Travel First-Aid Pouches {and Giveaway!}

You know those projects you've wanted to get around to doing for a long time, but never do?  A first-aid bag (for my purse) was one of those things for me.  With 5 little kids, everywhere we go someone is getting hurt, a splinter, a scratch, or simply in need of a little TLC.  =)

A dear friend of mine is having a birthday next week, which pushed me to make one for her... then one for me... a few for my Etsy shop (you know - while I'm at it!), and one over on my Instagram for a fun GIVEAWAY! (see bottom of this post)
(And then...as I'm making 6 pouches, I wonder to myself: how does a person make just ONE of anything?  hmmm...beats me.)

I made up my pattern as I went along - which was frustrating while I was doing it.  But the multiple styles/sizes ended up being fun!  Sometimes when I sew I have to remind myself that "learning while doing" is a part of things, and to not let it frustrate me.  Of course, I learned a few valuable things along the way, and LOVED them once they were done. =)

These 2 styles (below) are available in my Etsy Shop (while supplies last).

But this little guy is for ONE LUCKY WINNER!   (Don't you just adore the blue lining with the little dogs?!)

 

- Giveaway Now Closed -
(pattern now for sale - click here)

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Head on over to my Instagram account (click here to enter!) 

1- be sure you're following me,

2- tag as many friends as you want! 

One lucky winner will be picked this Sunday (3/15/15) at 6pm Mountain Time.

 

Good luck!

 

Busy Bags

A friend of mine on Instagram (Bonnie - @greenletterday) released her new Tessa Basket Pattern, which is darling and easy!

I've been wanting to make each of my girls a Busy Bag - a bag for those times when little ones need to be able to sit quietly (church or Bible study), and have a few things to do.  Using the Tessa Basket Pattern, I added in a bunch of pockets to organize markers and hold crayons, little pads of paper, snacks, small toys, or whatever!  The bag dimensions are perfect for holding a large coloring book, as well as a water bottle and even a few other things, with the added magnetic snap at the top to keep everything snug.

I wrote up an free add-on pattern for the things I added (pockets & magnetic snap), so you can make some too! I also changed the way you finish the bag, making the lining smooth vs. the seam line in the bottom.

 

Tessa Basket Pattern: (PDF pattern available here).

Busy Bag (add-on) Pattern: (PDF pattern available here)
 

These are such fun bags to make, and they're pretty darn cut, too.

I don't think they're excited to start using them, do you?

And if you make some yourself, be sure to tag Bonnie (@greenletterday) and me (@redrainbootshandmade) on Instagram!

Giveaway Winner and SewTogetherBags for SALE {tonight!}

Thank you to everyone who entered the Gratefulness Giveaway!  Between comments on this blog...and comments/reposts on Instagram, there were over 450 entries.  Using the Random Number Generator... Charity (on IG) won the SewTogetherBag.  (yay Charity!)

Annnnnd... I've got some good news!

For those of you who've had a hankering for a sewtogetherbag,  but don't want to tackle all those zippers, I've got 8 more bags I'll be putting up for sale tonight (Thursday 2/12/15) at 8pm (mountain time), on Instagram.  (you can find me @RedRainbootsHandmade)

 

They will be $55/each, plus Priority Mail shipping ($5)

 

I know you're dying for a peek at the bags, so here you go. =) 

BAG #1 - Amy Butler (1 available)

 

 

BAG #2 - AMH (2 available)

BAG #3 - AMH (2 available)

BAG #4 - Essex Linen/Fruit Stand (1 available)

BAG #5 - Essex Linen/Fruit Stand (1 available)

Bag #6 - Essex Linen/Red Scrappy (1 available)

 

Who knows... maybe you'll end up with one of these, just in time for Valentine's Day?!

Gratefulness Giveaway

Can you believe it?

Its’ been ONE year.  One whole year since many of you and the IG community (along with God!) turned a horrible-awful scam story into a crazy-thrilling story of redemption. 

Read part 1 - The Scam Story

Read part 2 - The Redemption Story

 

One year later, I am still sincerely humbled and grateful to so many of you (friends I have “met” on IG and complete strangers) who were moved to compassion – who showed me love and concern - who generously gave money towards a new sewing machine.

So to celebrate and show a token of my gratitude and thanks to you, I’m holding a  Gratefulness Giveaway (on IG and this blog) - this cute Sew Together Bag!  It's perfect for holding any assortment of things - cosmetics, sewing supplies, craft/teachers supplies...

 

To enter: Leave a comment below (include your email address).  Winner will be chosen on Wednesday (2/11/15) at 12pm Mountain Time.  Good luck - and thank you for turning such a bad story into such a great one!

 

Baby Quilts

This past week I added a few Crib Quilts to my Etsy shop, and gifted one to a friend of mine who just had a baby.  It felt good to finish up a few things.  And looking at all these quilts, it's is impossible for me to choose a favorite out of the bunch. 

This first black PLUS quilt is backed in a large-scale floral, and is the perfect combination of modern meets romantic, making it simple and timeless.

I especially love this next one.  The color of the backing is fabulous.  It's an amazing tangerine color, from the fabric line Wee Wander (called Summer Ride in Melon) and is covered in whimsical dancing horses and little girl riders. 

Gray PLUS quilts have such a soft look to them.  Especially this one, with it's powder blue backing fabric - full of all the things little boys love: trees, puppy dogs, and swings.

  

And for my friend's baby (they named her Penelope Jane - isn't the that sweetest?), I switched things up a little.  Still the classic black and white PLUS front, but with a super delicate powder blue polka-dot on the back, and a bold splash of Miss Kate red scallops for the binding.

So that's what I've been working on lately.  And boy does it feel good to finish things up and get to mark them off my {long} list. How about you?