2018 is hurtling to its end, isn’t it? I did pretty well on my December goals.

December Goals:

1. Finish Secret Christmas project. Yes! I made two tote bags (the Picnic Tote by SewCanShe).
2. Sew two more Christmas gifts. Yes! I made two sets of bowl cozies as gifts.
3. Make donation blocks for Kat’s Covered in Love. Yes! I think the final count was sixteen blocks! I used four yards of fabric from stash that I’ve had for way too long. And I’ve already mailed them to Kat.
4. Pull fabrics and begin cutting for Charlotte Hawke’s mystery quilt. No. I’ve printed the cutting directions and chosen my background fabric, but I haven’t pulled scraps or done any cutting. I’ll have to do it in January.

Bonus: Made myself a set of bowl cozies, and a pillowcase for donation.

Here are those tote bags. The logos are from recycled t-shirts. I used the Picnic Tote pattern from SewCanShe. This is a very easy and clear pattern with few pieces and it goes together quickly. I really recommend it for beginners (as I was on sewing bags).

It doesn’t have a zipper or any hardware. Of course, I had to make some changes. I used cotton webbing for the straps, which I’m very happy with.

I added a key clip sewn by a ribbon to the inside pocket seam. I added an extra inside pocket and sewed a dividing line down its center. It would also be easy to add an outside pocket, but I decided against it.

I’m working on a post for the whole year which should be up soon. Take care!