Red Telephone Box Travel Bag

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I had the idea of a Red Telephone Box quilt pattern for a long while.   As you know, I love old architecture, and I fell in love with the vine- and plant-decked Oxford windows.   So I added a Victorian street lamp along with a lit-up window – an Oxford window, if you will.  Once I had designed and made the block, it became obvious to me that I wanted to make a travel bag with it.

I not only finished sewing the bag, I also managed to make good progress toward an architecture-influenced painting.

 

 

Gothich Architecture Drawing | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After meticulously drawing out the previous symmetrical design with drafting tools, I changed my mind and reordered the elements in an asymmetrical fashion.  This is the planning sketch for the new drawing.

 

 

Gothic Architecture Drawing | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Now that the initial drawing is done, I will start adding shading and the ornamental details.  Then I get to start painting it.  Still a long way to go, but I enjoy getting lost inside a long project.

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After the last two Wandering Camera posts full of Oxford photos and the drawing, I couldn’t ignore the Red Telephone Box block any more.

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Last week I used my very own crossbody bag pattern to make this bag.  I had all the materials at hand, even a fire-engine red zipper.

As this was my One Monthly Goal, I am linking up with Patty at Elm Street

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

This blue fabric that I had been saving for a special project was perfect for the back.  I love that it has “Destination Adventure” printed on it.

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I pieced the red grid on my telephone booth.  However, for easier piecing, I also included pattern sections without the grid.  The grid can be added afterwards via a thick-width machine stitch.  The finished block is 12″, which I find to be a great size for fun projects.  The Red Telephone Box quilt pattern is available in my shop, if you wish to make one.

 

Now when I travel, I am all set to walk around in old cities carrying my camera, my little travel journal / notebook, even a sketchbook and colour pencils.  It’s even the perfect size for the day trips we love to take on weekends.

 

If you have missed the photos or want to revisit, here are the links for a few of my photos of Christ Church, Oxford –

Posts On England Travel – 2016

Oxford – Christ Church Part I

Oxford – Christ Church Part II

 

You can also still link up on this month’s Wandering Camera.

 

Happy Wandering,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.  

 

 

 

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Cast In Stone

Red Telephone Box Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I hope you are having a wonderful Spring.  My husband and I managed to sneak in a break together before he starts his new job today.

I have been going through some of the photos from last year’s England travel. Considering I made it to England twice within the last six months and am already planning my third visit to Scotland probably indicates how much I love the British Isles.  I try to not mention the turmoil of the world here because this is my happy place, but I could not stay away from that this time after reading the news yesterday.  My heart goes out to my British friends.

 

It is a beautiful country full of old history and lovely people.  A visit to Oxford was a must because of its beautiful architecture.  I fell in love with the vine- and plant-decked Oxford windows.  I had the idea of this Red Telephone Box quilt pattern for a long while now.  Browsing the photos rekindled the urge of designing this block.  So I added a Victorian street lamp along with a lit-up window – an Oxford window, if you will.

 

A few photos I took of the Oxford windows –

 

Christ Church College, Oxford England | Whims And Fancies

 

 Christ Church College

 

 

Christ Church College, Oxford England | Whims And Fancies

 

  Christ Church College

 

 

Exeter College, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 Exeter College

 

 

Magdalen College, Oxford England | Whims And Fancies

 

Magdalen College

 

All these stone structures inspired me to work on this watercolour sketch of a crumbling stone castle in Scotland.  I was practising painting the texture of crumbling stones as well as loose-hand painting.

 

 

Crumbling Stone Castle Watercolour Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

Van Gogh Watercolour Paint

 

I enjoy playing with different brands of watercolour paints.  Van Gogh watercolour is a student-grade paint made by a Dutch company called Royal Talens.  It is not very expensive, so I was really surprised by the quality of the paint.  They come alive even with the smallest touch of water and the colours are intense.  The paints blend with each other wonderfully, enabling me to create new colours very easily.  They are also quite permanent.  Unlike most watercolour paints, I couldn’t easily lift off the colours once they were applied.  Something to keep in mind before I put paint to paper next time.  I found the included brush to be a bit too stiff and harsh on the paper.  I wouldn’t recommend using it at all.  However, I highly recommend the paintbox.  The colours are also available individually, in tubes.

 

 

Red Telephone Box Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

  Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I was working on this block around the same time I was dabbling with the Van Gogh paint.  Since I love stone buildings so much, I used Stonehenge fabrics for the background.  I lit the lamp and the window for a warmer feel.

I pieced the red grid on my red telephone booth.  However, for easier piecing, I also included pattern sections without the grid.  The grid can be added afterwards via a thick-width machine stitch.  The finished block is 12″.  The Red Telephone Box quilt pattern is available in my shop, if you wish to make one.

It was nice to take break from the Harry Potter quilt blocks and work on something different.  I need a new day/travel bag, this block will be prefect for that.

Stay well,
-Soma

Luckily this was also my one monthly goal, which I am happy to say I have accomplished.  I am linking up with –

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal Finish March Linkup 

 

I am also linking up on Life Thru The Lens, Through My Lens, Our World TuesdayWednesday Around The World, and Friday Photo Journal along with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.

 

 

 

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