A tote purse for Liz

I've had this idea to make a tote purse for Liz for a long time - something a little bigger to use as a purse that you could throw a book in, on your way out the door.  But not so big that you end up lugging everything around and hate carrying such a heavy bag.  Just right - but on the big side. 

So...

Here it is!

The sides are made from an old pair of kids jeans - and include the back pockets.  The outside is patchwork - done with a quilt as you go method.  Then a couple of 1/2 square triangles cut down to diamonds appliqued on both the front and back add a little something something.

 

I wanted to include one sneaky little dragon on this for some reason.  I think I want to add something whimsical to everything - but in this case I didn't want it to look like it was for a child... so I suppressed the urge to inclue pom pom trim.  

But I did include a Laverne and Shirley style "L" on one side.  Liz mentioned a long time ago that she liked that "L" and somehow it stuck with me.  Funny the things I remember.  The straps are added with little loops of fabric and metal hardware, so they'll lie down flat.  First time I've used this method to add straps.  

 

I hope she likes it!!!  Happy Birthday Liz! 

The reversible sling bag that wasn't....

I began with good intentions...!  Thought I'd try this reversible sling bag patttern from Sugar Bee Crafts.  I like her sample bag a lot, and thought it'd be fun to make one. 

What it isn't.
But then after I was 1/2 way done, I didn't like how thick the straps were on mine.  I used two layers of bull denim and a layer of quilt batting.  Too much.  So, I cut it down into a rectangular purse, and attached a narrower strap separately.

I also added an outer pocket - just sewn right into the bottom seam of the bag.  And a zippered pocket inside the purse.  And a magnetic closure.  So it's not reversible anymore.  And it's not a sling bag.

Following instructions really isn't my strong suit!  But I ended up with a fun new purse.  And it works for me.  I need the pockets.  Need them.   

What it is.
My reversible sling bag that is not reversible and not a sling bag boasts hot pink pom pom trim and the most amazing gold fabric ever.  I used up some flannel for the inside, and a little peek of Melody Miller Ruby Star for the slash pocket. 

Doll clothes for Elaine's birthday

A certain SOMEONE around here has grown to love American girl dolls.  Since she asked for a birthday party luncheon at the store with some girlfriends, I thought new doll clothes would be a perfect birthday gift. 

So I spent a couple of months whipping up some cute doll clothes.  It wasn't a surprise gift - she knew what I was doing and even picked out most of the fabrics herself.  But I worked on them at night, so she wouldn't see the end result until her actual birthday.   

On her birthday Elaine's paternal grandparents came over and we went to her school classroom for her "birthday walk."  Everyone goes around in a circle and each child in the classroom says something that they like about the birthday girl.  Then, Elaine read a book out loud to her classmates, called "Even Aliens Need Snacks," by Matthew McElligot.  Then we had "galactic pudding," for her birthday treat.  It was extra special, because Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grand Dad, and little brother were all there to celebrate.

Then we had a special birthday dinner at home.  Elaine chose Publix sandwiches.  The next morning Elaine's friends came over and everyone piled into the limo daddy hired, to head down to Miami for lunch and shopping.  What fun!  Thanks to Lani and Rosalie for coming with and helping me to manage with all the girls!

It became kind of a clothing collection!  Lots of mix/match pieces and a few fun dresses. 


 White jean shorts with colorful tank top. 

A fancy dress with matching black shawl - just for special occasions!

 

A few simple dresses... this first is a Popover dress - pattern by Oliver & S

 

A dress with a matching jacket/shrug... (Loved this free pattern for chloe dress/jacket by Imaging Gnats). 

 

And some casual outfits...

 

These skirts are actually the bottom of some old kid's sweatpants that were worn out...  one for each of her dolls, right?!!! 

 It was so much fun making all of these clothes, and imagining my little girl playing with them!  

Elaine, I love you SO much!  Happy birthday, my darling girl.  xoxo  ~Mommy

teacher gifts

I made some potholders for the kiddo's teachers this year for holiday gifts.  (They were completed before Valentine's Day, so still count as holiday gifts, right)?!!!  Between classroom teachers, beloved extracurricular teachers, and a couple of others, I had 8 of these to make this year. 

So, I've been wanting to try making circular potholders for a while now...  and decided to make them extra crazy with lots of scraps.  Hope they like them! 

Here are a couple of "close ups!" 

A Weighted Blanket

I made this weighted blanket for a little girl with sensory issues.  She is "girly," and loves the ocean and dolphins, so I used these blue-ish fabrics that said beach to me....and added in a little sparkle (top left) and a soft minky patch too.

 It's filled in a grid pattern with poly-pellets, so it is machine washable and dryable on low heat.  Mermaid and narwhals included!

I hope it is used and abused and well-loved! 

Puppets

Lainey's teacher asked me to make some puppets for the little theater they have in the classroom.  How fun!  I cut out some fun faces from a fabric panel by the amazing Suzy Ultman!  Then I just created the bodies and arms out of some crazy scraps.

I love how they came out! 

And I really love how they're used in the classroom.  The kids are learning about grammer and punctuation and writing dialogues... so they can use the puppets to act out the dialogues that they write!  

New dresses for Elaine and baby Kayla

So, as long as we're in the matching dresses phase, how about a set for Elaine and her little cousin Kayla?  We met Kayla for the first time a couple of weeks ago when her parents came to visit.  So good to see all of them!

I'm in love with this Melody Miller ruby star fabric - and just eked out the pattern in both sizes for the girls.  The pattern is a NO CLOSURE pull-on dress called bohemian babydoll by Elegance & Elephants.  


Here's a detailed shot of the bugs and pom-pom trim.... and the girls in their matching dresses! 

Thanks for coming to visit us!  xoxoxo

New dresses for Elaine and her friend!

Lainey picked out some knit feather fabric in a couple of different colorways and I made her and a dear friend matching maxi dresses for Summer. 

The best part about them aside from matching, is the cris-crossed cut-out back.  Which you can't see in the picture, of course!!!  Makes it a little tricky to put on - but adorable! 

 

The dress pattern is Malibu by modkid and can be found here.  Simple pattern with great instructions, and made really easy with fold over elastic!  I should probably make a few more of these... it's hard to find great knits though.    

The Contract

Next project:  sleeping bags for the kiddos. 

The contract: 

 

 

Please note the signature at the bottom.  The first block took me about 2 hours to piece.  It's going much faster now that I understand it though.....  Hopefully this will turn out great and be loved!

A Birthday skirt for an adorable friend

A friend from the neighborhood is turning 5 and though we couldn't make it to her party, I wanted to give her something special to mark the big event!   She's almost done with princesses and skirts w/ pom poms on them, so I had to go all out!

 

There's even a little bit of glitter in the fabric, on the crowns and tiaras.  

I LOVE making stuff for little girls!!!

And it's reversible!!!  

 

Couldn't help myself!!!  The fabric is from Kokka, bought at Superbuzzy.  

And the look on her face when she opened it was priceless!

 

241 tote for ME ME ME!!!

Not sure what took me so long, but I finally bought the 241 tote pattern and made a new purse!  Love it!!!  I did only one slash pocket on the outside, and added a zippered pocket on the inside to keep things secure.

Love this bag!  Perfect way to use the Melody Miller fabric I've been too afraid to cut into, also!!!  I love the crazy colors and retro feel of the ladies, transistor radios, and view finder reels!

I'm ready to start a 2nd one!!!  Lots of ideas for different fabrics to use.

March 2014:  just finished and sent off my 3rd quilt ever to a friend for Xmas 2013!  Began this one in June 2013 and only a few months late.  Luckily it's still cold in Minne, so it'll be put to good use! 

 

It's an improv style quilt where no two blocks are alike, with a row of flying geese on one side.  I've been wanting to try doing some triangles and this was a perfect chance.  There are lots of quirky black/white and gray/white prints in here.  Plus I included a few custom printed fabrics with an airplane drawing that Jack made, some scientific diagrams, and a quote from a favorite book.  

I used a quilt as you go method that I learned about here.

It was great because I was able to keep the blocks small and piece/quilt them individually, before finalizing their placement and sewing them together.  Then I just stitched in the ditch in various spots around the quilt to attach the backing - which is a charcoal gray polar fleece.  Super soft! 

Teacher Totes

Made some patchwork reversible tote bags for each of Jack and Lainey's teachers, plus a couple of other important people in their lives.  8 tote bags doesn't sound like THAT many, right?  It was 32 rectangles and 16 straps, and it took a little longer than I expected!!! 

But I love how they came out... and it was fun for the kids to give them away to the teachers.  They wrote a little note to go along with each one.

And why not hanging from the tree?!!  Here are a few closeups!