Four.Twenty.Eight

Drawstring Backpack

You've seen them.  They are those little "back sacks" that cinch up with a drawstring.  They are handy for a multitude of uses and leave hands free for anything necessary.  Sammy has one he got from a FedEx event of some sort.  But you see, the FedEx one is not cute.  My friends, cute is important 'round here.

So, as I am known for, I went hunting on the internet for another tutorial.  You guessed it!  I found one.  This lovely blog came through for me and helped me make my own with an easy-peasy tutorial (with a couple of slight modifications).  I made one for use on our upcoming trip so I wouldn't have to carry a purse or mondo-grande-gigantic (technical term) tote bag that will kill my neck and shoulder.  I think it will work great for the beach.

Here's a few pictures of my project and a little explanation of how I modified mine ever so slightly. My first modification was actually the size.  I measured the FedEx backpack we already had and used those measurements.  I didn't exactly use the measurements in the tutorial.

Click the pictures for a closer view.

Very simple to cut.  If it can be cut with a rotary cutter, you can be sure I'll love it!  The fabric will go great with my swimsuit cover-up and, besides, who doesn't love this print?





This was my next modification.  I searched Joann's fabric forever in an attempt to find some kind of cord or leather strip that I could use for the straps.  Nothing they had was the right thickness, color, or material.  Nothing was grabbing me.  Then, it dawned on me.  I can make a drawstring just like the one in the pajama pants I have previously made from my Amy Butler book.  It will be strong, just the right size, and it will match perfectly.



The drawstring took some time - and a lot of pins!





My finished drawstring backpack!



My last modification.  The tutorial (and most drawstring backpacks) showed one eyelet going through both layers of the backpack and then knotting the two ends of the strap/string.  I didn't want a big knot to show.  I ended up putting two eyelets - one in the back side and one on the front.  I then threaded my strap through both and sewed them together, like a loop.  That way, no unsightly knot, and it all stays together neatly.

Impromptu Crafty Project!

Have you been swimsuit shopping lately?  I was shopping for a swim cover-up lately (found one!) and noticed these little "wet bikini" bags everywhere.  They really are a great idea, and are very, very cute.  Being me, I thought, "Hmm.  I think I could make that."  It is a vinyl-lined (waterproof) zipper bag.  How difficult could it be?  So, I got home and got online to see what I could come up with for a tutorial.

Lo and behold, I found one here!  Thanks to the Little Birdie Secrets blog.  Don't limit these bags to just swimwear, either.  Lots of possible uses, especially when it comes to messy kids!

I also was very pleased for two reasons:
1. This did not cost me anything to make.  The soft vinyl was on sale at Joann's.  For 1/2 yard, I paid a whopping FIFTY CENTS.  The zipper was $1.79.  The outer fabric was nearly free, it was leftover from a Christmas gift tote bag I made Sammy's mom.
2. I already had the perfect fabric that, yes, matches my Vera Bradley Java Blue luggage!  How great is that?

So, pictures!  I wish I needed several more - it was so easy and fast!  It really only took me about an hour and a half, with cutting and everything.

Spring Skirt(s) Part Three

Well, I finished the first skirt!  It was pretty easy for me, and I don't consider myself a sewing pro.  I did have to call my mom and ask some questions just to be sure I was doing most things right.  Phone call #1: I actually cut the little notches sticking out on the fabric, right?  Phone call #2:  When the arrow on the pattern that says "grainline" doesn't go along with the fabric design pattern, I do what the pattern says, right?  Even if it doesn't match the design of the other piece?  Phone call #3:  What color thread for topstitching?  I'm almost out of brown, can you send me some brown when you can?  So you can see, I still have a few things I forgot how to do or wasn't sure about.  But all in all, it really is a beginner pattern.

To be honest, though, I mostly like the result.  I cut the pattern to the smallest size in the package, a 4.  Let's just say what the pattern designer considers a 4 is not what most women's clothing stores consider a 4.  I think I need to throw in an extra 1/4 inch all around.  It could be a tiny bit more loose.  In addition, I'm not sure I like the way it lays on my behind - the seam and the gathering on the main skirt panel is right on the... ahem... roundest part of my behind and it kind of makes it stick out.  I guess my friend was right - I do have a bubble butt.  Anyway... moving on...  That extra 1/4 inch all around will probably help with "fit issues."  Ahem.

So, now that you've read the worthless fluff, I give you:  Pictures!

If you're wondering, yes, I absolutely bribed him.  See below.

 

Spring Skirt(s) Part Two

Well, I did head out to the fabric store today and spent waaaay too much time being indecisive.  I was really intent on sticking to my decision to get fabrics for my skirt that would coordinate with tops I already owned.  No point in making a skirt I have to buy a top for.  That defeats the frugality of it!  After all that indecision, however, I arrived at these fabrics:

Skirt #1 - The top fabric will be the main panels and the polka dot will be a band at the bottom.



Skirt #2 - The brown polka dot will be the top band, the flower in the middle panel, and the fuschia will be the bottom band.  I might switch this plan in the end.  I haven't decided yet.  The real trick will be getting the flower to fit into the panel and actually have it still be recognizable as a flower.  It is quite large!  We tested it with the pattern piece at the store, though, and I think it will work.


So, we will see how this goes!  I haven't sewed in a while and I hope my first attempt isn't the "practice" round.  I tend to botch the first attempt.  My first pair of pajama pants I made ended up with the drawstring coming out of the back.  I will update on my progress, though!

Spring Skirt

I bought this pattern and I am so excited to try it that I am going to the store to get some fabric today!  I have countless tops that would look very cute with this skirt.  All I have to do is buy fabrics that coordinate and it will be like having new outfits for a fraction of the cost.

Digital Scrapbooking Revisited

I posted once about being interested in digital scrapbooking.  Well, this afternoon I downloaded a free kit and decided to use Photoshop Elements to play.  I created a 12-inch by 12-inch scrapbook page.  It wasn't too difficult, and I am pretty pleased with the result.  The only thing I wasn't sure how to fix was the film-strip photo frame.  The film strip is kind of translucent, and the photo edges show through.  I am sure I can learn how to fix that, but otherwise, I like it!

You can click the picture to enlarge, but be forewarned - it is a 12x12 page, so it is pretty big!

Digital Scrapbooking

I'm finally going to get Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for the Mac.  I had it once before, but something went awry and I couldn't transfer it to the new computer.  So, it all works out great because it is currently to be had at an excellent sale price.

With that said, I have been doing some more research into digital scrapbooking.  Where Adobe Photoshop Elements comes into this is simple: That's what you use to build your pages.  So finally getting this program back on my computer will not only help me with photographs, it will be a jumping off point for my possible venture into digital scrapbooking.

Would you like to know what I've discovered?  Oh.  My.  After only surfing through a few sites, I think my head is full already.  Good, grief.  There is a whole corner, maybe even a whole half of the internet devoted to this hobby.  If you were interested from hearing me talk about it before, then I'll share a few jumping off points I've found.

• From Templates by Erica: A list of scrabooking links she compiled.  Good stuff!

• Digiscrappin with Jen: Practical Advice for the New Digi Scrapper - another great resource.  Although it might take me a fortnight to get through it all.

I'm still interested in giving it a try.  It does cost money, just like regular scrapbooking, but it seems pretty reasonable.

My Mini Patchfolio Project

This is a fun project, and when you get the hang of it, it is pretty quick. I got the hang of it by #2.  My first effort was not so swell, so here is the progression of my second small book.  You can find the pattern at Craft Apple Patterns, if you can wait until December.  They seem to have sold out.

All the supplies laid out - no-melt template plastic, fabric, batting, interfacing...

Cutting out all the pieces.

Now, iron all the interfacing to the corresponding pieces.

Quilting the cover with a decorative stitch.

The pocket piece finished.

All of the inside parts laid out ready to be stitched together.

Now iron it all flat and crisp.

Here's the whole thing pinned together, ready to be sewn up - right sides together, of course.

Now, turn it all right-side-out.

And finally... the finished product!  Here's the outside.

...and the inside!

Creativity Blogs & Sewing Talk

I have becoming totally into (okay, obsessed with) my new-found ability to sew.  It's one of those abilities you always thought you had, but you just weren't sure until you jumped over the cliff.  I'm happy to report that my sewing skills I learned in the third grade are still intact, but I'm just now getting all the rust off. So, I find myself having to travel slowly down the stitching path.  I read the directions, re-read, and proceed with caution.  I am being overly-cautious, I suppose, since I know that once it's cut, that is all she wrote.  I guess my caution is good, also, so that I can use each new thing I make to really solidify my knowledge and won't have to go so slowly in the future. I also am taking time to refresh myself on all the terms in the instructions, besides remembering all the details, such as having to use pinking shears to cut cloth for clothing.  That's one of those details that you have in your memory bank somewhere, and it hits you right when you least expect it.  Just like having to get freezer paper to trace my patterns on. I called my mom yesterday and asked, "Should I use pinking shears for these lounge pants?"  She said yes, so it was off to Joann's.  I had only used straight cuts for the tote bag.  However, lo and behold, they had all cutting instruments and all Olfa products 40% off.  So, besides the scissors, I bought a pinking blade for my rotary cutter.  Which, by the way, is SO COOL.  Downright NIFTY.  I had seen them, but never used one.  I tested it on a scrap and it cuts like buttah.  Makes the cleanest cut. I run across some neat blogs and thought I'd share a couple of blogs and websites I've found.  They are also in my sidebar - over there --------->

• Craft Apple is out of Ft. Worth and they have some great patterns!  I ordered the mini patchfolio pattern and it is on my list of items to make as Christmas gifts.  You also know how I love to support those local entrepreneurs!  The blog is here: http://craftapple.wordpress.com/

• One of my favorite fabric designers is Amy Butler.  Check out the free patterns, too.  I think I heard your ears perk up at the sound of free!

• Another favorite fabric Designer is Michael Miller.  They just recently began a blog called Making It Fun (run by Kathy Miller) and I'm looking forward to good stuff there.

So, enjoy getting your creative juices flowing!  I am slowly getting some of my list completed.

Creative itching that I need to scratch!

I have really had an itch lately.  An itch to make stuff.  I've accumulated about 10 patterns for various items, including this one from Craft Apple.  I just have to make one of those little patchfolios!  So cute.

My mom also gave me this book by Amy Butler.  This is one awesome book if you want to sew really great stuff.  There's patterns for bedding, throw pillows, purses, a checkbook wallet, and even a robe and lounge pants.  Her fabrics are the absolute best, too.  Ah, heaven!  I wish I could just take a week off so I could make stuff.  I can't seem to find enough time to really get immersed in a project.

Here's what I'd like to find the time to make:

• lounge pants for me
• all my Christmas presents I want to make (tote bags for aunts, cute fabric gift bags to put wine in for some, lounge pants for some)
• Some new valances for my living room to coordinate better with our new couch
• a purse for me
• the patchfolio I just ordered a pattern for
• Throw pillows for the new couch
• Pillow shams for the guest bedroom (to go with the red toile quilt my mom made)
  

So, do you think I have enough spare time for all that??  Gee whiz.  See why I need a week off strictly for sewing?  Not to mention the time it would take to buy all the fabric.  Maybe if I fasted for a week... nah, I like food, too.

What do you have an itch to do lately?  Do you have a list as long as mine?  The real question is, do you have the time?  If you do, can I have some of it?  :-)