Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Picnic Time and Spoiler Alert

First of all, several commenters asked me what book I was talking about the other day. At the end of this post, I'll tell you the name, so if you don't want me to ruin the ending of a book you may have on your reading list, skip the end of this post, okay? It's not that it's a BAD book--it's just that I was annoyed by the ending; you may have a different opinion and I don't want to spoil it for you.

Second, I've kind of gotten away from talking about quilts for the last couple days, but I didn't want to forget to show you the finished picnic quilt and tote. Last Sunday was open house/meet the teachers at Bearpaws & Hollyhocks, and since that's the next class I'll be teaching (aside from this weekend's Baa Baa Black Sheep/wool class), I was hoping to get it done to bring with me--and I did! Well, except for the binding, and I've been working on that a little bit at a time.


A close up of the tote (front and back look pretty much the same):


And the inside--


I wanted to make it nice and roomy with several pocket compartments for holding napkins, utensils, and everything else needed for a spring or summer picnic. I even included an inside tie to hold a bottle of water, wine, or soft drink. (And, although I don't have it in the tote in this photo, Hubby bought me a plastic insert for the bottom of the tote for sturdiness and stability. Once he rounds off the corners, I'll make a cover for it and pop it in.)

I'll need to make some demonstration pieces of the tote for my class, and I thought I'd make a patriotic red/white/blue version for a 4th of July picnic--AND I'm currently working on a red, white, and blue quilt using Minick & Simpson's Bar Harbor fabric. (Remember what Hubby did to my red, white, and blue quilt?! Now I'll have a replacement!)

Ready for the spoiler? Many of you have obviously read the book already and guessed correctly--it was the Friday Night Knitting Club. I understand from a few of you that the sequel is much better and ties up loose ends, but I don't know if I'd ever be curious enough to read it. We'll see. I just finished a British police procedural/mystery about a serial killer--funny how THAT didn't bother me at all!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Kim, I love your picnic set. I especially like the rick rack finish on the tote, did you do it by yourself, if so how? Very nice!!! And I have to tell you I am the same with my reading and TV watching. Killing - no problem, but serious illnes... and I don´t want to read/watch anymore.
Happy Easter Holiday
Jana in Prague

Shelley said...

Love the fabrics you used for your Picnic quilt! Does the line have a name?

Anonymous said...

I have that book and will not go back to yesterday's post now...I still need to read!
Your picnic quilt is darling but it is the tote with all those inside pockets that has me excited....like that bit alot!!

Karen said...

Oooo, Bar Harbor! I can't wait to see what you are making with it. I love that collection.

Unknown said...

Love the picnic set. It is very sweet.
I know why the one didn;t bother you, you are not invested in those that die. They're nice one dimensional purpose characters, not people we've followed and cared about. No idea if that makes it better or worse lol

Jandi said...

Cute picnic set! I love the pop of red in the quilt.

Jocelyn said...

Wow! Love your tote! The quilt is so bright and cheery.

Carol said...

Very cute tote and I am interested in the "plastic insert" your husband bought for the bottom that you are going to cover. I just made a large tote out of selvages and need to come up with something sturdy for the bottom. Have not found anything in quilt shops or online that is big enough. I'm assuming maybe he bought something that can be cut to size from your description. Would love to know the details of this product. Thanks and really enjoy your blog--you post so many pictures and that is so fun fun fun.

Tammy said...

Hi Kim, perhaps you posted this information earlier and I missed it, but did you design the picnic set (quilt and tote) or are they a pattern that can be purchased. I love them both and would love to make my own.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Loving both of them! Love that tote. Is it a pattern you followed or one of your ideas? Willing to share?? I need to get those fabrics for myself. I look at your quilt and I want it for myself!

Belinda said...

Love the quilt and tote! I understand what you mean about books - I am going to read the second one just because I want to see if they really do tie up the loose ends - I guess I am a train wreck sometimes and can't tear myself away if I don't know the ending!

Cathy said...

Oh, I just love British Police Procedurals!!!! They are my favorite. Would you please share what the title is?
I LOVE your blog!!!
Thank you,
Cathy

Susan said...

I thought I was the only person in the world who didn't like The Friday Night Knitting Club. All my friends raved about it, but I thought the writing was just plain bad and I agree that having the main character die of cancer seemed an easy way out for the author.

I was on vacation in Colorado where it was 75 yesterday and it's supposed to hit 80 by the weekend here. Definitely time to start thinking about summer and your picnic quilt makes me do just that. So pretty!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Love your picnic quilt! The tote bag and quilt definitely have a "July 4th" feel to them.

Anonymous said...

Loved the picnic quilt. What pattern did you use?
d_bright@bellsouth.net