Yet Another Zentangle Rabbit

For some reason, everything around me seems to end up being about Bunnies. Why is that, do you think?! Let me show you the latest example.

 My Quilt guild runs a workshop once every month, and this past Saturday, we had Pat Ferguson, the Zentangle Quilter as our instructor. If you get a chance to have a class with her, take it. She is terrific. Very organized, and very clear. She had everything we needed in a kit, and took us through the steps in a thorough, yet entertaining way.

We started by drawing a Zentangle, then we enlarged it and quilted it. She gave us tips on what patterns would transfer well to sewing, and tips on overall design, also. After the pieces were sewn, she had us go back in with marker and pencil to add shading. Some of her quilts that she brought as examples were colored with crayons. I thought that would look good on this little guy, so when I got home, I added crayon. This is heat set with an iron. Remember to put paper between the quilt and your iron, to absorb the wax.

This is the back. You can see the corners that she had us attach to the back. A dowel can be inserted into two of these for hanging. The trick is, most Zentangles (obviously not this one!) are non-directional, so having corners on all four sides lets you change how you hang it. Isn't that a great idea? This was so much fun. I feel a few more might be in my future.

Blogiversary Giveaway

Yes! Finished my project, at last! What do you think of my Zen(tangled) Rabbit Grocery bag? I made it using the Fold-n-Go Green Grocery Bag Pattern  (I notice that their website says the pattern has been redesigned to be easier) from Oak Street Quilts and Embroidery. If you want to try making it, I'd just like to say that as long as you stay focused, and follow the directions step-by-step, you probably will have an easier time than I did.  At this time of year, focusing was a little difficult. I really like the result, though.

You may remember my little screen-printed rabbit, that I made when I took a Thermofax screen printing class from Linda Branch Dunn, with some friends. He is actually on what the pattern calls the back of the bag, but I prefer to think of it as the front.

And, on the other side of the bag are these flaps, and piece of elastic.

These allow the bag to fold up into its own little storage pouch.

What am I going to do with this bag? I'm going to give it away, in celebration of my two year Blogiversary. Yes, it's been two years since my Daughters grew tired of hearing me say that I'd like to have a blog someday, and that if I did, I would call it "Rabbits Eat Quilts". They conspired together (long-distance) to create the blog for me. On Christmas morning, I opened a package with all the information  that I needed to sign into my blog and start posting. It was definitely one of the all time best gifts that I have ever received. Not to get too sentimental, but I feel doubly blessed, both in my Daughters, and in the friends that I've made through this blog.

Do you like this bag? Want a chance to win it? Leave me a comment on this post. In your comment, tell us something about a favorite gift that you have received. Just keep it G-rated, OK? On January 1, 2012, at whatever time I manage to wake up (no promises about that!), I'll choose the winner at random from the comments. Good luck!

Oh, and what kind of shopping bag would this be if it went to it's new home empty? At the very least, it will contain the objects in the picture above. There may be a few more items finding their way into the bag. Lots of room in there!