get in the way of helping.
I'm very impressed with the look of the bags. I really feel when the attended person(s)receive this bag it will lift their hearts and their spirits, knowing someone cares.
Thank you for being so caring.
Wow, wow, and more wows! Those embroidered motifs look fantastic on that background! Thanks so much. How did you make each African-print bag different? It looks like maybe each has a different cord? The dolpin print is so handsome, I think my friend Jody might speak for one. My son says, "This Katrina Kit thing is a worldwide phenomenon!" The buzz I've created about all you foreign seamstresses is quite something. I'm quite sure we won't have a lick of trouble finding sponsors for those "exotic" bags!
Kudoes and more importantly, I hope you feel God's pleasure as you sew for His people. Thanks to ALL of you involved. My goal is to keep it up, as God graces us, through at least mid-December.By the way, these recipients are Messianic Jews. They don't celebrate Christmas, so please don't make Christmas print bags! *If you do, I'll just have to keep them for myself or give as gifts to family . hehehehhheeeehhee"
Zoanna, thank you so much! I am so glad you like the bags and I loved your son's remark!
The African bags have different cording (black, red, red braided with black, light grey), and they are embroidered with "Music!" or "Cheer" or "Joy"... Although I must confess it doesn't show at all on the photo! :o/
I'll make sure to translate your comment and write it on my French blog! :o)
Wow you have been very productive, great job! What a wonderful thing you are doing! Keep up the good work and don't work too hard. :)
Have to hang my head in shame. Haven't been feeling well at all so have not been able to get to the sewing table Isabelle. Today I decided that it would be better if I did not go to work and just rested then I would feel better. Work has been pretty busy so I had to go in this week. Weekend is here so I hope I can get something done. I can't sit at the computer for long this flu is really bad. Talk to sometime soon.
hugs
A pity you are not coming for the knitting and stiching show. I hope to go there on Saturday. Imagine we could have met!
Love those bags of yours.
hugs
That's loads of work. Well done, Isabelle. Sorry to hear you can't go to the Alexandra place. Ann.
Your bags look great!!
It's so nice of you to do all that bags, for people who have lost so much. I'm sure they will be very special for them
Love the butterfly bags. They're so pretty. I'm sure whoever gets them will love it!
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