Welcome blog hoppers! I'm having a great time visiting all of the Fall-O-Ween blogs, and it's been fun getting to know all of you as I click on your comments and visit your blogs. Remember to leave a comment for each designer on their free project post; if you comment on all 10 designers we'll put your name in the hat for some great prizes!
Today is my turn in the spotlight, so let me tell you a little bit about myself. I've been designing patterns for over 15 years, and quilting since I was in college. Many of you are familiar with Atkinson Designs because of our best selling pattern Yellow Brick Road, but we also have over 25 other patterns and 12 books.
I especially like to make simple quilts that look like I worked really hard - figuring out shortcuts is the fun part for me.
Lately, I've been having lots of fun making little zipper bags. Since I couldn't find zippers in the colors I wanted, we now wholesale 36 colors of zippers to quilt shops in the US and Canada.
"Thank Goodness It's Friday" hasn't even entered my mind since I started Atkinson Designs because I get to do all sorts of fun stuff - like designing quilts, shopping for fabric, writing instructions, and of course, sewing. I get to work at my own pace and choose what I do each day. It doesn't get any better than that! My husband Kirk works with me doing all of the office things like shipping, ordering, etc.
We have two kids, and here is how they looked about 18 years ago. I thought I'd sneak their picture in for today's topic of fall clothes! Back in the "good old days" I made many of their clothes; polar fleece jackets and sweatshirts were especially fun to make because they were quick and easy, and sweatshirt weather is my favorite time of year.
My favorite candy would never be chocolate - I would choose candy corn! Today's pattern for you is a little "Sweet Zip" bag to hold your favorite candy. Two fat eighths (9" x 21") of fabric will make three "Sweet Zips" - one to keep and two to give as gifts. When you've eaten the candy, you can put a little pack of tissues inside. Download SWEET ZIP
I bet you think I forgot about Monday's orange fabrics - of course not! See the stripe hiding inside?
I hope I get to see your Sweet Zips - you can upload photos to our Fall-O-Ween Flickr site. Hop on over to the other designer's blogs and see if they are dressed for the weather! Gudrun, Sandy, Roseann, Kari, Heather, Terri, Carrie, Linda, Pat
Your zippy wallet is very useful but I am not sure if my chocolate will keep on staying there. It will only lasts for a minute.
Posted by: Air hostess training | June 02, 2011 at 02:51 AM
I loved make the sweet zip bag.
Posted by: Kim | November 02, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Thanks for sharing the cute little bag pattern.
Posted by: Debbie | October 08, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Had a grand time hopping around, great little zipper project to do.
Posted by: Terry B | October 08, 2010 at 02:04 PM
I love the zippy bag...can't wait to make a dozen or more. Love the blog hop. Ruth
Posted by: Ruth Hawley | October 08, 2010 at 01:24 PM
I'm not real good with zippers but I'm willing to give it a try. Love the pattern.
Posted by: Colleen | October 07, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Way too cute...thank you for sharing with us!
Posted by: Sharon | October 07, 2010 at 03:56 PM
Great fun! Thank you!
Posted by: Kimberly Burke | October 07, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Thank you for the 'Sweet Zips' pattern. This has been a great hop. What a clever garden hose decor idea.
Posted by: Bonnie | October 07, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Thank you I love your project
Posted by: Kay R Conger | October 07, 2010 at 08:32 AM
I love your patterns and am always so excited to find a new one in a shop. thanks for the treat bag pattern, it is so cute!
Posted by: Candace | October 07, 2010 at 07:57 AM
I bought the zippers yesterday and will make
these cute bags for my granddaughters and myself. Thanks
Sandra H
Posted by: Sandra H | October 07, 2010 at 07:05 AM
That's a great little bag--I'd love to make a few to hold all sorts of things! Thanks for the idea and pattern.
Posted by: Kim P. | October 07, 2010 at 02:28 AM
This was fun! Thanks for the pattern. These are perfect for the start of runny nose season. I hope they get used more for candy than tissues though!
Posted by: Kari | October 06, 2010 at 10:12 PM
I love the little pouch idea. Thinking of making these as Christmas gifts for members of my small quilt group. Thanks!
Posted by: Kristi Castanette | October 06, 2010 at 09:40 PM
I will definitely have to try this little pouch. Containers are such fun.
Posted by: patty 1 | October 06, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Hola hermoso trabajo!.Gracias.
Posted by: María Estela | October 06, 2010 at 05:56 PM
very cool idea1... love the instructions... easy to follow!
xs a bunch!
Posted by: Ilona | October 06, 2010 at 05:42 PM
Thank you Terry for your "sweet zip" design. It looks great. I've always been challenged putting zips in.... so I will try this one and let you know how I get on!! LOL..
Rainbow smiles from sunny Queensland, Australia
Posted by: Gloria J W | October 06, 2010 at 05:37 PM
Cute bag, will definitely need to try it. I just made your yellow brick road pattern this week for my baby coming in November and I LOVE LOVE it! You are a genius, thank you for an easy to read pattern that looks awesome when it's all said and done! Keep up the great work!
Posted by: AshleyG | October 06, 2010 at 04:36 PM
Very sweet little bags! I like the idea of having a zipper on it for tissues. Should keep them cleaner in the bottom of my (sometimes messy) purse!
Posted by: Edna | October 06, 2010 at 04:30 PM
What a cute project! Thank you for showing how to sew a zipper easily. I look forward to trying this out.
Thank you for your work.
Beverly in WA
Posted by: Beverly | October 06, 2010 at 03:47 PM
I love all of the zippers! Haven't made any yet, but I know of at least one person who is on her second rack of 36 zippers.
I have everything I need for one of your quilts and I've sworn to not buy anything for new projects until they are done. But . . . I have two nieces who are expecting babies and there are those time you just HAVE to break the oaths you've made to yourself. (I wish I could say those are the only time I've broken that oath!)
In any event, great project and great pattern. Thanks for helping put on this blog hop!
b/
Posted by: Brenda Wiseman | October 06, 2010 at 03:35 PM
Hi, cute little tissue case. Thanks for the pattern.
Posted by: Lila | October 06, 2010 at 02:50 PM
More zipper fun. Great little bag for a gift. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Trina Christenson | October 06, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Wondertful blog hop and givaway! Thanks for doing this for us all! YOU ROCK! Polly
Posted by: Polly | October 06, 2010 at 01:22 PM
I'll be making one of these little zips for my daughter! Thanks!
Posted by: Susan | October 06, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Love the pattern, thanks for the hop
Posted by: Karen Sikes | October 06, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Love it . My mind is full of ideas for this little treasure. Thank you!
Posted by: Claudia | October 06, 2010 at 10:58 AM
I am a huge fan of your patterns! Your instructions are always so clear and precise. This holiday season, I plan to make your little zippered bags for all the women in my family.
Posted by: Nicole | October 06, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Great bag! Thanks for sharing the pattern!
Posted by: Kara | October 06, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Came back to be sure I had left a comment. My typing is terrible. Love the zipper bag.
Posted by: patty Hall | October 06, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Thank you for the wonderful ideas.
Posted by: Ming | October 06, 2010 at 09:56 AM
YBR was my very first quilt! I made it for my daughter. It was so easy and I loved it so much, I bought a kit to make it again - for my daughter - again. thank you for the little pouch pattern. I'm sure I'll be whipping some up for christmas!
Posted by: Jen | October 06, 2010 at 09:42 AM
OK, this will inspire me to try a zipper again. Haven't done that since high school home ec. That was in.....let's see....1973?!!
Posted by: Kathy | October 06, 2010 at 09:25 AM
Thanks for the patterns! Those pouches are adorable.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 06, 2010 at 09:20 AM
Love the bags...and the photos...wow!
Posted by: Mary Ann | October 06, 2010 at 08:00 AM
This is so much fun!
Posted by: Kim | October 06, 2010 at 07:01 AM
Nice pattern! Thank you very much. Like the jack-o-lantern one.
Posted by: Wendy N. | October 05, 2010 at 05:43 PM
These bags are so cute! Thanks for the pattern and the cool blog!
Posted by: Loris Mills | October 05, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I have to tell you that your Yellow Brick Road pattern is my most used pattern ever! I have made it over and over. It is my go-to pattern for quick baby quilts and gifts over the years and I continually recommend it to my newbie quilting buddies.
Posted by: Sandy Narayan | October 05, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Thanks for the cute pattern. Can't wait to make one with my daughter.
Posted by: Susan J. | October 05, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Thank you for your sweet zip
Best wishes from France
Posted by: isa13 | October 05, 2010 at 02:03 AM
Love this pattern. Thanks, Terry! Love all the bags you've been coming up with. Think I'm gonna be busy for Christmas, making zipper bags!
Posted by: Trina Christenson | October 04, 2010 at 10:40 PM
That's just too cute!
Posted by: Stephanie D | October 04, 2010 at 10:28 PM
I love the size! Thanks
Posted by: Kathy | October 04, 2010 at 08:13 PM
I love the bag and the zipper!! CUTE!!
Posted by: Pam | October 04, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Cute zipper bags! Thanks for sharing
nsue21702 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Nancy Sue Phillips | October 04, 2010 at 04:01 PM
That's a really cute bag!
Billie
Posted by: Billie K | October 04, 2010 at 03:57 PM
These are adorable, as is the photo of your sons!
Posted by: teresamnj | October 04, 2010 at 01:35 PM
Such a cute idea!
Posted by: Mary Jean Price | October 04, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Lovely candy wallet! Now we can take snacks with us without it spilling inside the purse :)
Posted by: Pálína Björg Snorradóttir | October 04, 2010 at 12:08 PM
I am behind! Hope this is not a repeat. Love those wee bags.
Thanks for the freebie!
Posted by: Lola | October 04, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Wow, such fun projects!
Posted by: Diane F | October 04, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Gotta love those zipper purses. Everyone should have at least one. They make great gifts. Thanks.
Posted by: Deb C | October 04, 2010 at 09:51 AM
Great idea! I love little things that keep my purse in better shape!
Diane
Posted by: Diane Halstenson | October 04, 2010 at 09:38 AM
cute, cute, cute! all downloaded and ready to go :)
Posted by: Annette | October 04, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Thanks for the cute pattern!!!
Posted by: Beth | October 03, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Thanks for the pattern for the little zipper bag. Your instructions look very clear. They would make great gifts and I could use a few myself.
Posted by: MoeWest | October 03, 2010 at 10:50 PM
What a cute bag pattern! Thanks for the instructions. Happy Falloween blog hop!
Posted by: Loris Mills | October 03, 2010 at 08:16 PM
Great little bag. Love the bright colored zippers you've brought us. Candy Corn is the best!
Posted by: Kay B | October 03, 2010 at 08:09 PM
What a cute little ZIPPER project! Oh well I haven't tried zippers for a while. Maybe I should try this one. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Janet | October 03, 2010 at 07:53 PM
How adorable is that!? So many uses can be conjured up! Thanks!
Posted by: Cindy Martin | October 03, 2010 at 07:43 PM
these can be pretty useful, for all kind of things
thanks
Posted by: Lil | October 03, 2010 at 05:28 PM
Great little project-even though I am scared of zippers
Posted by: Nancy | October 03, 2010 at 05:20 PM
Super cute! I will definitely make some of these.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 03, 2010 at 05:17 PM
thank you very much !!!
Posted by: carin | October 03, 2010 at 04:16 PM
What a sweet little project - I have to admit,I'm kinda scared of zippers, but I think this might lure me over to the zipper side - at least I think I can do something small like this.
Posted by: Amy | October 03, 2010 at 03:44 PM
Great project. Thank you for the instructions. I just love the look of yours using the Halloween fabrics. That makes them look so seasonal. Love that.
Posted by: VickiT | October 03, 2010 at 03:09 PM
This was my first time ever making a bag with a zipper and I know now it will not be the last. I love how easy the pattern was and made three as you suggested. Thanks for a great pattern and for participating in the blog hop.
Posted by: Gale Lavers | October 03, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Wonderful pattern!
Will make lots for gifts!
Posted by: Lori Genovario | October 03, 2010 at 02:17 PM
Love this pattern....thank you, thank you!!!
Posted by: Dandelion Quilts | October 03, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Thank you for the zipper bag pattern. Phyllis
Posted by: Phyllis Jobe | October 03, 2010 at 11:14 AM
What a cute pattern! These will make great stocking stuffers and gift exchanges. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Amy Roth | October 03, 2010 at 09:23 AM
Ooooh so cute!! Thankyou so much for sharing them with us all, I can't wait to make a few, they will make great gifts filled with some little goodies :)
Posted by: SoozeM | October 03, 2010 at 08:33 AM
What a great project, I can't wait to make it! Kim
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawnxHP2kbB_LZYm01LsKFONoBKoD_oKk_ZU | October 02, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Sweet little bag! Our sewing group meets at my house on Wednesday. I think I'll have zippers and pattern ready for them to try out!
Posted by: Lynn Koeppen | October 02, 2010 at 11:04 PM
Your project is going to be my qifts for Christmas.... TOOO Freakin cute:)
Posted by: Lisa Arndt | October 02, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Fun fun fun! What's so tough about Zippers? Thanks for all of your tremendous patterns!
Pam P
Posted by: Pam P | October 02, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Day after day the blessings just keep coming. I have enjoyed this blog hop so much. Thank you for sharing all of your goodies! The little bags are very cute. Happy fall to you!
Posted by: janita | October 02, 2010 at 08:59 PM
Thanks for the pattern. I'm thinking these will make some cute Christmas gifts in some stockings.
Posted by: Deb Worthman | October 02, 2010 at 08:46 PM
I LOVE the Sweet Zip! I have been making Cash N Carry in all different sizes! Love the zippers in all the colors! They are so perfect and are being carried at all my favorite quilt shops--yeah! Thanks so much for all you do!
Posted by: Barb | October 02, 2010 at 08:18 PM
I am new to your blog. Came by way of the Fall-o-ween Blog Hop. When I saw this post and you mentioned the Yellow brick road pattern I was soooo excited! I have been looking at that pattern in our local quilt shop, wanting so bad to make it but too many projects going right now. Its nice to meet you! :) L.O.V.E the sweet zips!! I am definitely going to make some of those. Thank you so much for the pattern and your inspiring photos!
Posted by: Chris | October 02, 2010 at 05:31 PM
These are a great gift idea!! I'm always looking for great gift ideas...thanks!
Posted by: Dawn | October 02, 2010 at 04:47 PM
Fun idea. Zippers are a piece of cake. Soooooo cute.
Posted by: Laurie | October 02, 2010 at 03:43 PM
can't wait to make this little bag. Just joined groovy girls and I love it. I have nearly all of your books and some patterns too. Thanks for all thegterat ideas.
Posted by: Beth | October 02, 2010 at 03:23 PM
Thanks for the great pattern and zippers don't scare me! Can't wait to try it.
tlfields@email.com
Posted by: Teresa | October 02, 2010 at 01:51 PM
I love making bags - so versatile - thank you!
Posted by: krisgray | October 02, 2010 at 01:11 PM
mmmmm.... today i got sidetracked by the candies pictured and almost forgot that the fabrics are the treats. better go feed this sweet tooth. LOL
Posted by: nana | October 02, 2010 at 12:24 PM
Great project!
Posted by: Leah Holland | October 02, 2010 at 11:52 AM
This is great! I can't wait to get started ... what a great gift idea!
Posted by: Megan Z. | October 02, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Very cute... I might struggle with the zipper part though :( But I'll give it a go!
Posted by: AmyBB | October 02, 2010 at 08:41 AM
your Zipper pouches are so cute!
Posted by: PeachRainbow | October 02, 2010 at 08:33 AM
what a wonderful idea ... thanks for sharing .. :)
Posted by: Grace | October 02, 2010 at 08:02 AM
Love your project how cute. My 2 yo loves putting things in zippered anything so I think I will make him one today. Thanks
Posted by: Jennifer | October 02, 2010 at 07:23 AM
Love the little zippy project...I have never worked on something so small with a zipper...should be fun.
Posted by: denniele | October 02, 2010 at 07:05 AM
Terry,
I love these bags...they are easy to make. Thanks for the pattern!
Posted by: Eileen | October 02, 2010 at 07:02 AM
love the bag, super cute, thanks
Posted by: Stacey | October 02, 2010 at 06:56 AM
Great pattern! I love all the colored zippers I see in the shops.
Posted by: Kim Juilfs | October 02, 2010 at 06:53 AM
cute little bags, I love them a lot! I made a few myself too, they are so useful. I love your fabric choice.
Posted by: Kristina | October 02, 2010 at 05:12 AM