We didn’t realize how very useful and clever the Snap, Grab, & Go Tote was until we started using it this summer.  Once we actually used it, we realized how fantastic this bag is. In fact, this tote far surpasses the typical quilt bag in usefulness. Besides it’s roominess, it has a wonderful vinyl liner that snaps into the inside of the outer bag. How wonderful is that?……it’s wonderful!  Here’s why:

Today I packed my Snap, Grab, & Go Tote full of food from my favorite market, Harbor Greens with  meat, vegetables,  fruits, and other food items. Then I headed northward for a babysitting gig with two of my grandchildren.  I chose to use the Snap, Grab, & Go Tote because it has a vinyl liner—-actually it’s a vinyl-liner inner bag (it’s very clever, indeed).  Because of this vinyl liner, I didn’t have to worry about anything leaking out onto the outer bag and leaking onto the seat. Everything was safely contained within the vinyl liner.

You can see this snap-in vinyl liner insert in chartreuse (above).  Perhaps you can see how it strategically snaps to the outer bag in the photo image. As you can probably tell, it’s a duplicate of the outer tote, but it’s made of vinyl. All you have to do is purchase the vinyl and a fun fabric and then press the fabric to the vinyl. It’s very easy to do.

Recently I went to our grandchildren’s swimming meet. It was chilly, so I wanted to take both my jacket and sweatshirt, along with my Kindle, purse, and some food—-you know how long swimming meets can be. I piled everything into the bag….but with one big difference:   I made a magical change. I unsnapped the inner vinyl-liner, took it out, and repositioned it as the outsider bag. In other words, the vinyl bag became the outer bag and the outer bag became the inner liner.

Having the vinyl lining bag on the outside meant that my bag would not get dirty nor would it get wet at the swimming meet. Everything fit inside and stayed clean and dry. I can do the same thing when I head for the beach. How cool is this…..two bags in one! Who could possibly think up something so clever? Teresa Fields of the Quickie Chicks did.  Teresa is always dreaming up something wonderful for us to use.

BTW, did you notice the quilt behind the tote?  It comes with the tote pattern….in other words, it’s a tote pattern with a freebie quilt pattern. Teresa is keen on creating quick projects and both of these are no exception. The quilt is deceptively easy. Tote and quilt are great partners for outings.

If you are a quilt shop owner, the Snap, Grab, & Go Tote is a perfect half-day class (or a one-day). Check out the Snap, Grab, &  Go Tote page for more details.

If you are a quilter and this tote sounds perfect for you, you can order from your local quilt store. If you do not have a local fabric store near you, you can purchase this pattern online. See the Snap, Grab, & Go Tote page for more details.

I love my tote—either side out…….I know you will too.  JWD Publishing is proud to publish the Snap, Grab, & Go tote pattern.

Now I promised you some sewing or cooking tips. Today it is a sewing tip.

If you are collecting a certain color of fabric, for example black and white, keep a small swatch of it in a small notebook in your purse. If you are like me you get into the fabric shop and wonder, do I have that one? Just take out your small notebook and look it up. It saves time and money. Have a wonderful day and keep quilting!

November 14th I had the pleasure of teaching a class on my new tote from the “Snap, Grab and Go” pattern. Now check this out.

Two gals named Kathy and Sally Wilcox are sisters but they also married brothers. How cool is that! They own a soon to be quilt shop called “Little Scrap Quilt Shop”. I say soon to be because they have been vending for the last year and 2010 they will be opening a quilt shop in Kokomo, IN. Maris, Judy and Ruth that are in the photos had a great time making the bag. When I teach this I like for you to leave with a finished bag. We don’t need anymore UFOs. The fabrics were all different. Maris picked a fabric for a diaper bag, Judy a cute fabric with flamingos, and Ruth a everyday bag. The bag is so versatile! Kathy and Sally had all their products set up for sale and their guild could stop by and shop during the class. They also had a “snack table” set up for us with lots of goodies. They know how to do it! We sewed, shopped, ate, talked, laughed and walked out with a finished bag. What more could you ask for?

I just received two cans of Marking Magic spray. I will be testing these in the next few days and will give you my results. Until then keep quilting!

I designed this block with my mother in mind. She lost her battle with ovarian cancer three years ago. She always celebrated every holiday and made them so special for my family. On our birthday, even as an adult, she always made a “big deal” about it.

What better way to celebrate her life and all the wonderful memories but to put them all in one block. To me “Happiness in a Block” looks like a “birthday present”. Just like one that my mother would have given to me. So I called it “Happiness in a Block”.

I hope you love making it and I hope you check out all the other beautiful blocks in the Quilter’s 100 Blocks magazine. Until then, keep quilting.

Just leave a comment on this post by Thursday, November 12th, 2009 PST, and we will pick a random winner!  It doesn’t matter what you write, just make sure to leave a valid email address (so we can contact you if you win).

Here’s our contest rules.

Make sure to keep following the 100 blocks blog tour!

Snap, Grab, & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble

We are very excited about the Snap, Grab & Go Tote that Teresa Fields has designed!  The Snap, Grab & Go Tote is a perfect tote for the beach, the pool, a picnic, quilt retreats, kids’ over-nighters, and sporting events.  Teresa also designed the Grab & Go Quilt, which is a wonderful companion piece for the tote. Even though this striking quilt looks complex, it is very easy to make. Teresa designed this carefree quilt to be simple in construction. This quilt can be a stand-alone project or it can be combined with the Snap, Grab & Go Tote. 

So please view the Snap, Grab & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble page at our website for more information. 

Skill Level: Confident beginning quilter or a novice sewer

George R. Brown Convention Center

Today we find Houston in the rain. Coming from sunny Seattle area, we were amazed to find ourselves settle into a dreary weather day. However, inside the George Brown Convention Center was filled with positive, hopeful thoughts. Hundreds of vendors were working hard to prepare their booths for Quilt Market. A few dozen vendors made presentations at Schoolhouse, an activity that gives quilt shop owners the opportunity to meet with vendors and see the products they have to offer. Our late afternoon Schoolhouse session gave us the opportunity to show our newest patterns, which we love: Honey Bears by Alex Anderson, Summer Breeze by Christine Porter, In a Pickle by Larisa Key, and Snap, Grab & Go Tote and Quilt Ensemble by Teresa Fields (aka Quickie Chicks). We also introduced Ricky Tims’s Arabian Nights and Cindy Walter’s Poinsettia Christmas ensemble of beautiful painted table runner, placemat, coaster, and wallhanging. Ricky, Christine, Charlotte Warr Andersen, and Teresa Fields introduced their quilts, answered questions, Tomorrow is the first day of Quilt Market. When I left the convention floor just before 7pm tonight, vendors were still working hard to finish putting their booths together.

Tomorrow is a day of hope and excitement. We hope everyone has a great day tomorrow―both the creative vendors who sell their products and the shop owners who select products for their quilting clients. Here’s to three great days of great surprises and findings.