Knitting Bag Refashion

I would include a tutorial but it's too easy!  All you need is a seam ripper.  Rip apart the existing fabric on the musty, stained knitting bag.  Then trace the pieces onto your favorite fabrics and reassemble.  The only thing I really changed was to add more pockets!  Each bag has 3 medium sized pockets and 2 dpn or pencil pockets.  The larger bag also has a pattern pocket.

The fabrics I used for the large bag are Amy Butler's Morning Glory in Linen, Full Moon Polka Dot in Slate and Red.  It is quite large - the pocket with the flowers is holding an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper - perfect for your knitting patterns!

For the smaller bag I used Paula Prass' Woodland Delight Brick Path in Brown, and Flights of Fancy Summer Fretwork in Summer.  It was basically the same process - rip apart and put it back together in reverse order.  I did have to hand sew them to the frames, but it didn't take a horribly long time.

This bag would be the perfect size for knitting hats, kids sweaters, socks, mittens and other smaller projects.  

HINT:  If it's hard for you to remember in what order you need to sew things together, just take a photo after ripping each seam apart and sew it together in the reverse order.

Both of these bags are for sale HERE in my Etsy shop. ($45 for the large bag - SOLD, $32 for the small bag -SOLD).

The Quilting Bug

I've been stung by the quilting bug lately.  I've churned out 2 (almost 3 quilts) this past month.  It could be due to the cooler weather.  Who knows?  My goal is to have a lap quilt for everyone in the family by the time winter sets in.  Lucy's is finished.  Hattie's will be an I-Spy quilt with lots of little pictures and colors.  Mine will have some Flea Market Fancy fabrics that I've been collecting.  I'm not so sure about the Hubby's quilt yet - he's not too picky.

I thought I'd give you my whole quilt history - just for fun.

Lucy's Zig Zag Quilt, 2011

It all started with a move to the "big girl" bed.  So I used some precious Sherbert Pips fabric and a modern zig zag/chevron pattern.  I hand-quilted it using perle cotton because I liked the large, chunky stitches. I'm fairly pleased with the outcome.  The back is voile from Anna Maria Horner and it's very soft and cuddly.  It was my first time applying binding with my sewing machine and it turned out well enough to evade the seam ripper.

My first quilt -made for Charlie, 2003

 Not bad for my first quilt.  It's twin sized and get this -completely hand pieced AND hand quilted.  I started making it for him as our 1 year anniversary (of dating) gift and didn't have access to a sewing machine.  I was working at Bible Camp and picked out all the fabrics at our local WalMart.  The design and colors are not especially beautiful, but the sentiment is nothing short of amazing.

This is a close up of the border.  I wrote his name in cursive and then quilted it.  My favorite detail yet.

Vintage Quilt Blocks, 2006

This is my favorite quilt to cuddle with.  The vintage quilt blocks were given to me by a friend who thought I might enjoy them.  They are super soft and each one has a bit of character.  Again, this was made with fabrics from WalMart (I didn't know there existed stores for just fabric!) and a piece as you go effort.  I obviously didn't know to buy enough fabric for the entire quilt because I ran out and had to use a different fabric for the border and backing. 

Baby Quilt, 2011

This is the quilt I am most pleased with so far.  It has wonky stars in Katie Jump Rope fabric from Denyse Schmidt and one vintage turquoise flower fabric.  The rest is an ivory polka dot fabric.  I love the sawtooth border and the placement of the stars.  I also made scrappy binding and for the first time did machine quilting.  It went MUCH faster than quilting by hand! 

I'm guessing there will be many more quilts to come.  There have been a few other quilts I've made for friends and family that aren't shown here but I've tried to stay away from quilting as long as possible.  I hear it's addictive.

After this is posted I'm going to begin quilting the NEXT quilt.  Yikes.  It IS super addictive.

30% off Summer Sale!

Source: ohhappyday.com via MCL on Pinterest

In an effort to raise the family funds and celebrate the quickly waning summer

use the code SUMMERSALE to get 30% off everything in the SHOP (bundled deals not included)

Coupon will be good from today until August 18th, 2011.

SHOP HERE!


Thanks to everyone for your support in this handmade business!

Today I learned...

That when it's awfully quiet - your 2 year old might be playing with Sharpie permanent markers. 

On the wooden furniture. 

That was handmade by your husbands grandfather. 

YIKES!

But thanks to Google - I also learned that Colgate TOOTHPASTE will remove all those permanent marker lines, circles and dots that were so carefully placed on the desktop.  It takes some elbow grease but all the marks are gone.

I thought I'd mention this just in case you might need that handy bit of cleaning info in the future.  Google also says that Colgate will remove scratches from DVD's.  Good to know.

And now Lucy keeps repeating "Naughty - drawing on desk."

DIY Upholstery

The ingredients:

My grandmothers chair

Staple Gun

Denyse Schmidt County Fair Fabric

Foam and Batting

Stain and Polyurethane

Sandpaper

Place in a garage in 97 degree heat, 70 percent humidity for 6 hours.  Add a sprinkle of perspiration and determination.

BEFORE

Slightly old foam - did I mention that my grandmother's chair she received as a wedding present over 55 years ago?

DURING

Tea Party (I couldn't resist)

AFTER

My, what beautiful pleats you have!!!

The "new" chair sits in our living room and is my new favorite place to sit!

Estoy de vacación

We went on vacation about as far from Mexico as you can get in Minnesota!  It was a wonderful break and many fish were caught and consumed.  I would normally feel bad for those fishies dying, but they were well used and delicious.  It was rustic and beautiful and reminded us all of what is really important: a fishing rod, some hot tea, and your favorite 8-tracks (and family, of course)!

Behind the scenes

I've been busy (who isn't!?) with so many things lately that I haven't posted in um...a while. 

I've been making tags and preparing envelopes for shipping

Playing around with quilt blocks for my Lucy's big girl bed quilt.  I'm not a real quilter so this is very difficult for me!  Sherbert Pips!  Feedback is very welcome - the carpet areas in between the blocks will be white.

I've also been making some strawberry jam!  Juicy summer strawberries that are best eaten right off the plant!

I'm also working on the romper pattern.  This means that it's in the top half of my to do list.