Two New Totes

I have two totes to share with you today!

The first is this simple reversible tote bag made using a {tutorial} from Skip to my Lou.

I made it for Lynn (fellow bee in the do Good Stitch's Wish Circle). She said she liked pink, blues and red, and I really like this combination! It was a good way to make a dent into my huge box of charm squares. Hope she likes it! 

It's been a while since I sewed something for myself. I think it was worth the wait....

I had to throw out my favorite purse a few weeks ago. I was using a big canvas tote as a temporary solution.

After two months of being annoyed that the straps were too long and everything sunk to a tangles mess in the bottom, I decided to give it a face lift.

Okay, maybe it was more than a facelift. It was a total reconstruction.

I used the same basic construction/piecing from the Skip to my Lou tutorial.

I added a little hook for my keys, a pouch for my cell phone and divider in the center to hold pens and cards.

It's my mona lisa.  Okay that might be a stretch, and it took a fair amount of trial and error, especially on the back pocket.
(see the blue 'extension' to the zipper ends? 
It wasn't a mistake, it was a creative opportunity... cough cough)

but it's all mine and it makes me smile!

Does anyone else get this excited about having an organized purse?? 

Thanks for visiting!

Mini Box Pouch (aka the webcam bag)

Some of you know that there have been some big life changes around here, not the least of which is that my hubby is working (and living) 170 miles away from me Monday-Friday.

We spent alot of time anxiously thinking about how this change would affect us and ultimately decided to try it for a year, so that we can each move closer to what we want to be,  professionally. 

We have "Skype dates" almost every night, so that we can see each other and talk to other about our day. Cute right? It's been a great tool for us.. there was just one problem.

Or webcams didn't come with a case, and we didn't want them to get dirty or broken during his travel or around the apartment.

Enter a sewing solution!

I found this great tutorial from Sew Like My Mom.

{photo source: http://sewlikemymom.com}

Look at her cute bag!
Her pattern finishes at a useful sized cosmetic bag (9″ long, 5″ tall and 5″ wide).

I used the methods and construction techniques but I scaled it down, and used only cotton fabric (no vinyl).

I used a 7 inch zipper, scaled the exterior/interior pieces to 7" x 11.5" and cut out 1.25" squares.
It finished at a fun little size, apx. (4″ long, 3″ tall and 3″ wide).

I had hubby pick out his fabric and it was kind of adorable to watch him walk around the store looking for the perfect combination. He did pretty well, I think. Don't you agree?  

So... I kind of love our his & hers webcam bags. And I love that we we can keep in touch during our time apart without having to worry about scratched lenses or tangled cords.


But I'm dying to know... What do YOU think?
Have you modified or resized an already awesome tutorial? Or do you always play by the rules?

funky vent smells begone (aka diy reed diffusers)

Hello friends! Long time no see!


My family & friends in NJ were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, so any spare prayers you have would be very much appreciated.
I was very fortunate here in central PA. We never lost power and only sustained minor wind damage on the property.

I had an unplanned 2 day vacation thanks to Superstorm Sandy so I decided to use that time to cross off a few lingering 'to dos', one of which is sharing this little project with you .

Ready? Okay. If you have lived in an apartment complex, you may be able to sympathize with this.
I get strange smells here in the apartment as the air vents pump in air laced with neighbors' kitchen smells.

So, I have been eyeing up reed diffusers all over town. The ones I like generally range from 12-30 dollars.

{image source: Kohls.com}

Seriously? $30 for smelly sticks?? Ummm no thanks. 

Can you say DIY time?
I have seen a few people make their own reed diffusers, but I have to brag a bit as I have never seen someone use a non-vase vessel.

$1 dollar store soap dispenser
$1 dollar store bamboo skewers
$1 dollar store baby oil
$2.75 essential oil scent (from the candle and soap section at Micheal's)
 

Cute. Simple. Sweet smelling. and CHEAP.

Have gotten your dollar store DIY on lately?

This is what catch up looks like...

So here I am. On the 2 months mark from the move and starting the new job.


you know what?

There are still random half-unpacked boxes scattered throughout the house,
and I am still not quite current on my sewing commitments.

 But I am happy with where my life has taken me in the last 10 weeks. 
More on that later.... for now, I will share my new sewing space and some of the blocks that have zoomed out of here at a crazy rate now that I am set up and and have time to indulge in my crafty endeavors.

I got my sewing space set up. I am not blocking a doorway or windows, and I have a real desk!
Gosh feel like I am moving up in the world.... LOL!








Here are the first of many goodies I hope to sew in my new home.

 




It feels good to be home, with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee in hand and squishy fabric all around.
Have you been sewing your way through your transition into fall?
Perhaps like me, you are just happy to leave windows open while you take care of weekend chores.

The three stages of packing

 Officially in the process of moving (sewing table is packed... booooo)

I believe there are three stages to packing:

 1- excitement , 2- frustration, 3-distraction... want to hazzard a guess as to which stage we are in?

Getting back to normal... maybe.

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks!
I sent out fabric to two bees and a swap....





 

Wooh! My living room floor is clear again and I am done trekking to the post office with laundry basket full of squishy envelopes.

I won't be hosting another swap round right away (I promised hubby at least a few weeks of postal normalcy) but it was a huge success and I want to thank everyone who participated.

Just look at the beautiful variety we came up with!




And somehow I did manage to get a bee block sewn for someone else in the fabric frenzy.

This block was super easy, and only required two 10" squares each of the print and the background.
I like the movement of the dots in it, don't you? {HERE} is the full tutorial if you would like to check it out.


I don't love the color on its own, but it will look great with the other fabric Susan has chosen.

How has your June been? Are you getting into summer craze or summer laze?

1000 ( x 8 ) words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I don't know who 'they' are, but let's say they are right.

Here, in "8000" words, is why you haven't heard much from me here in blog-land.

In addition to sewing I've been getting fabric and instructions out as June host for 3 groups!

The lady behind the counter at the post office has no idea what's in store for her tomorrow ;)

I have to say, May kicked my butt- the heat and stress made for a very cranky, unproductive vibe for alot of the last few weeks. 

Fortunately, I got to clear my head a bit with a 26 mile bike trail ride along the Lehigh Gorge last week.

Here's to an equally productive (and hopefully less stressful) June!