Crafty Conundrum

Yesterday’s post was all about the adorable sweaters I got while at the outlet mall on vacation.  Not only were all of the sweaters on sale but I also got a free tote bag with the bargain.

Problem is, the bag really just isn’t my style. But I figure maybe I could do a bit of a makeover or craft project with it to remedy that problem? Next dilemma, I have no clue as to what to do with it. I’ve been thinking about robots or a space theme??? Will anything stick to it??? If I cut it up will it just fall apart???

So, here’s where I need your help. Any ideas of what I can do to make this more fun either for myself or to give as a gift? Just post a comment here or on Facebook and put in your two cents. Thanks!

Sewing In The Great Outdoors

I probably never would have thought of this on my own… While we were camping at my parents’ creek property, my sister’s and I had a sewing day at my aunt and uncle’s house right next door. Since she was watching the grandkids, she put us out on a big table on the deck. It was so peaceful and inspiring to sew while watching the river flow by and hear the wind in the trees!

Then I thought, “I have a deck. Why don’t I ever sew out on my deck?”

Saturday was one of the few hot sunny days we’ve had all summer but I really wanted and needed to do a bit of sewing. So I drug all my sewing stuff up to the deck and set myself up on the patio table. It was lovely, and much cooler than in the house! The breeze was lightly blew, the birds were singing in the trees… I should always sew outside in the summer!

My outdoor sewing set-up

The view from my Elna

 

The daunting pile of already-cut-out cozies to be sewn

The first of three cozies I finished!

I’m so looking forward to my next free sunny day to do some more sewing on the deck! Having all those pins and needles out of doors must have attracted this big guy to our yard, because he showed up later that evening… ;o)

Our first porcupine!

Paper Plate Baskets

I still had berries coming out my ears and picked two ginormous bowls of peas AGAIN today (I just picked two huge bowls on Friday) and was wondering what to do with them all… I should have been thinking of ways to preserve or prepare them but instead I thought of the cute craft I found on Pinterest (where else???)! And instead of getting to doing something with my bountiful produce right away, I instead set out to make a set of these darling baskets to display it in for a picture for my blog…

The original idea and directions are from sarahearts.com and you can click HERE to see them. The only thing I want to add is how to draw your grid on the plate.

First trim your edge.

Then line up the edge of your ruler to the edge of the inner circle and draw your line. Do that on all four sides and you have your box drawn right in the middle (or really darn close)!

Cut on every other line just to the square in the middle.

Fold in the sides, secure with paper clips and then wrap it with decorative tape to hold it all together.

They look so darling with fresh produce but would look equally sweet with homemade cookies or candies or any other thing you can imagine…

Little Buckaroos

I salvaged this adorable print from an unfinished skirt and just had to find something to do with it! But what? Those sweet little cowboy crooners and bronco riders just screamed for denim and bandana print, and I had both in my stash! With a few cuts I pieced together a quick little quilt and used one of the legs from a pair of old jeans to make a bag to carry it in.

  It makes me wish I had little buckaroo to take to a rodeo… ;o)

Simple Pleasures

I have been thinking lately about simple things that just make my heart happy. Silly little things that seem insignificant to most people but give you so much joy! Today I was thinking about how much I love getting out wrinkles and pressing open seams on my new ironing board cover!

But just look all cute it is! But I do like that I can’t see the metal pattern of my ironing board burned into my cover any more… :o)

My First Skirt

This month we decided to sew for Sister Day. All of my sisters sew their own clothes and I was beginning to feel a little lame… Although my one and only attempt at sewing something to wear (an apron does NOT count) ended with tears and strips of a would-be dress in the trash can, I still decided to take the challenge and make a skirt. Besides, they all assured me that it was easy.

I packed up my Pfaff, some thread, pins, scissors, a seam ripper (was pretty sure I’d need it),  and my fabric and headed to my mom’s for a new sewing adventure!

Actually it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I almost quit as soon as I heard the words “it has a zipper”, but I persevered! It helped to have such a sweet sewing helper though!

Elsie was so cute laying on the dining room table while we sewed!

I almost finished the whole thing before leaving but I had to do the hem at home…

My sister puts lace on her hems. Not only is it pretty but doesn’t require any annoying and tedious turning! :o)

I also went to IKEA with my youngest sister for dinner and shopping and picked up 5 new skirt hangers while I was there! Who knows? I may make 5 new skirts to go on them…

It turned out better than I imagined! Especially since I totally forgot to try it on until it was done! Oops!

     I’ve already got all the fabric for my next skirt and have scoped out my stash for some potentials…

Mini Chinese Take Out

The idea of serving my Seaweed Snack Mix in a take out box just kept pestering me. Then I remembered the itsy bitsy take out boxes I made one year for our annual family Christmas tree ornaments… Just the ticket! They give you just a bit of snack mix or anything else you’d like to throw in one. These fun little boxes are also an  ideal box for favors at a party or for tiny gift boxes!

You could decorate them anyway you want to match any theme your little heart desires. Have fun with this one! The possibilities are almost endless: use different stamps, patterned papers, stickers, three-dimensional embellishments…

1. Click HERE to download the pdf. pattern and print it up on any 8.5”x 11” cardstock.

 2. Cut out the box on the solid lines.

3. Using a micro hole punch to punch out the holes for the handle. Then take an exacto knife to cut the slit for the tab.

4. Fold on all the dotted lines. Be sure to fold them in so that the lines are on the inside of your box.

5. Stamp or decorate the sides of your box.  Decorate the sides without the tabs. The other sides will be covered up by the flaps.

The ladybug gives it a totally different look!

6. Cut an 8” piece of floral wire for your handle.  Bend the sides so that it has a 2” top. Use pliers to bend the ends up about 1/2'”.

7. Fold up box so that the holes line up for your handle.

8. Insert handles into both holes so that wire is on the inside of the flaps. Carefully pinch the “hook” a bit to secure the handles.