State fair sewing

I'm knocking out some easy little library book tote bags for the girls today.  They're very fast and, since they include some of PataPri's lively animal screen-printed linen, are very cute, if I do say so myself.  I feel like a lot of the sewing I've done since my daughter count has increased in the last year has been on projects I knew I could get done quickly.  With literally only a few minutes snatched from the chaos of every day to sew, I need the gratification of actually finishing something within a reasonable time frame.  Enter tote bags, cloth napkins, baby blankets, and the occasional small handbag.

Tomorrow, though, I'm heading to the NC State Fair where I'll get to ogle hand-stitched quilts, intricately smocked christening gowns, and fancy prom dresses that their makers took weeks, if not months, to make.  I love the sewing exhibits at our state fair. The fabric choices aren't always the ones I might have made, but you won't find a single whipped up or thrown together project among the many submissions.  I always walk away feeling humbled by the knowledge that I have a long way to go to improve my sewing skills.  Fortunately, I love sewing anyway, whether or not anyone would give me any blue ribbons.  (And I assure you, they wouldn't!)