Beating the Winter Blues

 



It has been a long winter.  It was time for a new bag.  The one I'm using now has seen better days. 
 
Materials required:  zipper, 2 or 3 coordinating fabrics, and interfacing.
 
Perusing fabrics at a local shop, Ran across this orange.  I had the blue duck cloth at home from a previous project (sorry, I didn't post that project...slacking a bit).
 
This bag measures approx. 14" x 10" x  5" finished.  Sewn with 1/2" seam allowance.

 

The above photo shows the interfacing sewn to the  front of the bag with wrong sides together.  Baste stitch interfacing to bag.  Before sewing, it helps to cut the fabric.  I cut interfacing and 1 orange rectangle the same size.  The liner was cut a 1" longer in length compared to the front.  This is so it makes it a little easier to attach the zipper.  Fold rectangle in 1/2 and cut a 2 1/2" square.  This will form the base of the bag.

Cut straps to desired length.  These are finished 2" wide and 100" long.  Sew to right side of fabric.  Don't sew all the way to the edge of the orange fabric.  It will make it difficult to add your zipper.  Look at interfacing picture above.  Reinforced straps approx. 3" from top of bag.

 

Cut blue duck cloth shorter than orange but same width.  Fold over raw edge.  Cut orange fabric to form a bias strip.  Sew over raw edge of orange.  Baste blue fabric over straps.  For a little extra pizazz, I embroidered the front pocket before basting.

 

 

 

Sew side seams.  Fold and sew to form bottom of bag.

 

Cut 10" fabric and sew for inside pocket of bag if desired.  Sew into place.  Sew liner like outer portion of bag without the liner.   

With wrong sides together, place liner in bag.  Sew zipper into place or if not using zipper finish upper edge of bag, hiding raw edges. 

TaDa!!!  Now if the weather would cooperate.

 

 

 

 

Stone Wall

Wanted something natural and different for the cottage master bedroom.  With my hubby in agreement we went to a local landscape/hardscape and picked out stone.  This is natural stone from a mountain range from TN/AL area. 

All though it isn't complete due to life getting in the way; thought I'd share the technique so others could try it.  It isn't that difficult; just time consuming...end result will be so worth it!

1.  Prep the wall. 
After insulating your walls appropriately for your area.  We used 1/2" plywood and covered it with tar paper just like the stuff used for roofing.  Roofing nails used to hold tar paper in place.  Next place a wire meshing over the tar paper.  It comes in a 4'x2' sections.  Nail this over the tar paper.  Use plenty of nails because this is what the stone will adhere too.  Then mix cement over mesh.  Using a trowel, apply a thin layer over the metal mesh.  Allow to dry.  I work from top to bottom due to the mess.  This can be a bit messy, so protect your floor. 


 This is approx. the consistency used for the wall.  Make it a little thicker when applying the stone on the wall itself.

 

2.  Apply stone. 

Mixing cement in another container and use gloves, because cement is harsh to the hands.  This is the fun part, but then I enjoy a good puzzle.  Puzzle the stone to fit the wall and get the desired look.  Before applying stone wash it gently with water and soft brush to remove the dirt.  Allow stone to dry before applying cement to the back side.  Because this stone is smaller than the field stone that has to be split I was able to start from the top and work down.  This also keeps the stone cleaner without having excess to drip over the stone.  You decide how big of spaces you want between stone.  When placing each stone on the wall I held it into place for approx. 30 - 40 seconds to ensure a good adhesion before moving onto another stone.

3.  Grout.

Using the same quickcrete as the wall and putting up stone mix it a little thinner.  Place cement into a heavy duty plastic bag.  Found this one at Home Depot.  Just like decorating a cake, squeeze cement between stone.  Don't get to ahead of yourself with this technique, because you have to have time to smooth it out.  You can buy dyes to tint the grout to give it a different color.  I chose not to.

 

This is a little blurry, but this should give you an idea on how to squeeze cement in between stone.  This project is indoors so I gave more depth of the stone shown.  However, if this was to be outside, the grout should be more flush with the stone to keep moisture from loosening the stone over time. 

Grouting tools.  Had a friend make these.  You can use the handle of a spoon and manipulate something to work.

This is smoothing grout manually.  Be patient.  It is a bit tedious.

The above half of the picture shows grout dry.  The lower half of the picture shows grout still wet.  Hope you enjoy doing something a little different.  Save money on a contractor and DIY.

 

One of these days I will get it finished and show off the whole room.  We only started the master bedroom last fall.  Wouldn't want to rush these things.  Do you hear the sarcasm.

 

Sleeping Bag for Doll or Stuffed Animal

Last minute Gift Idea

 

Want to add a little something for that little someone? 

This doll sleeping bag, pillow, and pillowcase are simple to stitch.

 

This is great for at 18" doll or any special stuffed animal your child loves. 

 

What you will need:

2 different fabrics  and batting cut 25" x 17"

thread to match

 

Directions:

1.  After cutting fabric and batting rectangles, using a coffee mug as a template trace a curve at the bottom of fabric rectangle.  Looke at photo below.

2.  With batting on wrong side of top fabric sew horizontal lines through both layers.  Look at photo below.  (I stitched approximately 5" from bottom and 5"  from top).

3.  With right sides together stitch around using 1/2" seam allowance.  Leave opening at top of bag for easy turning. 
4.  Stitch opening closed.
5.  Measure approximately 7" from top.  Begin sewing to secure sleeping bag together. 

Having a little fabric left over, thought the sleeping bag required a matching pillow.  Stitch around 2 pieces measuring 8" x 6.5" leaving a small opening for turning.  Stuff with fiberfill or scraps of left over batting (being frugal, this is what I did).  Hand stitch opening closed.

Great gift for that special little someone. 

 

I've made these for boys and girls with a matching pillowcase. 

To personalize it:  add doll/stuff animal name to sleeping bag with iron on letters.  Add childs name to cuff of pillowcase with same technique.

 

Enjoy and Happy Gift Making/Giving!

Wine Tote

 

This is a fun and quick little gift.  Made each of these in less than 30 minutes.  I added some extra holiday spirit to one of them.  Used McCall's pattern 6338 for the cutting pattern as a guide. Didn't follow the pattern directions, but you could.   Made these reversible.  Following pattern directions you will not have a reversible tote.

You will need approximately 3 pieces of 12" x 40" fabric for tote, lining, and fleece.  I used cotton blend fabric for the red tote and home decorating fabric for the yellow tote.  Stitched tote using 0.5" seams, but 0.25" seams would work fine too.

For the yellow tote, I used coordinating fabric for the lining.  Embroidered on the front. 

For the red tote, I used a strip of black fabric cut two 2.5" x 10" and a yellow 0.25" single fold bias tape (I made my own strip out of scrap fabrics).  Place the black fabric and sew into place.  Next using the yellow bias tape fold it making a square/belt buckle.  Stitch into place.  Now construct the body of the tote.

Directions: 
1.  Fold fabric like it states in the pattern directions, however before cutting fold it again (top of fabric to bottom).  This way you don't have to sew a seam at the top of the handle.  You will be cutting through 4 layers of fabric for front and again for the lining and fleece.

2.  If making Santa belt sew black and yellow fabrics at this time.  I used 2 black fabric strips to make it look like belt all around tote.  Yellow strip for buckle on the front side of tote.

3.  I didn't use fusible fleece, but used regular fleece and stitched around fleece holding it into place.  I stitched this to the back side of the front of the tote.  (In place of fleece, I've used thin/light weight batting, sweatshirt material, and/or old towel.  All with success). 

4.  Stitch sides and bottom of tote.  Do this for the lining too. 

5. Stitch corners of tote and lining like my other bags I've posted.  However, being that this is a wine tote, I drew a pencil line on the fabric around the bottle and stitched on this pencil line.  This gives bag a curve and bottle sits in nicely.

6.  With right sides together of tote and lining, stitch one side of handle matching seams.  Right side out and iron.  Stitch close to seam.

7.  Fold and iron 0.5" seam allowance of other side of handle.  Sew into place. 

 

Enjoy!

Quilt As You Sew

 

We sponsor a family at work every year for the holiday season.  This year the family had requested blankets for children.  Being that they have a 6mo little boy, a crib size quilt was in my thoughts to sew.  Never doing this technique before, thought this would be a great time to try.   Having a deadline for gifts to be at work so they could be delivered to the family this technique is quick.  Had if finished with time to spare.  Will be using this technique again.  Didn't have a pattern so I just used some creativity.  Didn't turn out exactly what I was thinking, but it will make for a nice gift.

 

Directions:

Backing fabric.  I used a 42" x 36" piece.

Batting:  cut at least 2" larger on all sides.

Train fabric:  cut 4 - 4" x 42"

green on green fabric print:  cut 4 -  3" x 42"

white fabric:  cut 4 -  2" x 42"

blue on blue printed fabric:  cut 4 - 1.5" x 42"

binding edge fabric:  cut 4 - 2.25" x 42"

 

With backing fabric wrong side up; lay batting on top of back fabric. 

Lay 1st strip of fabric right side up. 

Take 2nd strip of fabric and lay in on top of 1st strip right sides together.  Stitch in place. 

Iron seam flat after sewing each strip. 

Stitch next strip of fabric and continue until complete. 

Square up edges.

Sew binding strips together for a continuous 2.25" long strip.  Fold binding strip in half. 

Attach and sew binding into place. 

Handstitch binding to backside of quilt. 

Place quilt label on back.

 

Crafters note:  If I would have thought this design through, I would have started in the middle and stitched towards the outside.  Will have to remember when sewing the next one.

 

 

Happy Quilting

 

9 x 13 Casserole Dish Carrier & Hot Pad

 

McCalls pattern 6177 is simple and easy to sew.  After I made this, my daughter even gave it  a try and did beautifully.   The only thing I did different was use pattern piece 2.  Instead of sewing my own quilted fabric, I opted for purchasing already quilted fabric.  Saved time and $$.   Cut none from pattern piece 1, but cut 2 from pattern piece 2 on fold like directions.  Doing it this way, you will only use 1 yard of each fabric.  

 

From cutting the fabric and sewing, this project took me less than 1 hr to complete.  Depending on fabrics used; this is reversible too.  Can't wait to make more.

 

Having some fabric left over and creative juices running; it was time to make a matching pot holder.  This pattern isn't included in the packet of 6177.  It is an original. 

 

Cut 2 quilted pieces and 1 floral piece into 7" squares.  Cut a floral piece 6" by 3".  Make a bias strip by ironing it and sewing open long edge together to secure.  Form a loop and place at corner of pot holder.  Sewing wrong sides together leaving a small opening for turning.  I used 1/2" seam allowances for both projects.  You could use 1 square of the quilted fabric.  The only reason I didn't was because I wanted it to be a little more insulated.  Clip corners and turn right side out.  Stitch around pot holder approx 1/4" from outer edge to finish.

 

For traveling with carrier slip pot holder over dowel handles.  When you get to your destination, you will have pot holders to move your dish to the table. 

 

Before sewing carrier,  personalize it by embroidering surname 1 1/2" to 2" from top edge of handle.  Find center of potholder before sewing and embroider initial in center for a personalized look. 

 

Enjoy! 

Happy Pot-Luck/Carry-In

No Sew Quilted Ornament

 

 

 

What can you do with scrap fabrics, glue, styrofoam ball or other shape, and a bobby pin?

 

You make an ornament.

 

As I looked at my scraps (you never toss any scraps away no matter how small they are because there is always something you can do with them),  a memory of my aunts Christmas Tree came to mind.  35+ years ago she had made these ornament for GEMS.  I remember her telling my mom how she assembled them.  Racking my brain this is what I came up with.  Have no idea where she had gotten the idea or pattern for these, but they are quick and anyone could do it.  No crafting experience necessary.  I'm sure the story will come out Thanksgiving Day.

 

Directions:  Pick 3 or more different patterns of scrap fabrics.  Cut a manageable size of scrap; taking the bobby pin push edge of fabric into styrofoam shape.  Take another piece of fabric and push fabric into edge covering more of the styrofoam.  Continue until styrofoam is completely covered. 

 

When completely covered glue end or bobby pin and insert it into styrofoam to form a hook for hanging.  Cut a piece of ribbon or decorative string and loop.

 

This ornament took less than 10 minutes to cover a 3" styrofoam ball.

 

Enjoy!  Happy Crafting.