Bucket Bag....Island Batik Style....

....so the challenge this month is to use either foundtion paper piecing--FPP or English paper piecing--EPP....and since I feel quite confident with FPP the only obvious choice would be to try something new--let's give EPP a go!!

This 10" stack--Spirit Rhythm by Bella Nonna for Island Batik has been just calling my name since I received it in the second box of fabric from Island Batik this summer.

I really had no plan...other than to just start making a few hexagons and see how it goes.

Aren't these colors just SOOOOO great!! Glueing the little shapes was quite fun--I had to stop myself from making too many--because I hadn't tried sewing them together yet!!!

Then comes 6 inches of wet heavy snow on Sunday....some of it had already melted off the sidewalks here....

....which led to some Slow Stitching by the fireplace...one thing I learned is to use a thin sharp needle. My first set of sewn pieces were a little chunky--but I am calling it "charming"!!

I had found the free pattern for this Bucket Bag on Sharon Holland Designs blog HERE. The challenge came using 10" stacks instead of yardage for the bag construction. So I improvised by adding a little extra piece to each strip to make them long enough.

I even patchwork pieced the pocket sections.

Then since I just couldn't stop playing with the colors in this collection--Spirit Rhythm-- I cut 1/4" strips to make the tassel...

...so pretty....

....tied the strips together with one of the 1/4" strips...

...then wrapped another strip over the tied area, secured it with glue and clamped it together until it was dry.

This is such a scenic place on the river near our home. We have used this bridge and surrounding landscape for many family photos, so I thought--why not try it for Island Batik projects--and I like it!!

Look for these gorgeous fabrics in your quilt shop--if you don't see them--ASK for them you won't be dissappointed!!