5 for 5 Challenge :: 1 Completed!

I've been waiting to post a photo of the handmade item I made until my first and only (so far) participant received it--so she'd be surprised.  Today, Rana @ Free to Learn an Lovin It, got the package.  I am so happy to know she likes it!  There's something about seeing my work on her blog--I'm rather proud of it.  You can check out her post about it here.  Here's a photo I took right after making it.  It's a nice and fun reusable bag.

Rana has asked me to put a tutorial together.  So, I'll plan do that when I start on my next one.

If you're interested in joining my 5 for 5 Challenge, I'd love the opportunity to share some other handmade creations with four others.  Click here to read about the requirements and leave a comment letting me know you wanna play along!

Happy Hand-making! :D

Thrift Store Finds

Yes, I did it again today.  It's been awhile and I've been itching to create/make/upcycle something!!!

Well, I found some lovely vintage pillow cases, several random good-sized pieces of fabric, and a curtain with a very cute pattern.  I'm seeing some reusable bags and a cute tote or two for the girls (out of the curtain).  We'll see.  I'm going to spread things out on my create table and see what comes to me.

Hope you're finding time to create, too, this summer!

5 for 5 Challenge :: UPDATE

Well, I've finally completed the item I've been wanting to my for my participant--Rana!  I'm so very excited about how it turned out.  I will be putting it into the mail today so won't share a photo just yet.  I've been finding time amidst all the packing to create and make.  My plan is to pack up my sewing items last--I girl has to be able to create on a moment's notice, right?

Hope that each of you are doing well and finding time to create.  Happy Tuesday!

Is This Not the Coolest Thing?

I found the link on Whipup.net.  In my quest to find more eco-friendly storage, I'm excited to have found this.  Yes, I'll be adding this to my growing list of projects! :D

You can click here to go directly to Allyson's blog and find out all the details. (The photo is Allyson's.)

New Book

My favorite cousin & best friend sent us a new knitting book. It was sent with my eldest in mind.  I've been teaching her to knit and this book will give us another project to take on.  It's for knitting dolls with all their clothes & accessories.  My girls can't wait to get started on one, or two or three!

Thanks Emilie!!

The List Lengthens

My roll is slowing down a bit.  It's the end of the month...packing is looming ahead of me for next month.  I've found some really cute projects that I'd like to try my hand at.  Not sure if they were happen before the move or after we get settled again.  I've decided to post them here so that I can easily find them again.  Perhaps you'll find them interesting as well and have a go for yourself.

I found both these links on Whipup.net.  They're good for sharing all kinds of crafting, handmade things.

The first is a reversible bag (I love a good bag!). VeryPurplePerson shares many more projects on this blog.

The next one is a pattern for hand smocking a sun dress (something I have been looking to do for awhile). Over at ikat bag there other patterns and projects shared on the blog regularly.

Then, there's the pillowcase tutorial from FilmintheFridge, yet another sewing/quilting/fabric blog.  It's beautifully inspiring over there!!!  I have looked through books that repurpose pillowcases for other things but hadn't thought about making my own.  Hmmm....yes, ideas! :D

 The post of the Strawberry Fold-away Bag grabbed my attention. Had to add it the my list!  Isn't it just adorable???  It's another project from ikatbag.  The entire bag fold up into this little strawberry.

Here's the re-purposing pillowcase post: pillowcases to shopping bags.  This is great to do with old cases around the house (if you have them) or you can find them at thrift stores and tag sales. SpiderWomanKnits shares a few more photos and the tutorial.

So, I've added each of this to my lists of crafting/sewing/re-purposing list for this year.  I'm hopeful that I'll get to at least one before the year is out!  With any luck all of them! :D

Happy Crafting!!!

Photo credits: ALL photos shared here are taken from the Whipup.net posts and were [more than likely] taken by the original crafter/designer of these patterns and tutorials.

MORE Fabric!!!

Look what I found at a local thrift store????

I found these over the past few days of thrifting!!!  I hadn't even thought about looking for fabric.  I mean, I've gotten a set of sheets that I've re-purposed but this is the first time I've found fabric in pieces large enough to make something out of!  Two pieces are canvas (making some reusable bags with them), two pieces are a stretchy polyester-type (a see a halter top/dress or two), one large piece is seersucker (sun dresses or top & shorts sets for the girls), another large piece is flannel (plan to make some heating pads and give as gifts), one piece is corduroy (not sure what it will be but I LOVE corduroy!!), and the last piece is a light-weight cotton, it's actually a curtain, which I plan to make several reusable produce bags from.

Well, there's my new list of projects, which I'll mix between the list I already have going.  I'm excited about these possibilities!!

Seersucker Sun Dresses

I love seersucker!!  It just says, "SPRING!"  I got this fabric on sale and whipped up another set of dresses for the girls.  I'll have to put the final touches on them in the morning, as the girls have long been asleep.  Here's a peek at them...will share more when they're completely done.

I also love this pattern--very easy!  Only two pieces for this particular dress. (Notice, they're sleeveless)  I did get some more patterns that I'm planning to try over the next week or so.  I found some really nice material at the thrift store.  I'll wash it up and then cut out some more play clothes for the girls!  I'm ahead of the game (so far that is!) LOL!

Some Sewing

I made time today to whip up these two cute sun dresses for my girls.  I went to the fabric store and found a wonderful sale!! YAY!  I got several new pieces of fabric (I know) but will be using them over the next two weeks to update the girls' summer wardrobe.

I'm on a roll! :D

A Simple Sun Dress

In the midst of all my decluttering, I woke up with the desire to sew.  And so, I did!  Here's what I made:

It's for my pretty girl.  I need to run to the fabric store to pick up two buttons or other artsy decoration to add to the front.  But other than that it's finished!

It felt good to make something.  I haven't done it in awhile--sewing that is.  We'll see what tomorrow will bring!