Philosopher Bags

I made one of my nieces a little book bag for Christmas.  She made some keen, although pehaps irreverent, observations at Christmas Eve mass and now I can’t help but think of her as the Philosopher.  But it got me thinking about childhood, and how every kid I’ve ever met is a philosopher, an artist, an explorer, a poet, a storyteller, a stargazer, a dreamer, ect.  So, I started making bags to reflect this.  I also made one that says Matriarch for my grandma for her birthday.  I have been using some of my orphan blocks that didn't find their way into Lucia's scrap quilt.  Here are a few samples...

I started using instructions for the reading list tote in The New Handmade by Cassie Barden.  Then I adjusted and modified the pattern to fit my needs.  

For the main panels, I used spiderweb blocks, a herringbone block (there's a tutorial for this on Stitched in Color), a free block pattern from Anna Maria Horner, a miniature diamond in a square and some flying geese.  I've got some left over log cabin blocks and a couple of silly birds that need homes as well.  

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.