pin Jar

Yes, I have a tomato pin cushion. Doesn't everyone? [oh wait...they don't? hmmm]

I thought it was time to update my pin cushion situation. I find that my little tomato just wasn't cutting it. It would slide around my sewing table when I tried to put pins in it and it was starting to look a little rough. I saw this idea on pinterest and decided to give it a try...

I didn't read the tutorial on other pin cushions jars before I started because it was one of those "I'm going to do this right now" kind of ideas. Once I was finished, I browsed some other tutorials and found that they went about constructing their pin cushion a little differently. Either way you do it, they turn out cute so you can pick which way works better for you. This is how I made mine...

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Here's what you'll need:

1. Any type of jar (with lid)

2. hot glue gun

3. scrap fabric

4. stuffing

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what "to do"...what "to do"

I make lists. 

If it's in my head...I usually need to get it down on paper something before I forget it. I'm guilty of even writing "make a list" on my to-do list, just so I have something to cross off when I'm done. I know...I'm a loser amazing! I constantly have lists going on my phone, on a scrap of paper at work, or even on a paper plate... (we went through a few "paper plate to do lists" when we first bought the house).

Lately, I've thought it would be nice to have my own personalized "to-do" list that I could print out, write all over, and then throw away when I'm done with it. 

Of course, I couldn't find anything that I really liked so I had to make my own. 

Here is what I came up with:

"it's a cinch" bag

Every once in a while I find something really great on Pinterest that gives me that excited/panicky/flustered feeling of “I have to make this right now!” When I saw this bag, I knew I needed one…like…right away.

When my mom was in town, we took a trip to Joann’s to pick up some fabric and a zipper and we got to work. It took us a few short sewing sessions to finish and I love how it turned out. Plus, it was a nice project to do with my mom because I only had to turn one of the drawstrings inside out after sewing it (she did the other – and believe me…that was the hardest part of this whole bag).

I followed the pattern pretty much step by step. The instructions were clear and helpful. I used a pretty patterned quilt-weight fabric for the exterior (as well as the interior pockets that I added on my own) and a black linen fabric for the straps, draw strings and interior lining.

Find the bag pattern HERE.

Find the zippered lining tutorial HERE.

"whale" onesie

I've been making a lot of baby-related crafts lately because I know a lot of people having babies this year. I love to give handmade gifts. For me, making something allows me to give a gift that is special without going broke - I get into trouble at kid's stores. I end up wanting to buy EVERYTHING.

My latest creations? Appliqued animal onesies...

My parents got me a new contraption for Christmas that has made my onesie-making a lot more fun. They got me a Slice Fabrique - a little contraption that is programmed to cut a bunch of fun designs out of fabric. I've been playing around with it a little and love the endless possibilities. My brothers got me the "Animal Frenzy" design card that I used to make the the whale and penquin appliques.

Since I know not everyone has access to a Slice machine - and many don't have the interest in purchasing one - I decided I'd make a little tutorial on one of the more simple applique patterns that could easily be cut out by hand - A WHALE!

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Here is what you'll need to make your onesie:

a onesie (any size you choose)

Sewing machine (or needle and thread if you choose to sew by hand)

Heat N Bond Lite

iron/ironing board

a small piece of embroidery thread (for the eye)

3-4 coordinating fabrics (small amounts)

WHALE TEMPLATE

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