ruffled feathers [tote tutorial]...

**note: there is still time to enter in the giveaway for new Seaside Home book! Comment on this post! I will announce a winner on the 15th :)

I was thinking the other day that sometimes it is loads of fun to ruffle someone else's feathers, but very rarely fun to have your own feathers ruffled. [I think alot of kids have figured this out] I am a fan of ruffles - and apparently I am not the only one - they are showing up everywhere! Not wanting to disappoint a trend, I made up this little tote.

Sweet and simple, I put together a little tutorial - here is a link to the pdf.
Hope your day is going well - here the sky is blue, my windows are open, and I can hear birds singing! Goodbye grey skies! [at least for the moment!]

harry potter power...

I am admittedly mostly Harry Potter ignorant... I have not read the books, I have not seen all of the movies, but sometimes things you aren't an expert in can make for great bonding experiences. I met my friend Jordan when she was in high school - now she, on the other hand, is a die hard fan. She pre-ordered and waited in line for the BOOKS [and then read them each in a day]. She introduced me to this mythical world. I'm still not a reader, so we watched a couple of the movies together. We went to see the latest release in theaters - she watches excitedly, I lean over and ask who the heck is that character and why are they doing that. [For Christmas my brother got me all of the HP dvds, so soon I will be in the know!]

I thought nothing could be more fitting than an HP purse. Here is my own take on it! The inspiration came from the paper piecing pattern I found designed by Jennifer Ofenstein and then enlarged. I love how the subtle colors take this purse out of the pre-teen accessory category.

This is my first attempt with the 'no tools required' plastic grommets. They get my seal of approval! Especially helpful is the little template that comes with the set so that you can cut just the right size opening. I used some fusible fleece to give the top more stability.

Best part of making handmade gifts is seeing them enjoyed!

beachy keen...

I am an unabashed purse junkie - all colors, all sizes, all shapes, but never any money to keep inside :D I have been needing [read wanting] a new beach tote for a while now. Pleated bags have been showing up everywhere and I am definitely on the bandwagon! I really liked the Birdie Sling, but that was a bit more bag than I needed and I'm a slacker - Amy Butler patterns are extremely well written, but make me tired around step 37 [she has loads of details and lots of steps in her patterns!]

I modified a tutorial I found on the Warehouse Fabrics website. I changed the pleating pattern and slightly altered the shape. I also wanted to use a big button with a loop - I find that having some type of closure prevents me from accidentally dumping the contents of my purse out at inconvenient times [i.e. in a restaurant, grabbing it out of the backseat of my car, in the movie theater, etc.]

With all the accessories that I carry around - cell phone, ipod, journal, pens, keys - pockets are a must! The tutorial included pockets, but these are my own design [easier when you don't have to follow instructions :]. I used duck cloth for the lining, it gave the bag alot of support and structure.

Sadly, I have no use for a beach bag as we are quickly heading into fall! There are, however, things to rejoice in: football games, chili, baked goods with cinnamon, fresh apples, brisk mornings snuggled in a quilt, and beautiful new colors for the trees.

THERE'S STILL TIME! Don't forget to sign up for the pillow giveaway!! Comment on this post...

crooked house...

Last weekend I did a little experimenting with wonky houses. I am playing around with the idea of making one of these house blocks the center block in my wonky log cabin quilt. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions! This one is made from fabric scraps (not the fabrics used in my quilt).

I machine quilted the block and turned it into a fun beach bag. I need to hang this tote somewhere that I will see it during the impending cold winter days.

let it snow...

Okay, so I am not ready for snowflakes yet, but these little snowballs are! Another project has been dusted off and worked to completion. I love using these for credit cards and a little cash - they're just the right size. As I have looked through the box of ufos (UnFinishedObject), it appears that I am most inspired during the Christmas season. Winter projects abound, but winter must also be a time that I am easily distracted because, until now, none of these projects saw the light of day.

After a quick sew of the lining, this little bag is ready for the ball. hmmm... also a wintery project!

(note: the laptop case is still unfinished. The ufo d'jour is a tree skirt, who knew, another winter project!)