Recycled Scrapbook Kit- Party Favors

I decided to spend a little more time on the party favors for Harper's Birthday Party, since I had to do very little preparation for the party. I did not plan it this way, but I was able to use supplies I had on hand and did not have to buy anything for this party favors. It felt so good to use up some of my scraps as well as recycle some cardboard from the recycle bin.

First I cut out the cardboard pieces. I used this tutorial as a guide.

I cut 4 sheets of plain paper in half for each journal. Then I sewed along the middle crease.

I am always afraid that I am not going to have enough so I made 22 journals to be on the safe side.

I used scrap paper that I had on hand plus some cards I had saved from various celebrations. I cut out different pieces by hand and also using my sizzix. I labeled all the envelopes. Then I placed everything in the envelope and tied each one with twine.

Hopefully the girls will know what to do with it. Really all they need is a glue stick and an imagination.

Easy Teacher Tote Tutorial

This week I worked on this super simple tote bag for Harper's teacher. Her last day of school is Thursday. Yikes. Can you believe it.? This tote bag would make a great gift for anyone and can be customized in so many ways.

I used the super cute Book Club embroidery pattern from Wee Wonderfuls for the pockets. I fell in love with these and knew they would make a great teacher gift, but didn't know for sure what to make with them. So I brainstormed and came up with the idea of a simple tote bag.

Here's what you will need:

Exterior Top: 2 pieces 15" (width) x 11.5" (length)

Exterior bottom: 2 pieces 15" x 5" (I used canvas)

Lining: 2 pieces 15" x 16"

Straps: 2 pieces of webbing 42" long

Pocket: 4 pieces 6" x 7" (I cut 2 of my embroidered pieces to this size)

Interfacing: 2 pieces 15" x 16" (I used craft fuse 808)

Place 2 of the pocket pieces right sides together. Sew along top edge. I used a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat with the other 2 pocket pieces.

Turn pocket pieces right sides out. Topstitch along the top edge. I decided to do two rows of stitches because I thought it looked nice. Repeat with other pocket pieces.

Center the pocket piece in the middle of the exterior top piece. Baste along the sides and bottom. Repeat on the other side.

Place the webbing on either side of the pocket like the photo below. Pin in place. Repeat on the other side.

Sew along both sides of the webbing. Repeat on the other side.

***Make sure to stop about 1/2" before you reach the top.***

Place the exterior bottom on top of the exterior top piece with right sides together. Sew along the bottom edge. Repeat on the other side.

Unfold the exterior pieces.

Iron the seam down on both pieces.

Follow the manufacturer's direction for the interfacing. Interface both exterior pieces.

Place the exterior pieces together with right sides together. Sew along both sides and the bottom.

Pinch the corners together and measure 2 inches from the corner. Mark and stitch along this line. Do this for the other corner too.

Trim the excess fabric.

Place lining pieces right sides together. Stitch along both sides and the bottom leaving a 3 inch gap for turning.

Box the corners the same way you did on the exterior pieces.

Turn the exterior of the bag right side out. You can see here that I stopped stitching the webbing about a half inch or more from the top.

Stuff it into the lining matching up side seams and making sure the straps are tucked inside and out of the way. Pin in place and then stitch all the way around.

Now birth your bag. This is my favorite part. Turn your bag right side out through the hole in the lining.

Sew the gap in the lining. Then press the bag.

Topstitch all the way around the top of the bag.

You are finished.

Please make sure to add a photo to the flickr pool if you decide to make one.

Taggie Blanket and Play Dog Bed

I am still trying to ease my way back into sewing. Don't want to overdo it, you know? I was definitely itching to make something though. Miller's teacher is pregnant and about to go on maternity leave so I made her a taggie blanket to go along with a bib and burp cloth set that I had already made.

Miller has been asking me to make him a dog bed for her his dogs, so I finally managed to make him one.

I was going to make a blanket, but he wanted it to be a sleeping bag. So it quickly became a sleeping bag.

Bailey was very interested in this new bed. She was probably jealous that I did not make it for her.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone!!!

Crafty Pillow Tuesday

Last week was all about pillows. My niece turned 4 last week. My sister-in-law wanted to make a reading nook in the corner of her room. So she requested some floor pillows to make the space nice and cozy. I spent way more time deciding on fabric and thinking about what kind of pillows to make then I did actually sewing the pillows.

I knew that I wanted to make the floor cushion by Living with Punks, so it was the first one that I tackled.

I also knew that I wanted to make the dress up doll pillow from the new Wee Wonderful's book. This book is so cute. There are so many dolls that I want to make from this book.

I had so much fun putting this pillow together.

All the pieces go in the back pocket.

Then I made a couple of simple pillows.

This one is 16" x 16' and has a soft furry pink fabric on the back. I thought it would be good for cuddling.

This one is 24" x 24". This was my first time to cover a button too.

Here's the other side.

I do have a couple of projects that I need to be working on, but my main focus this week is going to be operation de-stash.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone.