My first Project Quilting challenge

While reading someone's blog post the other day, I noticed that Project Quilting was starting again this year.  I went to the source (    https://kimlapacek.com/2020/01/11-1-notably-numeric-challenge-1-of-project-quilting-season-11.html  ) and read what the challenge involved.  It sounded interesting and something I could do.  She said numbers... didn't say you had to specifically use the numbers so I was starting to roll some ideas around in my head... spell them out!  But then the creative juices kind of dried up.  What could I put them on?  It had to be completed whatever it was that I chose.  I have more than enough wall hangings and I didn't want to take on a crib or lap size quilt.  So the idea just sat there........

Until my friend, Katie, asked me if I was going to do the challenge this year... she already knew what she wanted to do, just had a question for me about fusibles.  I told her that I couldn't think of what to do and that I only had yesterday and today to do it... dr appointments and then another trip to Shipshewana, In. on Saturday - and the project is due by Saturday night.

Then it dawned on me.... something I know that won't take me forever and a day to make and something I can always use!  A tote bag!!! 

Off in search of a pack of 5" squares... now, where did I put that pattern?... oh yeah, it's pinned to the wall beside my design area... ok, now what to use for lining and the handles... the grunge I bought on impulse at the lqs a couple weeks ago - it was two yards so I didn't have to worry about finding enough yardage in my stash.

auditioning.... I like it :)

new stitch for me to try - I like that, too

I used a dark teal thread and stitched around all the letters and numbers...

today, I made the lining, inside pocket and handles... then, stitched everything together... turned it right side out ( always kind of a chore) and then stitched the opening in the bottom seam of the lining closed.  I was done by 10:30 this morning.

this is showing the outer pocket

and the other/right side 

inside pocket and the fabric covered cardboard base.

Why these particular numbers..... my hubby and I were married in 1993... he was born in 1938 and I was born in 1949.  Our birthdates are in these numbers, too, but you don't need to know which ones those are lol.

This was a fun challenge that I'm glad I joined in on.  We'll have to wait and see if I'm willing and able to join any more of them...