There will be thirteen themed totes and three individual artworks up for bid for ToteTuesday on Tuesday, February 9.

A Preview will be posted on Monday, February 8 on my website.  Check back here on my blog for a link.  That same webpage will also be the Auction on Tuesday, February 9 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. CST.

Why the change? So MANY great totes — time to move to my website so you don’t acquire carpal tunnel from scrolling, scrolling, scrolling on my blog.

I’m working on the Preview page right now and, believe me, you are going to need some time studying the Preview on Monday to map out your strategy for bidding Tuesday.  The Opening Bids/Go For Gold bids won’t be listed on Monday to avoid a premature bidding war.

Of course, 100% of the proceed are donated directly to the American Cancer Society. The first five totes raised $1518 for the American Cancer Society; how high can we go this Tuesday?

What can I tell you about the totes that will be up?  Some have custom-made totes which are worth the opening bid all by themselves.  But then the generous donors have stepped right up and stocked their tote with special items to inspire your creativity.  Perhaps an example is in order:

This is the Thread Calligraphy tote sponsored by Sue Kelly:

Lined tote bag made by Sue Kelly with hand painted canvas and hand painted canvas straps. The background is a colorwash of acrylic fabric paints. Paintstik rubbings add interest with more visual texture and color. Thread lettering done by Nancy Kazlauckas with metallic thread. The word ‘imagine’ appears on one side of the bag, ‘create’ appears on the other side.

Detail from Thread Calligraphy tote

The contents of the bag include a book, Thread Calligraphy by Nancy Kazlauckas, a pattern called Coneflower also by Nancy which includes instructions and stencils, four fat quarters of hand-dyed fabric by Brooke Strassburg, and a package of micro brushes which have an amazing number of uses.

What a beautiful combination of form and function.

The other twelve totes up for bid on Tuesday will remain a secret until Monday, but here are mini-previews of ALL the totes to be offered Tuesdays in February. There will only be two more ToteTuesdays after this one!