bibs

I have been scouring yard sales for old linens lately.
Although I'm really wanting to do something in the baby blanket line with them,
these were a start!

Some yummy old chenille on the back of one and some pretend older looking fabric to back the other.

I used Velcro dots for closures but have a problem.

The back is so gummy with glue that I can't get a sewing needle through it.

But they don't stick well enough to stay attached to the fabric.

Which means I'll probably be taking the Velcro tabs off and replacing them.

Seriously in love with the old ...

remade to be new again.

To save you a moment searching through Pinterest ... pattern can be found over here!

tiny bags and more tiny bags

I go thru phases.

Phases of creativity and mood.

I feel like doing one thing.

And then I feel like doing something else.

I really have never made a larger bag .. like adult size to tote things in.

I've been making these smaller ones and am addicted!

I started with these.

Little girl bags in little girl colors.

All of my little bags have zippers in them.

I would be so sad to lose my treasures and imagine the same of anyone else.

Being as Pinterest is my addiction .. I'll save you the wandering foraging for the pattern.

This link will take you there.

One can only do so many cupcakes, or ice cream cones, and then something else takes over.

I really like the way the zipper is on these ones better.

And ... much less hand sewing on these next ones.

These small zippers cost me 24 cents a piece at SAS Fabrics.

I use what I need and chop of the rest of it.

Aren't they just darling?!

I'm all about repurposing everything I possibly can.

This fabric is left over from a baby blanket I made for sweet little Wyatt.

It doesn't take much in the way of scraps to put together a pencil case.

These zippers cost a few cents more, and I did purchase a wee bit of lining.

Mind you ... the lining scraps will be used in many other things.

I used the same idea for putting together the following cases as well as the rectangular bags above.

Need help with that ... excellent tutorial over here.

More leftover fabric from some project idea or another.

My goal on Saturday morning was to use up all the zippers I had around here.

Now I want to run and get some more.

A while ago, I bought a roll of fabric squares from Ikea.

I had no idea what I was going to do with them, but loved the European looking colors of them.

This little pouch was made out of 2 of those squares.

The pile I have left is rather sizeable.

Isn't she a cutie?!

I really don't want felt bags rolling around in my purse catching every piece of

whatever is floating around in there.

This fabric is more like canvas .. heavy weight and won't attract strays.

I think I need a few myself.

Something to catch the chapsticks, essential oil bottles and all that good stuff.

And my all time favorite.

Ever.

This one took a few more minutes to do.

I wish I had a colored zipper instead of a white one on the top.

And ... I don't like the zipper at the top.

Really, I don't like sewing the zipper at the top.

Other than that ... love it!

 This one took a little more time.

Google to see how far apart lines are on lined paper.

Then machine stitch pale blue lines lengthwise across the fabric and a double red line at the left.

All that cross stitch floss I've had for a million years or more comes in handy.

Pull that stuff out and add a sweet little message.

Select a lining fabric and head to the sewing machine.
To be fair, I would have included the link to this one as well.
It was being sold on Etsy and is no longer available.
You'll just have to make your own .....

I envision these bags with personalized names on them.

Some with the zipper on the left instead of the top.

Small ones to hold erasers.

Longer ones to hold pencils.

I envision little hands tucking them into their backpacks.

I envision larger hands filling them with their sketching pencils.

I'm all about envisioning.

coloring

I haven't gotten into the latest craze of adult coloring despite its wealth of health benefits. Not yet anyway. 

Last weekend was woodworking. 

This weekend was fabric and some filling in between the lines kind of activity. 

These are destined to be pillow covers. 

$6 for a painters drop cloth that was 4 feet long makes for a lot of fabric to create on. 

I'm dropping them off to a willing seamstress to put them together for me. My time is better spent doing a few other things. And as long as I have a willing helper ... I'm thrilled!

Crafting right now is all for a craft sale the end of February. 

It is so ideal it is nearly perfect. 

I can create and play, yet don't need to have the space to permanently house anything because it won't live here. 

What more could one ask for?!

Sunday (today .. and I really need to hit the sheets) I spent the day on the couch not feeling well. 

Let's hope the batteries and gut are all recharged for tomorrow morning cuz it's another busy week!

the phone after Christmas

Can you spell crazy with a capital C?

Good thing hubby added a shed for some of his stuff, cuz I'm taking over the garage.

One deal at a time.

Cracker Barrel for breakfast.

White chocolate covered, cream cheese stuffed French toast.

This shouldn't be anywhere near a breakfast menu.

Dessert most definitely.

Divine for sure.

 

I was seriously spoiled for Christmas this year.

My computer has been funky and declining to the point where I could write faster with pen and paper than getting Word to work.

A new laptop was under the tree ... and within several days ... it wouldn't start either.

Exchanged for another brand and I am up and running.

Now to add software and all that good stuff.

Fast as the dickens at the moment.

Just have to figure out how to make it mine.

My pile of crafting projects has grown exponentially over the past month or two.

Week of vacation = get 'er done!

Anything to be able to live outside and enjoy the cool ... sometimes even too cool and windy to be out there.

And then they came inside. Every surface was covered, massage table included, and ready for paint.

 

There are probably many words to describe this photo.

Whatever they are, they bring me great joy.

Especially when dear hubby adds his work toys to my play ones.

Each time bulk trash pickup rolls around through our neighborhood, dear hubby tries to add the ping pong table to the curb.

Not yet ....

Key chains for the boys.
I have bags of extra keys laying around.
I don't know why they get kept, but they do.
Never know when you'll need them.
I think there is a secret hiding spot that keeps swallowing the key chains, because within a week .... we can't find either one.
Maybe I'll just keep making more of them.
Believe me, there is enough fabric around here at the moment to keep 'em going!
Eventually we will find the whole stash and my key bags will be empty.

I'm back to work this week.

It was a fabulous week and a half at home.
Thursday is my Friday and, boy, am I ready for another weekend!

I used up some coupons that are expiring the end of the month and just ordered several calendars from Shutterfly.
It is so difficult to choose photos!
Painfully difficult.
I find I don't spend nearly as much time anymore being a shutterbug.
Definitely sad.

Happiest and healthiest New Year to you!

falling in love again

The title of this post sounds like I am going to wax eloquent about our 30th wedding anniversary.

December 28th we celebrated that unbelievably getting bigger all the time number.

That marriage, among so many other blessings, brought us a son.

Who brought us another daughter.

Who brought us a miracle to end the year 2015.

Liam Brock Marjanen

7 lbs 8 oz

20 inches long

Cute. As. A. Button.

He isn't anywhere near us in proximity so I have been gazing at the photos on my phone.

Sort of reminiscent of being a teen

and having one photo of a certain someone that holds your attention.

Over and over.

All the day long.

Sort of like this ...

I can't wait to meet you and snuggle you.

If wishes were fishes, I'd be bounding up to cold country to snuggle your little "giraffe".

Congratulations on your precious love.