Thank you for all of the nice comments.
The bag is a Bow Tucks. You'll need the pattern, but there is a tutorial here for it. Lots of great tips. The bag isn't hard to make at all, and the directions are very clear.
The table runner is called Spicy Spiral. Although it turned out to not be difficult, I am glad I did my first one in a class. I think somebody may be considering a tutorial for that, too? Several people have made them recently.
My buddy is Six b/c when we got him as a kitten, our older DD was taking French and he has six toes on all of his feet. He's huge - close to 20 lbs., but does not know he is a cat. He believes himself to be a baby, or possibly a dog. Loves attention, his favorite positions are in my arms like a baby or lying next to me with his paw across me. DH says absolutely no more pets, so I hope we have him for lots more years!