Fun Felt Food

Around here crafting projects get started and then fall through the cracks like cows in a cattle grate.  

What to do?

Well nothing worked pretty good last weekend!  

I was visiting my mom with a bag full of felt and an unplanned crafting session just happened and it was fun and fulfilling.  
I saw these adorable felt pizzas a few weeks ago and they just SCREAMED Audrey. 

 They were so fast & easy and Audrey couldn't get enough of them.  We seriously could not cut fast enough - it was too cute!  Karlee came up with a cute hamburger and fries. 

Mom added in the drink and lunch is served!

We just used household items like bowls, cups and plates to get the basic shapes and made up the rest. Mom had the cutest idea for an ice cream sundae! I can't wait to make it, I just hope the pre-planning of it won't cause it to be put off for a couple of months years!

Tote tutorial

I have three solid reasons for needing a tote bag:

* My new Book Review blog requires frequent library trips, and a means to 'tote' all my literary finds,

* T-day is next week, and I wanted to do some sort of Tutorial (ABC Summer - more on that later)

* & I just HAD to have something Zebra print for when we went to the Zoo for Z-day!

So even though any spare minute spent in my unfinished basement dungeon of a sewing room has been to do my home sewing... I took a very NAUGHTY break (I am very very very behind on my sewing) to make ME a tote of MY very own!  Introducing the Zebra Tote!

awwww cute! 

and for the record, selfish sewing TRUMPS work sewing anyday :)

Yuck!  They are still waiting for me down there...

I scoured the internet for other tutorials and struggled finding something I liked.

But then, at the last place I looked, there it was!  

ginabean homemade and with her fabulous tote bag tutorial (haha I had typed it Tute bag!)

So I patterned my bag after hers with some additions of my own

(inner/outer pockets, & magnetic snap closure)

I started with a 20"x30" piece of main fabric

I used upholstery fabric at Hobby Lobby, It might be overkill but I didn't want to line everything with interfacing (interfacing and I do NOT get along)

It is folded in half in the above picture

Press it well making a visible crease down the middle, you will need to reference the center several times (and do it both directions - 'hotdog' and 'hamburger!')

I wanted outside pockets between my straps so without being too technical I just took what was leftover from the yard lengthwise, which since I had purchased a yard of fabric was roughly 6 inches. turned it against the grain, folded down the top an inch and stitched in place then centered it on my 'hotdog crease' 2 1/2" from the top(s)

I just did a quick stitch around the 3 remaining rough edges, nothing too fancy because the straps and bottom are going to cover it.

At this point necessity won out and I put 4 strips of interfacing to back where I was going to sew the straps down (ugggg- interfacing...)

I didn't mess with making my own straps I just bought strap by-the-yard and used 44" each side.

I wanted my straps 6" apart so it, but I measured in from the edge - turned out to be 5 3/4", with the bottom of the strap 10 1/2" from the top

Pin and sew as close to the edge as you can

Stop 1 1/2" from the top pivot and head back down

It's impossible to see the stitch marks on the front side so I took a picture from the back

You Are Welcome!

This picture alone may determine the outcome of your tote!  oh and check out my sweet cross reinforcement on the bottom - yeah baby!

When you are done goggling over your fancy foot work it's time to attach the bottom

I bought 1/3 of a yard of heavy duty canvass and used the whole 

1/3yd x 20"

Press down 1/4" on the long sides

also press a center 'hotdog' crease

Line up your 'hotdog' crease with your 'hamburger' crease (I am sure you are amazed at my level of accurate sewing termanology)

Pin and sew at 1/8" all the way around your bottom rectangle

Which is in the center of your fabric...

you're not lost right?!?!

Fold it in half, right sides together, like a 'hamburger' and sew your sides at 1/4"

cut lining fabric 20"x30", fold like a hamburger and sew down both sides 1/2", leaving a hole on one of the sides big enough for your hand to get through.

(you want your lining slightly smaller than your bag)

I wanted boxed corners you can do this by either cutting out a 2" square from the bottom of each side directions here or by making a triangle out of your bottom, measuring 3" from bottom on the seam and sewing straight across.

I had issues getting it perfect so I think next time I am going to try it by cutting out the squares.

Anyhoo, 4 corners later - time to cut (or serge) off the corners and flip!

At which point my camera DIED.

And since this was my selfish project I didn't wait for it to charge to finish up my bag - take that blog world!

So my pockets and snaps - the only thing I really did differently from Gina, will have to go undocumented *sniff*

Right sides together, stitch around the top.  Flip (through your handsized hole in you lining side-seam, and top stitch)

I'm really feeling bad now about no pictures

oh wait - I did take one cell phone pic (pre topstitch, post flip)

okay, Now you can topstitch!

 stitch the opening of your lining side seam closed (I still need to do that part - got a little excited to be done)

All done!

The lining was my moms idea, she suggested red though - which would have been just as adorable

and a little sneak peak of my inner pocket and snap

The crocheted rosette I learned to do here

super fun, my mom had to translate for me, she's great :)

I LOVE it!  

There are a couple of things I'd change if I made another one but it does have me super excited to make matchy zebra print backpacks for my girls!

Begging...

Can I have it?

I really really want it! 

My lack of craft blogging is only evidence of my lack of crafting but I promise to change my slothful ways if I win!!!! And if not, I will just change the name of my blog to erintryingshamlesslytowinanygivewayoutthereandpromotingitonherotherwiseuselesscraftblog.blogspot.com

It's got a ring to it!

More details on this particular giveaway...

I found it on V & Co. and that's where you can go as well to enter

The item of gifting itself is a quilting kit with pattern and 'pack' of skillfully coordinating fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop.  The above is my favorite pack but it is one of their conservative packages.  I daresay they have something for everyone!

And now back to the begging

pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

Motivating Giveaway!

Will it, can it, bring me back from my craftless shlump?

Oh, I think It might!!!!

My home decor HERO is having a giveaway for a 

FREE {$325 value} Silhouette craft cutter

on her site through June 29th.

Head on over and enter!!!

Good luck :)

While you're at it, Tatertots and Jello is doing the EXACT SAME Give-away!
Double score!

So now you can wish ME luck!!!

Vinyl Décor,   Glass Etching,   School Projects,   Scrapbooking,   Card Making,   Paper Crafting,   Heat Transfer,   Rhinestones,

Oh My!

Craft Deprivation

Why would I craft less in the winter? I can't figure it out, I am stuck inside and I am surrounded by ribbon and clips and hot glue guns and yet not a bow in sight...

I wait until the kids want to spend endless amounts of time in the hot summer sunshine and then I lock us all in the cool basement and craft all summer long.  Do I have it backwards?  Not a single January post, this will probably be it from me in February and I still have Halloween flower clips for sale at Terry's hair salon. sad.  I am not 3 months behind in my life, I am 9 months ahead!  See you in March!

I am still blogging though!

erinvalentin.blogspot.com

leave me your e-mail if you need an invite!