Saturday, May 10, 2008

Mother's Day Gift for my Mother In Law

Luckily, my Mother in Law appreciates handmade gifts. This works well, since I like to give handmade gifts.

This year, I decided to make her a tote bag/purse and matching key chain. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. It was extremely simple, yet - I think - it turned out really nice.


Outside:


Inside:


Set:


For Mother's day, I get to REST! I'm really looking forward to that. Sheets need to be pulled from the beds and washed, but my 7 year old said that Daddy could do that - that it is 'Mommy's day and I shouldn't be bothered with that'. Thank God for that sweet baby! :) And, thank God for the other one too! My life would be so boring and a lot less full of love without those two! I'm blessed, indeed, just to know them!

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Vinyl 'wallet' and key fob set and a recon!

I've recently started working with vinyl and I thought that I would share something that I've made.


It is a vinyl 'wallet' that can be used to carry paper money, receipts and/or coupons. It's a simple pouch style that is lined in the same fabric as the fabric on the key fob. I thought that I'd add a bit of 'detail' by including the pink and purple flower, with button. It has a simple velcro closure.


The set:


The flower detail:


I like how it turned out.


The last item is a leather makeup bag that I made. It started out as part of a leather skirt that I bought at Goodwill for a measly $2. I wasn't sure if it would stand up to a freezer paper stencil, but it did - and, nicely, I must say. I was very pleased with how it came out!



Well - it is back to the job tomorrow ... not happy about that, but what's a girl to do?


Thursday, May 01, 2008

Quick and Easy Project

I recently bought a new key chain with a college logo. After looking at it, I got to thinking how easy (assuming you could find the hardware - which, I did - yay, me!).


In any event, in my search, I found the following link that gave some instructions on how to do it - though, I admit, I didn't follow the tutorial - as I didn't have the time to bother with the heat and bond... lol. Also, I didn't sew the ends together prior to inserting into the hardware (though, it likely is a good idea to do so) This is the link:

http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=KEYFOB


Also - in addition to making some with ribbon (which, admittedly, is easier), I also finally used my Clover Bias tape maker, to use some fabric that I really liked.




It really only extended the project time by about 5 minutes - so, this extra step certainly doesn't make it a time consuming ordeal.


Here are two of the key fobs that I made. The one on the right is using ribbon. The one on the left is using the fabric that I ran through my Bias Tape Maker. I think that they both turned out cute. I've made others, but they have already made their way into the possession of others..... So, these are the ones I have left for pictures!



I certainly think that the girls' teachers will probably get these for end of school gifts. I'm thinking that I'll use my embroidery machine to personalize them.

If only I hadn't just bought myself one - I guess I could make one just for me... perhaps I'll gift myself one for Mother's Day ;-)