Autumn Colors.. and Pink

Not a lot of sewing to show and tell at the moment. We had family visiting over the weekend.. it was lovely. But now I'm fighting a cold and slept most of yesterday away. So depressing because the weather is lovely and there are spring bulbs to plant. Maybe I'll get to them today. I did take a little stroll yesterday afternoon though.. to ge some fresh air. These mums were planted last year, and they are just now flowering. I forgot what color they were going to be. The sun was shining so beautifully, and there was a white butterfly on them, so I rushed into the house to get my camera. The butterfly was gone by the time I got back. But the sun was still there. :-)

The sun decided to come back and shine a while this morning too. I have three Burning Bushes in my yard that turn a brilliant red in the fall. Or they are supposed to. None of mine look like this. This one belongs to our neighbor behind us. Isn't it fantastic? It gets full sun all day.. I think my place is too shady. I won't even take a picture of my pathetic ones.

But the autumn colors are really starting to show up beautifully..

...and even some NOT so autumn colors. These showed up in my mailbox the other day...
Isn't this a lovely prize???? I WON it from Stephanie at Loft Creation. There was a choice between this and another autumn colored bag. But I cold hardly pass up this wonderful collection of Amy Butler fabrics and a signed pattern. Plus the bag was made by Stephanie from a vintage tablecloth, and I so wanted that. It is REALLY beautiful. I can't wait till spring to carry it. Thank you Stephanie!

I'm sorry that I have to put my comments on moderation for a little bit. I hate doing that. But it seems as if there is someone who is trying to spam the comments in my blog and I've seen the same one on some others too.. so I just dont want to take any chances.

Amy Butler Birdie Sling

Within the past couple of days I ran across a two fun tote bag posts. Erin from House on Hill Road was showing some new projects she is starting.. and Karen's was working on this really pretty drawstring tote. These are both Amy Butler patterns, which reminded me that I never did finish showing you what I was planning to make with this:

This is was a beautiful batik Indonesian sarong that MKate sent to me way back at the beginning of summer. She said I could do anything I wanted with it, including cut it up for quilts, etc. Well it did bother me to think of cutting this pretty thing, but immediately I thought what great fabric it would be for a handbag or a tote. So I ordered this pattern by Amy Butler..
And made up these two bags..

I couldn't show them in progress because they were gifts, and I wanted to keep them as a surprise. But seriously.. I was dying to show you. The pattern works up so cute, I love the roominess and the style of the bag. And I would encourage anyone who is thinking about trying this pattern to do it! Oh.. I added the tie in the front.. that wasn't in the pattern. But it was easy to do. Now I just need to whip one up for myself. There is still enough of the batik left for me. Yippee!

see you tomorrow.. on Vintage Thingies Thursday...