I love how our lives are woven together.
.

Ho Ho Holy Moly... it's time for holiday sewing

I can't think of a  better way to kick-start the
Holiday Sewing Season than a Quilters Blog Hop?
  Madame Samm and Carol have the spirit and energy
to round us all up and put us in one spot.
Thanks to both of them for all their hard work.


The most difficult part of these hops is to actually come up with a good idea.
....   just one good idea. 
 I was pondering this and the lifeguard said....
"Make something practical and useful"
Duh !  
 Sometimes men can be so smart. 

So what could I make that will be used a lot during the holidays?  

A bag.

A very BIG bag.

A Mondo Bag.
 A bag you can fit all your stuff in.

A bag big enough to haul all your stuff home.

I picked up this pattern last year at a  quilt show in Florida.
 It is by QuiltSmart and has preprinted fusible interfacing.
 You can't get any easier than that right?
This bag took 3 hours to whip up and it would have been even 
quicker if I had used precut strips.
 But I didn't have any of those so I cut my own strips.
I quilted "in the ditch" because I didn't want the ....
oh heck....because it's easy to stitch in the ditch...
who am I trying to kid.
I ran out of time again.
sheeeesh.
One of these days I am going to finish way way ahead of time.

I have these two quilt tops to finish before December too.



Thanks for stopping by for a look.
No giveaway this time but scroll to the bottom of this post for
news about my Huge giveaway coming soon.

Enjoy the hop.

The list of hoppers  today....

August 5
Life@RuffHaven


and the entire list.....
Here


Happy Sewing !
Happy Ho Ho Ho - ing !

Oh ....one more thing
I will be having a HUGE giveaway on August 10th !
There are several ways to follow this blog
listed in my sidebar.
So follow me now and come back to see what I have planned.
It's a big one.
5 big boxes full of goodies for 5 happy winners.
Yes there will be one huge box just for quilters.
(holiday fabric, patterns, gift cards, notions)
I did a giveaway like this a few years ago and it was so much fun.
Please plan to come back on the 10th
to enter.

Thanks for stopping by
Marianne

also linking to Sew Many Ways ... So Darn Crafty 

80 comments:

apple blossom said...

really love the bag...nice quilt also thanks for sharing

The Thimblemouse of Country Crossroads said...

I LOVE your MONDO BAG...hahaha...thanks for the fun post...I needed a laugh (oh? you didn't mean to be funny? Yes you did!). Your fabrics are great - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with living in the "ditch"...that's my happiest place! SMILE

Judy B said...

Your Mondo bag is yummy! Thank you for sharing.

sunny said...

I love your bag! And 2 quilts? You've been busy. How was the Family Reunion? You sure had a perfect day for it.

GNIESZKA said...

Gret work ! I love this bag :) Thank you for sharing and for the chance ! have a nice day :)

Heleen Groot said...

That bag is amazing. It looks like it will get a lot of use too! I love it. I also love your quilts. They looked finished to me! Just some quilting to do..... HA! Good luck, I'm sure you'll make it in time for Christmas!

Gloria said...

I did a workshop to make a bag like that about 6 years ago. A friend liked it so much that I gave it to her!

Perhaps I should make another.

Unknown said...

Wonderful Mondo bag and I really enjoyed the colors you chose. Have a great day.

Baa. xxx said...

That is a great bag - and so roomy too! Won't take you long to finish those quilts either - they are lovely - such nice bright colours.

Gill said...

I love your mondo bag!
Thanks for sharing!

Gill said...

PS I signed up to follow and I'm number 200!!

Donna said...

I love your Mondo bag. Santa would be quite impressed. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

What a lovely bag! Every Santa and elf needs one of these at Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

Britt-Inger said...

Your Mondo bag is so lovely. And Santa will need a bag
Thanks for sharing and being part of this blog hop

charlotte said...

I love that bag. So practical too. Great job.

JoyceLM said...

Thanks for sharing your pretty projects - love the huge bag.

Sparky said...

now that is a big bag and that quilt is really beautiful...what great projects that came from your heart and hands

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

I love your bag! Just beautiful.

Editha said...

Great work :D thanks for sharing!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Great bag and it was clever to make something useful....thanks for a giveaway

Thearica said...

Such a fun post! Love the bag!

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Mondo on Monday! Great bag and a great start to the week! Thanks for sharing!

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

That is a wonderful bag and the fabrics make it even more beautiful!

Jeanie said...

Love the bag and the quilt top! I've seen that bag pattern before and I must get one. You sure could carry lots of presents in your big bag! Thanks for sharing!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I love that Mondo Bag! I need to make one just exactly like it. :) blessings, marlene

krislovesfabric said...

Your Mondo is a beauty, I've made a Midi and I think it fits lots of goodies...can only imagine how much fits in yours!!

Margaret said...

I really like your bag. Glad I found you. Will be following.

Pamela said...

I love the bag of puppies! It just makes me smile. Thanks so much for sharing!

Michele T said...

That bag is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing in the hop!

Carol said...

I love your bag and I love the quilt tops. Thanks for sharing!!

Agnes B. Bullock said...

Your models are wonderful! Adore your bag and quilt!

Unknown said...

You put such an awesome touch on the "make something practical" suggestion! I love that bag. Good luck finishing those beautiful quilt tops, too.

Sarah Correa said...

I love your bag, and what beautiful tops too!

Linda said...

What a great bag! You'd better be careful or Santa will take it to use for hauling toys!!
Your quilt tops are also beautiful!!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your Mondo bag is so neat and love the little doggies inside! Beautiful quilt tops and I know you will get them done by Christmas, thanks for the giveaway!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Betsy said...

I love your projects. Thank you for participating in the hop.

Carol Swift said...

Love the Mondo bag (and all the cute contents you put in it)...very useful AND beautiful! Your two other quilts are gorgeous and I'm sure will look amazing when they're finished. Thanks for hopping with us!

Leah said...

Beautiful quilt tops and love that Mondo bag. They are perfect for anything! I have made three myself. I may have to make another one in Christmas fabrics, yours looks spectacular! Thanks for sharing.

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Love your projects! Thanks for sharing.

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

Great bag. Go ahead and fill it with goodies, and I will send you my address in time for Christmas!!!

pinsandneedles said...

Love your bag! Your quilt is lovely too! Thanks for sharing!

Calicojoan said...

Big bags are just the best! The fabrics you used and fabulous!
Two quilts too. You are gonna have a warm wonderful holiday season!

Just Quilt It said...

I love your bag! Great fabrics--it is nice and bright for Christmas. Your quilt tops are really pretty, also. I'll be back on the 10th!

Frederika said...

That bag is amazing. And the quilts are great. Thank you for sharing

jan said...

Great Santas bag!
The quilts are pretty too. thanks for sharing!

tink's mom said...

Love the bag, I don't do much in the ditch because I apparently can't sew a straight line. Your line is pretty much invisible. Great job.

Joanna said...

Nice bag. I like the fabrics; they look great together. I also love both of your quilt tops, especially the first one you show.

Vickie said...

Hi Marianne, I've been following you for a while now, I found you on Pinterest or somewhere and fell in love with your style. Today is no exception, your bag is wonderful and I am anxious to see your quilts all quilted up, they are already pretty !

Lisa - papergrace said...

Oh Marianne, this big, beautiful bag is awesome!! And how perfect that you filled it with puppies!!! Even though they're toys and stuffed. (Real puppies would have been too awesome. haha! :) ) All of your quilts are so stunning and this bag is no exception. The quilts tops are already so gorgeous!! All I can say is "Wow". xoxo

Marcy said...

Great quilt--really pretty. The bag is wonderful.

Joyce Carter said...

I am loving that bag. It is exactly what I need to hold my stuff. Great job. Love the quilt, too. Thank you for sharing.

Quilting Tangent said...

Nice scrappy quilts. I have a Chow Chow mix that can be a handful.

Rhonda said...

What a great bag to store all my shopping in or hide fabric in....LOL

Rosa said...

Cool bag and love your fabrics choice.Thanks for sharing!

Linda C said...

Now THAT is a wonderful bag for the holidays. Watch out though as Santa may want to borrow it. Lovely quilt tops you are working on. Pineapple Blossom looks really cool in Christmas colors!

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

Cute!! Love the quilting, too ;)

Jane's Quilting said...

That is a beautiful bag and the puppies they are just so cute.

Sandy said...

I love, love your bag! We can never have too many. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

A wonderful idea to sew a cristmas bag, I could use one too...
Hope that you'll find the time to finish your quilttops, they look beautiful.
I'm a long time follower, so I'll be back ☺

VickiT said...

That bag looks huge. What a great thing to have and it's so pretty too. I love the quilts, especially the 2nd one. So pretty.

Sherry said...

Great bag and loved the other projects too.

Anonymous said...

Hiya Marianne!!! I love your bag, it's just the right size. And those quilt tops are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas, blessed be, hugs!!! Pam

pamspretties57 at gmail dot com

maggie said...

I love the bag and the quilt tops as well. So cheery!
Thanks for sharing.
cheers
maggie

maggiemine42@gmail.com

evelyn said...

Who couldn't use that giant Mondo bag! Your Christmas flimsies are lovely. Great designs.

Janarama said...

Very cool bag to hold all the goodies. Love all of your projects.

Beth said...

I love the bag. Your quilt is really pretty. Thank you for sharing.

Sharon Dawn said...

Very cute bag! It would be so fun to use!! Your quilts look wonderful! Thanks for Sharing

In stitches and seams said...

what a great pattern to use up your left overs .... Christmas leftovers are all ways useful;)
thanks for sharing and having a give away too.
in stitches

Suze said...

What a great Mondo bag. Your quilts that you have to quilt by December just scream Christmas. I really love them. I love the reds and greens and your piecing is impeccable. Thanks for participating and sharing your creativity and wonderful projects. I can hardly wait for your big giveaway - lol

Melody said...

A big bag that is also beautiful.

Melody said...

A big bag that is also beautiful.

sandra said...

I love the large bag and the fabric is so pretty, looks like something everyone at Christmas could use.

Robin said...

Oh, I love your bag! Can a girl ever have too many bags?!!!! The two quilts are so festive. I really need to make a Christmas quilt for the bed! Great job!

LJ said...

Wonderful toppers. The bag is a wonder. Three hours! It turned out magnificently!!

Emily C said...

Awesome bag, i love all the stuffies =)

BizyStitches said...

Love your bag and your quilt tops. Your little furry friends are good helpers too.

Cathy's Chatter said...

The bag is beautiful. I really enjoy the way you write! You make me smile! Merry Christmas (early)

Kathy H said...

Cute bag and beautiful quilts.

Little Penpen said...

OMG..I love that bag! The quilt tops are beautiful too! I've enjoyed hopping around this post, but haven't done a lot of commenting. I just now realized you are the one who asked about our lab mix, too. Kindred spirits, we are! ;)))