Lil Cutie Bag

After I used my new purse for a little while, I still found that somethings got lost in the bottom.  So, I made a little bag to keep my lip gloss from getting lost, and used Anna's lil cutie bag tutorial. It was super easy to follow.

I had the pink zipper in my stash...and it just happened to match some of my cherished Meadowsweet fabric.  I also added a green ricrac remnant for fun, and used scraps of the Michael Miller strip I used for my girls' reading pillows.   A perfect scrap-buster project.

Lined up to The Girl Creative. 

Belated gifts

I am the queen of good intentions.  I have a list of projects I want to do...I just don't always prioritize very well.  Case in point.  Here is my dad's Father's Day Gift.  I only gave it to him a few weeks ago.  I'm still sorry about that.

I had seen this idea on Anna's blog, had the covered button kit...but just didn't get it done on time.   I was thrilled to see my dad using one of the bookmarks the last time we visited. 


Second example...a fabric basket for my brother.  He needed something fun for his home.  I used cut up jeans for the handles and bottom.  It was only a couple weeks late this time.

I share this info, if only to make myself more accountable.  I don't want you to think I am perfect in anyway.  I've got my weakness and foibles like everyone else.  I guess the conclusion is, I still got it done.  Hopefully I can reduce your guilt-load and mine as well.

High school star to preschool wonder

My husband comes from a large family.  His youngest brother just graduated last spring from high school, and recently gave my football-obsessed preschooler his practice football jerseys.  My little boy was so thrilled, but they fit like a nightgown.  Some tailoring was in order.

Notice I used safety pins on the shoulders.  My son was so scared I was going to poke him with my regular pins.

I preserved the neckline, just cut it down so the shoulder seams would be the right size.  I also trimmed down the sleeves, both from the shoulder seam in and from the bottom of the sleeves.  I cut down one side, and then folded everything in half to try to keep each side somewhat symmetrical.  It's definitely not perfect.  Next comes reconstruction.

I sewed the sleeves in just as you do any cap sleeve.  Sorry I forgot to snap a picture of that!  Then, I sewed the sleeve and sides closed.

I didn't hem the bottom.  I don't think the synthetic knit will fray too much.

Are you ready for some football?

Linked up to Be Different Act Normal, Along for the Ride, Under the Table and Dreaming, Sew Can Do, and Skip to My Lou, and Texas Monkey.

Jump Rope Dresses

Before I packed up my sewing gear and treasures, I had to finish one more project...dresses for my girls.  I had wanted to make the Oliver + S Jump Rope dress pattern for fall, and the Sew Mama Sew Sew-Along was extra motivation.  This is also my only contribution to Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge.  I just couldn't get moved in enough this week to do more.  :)

The fabric is Anna Griffin that I bought on sale last winter.  Originally I thought I might make Easter dresses with it, but it was heavier than I planned on, so fall was a better choice.  The contrast fabric was one I found at our local fabric store.  I loved the vintage feel of it.  The diaper cover was made using Dana's tutorial and pattern.  

The dresses felt a little too plain, so I thanks to Destri's motivation, I designed some posies to go in the pockets.

I appliqued and embroidered the designs before I added the sleeves.  You can see the blue marks indicating where the pockets belonged.

For baby's dress, I added a butterfly because she is so enamored with butterflies now.  Notice how I centered the appliques so the dots on the fabric became the flower's center?

Here's Baby trying her dress on the day I finished it.

The best part?  She kept pointing to the flowers and butterfly and saying, "Cute!  I gike it!"  (Translation, gike=like.) 

Here are my girls sporting their new dresses before church a few weeks ago:

Linked up to Just a Girl, and Creation Corner, A Few of My Favorite Things, and Kojo Designs.

Wedding Gifts

We had a few weddings take place in our neighborhood in August.  I wanted to share the gifts I made, maybe you'll get some idea for the next time you have a wedding to attend.

First up, pot holders.  I custom made these to match the bride's chosen kitchen colors.  I used Amy's tutorial.  although this time I doubled the batting rather than the insulbright.  I made my own bias tape, with some of the fun Anna Maria fabric left from my girls' blouses. 

For another gift, I took some fun china I bought at the local antique store, and put the bowl and tea cup together to make a fun candy dish.

Inside the dish is homemade salt water taffy.  I included the recipe (in the sheet protector below).  The card included the admonition to make life sweet for each other.

All wrapped up and ready to go.

Cell Phone Cozy Tutorial

I am very late to the whole cell phone thing.  I had one from college years, but finally returned it to my parents and was happily cell free for a while.  However, with the move and needing to communicate with my husband, we broke down and got our own cell phones.  I even send text messages to him.  It's great, like slipping notes in class behind the teacher's back.  I know, welcome to the 21st century, Chris.

When I made my purse, I realized that I would lose my phone in the bottom and never find it when I needed to.  I saw Larissa's adorable wool cozy on mmmcrafts, and wanted to make one to coordinate with my purse.  I took pictures as I went, so now you can make one too. 

You will need:

• Larger scraps of fabric
• Fusible fleece.
• Coordinating thread.
• Twill tape.
• Sewing supplies.

Step One.  Determine the size you need, and cut your pattern pieces.  My cell phone is approximately 3" by 5".  So I doubled the width, and added 1/2" for seam allowance, and then added 1" for the height.  Thus, I needed two rectangle pieces of fabric that were 7" by 6".  Cut a rectangle of fusible fleece that is slightly smaller than your two rectangles.  I cut mine 6.5" by 5".  Finally, cut your twill tape to length.  I used 16" because I wanted to be able to tuck the cozy inside my purse.  So to recap, you need:

• Two rectangles, one for the outer piece and one for the lining. (Mine are 7" by 6").
• One smaller rectangle of fusible fleece.  (Mine is 6.5" by 5").
• 16" of twill tape for a leash.

Step Two.  Prepare your outer piece.  I wanted to include the scraps left over from my purse, so I pieced this outer piece together.  Totally up to you.  Just be sure your final piece is the correct dimensions.

Notice that the fleece is smaller...this allows the seams to not be too bulky. If you do piece the outer rectangle, quilt the top to the fleece by some quick "stitch in the ditch" seams. 

Step Three.  Assemble the cozy.

Be sure to clip the corner as shown.  This will reduce bulk and help you have a sharp corner.  Turn right side out. 

You can baste the tape by sewing a short seam 1/8" from the top.

Step four.  Prepare the lining.  Take your lining piece, and sew a seam along the long edge.

Turn the outer piece wrong side out, and tuck the lining inside, so that the right sides are together.

Be sure to trim those loose threads!

To close the lining, tuck the open end in 1/4".

Sew the edge closed with a seam 1/8" from the edge.

Step five.  Final touches.

You could just stop here, but I like to secure the lining by sewing along that top edge.  Plus, it's fun to have that lining poking up don't you think?

This little number has been a life saver.  I always can find my phone when I need it.  Now to get faster at texting....

Featured on Craft Gossip, and IShare Crafts. 
Linked to Someday Crafts, and Somewhat Simple.

A purse for me

I have not made much for my own personal use.  I purchased some Joel Dewberry Deer Valley fabric for Christmas last year, hoping to make myself a purse.  Nine months later, I finally did it.

The purse was made from the Ali Foster Pleated Purse Pattern.  I shorted it one inch in length, because I'm short, and it seemed a little long.   I also customized the lining.  I knew I'd want to keep things a little more organized, so I added a inner zipper-closed pocket on one side.  I used my Pedicure Kit Bag tutorial as my guide. 

After using it for a few weeks, I wish I'd put the pocket up about two inches, but other than that I'm happy with it.

On the other side of the purse, I added a large pocket with an elastic top, a small lined pocket for business cards, and a bias tape loop to hold my keys.

I have now used it for a couple weeks, and I LOVE it. 
What kinds of "selfish" sewing projects would you like to tackle?

Oh, did you notice the matching mobile phone cozy?  I was inspired by Larissa.  You can find the tutorial here:



Linked to Sew Can Do, Skip to My Lou, Shannon Makes Stuff, and Blue Cricket Design.


Entered in Christie's Purse Week Contest.

Icy-hot packs for my little ones

I don't know what it was this summer, but we had an over-abundance of bumps, bruises, and owies.  Like this one:

My go-to help is an ice pack.  We had one of those gel ones, but it started leaking.  I saw an idea for using a small rice-filled bag as both an ice pack or heat pack as needed.  (Sorry I lost the bookmark where I saw it!)  So, I decided to make one for each child.

I pieced the flannel tops from scraps that I had in a bag, trying to reduce my stash before moving.  The backing was sewn right sides together on three sides.  I turned the bags right side out, and then filled the bags half-full with plain rice...and a secret ingredient.

I added a chai vanilla spice tea bag, not that I drink tea.  Rather because I dislike the smell of mircowaved rice.  The type I bought had a small staple which I removed.

I then sewed the bag closed.

I now keep these bags in the freezer, ready for the next hurt, however minor.  They will stay cold for about 10 minutes.  If you have sore little muscles, you can heat the bag in the microwave for about 15-45 seconds, depending on your appliance.  Test to make sure it is not too hot before you place the bag on yourself or your child.  Thus, icy or hot, depending on the need.

What small things do you do to comfort your kids when they get the inevitable bumps and bruises of childhood?

Featured on Craft Gossip!
Linked to Under the Table and Dreaming, and House of Thrifty Decor.