a new messenger bag {yep, for me!}

I cut out the fabric for this bag at least a month ago.  But you know how it goes; you get busy with other things.  There hasn't been a lack of sewing around here.  Just a lack of sewing for myself.

I picked up this linen as a remnant and originally had plans to make a pair of pants for one of the boys.  But I've had it in my stash for a while, so I decided to make a new bag for myself instead, you know with spring coming at all.  I added some decoration to the front flap for a little interest to a neutral fabric: a few lines of blue straight stitching.

Look at this great print I used for the inside lining.  I have no idea what it's called.  I bought it at a quilt shop near my in-laws two Christmases ago.  It makes me giddy everytime I open the bag!

Not much thrills me more than a bag with lots of pockets.  So I added this green one on the back.  I also added some light green lines of stitching to the back in the bottom right corner, but you can't really see them.  In this photo, they look more like wrinkles.

I also added one of these small orange pockets on each side of the inside to hold keys at such.  These help with organization while accessibility.

And here is a green zipper pocket for hidden treasures . . .

I think my favorite part of this bag, though, is the strap.  That doesn't happen often, but I really, really like this print.  And because I couldn't get enough of it on the back of the strap, I had to add a few pieces to the front, too.

I tried to think a little differently for the strap attachment here.  I added buttonholes to the strap so I could attach it with buttons.  I also layered two buttons and placed a green bead in the center.  I thought this display might be a little more interesting that just a plain button.

Just lovely.  I can't wait to show it off.



And if you would like to see a kid's version, take a look at the messenger bag I made for Logan for his fourth birthday almost a year ago.

my two assistant cooks

Just like most kids, my two love to help in the kitchen . . . particularly when we make cookies.  So I made them these aprons to keep their clothes as clean as possible during the process.

Trent's apron is made using one fat quarter for the front and some extra solid fabric that I had laying around for the back.  I used another part of a fat quarter to make the pocket.

Yes.  These are cats.  The fish fat quarter was part of the bundle.  We're not a cat family, but I thought this bundle was kinda fun.

I used elastic for the neck band, but of course it ruffles (a point I forgot about when I chose the orange star fabric).  The neck band is a little girly, but I think a 2-year-old can get away with it.

I refashioned Logan's apron from a hand towel.  I have a set of these Crate & Barrel hand towels from years ago.  They are really great to look at but they are not the best for soaking up water.  So I convinced myself one would make a fine apron.

And I added a little apple applique for good measure.

I used some leftover fabric from Logan's lunch box for the pocket.  I love this fabric.  It adds a fun extra pop of color.

The one thing I might do differently next time would be the tie.  I created the tie to mirror my aprons: one long tie so it can be adjusted to pretty much any height and weight.  I can see how this would be necessary for commerical aprons, but it's really unncessary for my 4-year-old.  It's more of a pain than anything because I have to work to adjust it whenever he puts it on.  So next time, I will just make a neck band and regular ties similar to Trent's above.

These should bring us many happy cooking memories.  These aprons have also doubled as clean-up-toys-without-complaining aprons.  I guess they make work more fun, too.

happy birthday little bro

Today would have been my brother's 25th birthday.  So I made this mug rug to celebrate.  I can't even begin to describe how much I wish he was still here so we could all celebrate this milestone together.

I miss you, Jimmy.  Please continue to check on us once in a while.

Happy Birthday.

two new boys' shirts

It's still cold here, so I've been making the boys a few new long sleeve t-shirts.  I know it's getting late in the season for long sleeves, but I want to experiment with my patterns, improve my techinque, and see what kind of designs I can come up with.  It's really hard to find cute boy stuff out there.

I made this one for my 4-year-old out of t-shirt scraps from the t-shirt quilt (top).  I decided to try a raglan sleeve.  I totally love raglan sleeves, particularly for boys.  It's a great way to add interest (assuming at least two colors are used) without too much effort.

I didn't have enough solid red to make both sleeves, so I decided to incorporate the front lettering on the t-shirt into one of the sleeves.  This sleeve advocates supporting our troops.  It's a little different and, at first, I didn't like it.  But every time I see it, I like it more and more.  It's definitely unique which is always the goal.

I made this shirt for my 2-year-old out of a $10 very lightweight knit from Express.  After I brought it home, I realized why it was only $10.  The sleeve seams were crooked and the stitching came loose after the first wash (ah, the things you notice once you learn how to sew).  But I cut it down to a 2T size and it serves it's purpose.  I added some new white ribbing around the neck, and I really like the contrast.  I wonder how long it will stay white, though.

The USA patch came from a 12-month t-shirt that both boys have outgrown.  I have kept several of my favorites to reuse in the future.

Speaking of working on techniques, I added something a little more professional in this one.  I took a leftover strip from the hem and covered the back of the inside neck seam and shoulder seams (can you even tell?).  Most professionally sewn t-shirts have this. It really didn't take that much extra effort.  I also top stitched the arm and neck seams for a more professional look (and to tack down the inside seam for extra comfort).

Unfortunately, these details go unnoticed by most people.  I might not be able to crank out as many projects when I concentrate so hard on the little extras, but it makes me feel good to know that I really put a lot of energy into one project and did it well.

Watch out.  There will probably be more of these.

red, white, & blue (& green) quilted body pillow cover

This body pillow cover is for my dad for his birthday today!

He bought a body pillow several months ago to help comfort his aging muscles, but I heard from my sister that he was having a hard time finding pillow covers for it.  So I decided to make one from the fabric I had leftover from the Patriotic Salute quilt that I made for his 60th birthday last year.

I have a really annoying problem.  I don't like waste.  So when I figure measurements in my head, I only leave a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  This allowance is perfect for my sewing techniques, but when I measure something incorrectly, it throws off the entire project.  This pillow cover was supposed to be 18 inches by 44 inches.  The finished dimensions are actually 17.5 inches by 41.5 inches.  Sigh.

So he will have to use his 61-year-old muscles to jam that pillow inside this cover.

Oh well.

i didn't win a sewing machine, but . . .

I was one of the 10 finalists!  Out of 871 total entries!  I am indescribably excited.  I didn't do a lick of work all day because I was so excited.  Oh well!

Zip on over to Prudent Baby to see all the finalists and the winners.



As a really fun surprise, Valori Wells who designs for Free Spirit donated a yard of her fantastically gorgeous fabric to each of the 8 finalists who didn't win the sewing machines.  What a wonderful girl!  So I should receive my yard of randomly chosen fabric in the mail soon.  And check out Valorie's website.  She has 3 free quilt patterns posted that all showcase her fun fabrics.  This one is my personal favorite.

Now how do I explain to the hub that it's simply an injustice to own only one yard of this beautiful fabric?

two season potholder

This is my entry in the Prudent Baby Sewing Machine Double Down contest to win a new Brother sewing machine.  Of course my entry is last minute (today is the last day to enter), but if I don't wait until the last minute I will spend forever trying to perfect an idea, driving myself crazy to get every detail right.  Until, that is, it's the last minute anyway and I have no more time.

I call this a two season potholder not because you can use it for two seasons per year.  That would be ridiculous.  I named this one "two season" because, to me, each side resembles a tree in a different season.  This side with the buttons looks like a tree in spring with lots of colored, budding leaves.
 

After I placed the purple tree on this polka-dot fabric (it's Porcelina by Michele D'Amore for Marcus Fabrics that I picked up during my first trip to my local fabric shop a few months ago), I realized that I had another season: winter.  This tree reminds me of a bare tree in winter . . . with fabulous colored snow!

I wonder if these colors are too 1970's shag?  I really like the dark purple terry.  It's definitely not something I choose often.  I really didn't mean to mix so many fabrics, but I just went with what looked good at the moment.  Last (very late) night, I thought that these fabrics didn't really mix that well, but after I looked at it this morning, I decided that not only does it really not matter but I also kind of like these colors together.  After all, isn't one definition of creativity making uncommon combinations work together in a fun new way?  I thought so, too.

I followed Prudent Baby's tutorials here and here because I believe the rules required it.  I always forget how thick potholders can be with all these layers.  It really takes patiences and awareness to sew all these layers correctly the first time . . . two things that seem to disappear with every passing minute after, let's face it, 9pm.  And for a little extra fun, the loop I added at the top was made from the selvedge of the Porcelina fabric.  Now I can remember where to find more.

Wish me luck in the contest, unless of course you entered a potholder, too.  I will be hopping over to Prudent Baby on Monday February 14 to see the winners.  I'm sure they won't disappoint!