This Makes Me Happy

Isn't it great how just the smallest things can really brighten your day?  A couple of weeks ago I actually pulled out the sewing machine and made these pillows.

I found the flower print at Joann's and already had the chevron and yellow prints.  I really feel like the pillows really tie everything together.  The splash of color is still making me happy two weeks later.

Now I just need to put up some artwork, which is the story of my life right now.  

We have been working on Harper's room the last few weekends.  Her grandfather built her a loft bed. So we painted her room and the loft bed. Once we have it all put back together I will take some photos.  She is very excited about her new room.  

Chevron Maxi Skirt

 

I made this skirt several weeks ago, but never could find the time to photograph it.  Well, I had a nice post planned for today so that you guys wouldn't think that I had given up on blogging.  Then at the last minute it fell through.  I am still hoping to have it up in the next few weeks, but we will see.   I decided to wear the skirt this morning and have some quick photos snapped, so that I would have something to share here.  Miller took these photos for me and I didn't realize I looked so mad until I uploaded them onto the computer. 

 

Anyways, back to the skirt.  I have had this fabric in my stash for at least 2 years maybe even longer.  I finally decided it was time to use it.  I followed this tutorial and had the skirt finished in an evening.  I didn't have quite enough fabric to make an extra wide waistband.  I might end up adding some elastic to the waistband because it is starts getting droopy by the end of the day. 
 

We have been working on the former TV room.  We decided to make it into a playroom for the kids.  We painted the walls, trim, and ceiling last weekend.  So now we just need to get a rug and some window treatments.  Then decide which furniture is staying and what is going.  The plan is to have a garage sale this weekend.  If we can get rid of some of the stuff cluttering up my house maybe I can FINALLY have my house looking half way put together. 

Tie Quilt

Before we left on vacation I pieced the top of this quilt for Harper.  I was able to find a little bit of time this weekend to finish the blanket for her.  I originally made this quilt for her, which I still love.  Too bad my husnabd won't let me put it on our bed.  After living with the queen size bed in her room for many months, we realized it was just too big for her room.  So we put her back into a twin size bed.  I have been making due with the queen size quilt on her twin size bed, but it has been driving me crazy.  This quilt isn't as big as a twin size quilt.  I forgot to measure it to be able to give the final dimensions, but it is more of a throw size quilt.  We hope to eventually build her a loft bed for her room, so I didn't want to make the quilt too big. 

  

I came up with the design myself.  I ordered half yard cuts of the fabric, so I wanted to be able to utilize as much of the fabric as possible.  I used Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2.  I am happy with how it turned out. 

 I used a thrifted flannel sheet for the batting and an old sheet as the backing.  Harper wanted it to be somewhat lightweight.  I tied it in all of the corners where the different fabrics meet.
 


She loves it. You can tell it is just the right size for her. 

 

RH Baby and Child Inspired Tie Quilt

One of my friends is having a baby in a couple of months.  She is registered and Restoration Hardware Baby and Child.  After taking a peak at her registry, I knew I wanted to make her a blanket that matches the items she registered for at RH Baby and Child.  I was inspired by this quilt.

 

This blanket was so easy to make.  I used 1.5 yards of each fabric, so I didn't have to cut the fabric at all.  The top is kona cotton and the backing is a blue and off white striped ticking. I used a high loft batting, which makes the blanket really fluffy.

I marked where I wanted to tie with safety pins.  Then tied it off using these instructions. The finished blanket measures 42" x 52".

I love the simplicity of the quilt.  I kind of want one for myself now.

 

Reusable Lunch Tote

I was in desperate need of a new lunch bag to bring to work.  I have been looking for months and just couldn't find anything that I thought would fit my needs.  So I decided to make myself a lunch tote.  Now I can fit everything that I need and more into my lunch bag.

I used my Easy Teacher Tote Tutorial, but increased the size of the bag to make it roomier.

Here are the measurements I used:

4 Pocket Pieces-  8" x  9"

2 Exterior Pieces (home dec fabric)- 18" x 13.5"

2 Bottom Pieces (canvas)- 18" x 6"

2 Lining Pieces (canvas)- 18" x 19"

2 Pieces of Insul-Bright- 18" x 19"

I added a loop of elastic and button to keep everything inside cold and secure. When I boxed the corners, I measured in 4 inches instead of 2 inches to make the bag wider at the bottom.

Next time I might add a zipper and make the straps longer, but overall I am happy with the way it turned out.

 

 

Ric Rac Baby Blanket

I actually did a tiny bit of sewing this weekend.  I made a baby blanket for a friend. I used this tutorial, but I used cotton and minky for the back.

The minky I bought is SO soft.  Both of my kids had a fit over this blanket.

It is a really simple blanket and came together really quickly.

I would say I spent a total of one hour start to finish.  That's my kind of project!!  I think the rounded corners and ric rac add a nice touch.

It was nice to finish something, since it seems like our home projects are never ending right now.  I am not going to have a kitchen update this week.  I think I am going to hold off until it is complete, since we are just putting the finishing touches on.

Brownie Stitch It Patch Sewing Kit

I did something crafty last week.  Woohoo.  Last week I helped Harper's Brownie troop with a sewing project.  They are working on their Stitch It Patch, so I came up with the idea to have the girls sew a simple bag on the sewing machine.  The bag then could be used to hold sewing supplies.  At the end of the meeting each girl would leave with a sewing kit. 

I was a little nervous about teaching them to sew on the sewing machine, but they all did great.  I cut all the fabric and twill tape ahead of time to make it easier.

 

I just used supplies I already had at home, except for the scissors.  I also brought my sizzix and a bunch of felt so that they could cut out shapes to make flowers.  They loved cutting all the felt pieces.  It also put a good dent in my felt stash, which was nice.

All the little items fit perfectly in this little altoid tin.

My mom had a stash of them and she was nice enough to donate them for the project.

I let them pick some buttons and pins from my stash along with some needles and safety pins.

Everything fit neatly into their bag.  I think the girls enjoyed the project.  It did get a little chaotic, but overall I would call it a success.

One of the little girls used the felt to make a flower and sewed it to the front of the bag.  It was very sweet.  Hopefully some of them will be inspired to create some more wonderful things.

 

Baby Quilt Take 1

I made a quilt for a friend that just had a baby.  I used a super soft minky for the back.  I just quilted in the ditch along each row.  I used 9 inch squares with 4 of the squares cut in half, so that the squares are staggered. I was happy with how it was turning out until I added the satin blanket binding.  I took it off several times then finally it seemed like it was going well, so I just finished.  Now I keep looking at it and I am really unhappy with the wonkiness of it. Ugh.  I will probably end up taking all of the binding off again.

I liked the idea of the soft cuddly back and satin trim to make it more appealing to a baby, but now I am thinking about using cotton fabric to bind it.   Hopefully I will have take 2 next week.  

At least there is some proof that I did get some sewing done this week.

Happy Crafty Tuesday everyone.

Two Zip Hipster Bag

I finally found time to finish my Two Zip Hipster bag. 
I saw How About Orange's review of the pattern and knew I had to make one for myself.
I have found that if I break it into small manageable steps, I am more successful finishing projects.  I cut out the pieces one night.  Then interfaced the pieces the next night.  Then I completed the front piece with the pocket.  Then put the bag together.  It took all week to finish, but didn't seem like I spent hours slaving over it. 

The pattern is very detailed and easy to follow.  I love the front zipper, plus the top zips close so I can keep all my belongings nice and secure.  It is even big enough to hold an iPad, but doesn't feel huge when you are carrying it.  It even has an adjustable strap.  I would highly recommed this pattern. 

Here's a link to the fabric I used in case anyone is interested.

Silent Cinema

This week I am hoping to put together a baby quilt.

If you get a chance check out Sewcanshe.com today, she is featuring my Snack Bag Tutorial.

 

 

 

Christmas Craftiness

I kept it very low key this year for Christmas, but I did manage to sew this Super Hero Cape for my nephew.  It is reversible.  The other side is Batman.   I did not get any photos before I wrapped it up, so here are a few action shots.

 

 

I also put together a doctor's kit for my niece.  I made the casts using felt.  Then I purchased a bunch of medical supplies.  I found a real stethoscope on Amazon.com for $5.  I also printed off some x-rays.  I had fun putting it all together.

 

 

I also managed to make Miller the Angry Birds game.  Mitch and I painted all the rocks and then paired them with a slingshot.  He loved them.

 

 

Here's an action shot.

That was all the craftiness I could muster this year. 

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!