So, while I'm at it, I thought I'd put up the pictures of the Quilted Bag project which a number of us attempted. We gathered at the Heritage Centre Gallery last June to start the project and then, again, in October to try to finish. (Brenda has some other pictures of the group at her blog scrapsandstrings.blogspot.com)

This bag was done by a friend in a workshop and a few of us saw hers and wanted one just like it. Mine used up a great textured upholstery fabric that I hadn't quite known what to do with. It's outside my usual colour box but I'm glad the Thistle fabric will be seen and used. The pockets on the outside house a 15 1/2" square ruler, a 6 1/2" x 24 1/2" long ruler, the inside pocket is stiff enough to give protection to a cutting matt and I then added my own zippered pocket to keep a few more things contained. A fun project but the final binding of all the outside edges tried my patience on several levels! I'd take a pointer from my friend Angela and do the upper binding all in one piece around the top next time.

So, I'm looking forward to loading it up for my first retreat in November.

So, it's now fall, and I've been up and down my stairs numerous times this summer, thankful for the effort and happy with the results. Thought I'd show the final view.

Oh, and for those who want to know, this is what the inside of the loft looks like. Notice the second picture which so aptly portrays what my challenge will be in the coming year....homework or creative indulgence...

Decided not to add a railing on the other side since it made moving stuff up and down, much more awkward. I'm happy with one!

So, here's the railing the flowers and a picture of my final Roma tomatoes, just ripening on the vine. I think they're coming in tonight (along with those fabulous Chili peppers for my salsa!)