My little reversible bag

I don't know about you but where I live they don't give out bags any more when you shop.  You either bring your own or buy their paper bags for 10 cents a pop (feeding a family of 5 takes a lot of grocery bags).  So I do bring my own most of the time but I like having a little one rolled up in my purse in case I forget so I have been playing with this idea of a little bag I can put in my purse and here was my attempt at it.  There are lots of instruction on line and I certainly do not prefess to be an expert so I will just show you some of my triumphs and failures.  This was my final piece.  I used one pack of the designer fabric to make one bag.  I took the button fabric and stitched the right sides together to make the outside and the  orangish fabric the same to make the inside lining.  I cut up the stitch design to make the handles, the top border, the pockets and the left over loops and tab for the button and the closure mechanism. 

 I did learn to put the mechanism on one side so when you try to close it it does not gape open. And I put a little pocket on the inside using the last bit of fabric left over.  Both the pockets are completely finished so no raw seams on the inside. 

I wanted to make the outside pocket big enough so that I could flip the bag inside it to fold it flat instead of rolling it and this one worked.

 This was one of my first tries at the bag- I liked it for the most part.   Makani, my girlfriend said that she wished that she had a pocket inside the one she had for her wallet or keys so it does not fall to the bottom when she's at the market. So I tried. 

I liked how the pocket continued the handle but what was funny is that it was too narrow and I could not get my fat hands into it to grab anything.  That's why the final bag has the pocket going side ways.


I  loved playing with the fabric and now I ordered some more- how could I resist?  Maybe I will make a little blanket using this sweet fabric just for moi!  So I can have sweet dreams under my Sweet Stitches!

My Sweet stitches gift exchange

I am in love with the Sweet Stitches button fabric.  I bought a bunch when they originally came out with it because I thought it was so sweet- love the color combo and when it hit the clearance, I bought some more.  Where else can you buy 3 fat quarter pieces for 99cents?  Even at Joanne's it usually goes for no less than $1 each!   Anyway I found some tutorials on scissor holders so I had to make one of course.  I used the petite cone but I am told you can also use the Dresden Designs bigz die to cut the fabrics-
I found the instructions here: http://goinovertheedge.blogspot.com/2012/08/fabulous-comfort-cafe-fabric-holders.html although I had to tweak it of course- I do like a well padded  scissor holder and I did not like seams showing so I stitched the top round  turned it right side out, put all four layers together (with the batting between each of the layers) and stitched a scant 1/4 inch and turned it inside out then used some ribbon and button to sew down the flap-  It was pretty easy but I would advised you to sew the button on, don't glue it- I do think it is worth the effort.  It fits the SU paper snips perfectly!  I gave this away with a bag I made all rolled up.  Isn't it sweet?  I will tell you of my trials making the bag on tomorrow's post. 

First Day

My babies have grown up so much- I remember when they were so small they fit in the palm of my hands 6 weeks premature barely over 4 pounds and they are going to school for the first time. It's such a big milestone....

Tyler is entering 4th grade and he has a full day ahead of him. Although I try to pack mostly reasonably health lunch, occasionally I like to sneak a little something for a surprise(he has such a bad sweet tooth!). The little sentiment from afterthought was perfect. I separated the afterthought so I could you the sentiment 2 ways. I diecut the Scallop Rectangle note (stampin up clearly sizzlet die ) first and then stamped it in tangerine, his favorite color. I love this die- takes up no space at all and is perfect for a little note or tag anywhere!

The kindergarten classes ask that we bring in a towel with the kid's names on them for laying down for naps in the middle of the day and I wanted to give them a plush one so it would be comfy. Dylan wanted yellow towel and Kyle wanted space theme which I could not find anywhere. So the compromise is the space fabric - I adhered the fabric adhesive onto the fabric and diecut using Serif Essential Big Shot Dies- I remember hand cutting letters in the past using templates- this is gazillion times easier- so quick- and it cut like butter through both layers- ironed it on then satin stitched around the letters- that part took forever but I am planning these guys to take these to college! If you are going to take the time to do something, take time to do it right! as they say.

Happy first day of school!

Lynda