How do you carry your Kindle?

I don't have a Kindle but if I did I would absolutely carry mind in one of these cushioned totes.  They are sized to fit a Kindle, or any electronic reader or small iPad, with a sleeve.  My art journal would fit perfectly.  Hmmmm, I may need one for myself.

The bottom carrier is for a boy so of course it needed a drawstring.  I can't decide which one is my favorite but I am leaning towards the pink tote with the grey chevron lining.  Oh ya', I almost forgot... they are also reversible.  Which one is your favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Viv" Library Tote

Meet "The Viv".  This is a new tote bag designed for a busy SAHM to stay organized and have it all in one tote.  My friend, Tab, is a SAHM to her 18 month old Vivi.  Tab's dilema was that she needed a bag that could carry everything for the day and go from the library to the beach.  Ya' did I mention that she just moved to Hawaii?  Tough dilema, huh? 

 

 

 

It just so happens that I have been designing a new tote that would allow it to be over stuffed with bulky heavy things but not be too large for everyday use.  When I go to the library with the girls my bag is frequently overflowing with books.  I thought that an adjustable flap would be just the thing.  It tucks into the bag when not in use but if you need a few extra inches to pile the stuff up, the flap comes out and ties closed.  If it falls over in the car, the books stay in the bag and don't slide under the seat.  Hmmm, if I had a dollar for every time that has happened to me. 

Tab also needed a toiletry bag to contain her lip gloss collection and keys.

The last addition was the diaper clutch.  It will hold a few diapers and a small package of wipes.  It is easy to find and you don't have to carry the entire tote bag around for a quick diaper change.  I hope "The Viv"  gets years of usage at the library and the beach.

Cheap Labor and Reusable Sandwich Bags

I might stink as a nurse but I make an excellent task master!    I am completely taking advantage of my husband being home on convalescent leave while he recovers from surgery.  

I have been thinking about opening an ETSY store for so long.  Every time someone asks me if I have a webpage I have to sadly tell them no.  My mind is not business oriented.  I can design, sew, and paint until my fingers bleed but when I try to research how to figure out sales tax or how to get a business license all I hear is Charlie Brown's teacher. 

Luckily, I have a husband with an MBA and he is trapped at home for a month.  He is completely dependent on me to drive him places. (insert evil grin)  So, while he is enjoying his time at home, I am encouraging him to do my bidding by figuring out all the rules and regulations of having a legit business.  He claims that he will send me his bill.

While he does the dirty work I am in my sewing/art studio making reusable sandwich bags, totes, and other fun stuff (gotta respect the earth).  Here are some  samples...

"You love fabric" - Greta

We were out as a family yesterday with the plans of picking out our Christmas tree (those plans fell through).  We stopped for a Starbucks on post and I was admiring a booth with MP shirts for sale.  As I was commenting on how nice the fabric was on one of the t-shirts Greta stopped me in mid sentence and exclaimed "Mom you like all fabrics!  It doesn't matter what kind."  (as she pointed out and touched anything made out of fabric around us, including my jacket)

So, with that said, here are a few pics of my new fabric stash for tote bags and purses.

Braided Headband Tutorial

I can never find a headband that fits me or doesn't squeeze my brain.  I love the way they look but my huge head, which Gene calls a wrecking ball, just isn't the average.  So, I had to make my own.

Really, this is so easy and made with scrap material.  It takes about 15-20 minutes to make one - less time if you don't have a cat batting at the strips of material as you braid.

You will need:

three strips of material 42 inches by 1/4 inch

one ponytail holder

one safety pin

a lighter (optional)

Take three strips of material - mine are 42 inches long and 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.  It doesn't have to exact.  I make mine extra long because I like the "tails" to hang out.

Tie a knot in the end and then try to keep them away from your cat.  Oh ya'  I apologize for the lighting on the pictures.  I don't know why the turned out with so many shadows and I don't have the photoshop on this computer yet... that will be added a.s.a.p.

I safety pin mine to the top of the recliner because is makes it easier to braid.  If you are worried about putting a pin in your furniture you can also pin them to your jeans or tape it to a table.

Here is a picture of the braid half way finished.  Note all the little strings coming off of the edges?  If you don't like that look you can snip them off and then use fray-check or burn them off with a lighter.  I always use the lighter method because it is quick and I have yet to set anything on fire or set off a smoke alarm.

The last step is to tie the ends to your ponytail holder.  I measure this one based on my daughter's adorable head.  You could also just tie it around your noggin but I like mine to be easy to slip on and run out the door.

Admittedly, the ponytail holder isn't too attractive if you are a Neat Nick but it doesn't show when your hair is down.  If you want it to look more "finished" you could always sew it together neatly and cover it with material... if you are motivated.

New Fabric

We went on a mini-vacation to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO this past weekend and I got to stop at a few fabric stores.  YAHOO!!!  I was so excited but Gene and the girls - not so much.  They must really love me because they patiently helped me find PUL, gave their opinions on patterns, and waited through the long line (we were number 8 when they were calling number 80).  I thoroughly enjoyed my fabric shopping detour.

Here are some of the new fabrics for re-usable sandwich bags.

These are great fabrics for boys and girls.

The next time you see these prints they will be a tote, bag, or purse.  My favorite is the middle print.  It may be time for a new purse.

Mini Tote, Hobo Bag, and Ruffle Purse

There are three new bags hitting the market at Ms. Effie's Summer Kitchen just in time for Christmas!

This mini-tote is a smaller version of the big market tote.  It is adorable and the perfect size for a wallet, cosmetic bag, book, and whatever the kids or husband want to sneak in there.

I must say that this is my favorite new purse.  It was inspired by several bags I saw on-line.  So, I found a basic pattern on-line at www.jcarolinecreative.comcreated as a starting point, made changes and additions, tweaked it as I went along, and viola.  It was fun to make because I love to mix and match fabrics.  There will be more of these coming along and one for me in one of the new fabrics I posted earlier.

This was another purse that was modeled after another bag  ( I would love to provide a link but I can't remember it - my apologies) but like the previous hogo bag, I made it my own as I went along.  Being free in the patterns and creating as I sew is my favorite way.  I know it would drive some folks crazy.  It is like cooking without a recipe.

However, this pretty purse was a bit challenging.  I thought it would be a great idea to add a ruffle on the outside, a divider in the middle as well as a pocket, and then have a pleated lining.  It was one of those projects where I had to walk away a  few times and regroup but it was worth all the effort.

Gene thinks it is cool that I try to be waste free and use every scrap I have.  With that said, I am working on a tutorial of a braided headband made from leftover materials.  It is so simple to make and can be done in less than 30 minutes.  I made one yesterday while I was coloring my hair.  I don't recommend that method but with some luck, it all turned out fabulous.

There is a messenger bag waiting in the wings but it may have to wait until after Christmas.  My small local fabric store has some things I need to finish it on order and I am waiting patiently.  Now I need to get busy sewing Christmas gifts for my family and friends.  I have lunch kits to make for the girls' teachers.  They include two re-usable sandwich bags and a napkin all tied up with a bow.  Hey, if you want to get some for the teachers and co-workers in your life I'd be happy to make a few extra. 

The girls picked out flannel for a couple pairs of pj's.  Not to mention that I am itching to paint.  I started a mixed-media picture as a Christmas gift for Gigi last month.  It calls to me every time I go into my art room.