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!