Buttercup Bag

Posted on March 27, 2009
Filed Under bags, tutorials | 4 Comments

There are quite a few bag tutorials on the internet these days, but I have to say that the Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae is one of the best (and cutest!) I’ve ever come across. I saw photos and references to this tutorial on several blogs, and just couldn’t resist it. Rae provides a beautifully done pattern and instructions for download, and this bag is not only easy, but requires very little fabric as well. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then you know that I usually change things up a bit when I use other crafters’ patterns. My only changes here were strap length and construction, the use of a button loop on one bag instead of a magnetic snap, and the addition of heavyweight interfacing on my bag linings.

On both bags, I made the straps with a 5″-wide strip of fabric folded in half lengthwise, then in half again (with raw edges on the inside), and topstitched both edges. I attached the ends of the straps between the lining and the outside, instead of sewing them to the outside of the bag. One bag has a shoulder strap, and the other strap is shorter. I will probably omit the strap on the next one I make.

If you carry a lot of stuff in your bag, this one probably won’t work for you, but it’s so much fun to make, you might want to make a few for gifts.

Little Spring Floral Tote Bag

Posted on March 2, 2009
Filed Under bags | Leave a Comment

I apologize for my lengthy absence from this blog. I never intended to be away for so long, but due to a physically demanding part-time job with often grueling hours, and an all-out search for a full-time job that won’t kill me, I’ve lacked the time, energy, and motivation to sew. I decided over the weekend that sewing might make me feel a little better, and since I had come across this great tutorial from Cicada Daydreams, I thought I’d dust off the sewing machine and give it a try. I’m so glad I did! Not only did I make myself a great little tote bag, but now I also feel like I can begin to take on other sewing projects again without being overwhelmed.

I call this tote bag “little” because it’s not your typical shopping-size bag. It finished to approximately 11-1/2″ x 9″ x 3″, which is still large enough to hold some reading materials and a few other essentials. One thing I really like about this design is the accent fabric on the bottom, which also serves to make the bag sturdier. I made my bag as directed in the tutorial, except that I fused lightweight interfacing to my lining because my floral fabric was very soft, and I used a different construction technique* for the strap.

Even if you’re not interested in sewing a tote bag, do go take a look at Cicada Daydreams. It’s a lovely blog.

*Strap construction – I cut two 4″ x 13″ strips, pressed the long raw edges to the center, then folded in half and pressed again to enclose the raw edges. I then top-stitched the long edges. This resulted in sturdy 1″-wide straps.

OWOH Giveaway Winners

Posted on February 15, 2009
Filed Under giveaways & contests | Leave a Comment

Thanks to everyone who dropped by and entered my OWOH giveaway. I enjoyed reading your comments (all 311 of them!). I hope those of you who didn’t win here found some luck at one of the other 910 participating blogs. To choose my winners, I used the random number generator at random.org. The winner of the wristlet key fob is Vanessa from comment #281, and the scarf goes to Suzy, the 205th commenter. The winners have been notified, and their prizes will be on the way this week. Vanessa and Suzy both have blogs as well, so be sure to take a peek at their lovely blogs.

One World One Heart Giveaway!

Posted on January 19, 2009
Filed Under accessories, giveaways & contests | 311 Comments

Wristlet Key Fob

Today marks the beginning of the One World One Heart Giveaway. If you didn’t participate last year, let me tell you now, you won’t want to miss it this year. From now through February 12th, you’ll have the opportunity to enter hundreds of giveaways, simply by visiting participating blogs and leaving a comment. The rules vary from one blog to another, so be sure you read each giveaway post for details. (Note: As of 5 p.m. on January 29th, there are 732 giveaways on the list. Amazing!)

For my giveaway, there will be 2 winners, both drawn by a random number generator. One winner will receive the wristlet key fob pictured above, and another will receive a 5-1/2″ x 60″ cotton scarf (also pictured). All you have to do is leave a comment on this post (and this post only!) before midnight Central Time on February 12th, and you will be entered in the drawing. Depending on how many comments I get, I may add a 3rd prize. You don’t need to have your own blog in order to enter my giveaway, but you will need to leave a valid email address so I can contact you if you win.

When you leave a comment, there’s a space where you can enter your email. I’m the only one who can see this, so don’t worry about it being posted for the whole world to see. Alternatively, you can provide the url for your website or blog (if you have one) in the space provided on the comment form, as long as there’s a way for me to contact you there.

I will draw the winner and notify her/him on February 13th.

OK, a recap of my rules:
1. Leave a comment on this post. Don’t leave it on any of my other posts, because it won’t count.
2. Make sure you have a valid email so I can contact you if you’re a winner.
3. Comment before midnight Central Time on February 12th.
4. That’s it!

After you comment here, go over to the OWOH website for a list of currently participating bloggers. Be sure to visit their sites and enter their giveaways as well — no telling how many prizes you might win!

I’m having a giveaway on my other blog as well (Lenny da Vinci), where the prize is one of my embellished fabric pins, so be sure to stop by over there and enter.

If you’re not feeling lucky, or you don’t want to wait til the drawing, both the key fob and the scarf are also available, at the time of this writing, in my Etsy shop.

Favorite Etsy Shops – Dolley Madison

Posted on January 18, 2009
Filed Under Etsy finds | Leave a Comment

Etsy is such a great place to find unique products, and a lot of sellers are using repurposed materials to create fun and functional items for sale in their shops. Dolley Madison is a new Etsy seller who does exactly that. Head on over to her shop and get yourself one of these handmade journals that she has fashioned from VHS boxes (remember VHS?). I love this Superman journal! While you’re there you can also pick up a handmade knitting needle case, sewn from the prettiest gold embroidered fabric. Now, go shop!

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