One Hour Bag

For my sister (in-law) on her birthday I made this purse from a tutorial I found over at Ric-Rac. The tutorial is very detailed with lots of great pictures. This was my biggest sewing project so far and it went so smoothly thanks to the wonderful directions!

There is a little pocket inside and I couldn't find the magnetic snaps, but I did get a large snap from the sewing section at Wal-Mart. I think they were $2 or $3 for a set of 3.

I'm also really excited about the button embellishments! I purchased a little kit from Jo-Annes for around $3 so I could make matching buttons to add a little pizazz to the straps. 

If you aren't up for making your own, you can check out some of these great bags I found on Etsy.

Deer and Mushroom Bag

Freebird Emma

Colorful Songbirds Buttercup Bag

Birdie Sling Handbag

The Pixie Handbag

Buttons n Arrows

Slouchy Shoulder Bag

Knitted Handbag

Peek A Pink Handbag

Bean Bag Tutorial

I realize bean bags are pretty self explanatory, but the kids and I threw these together last night and they were so fun! I am just learning how to sew, and this tutorial could benefit someone who is a newbie like me!

Supplies needed:

Fabric squares - 2 for each bean bag

Thread

Beans 

**I used 5" squares and black eyed peas. One bag of black eyed peas filled approximately 3 1/2 bags.**

I had purchased a couple of baggies of fabric squares from Designs by Jamie a while back and they were the perfect size for this project. I went with some funky color combos. Colors that were the same and/or looked good together, but not necessarily 'matching'. 

First, place fabric squares right side together and pin. Sew all around the 4 edges leaving a 2" opening for turning. 

Trim the corners and turn bean bag right side out. Now, place a funnel in the opening and fill about 3/4 full of beans. I used black eyed peas because that is what I had on hand, but you could use any kind of bean you would like. If you want to fill them fuller you may have to hand stitch the opening. The kids can help with this part too. Mine loved it. (I got a 4 pack of funnels from Wal-Mart for $1.)

Now just fold in the open edge and do a little top stitch! So simple, and the kids absolutely loved playing with the bean bags.

I'm already planning on who to gift these to! These would be perfect for my nieces and nephews as well as my kids friends. You could do themes, colors, fabric appliques.... 

If you don't want to make these yourself I would love to do it for you! Click on the contact me tab above and we can work something out. Thanks!

Tea Bag Valentine's

I just couldn't resist sending you over to Tatertots and Jello for this cute guest post on Valentine tea bags.

And you could always put these together with my previous post on tea bag wallets.

Strawberry Bread

This recipe is actually from a Wilton cake pan. It is super yummy and a little more like cake than bread. A simple idea for a hostess, get well, or thank you gift or just to say 'I'm thinking of you.' When I make the recipe for my family, I pour most of the batter in an 11"x6" pan and the rest in a small bread pan. Then after the bread cools, wrap it in plastic wrap and tie a pretty ribbon around it.

Strawberry Bread:

3 Cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 packages (10 oz each) frozen strawberries including juice
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

(**I have found it tastes best with fresh strawberries and pecans**)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray pan with vegetable pan spray. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine strawberries with juice, eggs and oil. Pour strawberry mixture into flour and stir just until flour is absorbed. Stir in nuts. Pour into prepared pan; fill 1/2-2/3 full. Bake 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pan. Cover pan with a flat surface and turn pan over. Bread releases on to flat surface. Makes 8 cups batter.

This is good plain or topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Enjoy!

Valentine Flask

I have never been much of a drinker and my husband isn't either, but for some reason I have always been drawn to interesting and different flasks. I have been brainstorming different uses for them besides alcohol just so I can get this one for my husband.

Isn't it unique? It would be so great for Valentine's Day with that sweet little heart on it. It is made by Moxie and Oliver, and they have many other fabulous gift ideas for him in their shop. I am really loving the woodgrain pattern and may just have to get the wallet/ money clip instead. 

For the Expecting Mama

 I made this onesie and card for my cousin who is expecting in July! I am so excited for her. Babies are so fun and I love fabric appliqué onesies. And doesn't the momma on the card look so trendy?! 

 The card die cut was made on my cricut machine using the New Arrival cartridge, and I simply put some foam sticky dots on the back and affixed it to some cardstock. 

As for the fabric applique I did a quick google search and found a tutorial from Totally Smitten Mama. I do mine a little differently, but this is the same basic idea.
If you aren't up to making one I would love to do it for you! I usually charge $10 for a onesie and $2.50 for cards. Click the contact me tab above for my e-mail!

Valentine Watch

I received this watch as a gift from my hubby last year for Valentine's Day. Ever since we have been together we have always skipped this particular holiday. Neither of us was really into it. For some reason last year my husband surprised me with a gift. So sweet! This watch has become one of my favorite pieces of jewelery and was made by my auntie over at Girly Muse.

 Girly Muse does great work and most of it is one of a kind and/or custom work. She has a few things for sale on her blog but I'm sure she would do something more for you if you asked. I also found this one from Thunder Bear Spirit Design.

Superhero/ Princess Cape

Several years ago I came up with the idea that I would love to have capes made for my kids and their friends made with Velcro at the neckline so I could stop tying blankets around their necks. At the time I did not know how to sew, so I commissioned someone else to make them for me.

 They turned out so cute and doohikey baby did a wonderful job putting the project together for me. (She is no longer active on etsy.)
My three year old had a friend with a birthday last week and so I decided to try and make little C a cape of her own.

 I love it! My husband was not a fan of the fabric combo when I brought it home, but I think it is perfect for this. I actually originally got the fabric to make a dress for my littlest, but never got around to it.

 All the kids who I originally got these for absolutely love them and still play with them. They are perfect for all types of pretend play. Princes, princesses, and superheroes will love their personalized capes!

If you want one of your own I just did a quick google search for 'free cape tutorial' and came up with this one. Otherwise I would love to make you one! The cost would be $18.50 and you can pick your colors/patterns/shapes/letters. My email is in the contact me tab above.

Valentine Card For Him

I just love this card! It is always hard to come up with Valentine ideas for guys. It seems the holiday is all about flowers and chocolate. Guess what? Guys like to be shown affection too. Sometimes all you need is a simple card with a handwritten love note to remind the guy in your life you care! And it is inexpensive too. (Almost free if you make the card yourself!)

If you aren't up to making your own card you can find this one and many others in the etsy shop of Shanna Michele Designs.

For the Style Conscious Dog

My mother in law absolutely loves her dog. MIL is physically disabled and isn't able to get out much. Her cute little dog is her best friend. It was only natural that her birthday gift be something for her dog as well.

We got her a cute little dog sweater from Crafty For You. I have actually had this on hand for a couple of years and just hadn't given it to her yet.

This isn't the same one as we gave her but isn't it cute?! Stop by the etsy shop linked above to see some other cute styles.

Car Cozie

My first big challenge in finding a handmade gift was for a 6 year old boy. My son was invited to his party and I had a week to think up an idea. Axel and I researched the web for a while and finally decided on a car cozie.

 It is a pretty nifty idea. There are pockets for 7 cars and a little road to drive on. You can then fold the road over and roll it all up. This one we made with a ribbon to tie it, but I think if I make another I will use an elastic loop that would just stretch around it.

I think this would be appropriate for boys ages 2-6. My son is turning 6 next month and this is what he asked for as his gift. This is also perfect to stick in a quiet bag or your purse for church (or any other occasion when you would need your little one to play quietly).

Want one? You can find a free tutorial to make one over at My Little Gems, or you can buy one from her etsy shop.

Pocket Tissue Pack Holder

My sweet little girly has had a runny nose the last couple of days. She is really loving that she can get a tissue and blow her nose by herself and so I whipped her up one of these tissue pack holders. It went very quickly and used a minimal amount of fabric.

She loved it, and it made her smile on her otherwise icky sick day. It would be fun to make up a little care package for someone with some chicken noodle soup, a movie and one of these. A nice way to make a bad day a little better! They would also be great stocking stuffers or for back to school.

 I found the tutorial to make these cute little things over on the Sew Mama Sew blog.

Tea Wallet

I thought it would be fitting for my first post to be of the item that inspired me to give handmade this year. Recently I was able to purchase a sewing machine even though I didn't know how to sew. Since then I have been reading and researching sewing techniques and decided I just had to make this as my first project. It seemed ambitious at first, but this tutorial from Christy of Is It Naptime Yet? is very clear and easy to follow.

I have seen these before and thought that it would be nice to have one. Initially I started out making it for myself and then decided I should make it for a friend of mine who had a birthday coming up. After it was finished I just loved it so much and it felt so special to me that I just had to give it to someone who I knew would love it. My grandma mentioned over Christmas that she normally has a tea bag stuffed in her purse and I got an instant visual of her poor crumpled tea bag.

My grandma is so sweet and special to me and she has taught me so much about life, love and God. I know I would never be able to thank her enough, but I hope her little surprise in the mail makes her smile!

(If you would like a tea wallet for yourself or as a gift and you aren't up to making one I would be happy to do it for you! I charge $12 and have many fabric choices. Just click on the 'contact me' tab above.)