Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Midweek Update

Two finishes to share this week!  One is the tote bag I was working on last week.  The lining was made with pockets for the phone and the little miscellaneous stuff that always floats around in your purse.  (Chapstick, anyone?!)

Several years ago, when I started making these quilted tote bags,
I bought a set of magnetic snap closures and 
I just keep reusing them each time I make a new one.

And the finished bag from the front!  I also reused the gray straps from my previous bag.  They're still good and that saved me the time of making some from fabric.


The other finish is the newest block for Melva's Little House sew-along.  This one has a rail fence block at the center.   I laid this one out with the hope that the pinwheel at the center would be the focus.   Do you see it?


So - here are all five of these that we've made so far.  Only four more to go!


Linking up with The Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday Wait Loss. 
And at Melva Loves Scraps for the block 5 link-up.










15 comments:

Anonymous said...

We all know about the things that float around at the bottom of the bag…. I have material to make myself a bag but need to sit down and make it! Your cute finished bag is inspiring me. Your log cabin blocks are looking great…I see the pinwheel! Gail at the cozy quilter

Nann said...

A terrific tote! Are the magnetic closures hard to figure out how to put in? Nora Ephron wrote a wonderful essay about purses (and the stuff that goes to the bottom) in her book I Feel Bad About My Neck.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Cute tote! I looks ready to provide service for all the trips you will be making! Melva's SAL blocks look great together and yes, I can see the pinwheel!

Julierose said...

Nice little tote bag holder finish!! Great idea;)))
Your blocks are looking really super together...
Hugs, Julierose

Michele McLaughlin said...

I'm just catching up on posts here and I have to tell you that I loved that bunny cross stitch you did! The bag is so cute! And I love the sampler quilt you are making! Lots of great fun! Have a great day!

Jeanna said...

Love the tote, Diann. It looks like a good size and the inside pockets will be useful to keep things accessible. Your Little House blocks are looking great together.

Vicki in MN said...

So smart to have an inside pocket in totes, love the colors of your bag. And the new little block looks right at home with the other four.

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal said...

Those fabrics made such a pretty bag! Nice that you can reuse fasteners and straps. Oh I love your Little House blocks! They are making a pretty pattern all together aren't they? I have 3 to catch up on.
I need to make a new bag. I've been carrying a small crossbody bag for-EVER, and it is getting harder to carry everything I want in it.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

Great tote! Love the use of the magnetic closure. Sure helps to keep everything inside where it belongs. Your SAL blocks are looking great! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2026/04/08/wednesday-wait-loss-479

MissPat said...

I need to make a new purse as the store-bought one I'm using isn't quite big enough to carry everything I need when I put my sunglasses and phone in it. Did you used webbing for the handles? I've always made fabric handles to match, but they seem to wear out faster than the purse itself. Those blocks Leanna sent you are so cute.
Pat

Deb A said...

Love your little house block! I think I'm going to have enough of my jelly roll to make the next 4 blocks =)

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

those are nice colors I like brown with blue - what will you be using your bag for? I have made some bags over the years but I'm not good with them I might use them a couple times and then they get put aside.

Laura said...

The tote turned out great! Clever to reuse the magnetic snaps and straps from a worn tote! :)

Libby in TN said...

Love your colors in the sew-along. I'm making some zipper blocks, thinking you are the one who introduced them to me ... ?

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Great idea upcycling the magnetic snap and the strap webbing, Diann! I love the colors in you log cabin blocks.