Thanks so much for all the great tips!!
I spent many summers in TN and have visited a few places that you all mentioned but Hubby hasn't ever been before so it will be fun to sight-see a bit.
I think I may even get to meet up with Dana! She was one of my first online friends and in the first quilting bee I was ever in!
I can't seem to stop making bags for our trip!
Actually this pattern had been cut out for a while and I do need a carry-on bag, so I sewed it up.
I did change a few things (mostly because I was lazy). I didn't add a zippered pocket on one end or center pockets. And I didn't have any jute so I just made straps out of .....you guessed it - more velveteen! The straps are so soft though - I love it!
And for a little fun, I made the end panels out of Melody Miller's new Typewriter fabric - which is AMAZING!!! Seriously in love with that fabric!
It's a big bag - I will be able to fit a ton of stuff in it - and it came together really easily - great pattern!!
I also made us all little ipod zip cases for our headphones and ipods {Hubby didn't want one}.
I padded them with fusible fleece and put everyone's names on them (just free-motion quilted the names onto small pieces of fabric and attached them to the front piece before sewing the pouches together).
They are all hand-me-down ipods except for the oldest but I figured it would be nice for them to all have their own little case.
I also cut out some "artist" size drawstring bags from Jeni's pattern. And one enormous laundry bag since I know we'll need it.
The kids picked out their fabrics (I may have helped "guide" them).
I have a few of my favorite fabrics in the mix on these. I've decided fabric is too fun just to have sitting on your shelf - even if it's some of my favorite fabric and I used the last little bit of it.
Hopefully I'll be able to sew them up tomorrow....although I do have a few things to do as we are having a birthday dinner for this little person:
Sunday she'll be 6 years old....she's been counting down the days - and asking me where I've hidden her presents :-)
oh....and I got the fabric for my new curtains....eeeeppp!!!
