Presenting the Batala Backpack!

I'm so excited this bag is finally ready for presentation! I had this vision for a long time of a full circle backpack, however, I didn't want a shapeless sack, I wanted a practical handbag backpack substitute, with proper pockets for cellphone, keys etc... So after much experimentation the Batala Backpack was born!

It has a sturdy center, so it holds it shape nicely despite the half circle sides which gives the beautiful folds on the sides. It's such a handy size to replace your everyday handbag,  ~12" high and ~7" wide at the top. And it's super comfortable to wear with it's padded, adjustable straps, and you can easily hang it in the big D-ring.

You close it with a drawstring and a magnetic snap lock for the lid. So access is very easy. It's sewn in beautiful Tula Pink Eden fabrics combined with a light purple faux leather and a green blender fabric from my stash.

On the backside you have a safe zippered pocket, as I'm always a bit worried about carrying my things on my back otherwise, then it feels good to know the keys and any other important little things are safely tucked away towards my back where no one can get to it.

The inside has one zipper pocket and one open pocket, however, I will share more photos of the inside in a later post. The pattern will go out for testing soon, and so it will be available to the public in a month or so hopefully.

Tiger Conservation

The Backpack is named after the city of Batala in the Punjab region of India, this is part of the Tigers historical areas of habitats, however sadly there are no longer any wild tigers in this region. The conservation of our big cats is a topic that's very dear to my heart and one that was constantly on my mind as this bag took shape thanks to the lovely Tula Pink Crouching Tiger fabric. Even if this design isn't for you, maybe you'll take a moment of your time to take a look at https://www.panthera.org and see if there's anything you can do to help the tigers. It's very easy to donate directly through their website <3

Photo by Steve Winter, National Geographic.

I'll be holding courses at the biggest sewing event of the year in Sweden!

I'm super excited to finally be able to reveal that I'll be one of the teachers during the Husqvarna Viking-, Pfaff and Singer Sömnads- & inspirationshelg 2016! This is the biggest sewing event in Sweden and all of the nordic countries are taking part, it's going to be so exciting! =D

On the Saturday I'll be holding a course in the Stockholm Bag (if you want to take part you have to be quick, there's only 5 spaces left already!), all the material is included and you'll be confident in working with faux leather afterwards. You'll also learn many cool tips for making bags, among other things the handles on this bag, they look so great and are really fun to make and so comfortable to carry with, once you've started making these, you'll want them on all your bags! =)

And on the Sunday I'll be holding a course in the Bring the Basics Bag, it will be a ton of fun, there are so many great courses during this weekend, make sure you don't miss out! The Bring the Basic Bag course is great for beginner bag makers =D

16 Blocks Done!

Really happy to finally have 16 blocks (out of 24 so yes I know, I'm behind *lol*) finished for The Splendid Sampler!

I'm having so much fun with this but I'm constantly behind, I really hope I can get a few days soon and really catch up! =D

Block #19 – Measure twice, cut once

This one really killed me with the embroidery, I started working on it the day it was released and didn't finish it until yesterday, I'll willingly admit, I grew tired of it and I got sloppy... It just wasn't fun anymore and the fabric got a little distorted as I had to embroider it after piecing.  Not a fan of this one, hopefully after some time, I'll be able to appreciate it, if not, it will go in the discard pile and I'll replace it with something else. =)

New Splendid Sampler Blocks

I've managed to catch up a little and I'm now only missing 4 blocks, #19 is in the works but the embroidery is killing me, too much of it!  XD

Block #12 – Checkerboard

I was afraid this one would turn out terribly boring, but I really love it, the blue paired with the little flower print - such a pretty block!

Block #15 – Family Affair

Soo much fun to do paper piecing again! Love those crisp points!  Despite this one giving me quite a bit of trouble and seam ripping I love it, and I love how the pink and green managed to form perfect little rosebuds for me <3 

Block #16 – Pieces of Friendship

Quick and fun but turned out a little bit too busy I think...

Block #21 Sweet Candy

Quick and fun! However, it does feel a little bland and uninteresting, which I'd chosen more omph fabrics... But it might look great once thrown in the mix with the others =)

The Splendid Sampler Block 10 and 18

While working away on my next pattern (which has been less than cooperative) I've managed to sneak in a few Splendid Sampler Blocks. They're so much fun to make, but I'm so behind again, I've made 11.5 (nr 19 is nearly done, just embroidery left) of 19. I need to catch up! =)

Block #18 – Lina’s Gift - by Pat Sloan

This was a quick and fun block to make, no hassle and came together nicely.

Block #10 – Iowa - by Sherri McConnell – A Quilting Life

Another fast and fun block, I really needed these fun and easy blocks to get me going again after my illness. I really love how this came out, such calm but happy colors <3 

And yes, I love the little dots for background fabrics =)

2016 Finish - A - Long Goals for Q2!

So for the second quarter of the 2016 Finish - A - Long my proposed finishes are as follows, hopefully I will finish more then 1 this time around, so I'm aiming for a grand 3! ;)

1. I really hope to finally finish my Hexie Tablerunner from Q1 that I didn't manage to finish.

2. I want to finish making my new backpack design and pattern of lovely Tula Pink Eden Fabrics! I'm very excited about this one! I think it will be super cool! =D

3. I hope to finish quilting long time WIP the Chameleon Bali Pop quilt. One should never let a quilt lie for this many years.... I'm ashamed.

500 Instagram Followers Giveaway!

To celebrate reaching the 500 Followers milestone on Instagram (I can hardly believe it!) I'm having a Tula Pink GIVEAWAY! She's my favourite designer so I'm giving away some hard to find and out of print Acacia to show how very happy I am for each and every one of you <3

If you're not already an Instagram follower, pop over now and become one for a chance to win! 😃

https://www.instagram.com/pink_pony_design/

One lucky winner will receive: 

🔹 1/2 Yard of HTF OOP Tula Pink Acacia Raccoon Print.
🔹 1 FQ Coordinating Tula Pink Acacia Arrowheads.
🔹 1 FQ Coordinating Tula Pink Acacia Pixel Dot.

You can not enter the giveaway here, you have to enter on https://www.instagram.com/pink_pony_design/ =)

Splendid Sampler Blocks 13 & 8

Since I've been sick for weeks now, and recovery has not been exactly speedy - not much sewing have been done, however I have finished The Splendid Sampler block 8 & 13.

Block 8 - Friends Around the Square - by Julie Karasek – Patched Works Inc

Loved making this block, quick and easy which to my surprise packed a considerable punch when placed with the others! <3

Block 13 - Scrap Stars - by Corey Yoder

This was aslo super fun, and surprisingly quick to make despite the tiny triangles =D

My baby is home!

I've been sick now for what feels like forever. The flu kicked me into bed weeks ago and not until today I've been feeling well enough to do anything at all other then what's absolutely necessary.
So no sewing in ages. I'm behind on the Splendid Sampler, my Finish Along 2016 goal number 2 is just lying there on a chair, mocking me... And my newest pattern in the works, which I'm super excited about - is no where near finished.

But on the major upside, Diana is home! My heart, my baby, my lovely Norwegian Forestcat is finally back with me after a 1,5 year long battle! She's unfortunately very overweight, her diabetes has been very poorly cared for which has stressed her system, her back and hips are causing her a lot of pain when she walks due to her weight poor baby. However, she's home now and getting proper care, medication and weight management so hopefully she will be improving slowly, slowly as she looses weight. <3

I've today slowly been starting to organise my fabrics and sewing things as we bought a new wardrobe (Pax from Ikea) for the living room for me to keep my sewing stuff in, as I'd outgrown the available storage options. So today I've been making solid rainbows <3

Blocks 4 & 5 of The Splendid Sampler - I'm finally caught up!

Block 4 - Happy Happy - by Jen Kingwell – Jen Kingwell Designs

This one was super fun to make, if a little tricky to appliqué the tiny circles. But I love how it turned out! Love the colors. <3

Block 5 - Simple Simon - by Celine Perkins – Perkins Dry Goods

This one was just like it's name, simple to make and looks really good I think =)

And all my first 7 Blocks together! I'm having so much fun with this! Don't they look quite lovely?