Friday Create Along

Well once again I have slightly deviated during the following of a pattern, it’s how I roll. I had a great time making this great convertable clutch from LBG Studios! I hope someone played along too. I couldn’t decide between 2 fabric prints so I actually cut out the pieces for 2 clutches but only got to sewing the one together.

I planned on taking photos of it since yesterday was a nice sunny day and of course my camera batteries were dead. Today was a snow stormy blizzard filled afternoon so my pictures are so-so. I used this great seahorse fabric I stumbled upon a little while ago. It was probably something Keyka Lou mentioned on her blog and I ran off to buy it.

Here’s the little addition I made, I added D rings inside to allow for a stap. I’m not much of a purse kinda gal but I love totes and bags, especially if they can be worn cross body. Now I have the option of using this as a tote with a cross body strap.

Next up let’s try this wipe container repurposing into a fun game for kids. I’m going to make one with letters on it for my classroom. I’ve also got a fun idea for a numbers one too, we’ll see if I get that far. I’m excited about this one because it will be a chance to use up some scraps and also to get my Cricut out for some more fun.

Why I sew all sorts of things.

I like to try different things with sewing, I find I learn something. Sometimes it’s a big Ah Ha moment other times it’s just a neat little trick. I picked up this panel of fabric at Fabricland for something ridiculous like $4 a few months ago. My aunt is a big Elvis fan so I figured I’d make it for her. When I sat down to sew it I figured it was a no-brainer, cut and sew.

*Ignore the cat chasing a ball of paper and the big garbage bag in the background.

It was really simple but they used this neat way of boxing the bottom corners of the bag but folding the bottom all accordion like before stitching it. So I learned something new. Plus my aunt was all happy.

My infomercial for the week

Usually I’m a tad behind in my Google reader, and I end up missing some fun sale, or giveaway or contest or something. But it was my lucky day when I was on Twitter and saw Keyka Lou say she was having a sample sale for a laptop sleeve.

Now I already own most of her patterns, but I didn’t have a laptop sleeve and could totally make myself one, but this fabric was cute and it’s made by someone I admire so much. Of course I had to buy it!

The photos are Michelle’s, they’re way better than I can take right now in the scantily lit Canadian winter.

DIY fabric covered wooden brooch

One of my goals is to accessorize more and while I have bought a few things here and there I figured I should also make my own pretty things.

You will need:
– a scrap of fabric
– a wooden cut out
– glue gun
– pin back
– scissors
– Modge Podge or white glue

Trace your wood shape on the wrong side of your fabric. If you have a special part of the pattern you want to capture make sure you’ve placed it in the right place.

Spread Modge Podge on the wooden piece. Cut out the fabric and place it on.

Plug in your glue gun and add your pin back with a little blob of hot glue. You may need to trim excess fabric from places with small scissors or an exacto knife.

Next have someone around to take a finished photo for you because propping a camera up on items and hoping for a good shot is very hit and miss.

You get the idea.

Friday Create Along

Ok I’m not entirely caught on on previous projects. I’ve still got my slippers to crochet and my little sewing thread/scrap catcher thing to make but I did get to this lovely embroidery. And I’m sure glad I did.

I did some things differently, mostly because I was sickly on the couch and didn’t want to get up for anymore colours or to Google a certain stitch . . . I mean I took some artistic license.

I was pumped to try the whipped backstitch but my outer circle ended up a tad wonky so I decided to go around another time in an effort to even it out. Thanks to Nicole for having such an awesomely cute pattern. I proudly showed my hubby “Look!” and he looked and said “What is it?” and even as I started to answer I realized how silly it was sounding in guy speak, “It’s a hedgehog! In a tea cup! Floating . . in the water . . . nevermind.”

So onto this week’s project, the convertable clutch! The PDF pattern is available here on Etsy or here directly from the LBG site. And of course I do have 1 to give away. The lucky winner is . . . .

Ellen!!! (email sent!)

So congrats and I hope you have time this week to get sewing!

My zakka style

I mentioned yesterday I got a copy of Zakka Style just before the holidays. So far it has been responsible for intriguing me enough to actually try making hexies (I had an idea for how to use them) and I managed to sneak this project in on Christmas day. You know, between the chaos of presents and packing and leaving for a trip, I had a few minutes to kill.

I wanted to take the book, my idea notebook and some pens with me on the trip. I couldn’t just take them in some silly plain old pencil case, I *had* to make this cute one. Plus that cute piece of fabric has been begging to be turned into something for quite a while.

I’m sort of falling in love with embroidery.

I ordered some books on the subject.

Because I need another crafty hobby to like.

Or more craft books . . . this one came just before the holidays so it went to Belize with me.

Wanna make a clutch/tote?

A while ago I purchased this great pattern and once again, I have permission to share. Coincidentally Vanessa also won a spot in my January ad giveaway and so her cute little button is over there ->

This will be my Friday Create Along project and to let at least one person play along with me I will give away the PDF pattern to one lucky winner on Friday. So leave your name here and I’ll announce a winner on Friday when I reveal my late assignments for my past Create Alongs and put up the details for this one.

I’m at it again

I’ve been making these little pouches again. I love that I can just use up all sorts of odds and ends I have lying around to make them. Have I mentioned how much I love Keyka Lou’s patterns today? Funny thing is I even used some of the scraps I bought from her Etsy shop. I had taken some of my stuff into work before the holidays and the ladies I work with ended up buying almost everything. So now I’ve got to get sewing and build up a new stash!

I did a lot of cutting but these are the first ones to get sewn up.

Winter cleaning happy mail?

I’ve been clearing my work area and I plan on kicking butt on all these half finished projects cluttering up my space. While I was going that I came across a bunch of neglected, unloved supplies. Perfectly good things but I haven’t used them in ages or probably won’t get to using them.

I had the idea of doing a giveaway but then I thought maybe other people are having the same problem and we could set up a swap. I’ve got some things that came as freebies with Etsy orders, or items from other swaps, cute sticky notes, stickers and of course ribbon, fabric and buttons that I’ll probably never get to using!

Sooooo anyone want to play along? Sign up below until Wednesday January 11th. I’ll match us up (open internationally unless you tell me otherwise) and email partners so you can work out addresses and such. I suppose the contents should cost about $10-$15 but I’m hoping we can all just share some neglected creative stuff and pass it on to someone who may be inspired. Of course you can also include a handmade by you item, I know I will.

I was also hoping this post will distract from the fact that I haven’t completed a CreateAlong project in a while . . . next week I’ll reveal all my neglected projects, I promise!