HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

While my mother is far away, Craig's family is just a short(ish) drive away, and we have just returned from a Mother's day weekend trip to visit them. My mom is coming in less than two weeks! ( I can't wait!!!) So, her gift cannot be revealed at this time!

Pictured here are Craig's mom and Grandma holding their fancy new bags!

Mary's bag (Left), is meant for the beach-made with a heavyweight and easy to clean fabric from the remnant bin at JoAnn's. The bag is complete with a front pocket and poly-pro straps-simple and roomy!

Grandma Pate's bag (Right), will hopefully be replacing the "shopping sack" that she currently uses for weekend trips such as this one. The outside is a gorgeous home-decor print (also from the remnant basket!) and has a seam divided pocket. The lining is a heavy canvas type material, and soft belting makes up the straps.

No patterns for either bag , just creativity and some unintended innovation (like the seam separated pocket which was added post-haste in order to keep the pocket from flopping open)


Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!! (Love you mom!)

Project: Camera Cases

I got a super slim camera for Christmas this year and have been looking for the perfect little case ever since.

I whipped up these cute little pouches one day and fell in love! They are the perfect size to snuggle my camera.

All you do is sew two pieces of fabric together with some batting in-between...give it a bit of a quilted look, fold up an end for a pocket, and surround with bias tape. Add a snap and hide it with a cute button. Viola!

BFF+Peace Corps+Africa=Bday Surprise!

Long time best friend Lauren is in her 7th or 8th month of the Peace Corps where she is serving in Africa! She is the most amazing and wonderful person and we're rounding up a little birthday package for her. Minus one more thing I hope to finish up today, here's my contribution.

Pack of headbands in very Lauren colors. You don't even know how Lauren these are. I used no pattern, just cut two 17"x2" strips of fabric (scraps) and a 6" piece of elastic. I sewed the strips right sides together, turned inside out, and sewed the elastic in (1" on both sides inside the fabric). I know there are more complex ways to make headbands to look a little nicer, but we were going for simple here.

And a super cute messenger bag so she can slop her stuff around easily on foot or on her bike. The outside is a super soft plaid and the inside is kind of suede-y feeling. I got both from the remnant basket at JoAnn's 75% off!). No pattern for this one, I just kind of winged it.

I should really get a better model.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!

Update: Finished up the last bit of the gift! Fun little tote- super cute fabric from an awesome freecycler!

Project: Boxy Pouch #2: Giant Edition

I cooked up another boxy pouch- perhaps to act as a new toiletry case of sorts. This one is quite bigger than the first and I did the lining a bit differently so that it looks all neat and tidy inside.

By far one of my favorite things yet. I've ordered some webbing from www.strapworks.com and plan to add a small handle on one end. If I ever do, I'll be sure to show it off.

I just can't get over the cuteness that is this fabric. Love it!

Project: Soft Baby Blocks

Found some wonderful fabric at JoAnn's and a great tutorial for soft baby blocks.












This was incredibly easy and would be a cute gift for babies. Perhaps I'll make some more and do just that.

Project: Boxy Pouch

My introduction to zippers turned out to be quite successful with this "boxy pouch." For my practice pouch I used a zipper ripped from a bag of dress-making scraps I received from a fellow free-cycler, and some scrap fabric I had on hand. It turned out better than I expected- although it will probably never be used because it's not very stiff, and is extremely sloppy.

BUT my second attempt...I am in LOVE with! I added a lining and some interfacing to stiffen it up a bit, and I'm exceptionally happy with the outcome. It is my official make-up pouch now. The fabric and lining are from JoAnn's and I learned how to do it from this excellent tutorial.These are so easy and fun to make. If I had more zippers, I would never stop!

Project: Vintage Apron

I completely fell in love with this "Juicy" print by Alexander Henry and when JoAnn's put it on sale, I jumped all over it. Looking back, I wish I would have gotten more than 2 yards but I think I can squeeze two aprons out of that. I plan on making one with light green bias tape on the edges instead of yellow for Kristin. The pattern is McCalls.


I LOVE this apron from far away, but honestly I'm really unhappy with it up close because the stitching is not only messy but is in green thread which totally does not look good. It sounded good in my head, but I'm debating ripping out the showing stitches on the bias tape and re-doing them with yellow thread. We'll see.

Also, I REALLY wish I had a dress form...someday. For now, I'll use my ironing board to show off my creations.