Miranda Day, A Tote Bag

I Can’t Decide

| Cindy Anderson

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Decisions, Decisions

I’ve been participating in A Lovely Year of Finishes since January.  To date I have declared and finished the following projects:

Ever since completing my Miranda Day Bag I’ve been pondering what to choose for my June challenge.  My To Do List is filled with suitable options as is my stash of projects to quilt.  With so many choices it’s been extremely difficult to decide.  I find myself flip-flopping from one item to another.  Just when I think I have made up my mind I come across another idea and that sends me into a tailspin.  The problem is I want to finish everything on my list but that’s just not humanly possible.  Obviously I will have to narrow down my options.

Here are a few of the projects I have pondered:

Acorn Quilts First Year Quilt
A Child’s Quilt
My Daughter’s Picnic Quilt

If you scroll over each of the photos you can see what their names are.  Aside from those projects one of the other candidates is the June Block Lotto over at the Madison Modern Quilt Guild.

I’ve Chosen

After weighing my options the one that jumps out at me the most is my daughter’s Picnic Blanket.

My Daughter's Picnic Quilt
My Daughter’s Picnic Quilt

She designed and assembled it herself.  I believe it may have been way back in April that she delivered it to my home for quilting.  Since the picnic season is upon us I believe her Picnic Blanket is screaming the loudest.  To satisfy that small voice telling me to “get it done” I am electing the Picnic Blanket as my June project.

Miranda Day Bag

| Cindy Anderson

My May Finish

Just like any other month the pages of May have disappeared as quickly as they arrived.  If it were not for this blog I would have very little recollection of what has transpired.  At the onset of May I registered with A Lovely Year of Finishes to complete a project I had on my to do list.  Selected for the challenge was the Miranda Day Bag from Lazy Girl Designs.  The pattern was purchased quite some time ago.  It wasn’t until recently that I had decided on and acquired the fabrics and remaining supplies.

The Timing Was Right

As most women would attest, the desire to change purses can happen as often as the seasons.  I’m not one to carry a tiny handbag.  Mine is almost always referred to as a “suitcase,” (i.e., rather large).  The itch to switch out my current purse had been bothering me persistently.  As May rolled around a small voice echoed in my brain telling me to, “do it now.”  What better time to satisfy the itch than the A Lovely Year of Finishes challenge.  So at the beginning of May I declared my intentions to make a Miranda Day Bag.

Get It Done

Compared to my previous A Lovely Year of Finishes accomplishments this one was a breeze.  In a relatively short amount of time I was able to cut out, quilt, stitch and assemble, what I consider to be, a magnificent creation.  I am absolutely pleased with my finished Miranda Day Bag.  The bag is loaded with pockets, sturdy, and downright beautiful.  Take a look for yourself.

Miranda Day Bag

So what did you think?  I’m absolutely certain, given the opportunity and/or desire, you too would love owning a Miranda Day Bag.

Before Signing Off

I’m sure you won’t be surprised if I mention that I made a few changes to my bag.  The first was to utilize a magnetic fastener rather than Velcro for my tab closure.  I also embellished my tab by stitching a color-coordinated button to the outside surface.  Oh, and one more thing . . . the pattern suggests purchasing and adding a Bag-E-Bottom.  While some might think this accessory is a bit pricey I believe they are a necessity.  They provide a flat sturdy bottom for your bag.

That’s A Wrap

This brings to a close another successful chapter in my A Lovely Year of Finishes participation.  I hope you have enjoyed following along with my project.  Who knows what’s next on my agenda?

Miranda Day Bag

| Cindy Anderson

Chosen for my May A Lovely Year of Finishes project was the Miranda Day Bag.  Since announcing that I would finish the tote, by the end of this month, I have made wonderful progress.  Here are a few photos.

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Quilting the Fabric

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Back Side of Panels After Quilting

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Outside of Tote Front After Quilting

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Getting Ready to Sew Bottom of Tote and Front Together

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Front Side of Both After Sewing Together

The tote is coming together rather quickly.  I’m so pleased with the outcome and can’t wait to get it finished.

I’m linking up with Freshly Pieced.

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced