Patchwork Drawstring Bag

Anytime I approach a project, I like to have a use in mind before picking out my fabrics. My first thought on this bag was that it would be big enough to stick a few pairs of flip flops in and toss it in my suitcase when traveling. So, I started picking out fabrics that would match my suitcases. Then, once I actually read the project sheet, I realized the only shoes this bag would hold would be doll shoes. Finished, this drawstring bag is 8" x 8". My feet aren't nearly that small. So, I put the brown and turquoise fabrics back and started over. What could I possibly do with such a small bag? I finally realized this bag would be the perfect size to carry all my computer cords. Perfect!! Hopefully I won't have the frustration of all these cords in my tote bag that unravel and get in the way every time I take the laptop out or try to put the laptop back. Now the power cord, the camera cord, the iPod cord and the phone cord will be tucked away in this cute little bag. It was very easy to make. In fact, the most time consuming steps where cutting out the fabrics and patchworking the front and back. The actual bag itself took about 20 minutes to put together. I might have to make one to match each one of my totebags.

This project was provided by Ayumi Takahashi, Pink Penguin at http://www.ayumills.blogspot.com/.

Heart Window Mobile

Ugh! I was not very excited about this project, but this is a challenge...not the easy road. So, I marched up that proverbial hill barefoot in the snow (both ways...right dad?) and got it done. To know me is to know that I don't like heart shaped things, so to have to cut out and string up 42 hearts was not my idea of a good time. Perhaps, I should have made a shamrock window mobile instead. But, the project was a heart shaped mobile...not a shamrock mobile. I suppose for the right person this could be the ideal project. It would make a great decoration for a little girls room or even just when adding a little flare for Valentine's Day. It was not difficult to make...cut out some shapes, string them up and attach them to the bar. Voila! You have a homemade window mobile. If you are a fan of hearts, you might give this one a try.

This project was provided by Katrin Vorbeck at http://www.sew-mad.blogspot.com/.

Heartfelt Quilt Card

My Valentine from George

I'll be honest...when I first saw this project, I thought it seemed a little ridiculous. Then, on Monday, I was at my brother's house and my adorable 3 year old nephew George handed me a homemade Valentine card. So sweet!! I thought if George can make me a heartfelt card, then I can make George a heartfelt card. So, I did. I kept him in mind while picking my fabrics to quilt. Of course, when I say quilt I really mean patchwork because as we learned in the course of making the first project...a quilter, I am not. This actually turned out to be a fun project. Obviously you could stitch any design, not just a heart...so the possibilities are endless. Plus, it turned out pretty cute...if I do say so myself. I sure hope George likes it as much as I did.

This project was provided by Marie Ann Tenny at http://www.diynamite.com/. (Update: This website is no longer running.)

Tea Towel Apron

This sewing project turned out to be super cute, super easy and a super good idea...so, in a nutshell, SUPER! I love this pattern. Literally, this took 20 minutes from start to finish to make. So easy that I decided to make two of them.

Super cute...just look at the pictures. And the possibilities are endless. I found a couple of really fun tea towels at Tuesday Morning and then accented them with vibrant, printed ribbon. I would use 1 and 1/2 inch ribbon for these just to give you a solid waistband.

Super easy...cut your ribbon, fold your towel, and a few stitches later you have an apron with pockets. You could make your apron faster than you can cook your dinner.

Super good idea...not just fashionable kitchen attire, but practical as well. My aprons are stitched with three pockets, but you could also make them with two. Plenty of room for all the extras you need while baking. Plus, this apron is made from a kitchen towel...so you always have that accessible while preparing your meals.

This project was provided by Sarah Mikkelsen at www.themikkelsens.net/sarah/journal/.

Simple Pillow Case

This project was nothing new to me. I have actually made a dozen or so pillow cases in the past. I have this wonderful grandmother who loves to have satin pillow cases and you just can't find them anywhere. So, I have since mastered the art of making satin pillow cases. This, however, was the first pillow case I made out of cotton...so I guess there is a little something new to me about this.

Anyway, I love this project because you can really get creative with your fabric selections. Another good twist to add to this would be embroidery. A while ago, my mom made a pillow case for my nephew with embroidered basketball designs on it and he can't sleep without that pillow case on his pillow now. Definitely a great gift to give to anyone...kids, teens, grandparents, etc. And, honestly, this project only takes about 30 minutes start to finish.

This project was provided by Rachael Dorr at http://www.rachaelrabbit.blogspot.com/.

Matyroshka Doll Pocket Pillow

This was a fun little project to do. I can't think of a single reason anyone would need to make one of these, but they are fun to be able to give out as little gifts. This doll would be a great gift for a baby as a small stuffed toy and would also work great for teens and adults as a unique way to present a small gift or gift card. And lets not forget about all the little ones who need a place to store the tooth they just lost...you know, so the tooth fairy can find it easily and she will know right where to leave the money. I was just going to make one (the brown and blue one), but I had two different KU fabric choices and just couldn't resist making myself a Jayhawk Matyroshka Doll. Every super fan should have one of these...except the MU fans! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!

This project was provided by Lauren Brandy, goody-goody at www.laurenbrandy.com.

Tin Can Cover

This tin can cover was everything I look for in a project...simple and quick. In fact, the most time consuming part was coming up the 28 oz. tin can to cover. I don't typically buy food in cans that size since I am not feeding a family, so I picked up some canned pears and had them for breakfast this morning. I think I have reached my limit on pears for the year now. Once I finished my breakfast and got started on the actual project, it only took about 30 minutes start to finish. And now I have this unique canister to house all of my cooking utensils. Actually, I already have one in the kitchen that I use...so I intend to use this as a pen/pencil cup in my office. Or perhaps I will use it to hold all the scissors and rotary cutters in my sewing room. I guess if you start thinking about it, the possibilities are endless. Regardless, I highly recommend this project. Quick. Easy. Cheap. And lets not forget adorable!!!

This project was provided by Meg Spaeth at http://www.elsiemarley.com/.

Simple Needle Case

I live in a constant state of organized chaos. I am one of those people who strives to be very organized, but never quite gets there. I know there are many aspects of my life...and more specifically relating to this task my sewing room...that need to be put in order, but I had no idea that my needle collection was so out of control. When I first started reading the instructions for this project, I was a little confused. In my mind, I was trying to make it a more difficult project than it actually is. This truly is a simple needle case. The instructions didn't call for it, but I added a strip of velcro on the inside, one on each end, just to give this case some form of closure. You could also add a loop on one end and a button for closure. Now that I have the case, I must say it is much better than having the needles still in the plastic packaging from the store. I highly recommend everyone makes one, especially since it only takes about 30 minutes to complete the entire project.

This project was provided by Marina Roussel of Wink Designs at http://www.winkdesigns.typepad.com/.

Pet Bed

Last April, I adopted a 12 week old boxer/lab mix. When I first picked her up, she was calm and sweet and laid in my arms for an hour. Turns out she is a bit of a con artist. Skip to nine months later and now she is just over a year old and bouncing off the walls and chewing on everything in the house...including one of the dog beds I made her two months ago. Naturally, when I saw this project I was less than thrilled at the thought of making yet another dog bed turned chew toy...but hopeful that maybe the terry cloth would prove more durable than the previous fabrics I have used. I am really thrilled with how it turned out, except the fact that it turned out just a bit too small for Duchess. Guess I need a bigger towel!!

This was not the easiest project to make...mostly because of how bulky it was and how difficult it was to stuff each section. However, there are a lot of things I really like about this pattern. For instance, I like the design of this bed...with the padded rim around it. Duchess liked the rim also. Her other dog beds are just over-sized square pillows and most of the time she is laying only half on the bed. This bed gave her boundaries and, trust me, she needs all the boundaries she can get!!! The other thing I like about this pattern is the fact that the bed is made from old towels. I love having the chance to recycle something old and used into something completely different and new. I would absolutely use this pattern again to make another dog bed. Which might be sooner than later since Duchess ripped a hole in it this morning...hopefully I can just patch it for now. Next time I will make sure to use a heavier towel, the polka dot towel was pretty thin and worn. At least she got some good use out of it last night!!

This project was provided by Pretty Little Things by Lori Marie at http://www.lorimarie.com/.