Crocheted Bonnet

My church decided to have a "Pioneer Social" picnic this past weekend.  Even though I was out of town last week visiting family in WV, I took time to crochet this cute bonnet https://www.etsy.com/listing/108275046/pdf-crochet-pattern-penelope-bonnet?ref=shop_home_active.  It was a great pattern and easy-to-follow instructions.  It took me maybe 90 minutes to complete from start to finish.  Shelby really looked the part in my opinion during the picnic.  She's a sweetie.  Thanks for looking!

Scrabble Coasters

Hello! Things have slowed down a bit after two vacations in three weeks' time so I can post a few projects.

This one I recently finished for my new sister-in-law.  She had a unique outdoor wedding and reception with ideas from Pinterest, and I asked if I could help...from a few states away.  She assigned me the task of making 62 Scrabble coasters to be used as seating markers and guest favors that I could bring to town with me for the occasion.  She gave me this tutorial to follow:  http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-wedding-ideas-scrabble-coasters-tutorial/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IntimateWeddings-SmallWeddingBlog+%28Intimate+Weddings+-+Small+Wedding+Blog%29  I followed it with the exception that I used wood stain as the alternative (that she lists) to staining the names and I used wood varnish, but not the specific "marine" one the lady lists on her tutorial.  I also purchased all of my scrabble tiles from one supplier on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/XOSupplies?ref=pr_shop_more.  She was terrific to work with and a fast shipper!  I will order from her again, for sure!  I bought 1,570 tiles in multiple orders.  The cork I bought in rolls at Target in the office section, and I also bought my wood glue at Target.  The stain and brushes and all of that I had on hand already from past projects.

I had fun making these, although I had to kind of watch the weather to complete them as I am preggers and wanted to make sure I was in a well-ventilated area, a.k.a., the outdoors.  I also wore this awesome mask I have been using throughout my pregnancy (since I discovered my pregnancy, anyway) for every paint and stain project, along with some protective gloves that go to my elbows, and of course, I had on my apron!  Otherwise, this project was simple and fun.  I was careful not to spell out any bad words in the miscellaneous scrabble pieces, or at least I tried!

I think these would make a great Christmas gift or for other type of parties. Thanks for looking!

Stenciling with the Cricut

I recently discovered how to stencil with my Cricut, via Tomi Ann here: http://tomiannie.blogspot.com/2010/08/porch-rocker-pillows.html, and I knew I had to try it when I remembered the bag that Jayna has inherited from Carly. It was something Carly received from a Sunday School teacher, and it was an especially nice gift at the time it was presented. Her teacher had put her name on it and a personality trait she thought described Carly. So on the front of it was "Carly - Lovely" in little white letters. Well the letters began falling off soon after she received so I did a quick job stitching them on and left it at that. She used it a couple of years to haul her things to church until I made her this one: http://thecozyhousecrafter.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-i-didtwo-of-them.html. The old pink bag needed some cleaning up and altering. So I took the opportunity to make it something Jayna could use for her book bag. I followed the tutorial that Tomi Ann did in her post about her porch rocker pillows. I used my Cricut and Gypsy to make the designs, used the freezer paper, and I used non-toxic acrylic paint instead of fabric paint, and I am pretty sure it's going to be fine. I really like it and I think Jayna will, too. Thanks for looking!

So I did....TWO of them!

My last post was regarding a purse that I really, really had to learn to make. So the very next day I went out and got my supplies...I only needed the purse handles, some lace, and some fusible interfacing (I bought fusible fleece instead of craft fuse per the instructions). I already had the fabric and thread. This fabric was originally intended for an apron. But I've had the fabric for a few months and haven't done anything with it...until now. And I must say that it probably made better handbags than it would have an apron. One purse is for Carly and the other for me. I made hers a little softer in color and with more lace...that's what she wanted me to do when I asked her. (She was so excited that I made us matching bags!) For hers I used two different laces that I found at JoAnn's. The little twisted flower accents I made out of some silky fabric that I was going to use for our purse lining but it didn't mesh well with the fleece fusible interfacing. (So I used the cotton polka dots print instead.) Her little pearlized accent buttons are also from JoAnn's...and the handles, too. For my purse, I wanted a more mature look, so I used the dark brown rose lace I found at Hobby Lobby, along with a more sophisticated-looking lace under and above the roses. All of the lace I used on my purse was bought at Hobby Lobby. Also, my big twisted light purple rose is attached to a pin so I can remove it altogether or just move it around for a different look on my bag.

As for this tutorial, it was just plain awesome! Very clear instructions, easy-to-follow, and I want to thank Christie for taking the time to share it with me...or anyone who wants to look it up at a lemonsqueezyhome.blogspot.com. (I really think she should sell the tutorial in her Etsy shop! She is selling the purses she made in her shop under seller "lemonsqueezyshop" and the purses are beautiful!) And thanks to Disney for featuring her on rufflesandstuff.com, or I might have never found the tutorial. Not only did I create two pretty purses, but I learned how to use the zipper foot on my sewing machine!! And it took me a little longer to create these purses than 45 minutes...but I am still learning to sew and use my machine. Not that great at it, yet. But I took my time and got everything right and the end result shows it.

I am so happy to have matching purses with my oldest daughter for Mother's Day! ;) THANK YOU, LADIES!!

I REALLY NEED TO MAKE THIS PURSE!

At Ruffles and Stuff (listed right [www.rufflesandstuff.com]), Disney featured this gal: http://alemonsqueezyhome.blogspot.com, and her tutorial on how to make these purses. And I am IN LOVE!!! With a purse! Never thought I would be...forget those name-brands like Coach and Aigner and such. I love the awesome, handmade, one-of-a-kind like these, and like this: http://www.etsy.com/shop/peskycatdesigns. Anyway, I am so making one of these, and thought I would share in case anyone has similar taste to mine in handbags. Happy crafting!