Spring Tote Bag

I recently received a sewing machine from the husband of a very good friend of mine, Nancy Green, who passed away in the summer of 2010. She decided to give the sewing machine to me in part I think because we really bonded over sewing projects. I feel close to her using her sewing machine. Her notes are all over the manual and I feel privileged to receive such a gift.  She was such a joy in my life and her kind words remain with me.

I decided to start out with something rather simple. I love tote bags so I made one. My sister in law Andrea gave me some heavy cotton material to use. I got the pattern for the tote bag from the Purl Bee website, http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/. It is a great website for a lot of projects. My sister in laws love it.

I love this little tote bag! I feel pretty satisfied for a first try. I embellished it with some felt leaves and  an orange flower. Orange was Nancy's favorite color so it seems fitting. I will be making lots of these tote bags for my spring craft show at the Peterborough Library on May 12th. More to come about that...