:: Sew-Together Bags

I first saw this Sew-Together-Bag when a friend of mine (Krista @kristastitched) made one and put a picture of it on Instagram.  I instantly fell in love with it, and all the pockets and organizing storage it offers - perfect for teachers supplies, makeup or sewing notions.  Which then gave me the crazy idea to make one for teacher's Christmas gifts (the kids' Science/Spanish class) as well as Christmas gifts for a few of my friends.

8 bags later I can testify to it not being a super fast pattern, but a very satisfying project.  I used scraps to make a pieced strip in the front, and then added monograms to personalize each one (I love the way they turned out!).  But really, these can be personalized, or made as scrappy or streamlined as you want.

I ended up cutting out all the pieces for each bag at one time, which helped speed up the process.  And then I'd sew 2-3 at a time - kinda like chain-piecing quilts...but...bags.  On a few of them I mis-cut the front panels, and had to improvise by adding another narrow strip of fabric, and then made it look like it was on purpose! 

For my friends that sew, I added a little felted wool rectangle (from a shrunken wool sweater) for pins/needles.

Since I needed (24) 9" zippers, I bought mine from a little shop over at Etsy, called ZipIt.  Bulk pricing ended up being much better than buying individually at JoAnn's, and I was very pleased with the quality, not to mention it was so fun to pick colors from such a nice assortment! 

Packaging got creative when I went to mail these - and necessity is indeed the mother of invention.  My pantry provided the perfect mailing package, and after I wrapped the oats tubs in brown paper they looked "inventive" if nothing else.  Even the Post Office employee commented on them being unique.  At least she made me feel like it was cute - even if it was ghetto.  =)

Overall they were a hit, and after Christmas was over and I could catch my breath, I made one more for me.  Now I can't wait to fill it with all my sewing notions!

At first I hesitated a bit when I saw the price of the pattern, but when I realized how many bags I'd be making, averaged out, it ended up being a steal. =)  Plus the pattern is brilliant. 

Oh yeah - if you want to check out pictures of other Sew Together Bags, head on over to Instagram and look up @sewdemented's #sewtogetherbag.  And be sure to let me know if you make one too.

 

Bag Info:

Pattern: Sew Together Bag - pattern at Craftsy.com

Outside Fabric:  Essex Yarn Dyed Linen - in black

zippers: ZipIt (Etsy.com)

 

 

 

:: weekend

I know it's been a while since I've written on this blog of mine.  That usually happens whenever I am up to my eyes in projects and keeping everything else going.  But boy has has it been fun!  Now that Christmas is over, things have slowed down a bit and I have so much I'd like to write about and show you.

But first things first - it seemed appropriate to share a few of these snowy pictures from our cold weekend.  We enjoyed talking and relaxing by the warm fire, but were also driven (by our children's energy levels) out to do some snow shoveling, hauling up firewood, and also fun. 

 

 

 

 At this point, fingers and cheeks were freezing, and children began heading indoors.

(funny fact:  I have no idea how these snowflakes started moving or how to make them stop!  I guess my photo uploading software noticed the flakes in the picture and automatically added them - haha!)

Jack and Ellie did a lot of whittling and carving by the fireside, too.  We had wood shavings everywhere (yes - everywhere), but it provided hours of creative entertainment.

A few weeks ago my Mom suggested setting this little man on the counter beside me while I work or cook in the kitchen.  She said she did that with us kids when we were little.  And from the first time I lifted him up, we've never gone back.  It's been a lifesaver - he's happy to be near me and able to see what's going on, and I'm able to get things done without him holding onto my legs and fussing.  Don't know why I didn't think of it myself - and I'm so thankful for others who give pointers along the way.

 Overall - it was a great weekend: warm - cold - AND I began my January de-cluttering, and boy does it feel good! (more on that later).

 



{this moment}

. . . . . . . .

{this moment} - Every Friday.
A single photo - no words - capturing a simple, special moment from the week.
A moment I want to savor and remember forever. 

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .
If you're inspired to do the same,
leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for others to find and see. (SouleMama)

:: What a little (or a lot) of work will do

I've been looking for a sewing hutch - a place to store my extra fabric and supplies, as well as my patterns and quilting tools.  About a month ago I found this beauty at our local GoodWill store - AND it was on Half-Off Saturday!  (Yes - I was practically dancing right there in the store).  Even though it was a little bit bigger than I had in mind, the bones were exactly what I was looking for, the detailing was beautiful, and it was a Thomasville - which means high quality craftmanship, real wood, and dovetail drawers.  It wasn't the color I was looking for, but we all know THAT is how you get a good deal.  You can't have Pottery Barn beauty and quality, AND a Goodwill price tag.  =)  Good thing I know how to paint.  So it came home with me.

 With the first few brush strokes of primer, I began getting very worried.  I knew I was either crazy...or brave.  I decided crazy.  It was a bear to paint every surface of every shelf and door, but at that point I knew I didn't have a choice but to continue.  Let me just warn you: if you're thinking of painting your first piece of furniture, don't start with a china hutch.  =)
But now that the final coat of creamy paint is on, I'm so glad I did it - despite the many hours of work. 
Our eating table and countertops are covered, so the family's been flexible and we've enjoyed eating on a folding table.  It's so funny, things that adults find an inconvenience, the kids' think exciting.

Can't wait to show it to you finished!



:: Baby-doll shirts

A few weeks ago I went shirt shopping for my oldest girl, who is just about to turn 7.  I was amazed at the dismal selection of cute, feminine shirts.  It seems like most of the stores only had shirts that looked way too grown up.  She had one shirt I loved from The GAP (bought at a consignment store), so I found a shirt pattern that was similar, and bought it when JoAnn's was running them for $.99.  This baby-doll style of shirt seems to be flattering on any little girl, and looks adorable with leggings or jeans. (McCall's 6388)

If you haven't noticed, I have a thing for polka-dots.  =)  Now I just wish I could make a few for me.

{this moment}

. . . . . . . .

{this moment} - Every Friday.
A single photo - no words - capturing a simple, special moment from the week.
A moment I want to savor and remember forever. 

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .
If you're inspired to do the same,
leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for others to find and see. (SouleMama)