Baby Week-Baby Bag

This week I am posting gifts that I have made for a baby shower that I will be attending. This bag is for a mommy who is having her 2nd bambino, so I wanted the bag to be a little bigger(not by much) since I have 2 monkeys and know how much junk you have to haul around. I had the urge to keep this bag for myself b/c I love the size and the fabric...does it look familiar? Remember the Bo Peep skirt? I used the leftovers from this bag to make S.R.'s skirt. I'm taking her 2 year pics this week, and yes, she will be sportin' the new skirt:o) Anywho, I made a bunch of pockets(7 in all), inside and out, so that there was plenty of space to store stuff. Love, Love, Love it! I got to use my fancy stitches on the ribbon that goes all the way around. That was a little nerve racking just b/c I felt a little out of control as the needle was working like nobody's bid-ness. Did I mention how much I love this bag?:o) Oh well, if I have to make one for myself, I guess I could:o)

 

  

F.Y.I....there have been some requests on how to make this bag....here are the typed instructions, as I remember them...
I did not use a pattern for this. However, I can give you the measurements and how I pieced it together, and hopefully you will be able to make some sense out of it:o)

 I had 3 separate fabrics. The striped fabric, flowers and butterflies fabric, and the lining. all from Hobby Lobby
Bottom= cut 2 @ 20"x7"(one from butterfly, one from lining)
Long sides= cut 4 @13"x20"(2 f/lining, 2 f/striped)
Short Sides=cut 4 @ 13"x7"(same as above)
Pockets on outside=cut 2 @ 13"x20" & 13"x7"
Straps=cut 2 @ 4"x 44"
I ironed stabilizer to the striped fabric and the strap fabric to make it more stiff.
Ribbon
My seam allowance was 5/8"
I applied the ribbon onto the pockets, after I had ironed down the rough edges to make a hem. I used a decorative stitch. Next I basted the pockets to the striped fabric, matching all edges. I did this for all four sides.I made a straight stitch in the middle of the front pocket for 2 pockets. Add bow. Sew together all sides and bottom.  Next I made pockets for the lining. These were a little tricky. I cut one piece of lining  20" long, and about 10" tall. I cut this in half.  Fold down top rough edges to make a hem, stitch. I  box pleated the bottom of the pockets so that there would be extra room, just use a baste stitch. I matched the sides of one long piece, and basted. Sew all lining pieces together. For the straps, fold in half, longways, iron, and then iron rough edges in a 1/2". Stitch as close to the edge as possible making sure to catch all edges. Iron down edges of liner and outside casing a 1/2 inch. Pin wrong side of liner to wrong side of casing, making sure to add your straps where you want them, and stitch all the way around.  And that's it:o) Hopefully I haven't confused you and made your brain hurt:o

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Wallet for me:o)

I love making things for my children, and absolutely love it when I think I have an original idea that makes life easier... after saying that I am reminded of the verse in the Bible that says there is nothing new under the sun...;o) Anyway, sometimes I like to make a lil something for myself and when I ran across this tutorial for a wallet at The Rubber Punkin, I knew that it was for me. It is super simple and I already had the supplies here which was even better. Nuttin' like f-a-ree:o) One thing I would change, (speaking of change..there isn't anywhere to put it, so you need a change purse), I would make a spot for my drivers license at the top..it just looks empty up there. I did monogram my initials on the front... the hubs was quick to point out that my spacing was a little off...still working on that:o) Just adds more character..HA! I plan on making a coordinating purse for it later on. I got a great book in the mail the other day, and I found a bag I want for myself. 

 

 

Next week I have a baby shower that I will be attending, so in honor of that special day, I will be posting baby items that I am making for the mommy-to-be(this will be round 2 for her). Hope you all have a great weekend! Peace out....

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Bo Peep Skirt

My sweet S.R. is turning 2 next month...sniff, sniff...she's growing up so fast! So pictures are in order. I always take the kids pictures, and if I say so myself, I think I do a fairly good job without any formal training:o) Anyway, I had some left over fabric from a baby bag that I am making(more on that next week), so I thought why not use the extras for lil sis? The pattern I used is absolutely A-dorable. The name of it is the Bo Peep skirt from the book It Seams to Me. It took a little over an hour to make, and I  L-O-V-E it!!! It is so sweet on little britches and she can even twirl in it if her lil heart desires. Pictures will commence this weekend, so that I can get her b-day invites out with her precious little mug in them:o) I also made a head band with the scraps...she loves it and I love that she loves it:o)

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Yummy Chicken Tortilla Soup

I have been dying for some Chicken Tortilla soup from McCallister's Deli for the longest, but have been super lazy and super cheap here lately to actually go and get some. Yesterday the hubs came home sick from work with the yuck that the kids and I passed on to him...aren't we sooooo sweet?:o) I knew that this was the perfect time for some soup, and why not try to make some chicken tortilla soup. I hopped online to see if I could find a version of McCallister's, and I did here. Here is my version, since I didn't have all the ingredients...go figure:o)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves(I had 1 lb. of chkn. cutlets)
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil(regular canola oil)
1/2 medium onion, minced(1/4 of a red onion)
2 tablespoons minced garlic(I had the kind in a jar)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes(diced tomatoes with onions)
1 (28-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth(a 32 oz. box of chkn. broth)
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water, divided(didn't use water since I used the whole box of broth)
1/4 cup cornstarch(didn't have any, used 1 c of heavy cream & 1/4 c of flour to thicken)
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles(didn't have this, so I used grandmother's jalapeno relish, 2 T)
4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro(didn't have it)
2 cups tortilla chips
1 bunch green onions, sliced(didn't have it)

Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a skillet large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer. Add chicken, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until chicken is done, about 15 minutes. Drain chicken; cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

In a medium stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until soft.

Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes and their liquid, chicken broth and 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water.

Stir together cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water; heavy cream and flour, stir into stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, until broth is slightly thickened.

Stir in chiles grandmother's relish, cheese, cilantro and cooked chicken. Stir until cheese melts, then let simmer for 10 minutes.

Ladle soup into bowls; serve chips on the side (or crumble a few chips over each bowl of soup). Garnish with chopped green onions.

Yield: 4 servings

And there you have it...DELISH!...So good that poor sickly hubs went back for seconds:o)

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Use Whatcha Got Week-Children's Placemats

We have a problem in our household when it comes to sitting down at the table. Spilled Milk. And yes, there is usually crying involved afterward.  My lil man is drinking out of regular cups, and has been doing great....but here lately he has had the dropsies or the knock-it-overs. While sitting at dinner the other night, I had a light bulb go off...amazing, I know... His cups are always sitting at the edge of the table just asking to be knocked in the floor. He needs a target spot for his cup, fork, spoon and plate. Place mats go on tables, so I must make place mats. And of course lil miss needs one too. A while back mother gave me about 50 orange place mats and I think she paid a buck for all of them because the store was goin' outta biz-nass. They have been sitting in my pantry fo-EVUH. Now, I have a perfect project to use them in(only 48 left:o)). Anyway, here's a tutorial on how to make your own place mats:o)
Supplies:
-Vinyl place mat (base)
-Fabric of your choosing(2 coordinating colors/patterns)
-Iron-on Stabilizer
-Scissors
-Rotary cutter
-Patterns for plate, cup, spoon, and fork.(I will post these when I can figure out how to;o))
-Clear plastic Vinyl(top)
-Double wide bias tape

 

How to assemble:

Lay your base fabric on the place mat. With your rotary cutter, carefully cut around the place mat. 

 

Make sure that all the edges are even. Next you will need to pin your base fabric to the stabilizer. Cut it out and iron in place. 

 

Grab your patterns(I actually made the circles on Word, and looked on clip art for a fork and spoon that I thought would work). Lay the patterns out on your secondary fabric for a dry run, just to see how much fabric you will need. Cut the fabric to size, cut stabilizer to fit that size and iron. Pin the patterns to the fabric and cut. It's easier to do it this way, especially when it comes to cutting out the fork. 

Now it's time to applique. When I applique, I always use a tight stitch because I don't like to see any gaps. However, in this particular case, I went with a looser zig-zag to keep everything flat. Pin the cut out patterns into place. Make sure that everything is even. Start stitching. I  kept the place mat rolled up so that it would be easier to maneuver while stitching.

Here's what you have after it's all sewn in place.... Something seemed to be missing, so I added "Let's Eat" at the top left with my embroidery machine.

Sew the base fabric to the vinyl place mat. There is usually a textured side and a smooth side. Make sure that the textured side is facing down. Line up all edges and start sewing.

After making it all the way around, it's time to apply the clear vinyl. When purchasing vinyl, it is usually rolled up in tissue paper with printing. Use this while sewing on top of the vinyl so that it will actually make it thru the machine. Cut the vinyl just a little bit larger than the actual place mat just in case there is any slipping. It's really no use in trying to pin this stuff together because it's thick and it will buckle up. The vinyl goes on top of the base fabric, but I turned it upside down, so that I could see exactly where the place mat was...kinda hard to see thru the tissue paper:o)   Once that is done, rip the tissue paper off and trim the edges.

 

Last but not least, add the bias tape around the edges. This gives it a finished look. 

Now my babies have a target spot for everything when eating, and the clear vinyl on top makes clean-up a breeze:o)

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We Have a Winner!!!

Thanks to all who participated in my very first giveaway, and for all the wonderful and encouraging comments. Gives me the warm and fuzzies:o) Anyway, the winner of the bag is Miranda! Just email me your address and I will get it in the mail asap:o)
***I also wanna wish the hubs Happy Anniversary today!! He has put up with me for 7 years. He told me that it has seemed like 3 minutes...under water...haha, gotta love it:o) Anyway....***

 This week I am concentrating on using the craft supplies that I have in my home to make fabulous stuff instead of going out to Hobby Lobby, Lowes, Target, Dollar Tree, Walmart, etc. for more supplies. So this week's blog titles will be called "Use Whatcha Got." So here goes....
Our half bath has a pedestal sink and I have always wanted one. Love it, but the only problem is that there isn't anywhere to hide the additional toilet paper. I didn't want to leave rolls just hanging around on the floor...yuck... but I definitely wanted to leave some in there(no fun if you get stuck with nothing of which to wipe with, if ya know what I mean;o)) So, as I was looking thru my Paper Crafts mags, I ran across this pic, and knew I had to re-create it as my new T.P. holder.

 

Here's a quick tutorial on how to recover a box to put whatever you want in it...mine of course will be housing said T.P.

I bought a gift box set at an after X-mas sale, and the middle sized box was the perfect fit for the T.P.

 

I grabbed all my supplies...coordinating scrapbook paper, scissors, Mod Podge, paper cutter, my Paper Crafts Mag., to keep me on track, and embellishments(i.e. stickers, ribbon, letters, etc.).

 

Find the paper that you want to use for the box top(I looked for one that had a nice pattern on it). Lay the box top on the wrong side of the paper and measure. Make sure to leave enough room for the edges to overlap the sides. Bust out the Mod Podge, slather it all over the paper, and apply it to the top. Make sure all sides are even.  Take your scissors and cut the corners at a slight angle so that each side will fold down smoothly.

Set the top to the side to dry. Now for the bottom. I cut 4 rectangles, each were the width of the box, but the length was longer so that they could overlap the bottom, and the inside of the box. Make sure to cut the angles as you did the top. Apply the Mod Podge and smooth out evenly. 

(Look at that sweet little arm...my babies love their crafting too;o)... After the Mod Podge has had time to dry, apply a thin coat on the lid and the box itself to make it a little more sturdy. In the pic below, I cut out a square that was just smaller than the actual box to cover the rough edges, and to make it look more uniform.

You can add another coat, or move on to embellishing. I have lots of scrapbook stuff that has been lying around waiting for the day when I would remember them and give them the love and attention they deserved... I pulled out these cool letters that I have had for years...I never used them in my scrapbooks b/c they were too bulky, but they are perfect for this lil ole box...The front says bath tissue b/c that sounds soooooooo much nicer than toilet paper. I wanted to sound somewhat educated:o) The top of the box says "Open". I put that one on there for the men who visit that toilet...you just never know;o) I am really happy with how it turned out! Now my T.P. has a home, in a box, on a shelf, hidden from plain view:o) Stay tuned for more "Use Whatcha Got" crafts...

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Last Day to Enter!!!

Just a reminder that today is last day to enter the bag giveaway. I will announce the winner tomorrow morning. Good luck to you all:o)

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