Hurry up, Summer....

Well, it's no surprise that it's been FOREVER since I blogged... Geez. I should be ashamed. I guess between a full time job, boyfriend, and (collectively) 5 kids I have stayed pretty busy. It's been lots of fun, though. I just haven't crafted much. Last weekend, however, the bf and I got crackin' on a super fun spring/summer project. Of course, it was 30 degrees out. Go figure... Will winter ever end? Really. Anyway, we used plans you can find at http://www.ana-white.com/ (go Ana!! She used to do the knock off wood blog and now has that page) to start making the outdoor sectional. So far we made one section. :) Here are the fabulous photos I took.

The handsome bf cutting: (I bet my dad is glad to have someone do my wood cutting besides him!)

All cut and ready to go....

Finished product:

Now I just need to figure out fabric for the cushions. Well, and we need to make like 6 more sections. :)

We also got another member of the family: Little Rico. His is part Maltese and part Yorkie (Morkie). Cute as all get out. Weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs!

Well, I think that's all I have for now. I'm sure I'll be back. In like July of course. ;)

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Lined Car Trash Bag Tutorial

Since I'm completely in love with the iron on vinyl I got at Joann's, I decided that I needed to make some more stuff with it. I've seen similar bags before, but I wanted it lined so it made fore easier clean up. Here is a tutorial for anyone who wants to make one too!
You will need fabric, iron on vinyl (optional), boning, and velcro. I cut the fabric as follows:

(2) 11.5 in x 14 in (one piece lining and one piece main fabric)
(2) 13.5 in x 14 in (one piece lining and one piece main fabric)
(2) strips 2.5 in x 14 in for straps- the length they are will depend on your car- I measured my specific seat before I picked a length for the straps.


Then cut the vinyl the same size as the lining pieces and iron it on. (I wish the blocks on the back of the vinyl were 1" squares... that would make things less complicated)
Then find the middle of the larger pieces of fabric and mark 2 lines to each side of it- one inch over and 2 inches over each direction. This will help you make an even pleat.
Fold the fabric so that the lines meet (you will be essentially removing 2 inches of fabric by doing this, which will make the front and back line up)

Pin the pleat in place
Pin the front to the back with the pleat at the bottom. It is easiest to do this by pining both sides and then the bottom. Remember the top will be larger to help with the opening. Do this to the lining and main fabric. Sew the sides and bottom of the lining and main fabric. Leave a 3 or 4 in opening down the side of the lining fabric to turn inside out later. Set aside.
Now fold the strips of fabric right sides together and sew down the edge, turn inside out (which I really don't like doing) and iron flat.

I forgot a picture, but turn one end of each strip in and finish the edge.
Now place the main fabric inside the lining so that right sides are together and pin the top. I start at the seams so that they line up and then pin around the rest.
Now place the straps in between the 2 pieces, equal distances from the seam and pin. Sew around the top and turn right side out. Then topstitch the edge around the top. You can see it in the next picture, but I start getting lazy at the end of a project and don't do great taking step by step photos... sorry.
Now there are several steps missing, but I sewed about 1/2 in down each side from the top down the seam in order to make the sides for a little pocket for the boning which will hold the bag open. I should have taken a picture because it's hard to explain. I then cut the boning the same size as the front of the bag and placed it inside the opening in the lining. Pin it to the top of the bag and sew a stitch under it to hold it in place. You can now sew the lining closed also. That brings us to this picture:

Now sew velcro to the ends of the straps and hang in your car! Voila! Hopefully it will help my car stay a little tidier. No guarantees, though...

The lining got a little wrinkled but it should be a breeze to wipe clean if it would get dirty.

Happy sewing!

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Grocery Bag

When I said something to my brother about making his girlfriend something he mentioned that she would like a resuable tote for the grocery store. So I finally got around to making one today. It is actually patterned from a regular grocery bag. You can get step by step instructions here.
The lining:

It has a little pocket on the front that it folds itself up into. It's tough to fold into that pocket, though. I'm not sure I'd use that very much.

Fits perfectly into the purse:

Now I just have to get it shipped off to Oregon... I hope she likes it!

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Where does the time go?

So once again, I have disappeared for a while. I haven't been doing as much crafting as normal, but I think I was on crafting/quilting overload from the memory quilts. It averaged to like a quilt every week or 10 days or something. I guess I needed downtime. (Okay that and, as Deb likes to point out, I have some other pretty awesome things that are taking some of my attention!!) :)

Anyway, I am posting some things that I made for Christmas and haven't gotten around to yet.

I made these hand sanitizers for my neighbors. I did them for my son's teachers last year and they were quite a hit, so I decided the neighbors would like them this year. I'd tell you if they liked them, but they havent' mentioned it.

I made this little boxy cosmetic bag for my friend Kim. I just mailed it today, though, so she hasn't seen it yet! I lined the fabric inside with iron on vinyl!! So her make up goodies won't mess up the fabric. It was the first time I used it and I love it. So much fun.
Then I filled it with gross candy that she likes. Shhhh... don't tell my son. :)
I gave these coin purses to the girls in my family with a little Walmart gift card inside. They weren't as neat as the etched personalized glasses I did last year, but they were cute. I found them here
And check this out:
Yup- that was one of my Christmas gifts from my parents! ONE OF. Yeah, I got more. I got a garage door opener too! (and lots of other stuff) Do you know how awesome that is?!

Anyway, I have sewn a little and I am excited to try the quilting function on here. Should be lots of fun!

Till next time... which is averaging out about a month... ;)

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Memory Quilts

My grandma passed away a year ago this December, so I talked to my aunt about using her sweat shirts to make her children memory quilts. She helped me get them ready and cut into squares and I made 5 quilts for Christmas presents. I am very proud of them, since they are the first real quilts I have ever made (I have done rag time ones, but these are my first that had to actually line up) I even hand sewed the binding on the back of the quilts, so that was another first. Here they are:

I made tags for the back of each quilt:

I used flannel sheets my aunt gave me for the backing of the quilts, so that made it a lot more cost effective

I think they turned out well and everyone seemed to really appreciate them.

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Teacher Gifts

I finished my son's teachers gifts yesterday and thought I would share. I got the idea somewhere a while back but I don't remember where (sorry). Anyway, I got the glass at Hobby Lobby several months ago and just etched my son's teacher's names and an apple, then added candy and a ribbon. Quick, cheap and easy!!

I also made a glass mug for his play teacher/director.
Teacher gifts:

A little better view of the etching:

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Gift Exchange

In November I signed up to do a homemade gift exchange and I have been excited to share what I made, but wanted to be sure my exchange partner got the gift before I blabbed about it on here! So, now that I know- here is what I made for my partner!

My favorite is the pin cushion/thread holder. I am dying to have one of these, but just haven't had time! I have huge huge HUGE projects going on for Christmas!

I added velcro so that it was easily emptied without accidentally dumping your pins in the trash.

Then I made pot holders

And a personalized casserole dish. I love these- they make great gifts!!

Here is another view of the dish:

All wrapped up and ready to go! I also added a camera strap at the last minute because I've had it here and figured someone should use it! I made several and haven't done a thing with them!

I had a great time with this. It was super fun making stuff. I think that next year the Christmas in July exchange would be better in terms of scheduling though- I have soooo much going on!

Only 10 days! :) :) :)

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