Quick, cheap, & EASY wall art

 Before Coop was born, I didn't pick any particular "theme" for his room.  Mostly because I couldn't find anything I really, really loved (although I did like the safari themes a lot of places had), and partly because I knew any decorations at this point would really be more for me than him.  I decided I would just wait & see if I found anything I particularly liked, preferably something he might still like as he got older.

A few months ago, when hubby & I were out shopping, we found some of those vintage-style metal signs.  You have to understand, we're kind of crazy about these signs - I've got a handful in the kitchen & we've got quite a few for the basement once we're finished refinishing it.  We spent some time digging through the stacks, and I found this great set of super hero signs - Captain America, The Hulk, Wolverine, & Wonder Woman - and I just had to have them for Coop's room.  I can't find a picture of them now, and Coop's asleep, so I'll have to update with a picture.

After finding those signs, I knew how I wanted to decorate Coop's room, and decided to keep my eye out for cool super hero stuff to decorate.  I was in Hallmark a couple weeks ago, just checking out the clearance stuff, & decided to wander through the cards.  I'm not even sure why I did, I never look at the cards, but I'm so glad I did!  I found some great super hero son birthday cards.  I knew they were perfect for Coop's room!

At first I thought I would frame them, but I had some basic foam board from another project, and decided to just mount them directly on the foam board.  I love the white border, although honestly I thought about painting it but was just too impatient to wait for the paint to dry!

I loved the curved corners on the cards, so just traced & cut it on the foam board as well.  I love the extra bit of detail it adds.  I thought about cutting the front off the card so I could put the inside on the back since I really liked the sayings, but in the end just left them together since I didn't want to take a chance on messing up the front of the card (did I mention I was just impatient to get them finished up?).  I used some photo splits I had sitting around, left over from making my wedding invitations three years ago to attach the cards to the foam board, and keep the card closed.  

The cards are hung right over Coop's crib, so I see them every time I pick him up for a nap or put him down to sleep, and they never fail to make me smile.  I really hope they'll something he'll like having up in his room for years to come.

And I just have to share this picture of Coop.  I know this song is way over-done, but it just cracked me up when I thought of it.  :)

Until next time...

Zakka Zip Organizer

I have to admit, I wasn't too crazy about the projects in the Zakka Style book when the sew along was first announced this spring, but then I saw Sara's Zip Organizer, and I knew I needed to see if I could get the book from our local library.  I've had the book for a couple weeks now & knew I wanted to make a Zip Organizer of my own for the sew along, but of course I kept putting it off.  This week kind of snuck up on me, so yesterday I decided it was finally time to tackle the organizer.  Luckily I had everything on hand that I needed (including two matching zippers!), and chose fabrics that matched the zippers I had on hand, some leftovers from all those origami pouches last summer.

If you're going to make this, I recommend making your exterior panel & one of the pocket lining pieces a bit longer than the 11" in the pattern, then cutting it to the correct size after adding the zipper.  After putting in my zipper for the exterior pocket, the exterior piece was a bit short, so I had to add the grey to the edges since the binding wouldn't quite cover it.  Unfortunately I thought it was going to be covered & didn't realize it wouldn't until after I had already added the zipper, so I ended up having to sew the grey pieces on by hand & it's not quite as nice looking as I would have liked.  In the end, I like the look of it though, so it was a happy accident!

The inside has 9 credit card pockets on the left (the cards go in the pockets vertically) & three larger pockets on the right side.  I didn't interface any of the interior pockets, I figured they didn't really need the added bulk, and I think the credit card slots are going to be just fine.  I do kind of wish I'd added at least some light interfacing on the bigger pockets since they aren't tacked down, but I think they'll be alright.  A heavier-weight fabric would have worked well too (I just used quilting cotton - some of my DS Quilts).  

A couple of these prints (the dots & plaid) are ones I've been holding on to since last summer, just waiting for a good project for them.  I had originally planned on using them for a Mabel Messenger, and may still make one of those too.  

This was my first time binding anything, and suddenly I am not looking forward to binding Coop's quilt!  It's took me two hours last night (well...half last night & half this morning, since I did it from 11 pm to 1 am when I couldn't sleep!), and it's so small compared to a whole quilt! 

Overall, I'm really happy with how this turned out, and will definitely be making more.  I think they'll make great gifts for Christmas this year!

Until next time...

Purse Palooza - Mabel Messenger review

Head over to Sew Sweetness today to check out my review of my most recent Mabel Messenger bag!

Purse Palooza 2012

I finished up my Mabel bag last week & can't wait to share it with you later this week as part of Sara's Purse Palooza 2012!  Honestly, I'm excited about all the posts for Purse Palooza, it's going to be great!  

Here's a little sneak peek of my new bag:

You'll only have to wait until Thursday to see the rest!  

Announcing Purse Palooza 2012!!

This is a fun event, which I will be guest posting for in June over at Sew Sweetness to get you sewing a purse for the summer! Here's how it works:
 1. Every weekday in June, there will be 2 amazing guest bloggers scheduled to share with you a purse sewing pattern review. The review will contain detailed information about what they thought about the sewing pattern, modifications they made, what kind of interfacing they used, and more! Get inspired!
 2. Even more exciting...THERE WILL BE A GIVEAWAY EVERY WEEKDAY IN JUNE! That's right, 20 GIVEAWAYS! Your Giveaway Fairy Godmother is Kim from My Go-Go Life - she has some unbelievable giveaways planned!
3. At the end of the event, you will get a chance to show off your purse in order to win some amazing prizes!

My free tutorial: Caliti Convertible Clutch

Pattern Review Schedule
June 4 - Sara @ Sewsweetness (tutorial: bag interfacing)              
Kim @ My Go-Go Life (Urban Jungle Bag)
June 5 - Meg @ Fashioned by Meg (Anna Maria Horner Art Student Tote)              
Lindsay @ Lindsay Sews (Posie Rosie Little Things Jane Market Bag)
June 6 - Kaelin @ The Plaid Scottie (Oliver + S Day in the Park Backpack)              
Colleen @ The Busy Bean (something from Amy Butler's Style Stitches book)
June 7 - Bree @ My Crafty Crap (Jenna Lou Designs Mabel Bag)              
Ayumi @ Pink Penguin (Signature Bag from Kumiko Fujita)
June 8 - Tamiko @ Patchwork Notes (Hexagon Patchwork Bag from Playful Patchwork)              
Jessica @ A Little Gray (Pat Bravo Verona Bag)
June 11 - Jessica @ Sew Crafty Jess (Amy Butler Spice Market Tote)                
Amy @ amylouwho? (V. and Co. Favorite Bag)
June 12 - Sara @ The Pretty Pickle (Charlie's Aunt Casablanca Clutch)               
Lindsey @ LRStitched (Noodlehead Envelope Clutch)
June 13 - Erin @ 2 More Seconds (Keyka Lou Bucket Bag)               
Caroline @ Sew Can She (V. and Co. Carry All Tote)
June 14 - Ali @ a squared w (bag from I Like Orange Too)               
Rachael @ Imagine Gnats (Jen Giddens Pocket Tote)
June 15 - Holly @ Bijou Lovely (Noodlehead Go Anywhere Bag)               
Katie @ There and Back (Sweet Pea Pocket Purse)
June 18 - Monique @ Sew Fun by Monique (Millie's Market Tote from Happy Home by Jennifer Paganelli)               
Katie @ Swim, Bike, Quilt! (Green Bee Scoop Tote)
June 19 - Jennie @ Clover and Violet (Lunch Bag from Pink Penguin)               
Joanna @ Shape Moth (Emmaline Bag)
June 20 - Jen @ Bettycrockerass (While Baby Naps Metal Clutch)               
Krista @ The Spotted Stone (The Sometimes Crafter Amanda's Knitting Bag)
June 21 - Katy @ The Littlest Thistle (Noodlehead 2-4-1 Tote)               
Terri @ Sew-Fantastic (In Color Order Lined Drawstring Bag)
June 22 - Elizabeth @ Don't Call Me Betsy (Amy Butler Weekender Bag)               
Sarah @ Fairy Face Designs (bag from the Bag Making Bible)
June 25 - Amy @ Sukie Don't You Know Who I Am? (Amy Butler Sophia Bag)
Heather @ {House} of a la Mode (Retro Mama Granny Bag)
June 26 - Julianna @ Jednoiglec (Charlie's Aunt Kitchen Garden Bag)               
Jeni @ In Color Order (Bari J. State Street Tote)
June 27 - Kerry @ Very Kerry Berry (bag from Suzuko Koseki)               
Michelle @ I Like Orange Too (Left Bank Granny Bag)
June 28 - Kay Whitt @ Sew Serendipity Studio (tutorial: adjustable strap with metal slider)               
Amy Barickman @ Indygo Junction (tutorial: installing grommets/magnetic snaps)
June 29 - Melissa @ Bittersweet Designs (Bella Nonna Boutique Shoulder Bag)

My free tutorial: The Underwater Stripes Bag

Contest Rules
1. Check out all the purse pattern reviews throughout the month and get inspired to sew up a purse of your own!
 2. Join the Purse Palooza 2012 Flickr Group.
 3. Link up your completed purse to the Flickr Group BETWEEN JUNE 4th and JULY 11th. Your purse must be created and photographed between those dates; purses made prior to June 4, 2012 will be disqualified. The purse may be of your own design, or made from a sewing pattern.
 4. You may link up to 2 views of the same purse. More than 2 photos of the same purse will be removed from the group.
 5. There is no limit to how many purses you may enter, as long as they were made between June 4th and July 11th, 2012.

My free tutorial: The Urban Jungle Bag

The Prizes First off, there will be a team of lovely judges that will choose 1st through 6th place. ALSO, 3 randomly chosen winners will be picked out of EVERYONE who completes a bag! Some great chances to win!! 1st Prize

* $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop         

* 3-pack of books from Martingale Publishing * $50 gift certificate to Zipit * $70 Pellon gift pack * fat quarter bundle and sewing pattern from Art Gallery Fabrics

2nd Prize

* fat quarter bundle and sewing pattern from Art Gallery Fabrics * 3-pack of books from Martingale Publishing * fabric bundle from Sew Fresh Fabrics * $30 gift certificate to Spoonflower 3rd Prize

* fat quarter bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics * 2-pack of books from Lark Crafts Publishing * $20 gift certificate to The Quilted Castle 4th Prize

* fat quarter bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics 3 Randomly Chosen Winners $20 gift certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics The Sponsors Thank you to all of the lovely and extremely generous sponsors! Art Gallery Fabrics // Artsy Crafty Babe // Noodlehead // Izzy and Ivy // Serendipity Studio // Martingale & Co. Publishing // Betz White // Sis Boom // Atkinson Designs // Mommy's Thimble // Lila Tueller // Sew Fresh Fabrics // Bari J. // C&T Publishing // Keyka Lou // Clover and Violet // Indygo Junction // Marie-Madeline Studio // Pellon // Pink Chalk Fabrics // Lark Crafts Publishing // The Quilted Castle // Fat Quarter Shop // Craft Apple // iThinkSew // Emmaline Bags // Bag Purse Frames // Zipit // Oliver + S // Ellen Medlock Studio // Charlie's Aunt Patterns // Spoonflower Grab a button, and let's get this party started!!

<center><a href="http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/05/purse-palooza-2012.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Sew Sweetness" src="http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/bluemerleboutique/resizedpursebutton.jpg"/></a></center>

I need your help...

I'm working on my pattern review for Sara's Purse Palooza, and decided to go ahead & make another Mabel Bag for myself.  I've been thinking about making one for a while now (since last summer, actually), so now seems like a perfect time to do it!

I've got my fabrics picked out, but can't decide which to use for the outside & which to use for the lining.

I'm leaning towards the darker one for the outside & the dots for the lining with a patchwork strap using both.  What do you think?

Until next time...

My new bag

I promised I'd share more about the new bag I finished up for myself last week, so here it is!

First of all, I can't tell you how nice it is to make something just for me.  It feels like forever since I've done that!  Maybe not really, but I've been in such a crafting/sewing slump lately, that this may have been just the kick in the pants that I needed.

Like I mentioned before, I used the 241 Tote pattern from Noodlehead for this, but made some changes.  The biggest was that I added six inches to the width of the bag.  I really like the size as the pattern is written, but I knew I needed more space for myself.

Here's the size as the pattern is written (I made this one for my mom for Christmas):

And my wider bag:

The other change I made was to add a ton of pockets.  Again, as written the pattern is fine.  It includes the fun contrasting pockets on the sides or zippered pockets on the center panel, but I'm kind of a pocket snob. I need lots of pockets, and I need certain types of pockets.  I like everything to have its own place, and I knew what I needed to carry in this bag, so I was able to tailor it to me needs.  I think that's what I love most about making something like this for yourself - you can make it exactly how you need it!

So for my pockets, I included the side pockets, but added piping for a little extra fun.  I also added a key clip to one side.  It's funny about the key clip, I had one on the old (store-bought) diaper bag, so I knew I wanted one on this bag since it was so handy.  This weekend, as I was getting out of the car & trying to juggle a million things, hubby mentioned that I should have somehow moved the key clip from the old diaper bag to the new one I had just finished.  I just laughed as I clipped the keys into the bag & showed him. 

I also added a pocket to each side of the exterior.  They are the full width of the bag, just a few inches shorter from the top.  One side has an exposed zipper (because I liked the contrasting color):

The other side just has contrasting piping at the top of the pocket.  I split this side in half so I have two narrower pockets.

I also rotated the direction of the plaid when I cut out the pocket pieces for a little more variation.  It's not a big detail, but I love it!

On the inside, I added the same pockets to both side pieces, but made them a bit taller than the outside pockets.  I think when I make this bag again, I'll use the taller pockets on the outside as well.  They don't show as much of the side panel fabric, but are a bit more practical.  The shorter pockets on the outside aren't super deep, so things can fall out if you're not careful.  I also added the same zipper & non-zipper pockets as the outside, but skipped the piping.

It's harder to see this pocket since I didn't use the piping, but I split it into two pockets just like on the outside.

On the inside, the side pockets pretty much stay open, but it makes it easy for bulkier items.

One other small change I made was just increasing the size of the darts on the bottom of the bag.  Once again, the pattern is great as written, but I knew I wanted a bit more space.  I marked the darts as shown in the pattern, but instead of sewing right on the line, I sewed about 1/4" from the line, making a bigger dart.  I'm glad I did, and will do the same when I make this bag again. 

My old diaper bag had a long adjustable strap, which was perfect, so I chose to add the same to my new bag.  I added two layers of quilt batting (not sure what kind exactly, I just cut some of the excess off the sides of Coop's quilt since it hasn't been trimmed yet!) to help pad the strap & make it thicker so it won't slip through the strap hardware.  So far it's working perfectly.  Sorry, but these are the worst pictures ever showing the strap length, but you get the idea!

Short

Long

All in all, I think I will definitely make this bag again, and probably keep all the changes I made.  I'm not sure I'll bother with the piping again though, I love the look but it was a pain to do!

Until next time...

My new bag

I finally finish up my new bag last night!  Technically, I suppose it's a diaper bag, since that's how I'm using it, but you wouldn't guess it just by looking at it.  I've got a quick peek for you now, but I'll share the whole thing next week.

I used the 241 Tote from Noodlehead, but made some modifications & additions.  I'll give a complete run-down next week after I get a chance to take more pictures.

Until next time...