What have you done so far?

[Keren Duchan]

Hi!

The challenge has just begun :-), but some of us have been busy little
bees, already planning and plotting (and maybe even sewing??) their
totes. Others (like me) are off doing a million other crafts and
projects, and realizing November is here and it's time to start
planning my solids-only tote!

Do you have an idea of the tote you want to make?

Which of the inspiration gallery photos caught your attention?(http://
ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2011/10/solids-only-tote-inspiration-
gallery.html)

Do you prefer to plan your design carefully, or just flow and see what
comes out?

As for me:

I want to plan my design well and be pleased with it before I make my
tote for the challenge. These are the designs that have inspired me
most:

http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.210732029.jpg

http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.196070196.jpg

http://www.sewlavie.com/2011/10/progressive-quilts.html

So I am thinking of either going for a typography theme, or something
zen/minimalist/progressive quilting style, or something happy and
colorful and maybe even felt-based like those birds. Or I might decide
to go with something else altogether!

How about you?

Keren

[Adrianne Surian]

All I have done is vow that I am not buying anything for this challenge. I have plenty of solids, I am requiring myself to out them to good use. :)

[Rikka Walters]

Three cheers for not having to buy anything for this challenge!!!!

I'm in the same boat!

Best,
Rikka J.
Check out and follow my blog, Ricochet and Away!
You can also find me on facebook or pinterest.

---

Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 16:19:00 -0400
Subject: Re: What have you done so far?
From: adriann...@gmail.com
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com

[Jennifer Ferriss]

I've got a pretty good Idea of what I want to do as far as the colors go. As for the actual tote iteself... I need to so come more research :)

--
Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.
Leon J. Suenes

[Eddie]

Hello, all! What I've done so far is buy fabric! Solids are pretty
much out of my design range - in fact, I think I only own maybe 1
solid fabric (besides whites) out of all the fabric that I own (and I
could literally probably make a couple of hundred quilts with it all,
LOL!) I requested the Pinterest access but am on their "waiting list"
whatever that means (is that like waiting for a table at a high-
falutin' restaurant??) Anyway, I do happen to have a photobucket
account, so here's a link to my fabrics that I'll be using for this:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/eddieglAR/Tote_11012011_01.jpg

As to design, I'm a huge, HUGE fan of the Blackbird Designs gals (Barb
Adams and Alma Allen), so my tote will be in that vein. I have the
idea in my head, just need to sketch it out. It will involve both
patchwork and applique. And speaking of applique, in the interest of
time, it'll be machine appliqued. I like the look of hand done stuff,
but the impatient little boy in me can't wait that long! :)

[Tori Williams]

Hey everbody! I am working on my first craft show for this saturday so I haven't gotten my fabric yet : ( i do have a few sketches though an I think I'm leaning towards some type color blocking tote...not sure yet.

Once Saturday has come and gone I'll be able to go at it full speed (yay!)

Can't to get to know all of you guys better!

Happy sewing!
Tori

--
Oneelevenone.blogspot.com

Sewing, Creativity, & Inspiration

[June Walker]

yeah Tori!  that is my excuse too!!!!  I have been on a no sew ban until after the craft show...so thew only thing I have done is sign up!!!!!

June

---

Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 17:37:51 -0400

Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

From: tor...@gmail.com
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com

[Pam]

Hi Everyone,

I think I'll have all my materials at hand, this time, but I don't mind a good excuse to visit a fabric shop. I'll probably change my mind several times, but at this stage, I'm thinking of a basket type tote, made from denim, with flowers appliquéd on. I might try the flowers in reverse appliqué. My first task will be to see how reverse appliqué works. 

Eddie, I only had to wait a couple of days for my Pinterest account.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Cheers,

Pam

[Tori Williams]

Lol! Too funny June! Good luck with your show : )

On Nov 3, 7:16 pm, June Walker <jandr...@msn.com> wrote:
> yeah Tori!  that is my excuse too!!!!  I have been on a no sew ban until after the craft show...so thew only thing I have done is sign up!!!!!
>
> June
>

[Jill Shepherd]

Hi all

 

I've got lots of ideas swimming around in my head - any my 2 little girls (aged 6 and 8) keep adding to my doodles  - they're nice and creative and have some great ideas!!

 

I think I know what I'm going to do. I have 2 GIANT bags full of scraps and I'm sure there's plenty of solids in them - so I'm thinking this would be a perfect chance to practice some more patchwork!  and scrap bust at the same time!  Bonus!!

 

Can't wait to get started - just got to clear the backlog of other more boring stuff first!!

 

Jill

 

 

From: Pam <threadi...@y7mail.com>
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, 4 November 2011 9:38 AM
Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

[June Walker]

Eddie,
do you need an invite?  I can send you one then you will get in quicker...  just need your email

June

---

From: threadi...@y7mail.com

Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2011 10:38:35 +1100
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com

[Eddie]

Sure, it's elan...@sbcglobal.net

Thanks!

[June Walker]

done!

> Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 17:06:27 -0700

> Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

> From: elan...@sbcglobal.net
> To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com

[Eddie]

Thanks! Don't know what I'm doing, but I'm in it now and "following"
this group there. Maybe I need "Pinterest for Dummies", LOL!

On Nov 3, 7:07 pm, June Walker <jandr...@msn.com> wrote:
> done!
>
> > Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 17:06:27 -0700
> > Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

> > From: elandr...@sbcglobal.net
> > To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com
>
> > Sure, it's elandr...@sbcglobal.net

[Ricochethandbags]

Hello toters!

I have added Tanya, Pam and Christie as pinterest board contributors. Eddie, I see you there, but can't add you until you make at least one "pin". It's another hoop you have to jump thru, sorry. And Eddie, watch out, pinterest is addicting!

BTW my personal pinterest is www.pinterest.com/rikkaw. I have a board titled "Inspiration Motherboard" that I have compiled just for this tote challenge. Check it out!

I am an over achiever and only need to assemble my tote. My pallet is the cool complement to the spicy array Eddie has shared with us already. I did some patchwork and applique and machine quilting. Oh, and some embroidery.

I'm a busy mama tonight, so I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.

Best,
Rikka

[Jill Shepherd]

Ok - so I should have actually started on my planned tote before looking at your Motherboard Rikka!  Now I've got even more inspiration to contend with!  Still - there's plenty of time - musn't rush!  Can't believe you'd nearly finished yours Rikka!  Maybe you should make two!

 

Jill

From: Ricochethandbags <ricochet...@hotmail.com>
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com

[Eddie]

I figured out how to pin something to Pinterest! Yea me! LOL! Still
learning how to navigate around it, but it looks pretty cool!

[Jill Shepherd]

Careful Eddie! Once you figure it out - you may be lost on Pinterest for some time! it's quite addictive! 

 

 

Jill

From: Eddie <elan...@sbcglobal.net>
To: Solids-Only Tote Challenge <solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, 4 November 2011 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

[Gia Peedee]

Hi everyone! I'm a bit late to the party- ie discussion- since my connection has been playing up over the past couple of days.... I'm also not buying fabric as I have a huge heap of it begging to be used. I haven't started yet but I pretty much know where I'm headed. I've been wanting to make a colour blocking tote for a few months now and I'm fairly sure of the silouette I want it to have. I'm hoping to start this weekend. --- On Thu, 11/3/11, Keren Duchan <keren....@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Keren Duchan <keren....@gmail.com> Subject: What have you done so far? To: "Solids-Only Tote Challenge" <solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com>

[Christie, Describe Happy]

Hello!

I am also in the camp of trying not to buy any new fabric. I think I
have picked a shape, but I never really made a tote before, so I think
I am going to do a dry run with other fabric just to get a feel for
the construction. As for my challenge design.... I'm leaning toward
something with a dragon! Been wanting to put a dragon in a quilt for
the longest time... might be the perfect time to get this dragon out
of my head and into a design! I'm enjoying reading what everyone else
is doing and can't wait to check out the pinterest board again!

More soon,
Christie, Describe Happy

describehappy.blogspot.com

[Juanita McLellan]

Hello all....

I finally figured out what I had to do.... and then got stuck in.....
tee hee hee.... though, finding some terrific rainbow fabric was
*almost* enough of a reason to cheat and pretend it was a solid
colour......

But, reason prevailed and I dug out a bag of fabric that I forgot
about completely (and found the tablecloths I haven't seen since we
moved 4 years ago....)....

Cutting out has happened.... probably a little too hasty. But, we
shall see how it all goes.

Like others, I am waiting for pinterest to extend an invitation, but
will upload images to picasa and my travel blog as I go until
then.... (that and the image should be a total give away about what I
am creating....)

http://beyondislandhopping.blogspot.com/

[Jill Shepherd]

Hi there Juanita - would you like an invite for Pinterest??

 

Jill

From: Juanita McLellan <juan...@gmail.com>
To: Solids-Only Tote Challenge <solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com>

[Juanita McLellan]

Ooooo..... Yes please.

Sent from my iPad

[Keren Duchan]

I have a reverse-applique idea I'd like to try out on a small piece of
fabric, to see if it works.
I'll show it to you once I get it done :-)

I was also wondering what qualifies a bag to be a tote... So I looked
it up on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tote_bag

They explain that a tote-bag is a bag that is open (at the top), with
a handle centered atop each side.

"The term tote, meaning "to carry", can be traced back to the 17th
century but was not used to describe bags until 1900. Generally a tote
holds diverse objects."

Interesting :-)

What tote shape did you have in mind? The basic rectangular shape?
Something round-ish? Or something more sophisticated?

[Keren Duchan]

Rikka and I discussed the "tote" part of the challenge and decided
anyone can make any kind of bag they like :-)
So feel free! It doesn't necessarily have to qualify as a "tote".

Have you seen the beautiful work and ideas that Eddie, Juanita, and
Rikka have pinned so far on the challenge board? So inspiring!
http://pinterest.com/rikkaandkeren/solids-only-tote-challenge-nov-2011/

[Jill Shepherd]

Ooh Now I'm officially scared! what amazing work so far! Can't wait to see what everyone else is up to! 

 

Jill

From: Keren Duchan <keren....@gmail.com>
To: Solids-Only Tote Challenge <solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, 6 November 2011 4:26 PM
Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

[Tanya]

I saw pictures on Pinterest..and I'm with Jill...I'm getting nervous!
*LOL*

I just posted a picture of solids on pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/pin/453263506/

Will they work for this challenge? They are tie-dye solids. If not, I
can pick up more solids.

I am looking forward to seeing many creative ideas :)
Tanya

On Nov 6, 1:26 pm, Keren Duchan <keren.duc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Rikka and I discussed the "tote" part of the challenge and decided
> anyone can make any kind of bag they like :-)
> So feel free! It doesn't necessarily have to qualify as a "tote".
>
> Have you seen the beautiful work and ideas that Eddie, Juanita, and

> Rikka have pinned so far on the challenge board? So inspiring!http://pinterest.com/rikkaandkeren/solids-only-tote-challenge-nov-2011/

[Keren Duchan]

Hi Tanya, 

Tie-dye-ing reminds me of my childhood (the 80's/90's) :-)

Sure, they can be considered solids for the challenge. Why not? They're not prints. Go ahead and use them if they inspire you! Remember the challenge guidelines: having fun and not taking it too seriously :-)

Keren

--

Keren Duchan

www.sewlavie.com

[Gia Peedee]

Hi everyone! I've got the rough sketch of my design and have picked out the colours I want. Now all I need is some time to dive into it.... I'm sure someone must have asked this but I don't remember...Can anyone still join in the challenge? I'm planning to make a post about it and I needed to know.   Gia

--- On Sun, 11/6/11, Keren Duchan <keren....@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Keren Duchan <keren....@gmail.com> Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

[Adrianne Surian]

I hope so because I have been inviting people. :)

[Ricochethandbags]

By all means, invite away! The only hard deadline we have is that your project needs to be completed by Nov. 30th. Anyone can still join.

[June Walker]

wow, I took at look at the pinterest board and I am WAYYYYYY behind!  Oh well, craft show is over so now I can sew!!!  Love the ideas I am seeing, what a talented group!!!

---

Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 08:25:22 -0800
From: oneperfe...@yahoo.com

[Keren Duchan]

Hi,

I finished my solids-only tote! Well, the first one, at least :-) 

It's only Nov 7th, there's still a ton of time till the end of the month, so don't worry if you haven't started yet!

I'll post photos tomorrow when there's sunlight.

I am so inspired to make more - I love this reverse-applique technique, using retro / simplistic stencil designs.

How's it going with you all, toters? 

Are you feeling limited by the solids-only aspect of the challenge, or rather inspired? 

What colors are you thinking of using, if you haven't already started?

Do you think you'll try patchwork? Reverse applique? Applique?

Keren

--

Keren Duchan

www.sewlavie.com

[Adrianne Surian]

I have browns and shades of aqua, so I'm doing something bold with that. I think. Lol. I'm not letting myself buy anything, so the challenge is primarily self-imposed. :)

[Pam]

Great going, Keren! I haven't even started yet, but I have lots of ideas, which keep changing all the time. I keep thinking of ideas which would incorporate patterns.

At this point in time, I'm thinking of denim as the background colour; not sure whether light or dark. Last night I thought dark. Possibly I'll appliqué a spray of red flowers onto the denim... different shaped flowers to the Retro Pillow. Maybe adding some green leaves. Maybe some white or green hand stitching. Maybe some patchwork for the lining???

Who knows what I'll be thinking by tomorrow. I'm hoping to use fabric from my stash, also.

Cheers,

Pam

[Keren Duchan]

Thanks, Pam!

It would be really interesting to see more flowers by you. Your retro flower pillow was gorgeous! Dark denim sounds like a great choice for a background. Hand stitching would also upgrade the bag. I was thinking of doing hand-stitching on my bag but I was afraid I'd overdo it. I'm curious to see your work already :-)

Keren

--

Keren Duchan

www.sewlavie.com

[Eddie]

Your tote turned out great, Keren! Spectacular, actually! The
reverse applique looks like something I need to try some time, I've
see it before but never tried it. You've inspired me!

I've started quilting my tote this evening, will pin a picture of it
in a minute.

Eddie

[Jennifer Ferriss]

Oh My Gosh! I'm in love!!! I've almost finished my (first?) "tote" although based on the size of this its more of a purse. I used reverse applique, applique and color blocking to create a chevron pattern. Its reversabile. Even though I was thinking of giving it to my sister for Christmas... I'm going to be completely selfish and keep it for myself. The pattern I'm using is so easy, I'll probably make her a different (maybe larger?) one.

 

I'll post pics tomorrow... I have another 5-7ish minutes of work on this and then I need to get my beyond tired butt into bed :)

 

So happy!!!!

--
Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.
Leon J. Suenes

[Jennifer Ferriss]

ITs done!!! :) So excited :D

 

http://findingmywayintexas.blogspot.com/2011/11/solids-only-tote-challenge.html

[Eddie]

Your finished bag looks super, Jennifer! You did great!

I finished my tote this evening, yea me! I'll post pics of it
tomorrow when I can take it outside in the light to get pics. Don't
laugh when you see it, this is my first effort at making a tote! But
I think it turned out good, I'm pleased with it.

[Jennifer Ferriss]

For some reason I can not pin pics of my tote to the pinterest board :(

 

Thanks for all the Tote Love :)

[Ricochethandbags]

Let me try and pin some tomorrow, Jennifer. As much as I love pinterest, it definitely has some bugs. You are on the contributor list, so that shouldn't be the problem.

[Keren Duchan]

Pinterest has definitely been acting up a lot. Jennifer, I pinned your gorgeous tote. And I repinned Jill's pin as well because the image was broken.

Keren

--

Keren Duchan

www.sewlavie.com

[Jennifer Ferriss]

Thanks!!!!

[Jill Shepherd]

Thanks Keren!

From: Jennifer Ferriss <jennife...@gmail.com>
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, 11 November 2011 3:53 AM
Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

[June Walker]

WOW, I was looking over at Pinterest and everyones post look fabulous!!!!  This weekend will be starting on mine and so excited to do so!!!!

---

Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:07:25 +0200

Subject: Re: What have you done so far?

From: keren....@gmail.com
To: solids-only-t...@googlegroups.com

[Keren Duchan]

Hi Everyone!

I've posted a mid-month status of our challenge:
http://www.sewlavie.com/2011/11/solids-only-tote-challenge-mid-month.html

Please update me if there's anything new with your solids-only tote
that I missed!

Keren

[Keren Duchan]

I just happened to catch Stephanie's (http://
toastiestudio.blogspot.com/) guest post over at Ricochet and Away!
showing us her unique and inspiring cupcake tote!

http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2011/11/special-guest-post-cupcake-tote.html
I updated this in the mid-month status post.

On Nov 15, 3:44 pm, Keren Duchan <keren.duc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Everyone!
>

> I've posted a mid-month status of our challenge:http://www.sewlavie.com/2011/11/solids-only-tote-challenge-mid-month....