Appliqued Handbag

The first thing I made when I learned how to sew was a purse, then a tote bag.  So, this was a flashback to my very first sewing "challenge".  My first bag wasn't appliqued, but that wasn't much of a stretch.  I appliqued this on the machine, but just because I wasn't in the mood to hand stitch my applique on.  Also, I was disappointed with the final size of this bag...much like I was disappointed with the size of the fabric basket.  I expected to be making a medium size tote bag and it turned out that I was actually making a tote bag just a bit larger than a wristlet.  What would I ever use this for?

This project was provided by Kathy Beymer at http://www.merrimentdesign.com/.

Luggage Tag

Again, not really a challenge...but this one I like!  Perfect timing too since I am currently out of town and needed a new luggage tag. 

I have a small obsession with houndstooth and had to incorporate that into this tag. 

I also had some scraps of this great fabric with glamorous ladies in sparkly red dresses.  Perfect!! 

Add a little vinyl pocket and Voila!  A luggage tag!

This would also be a unique way to package a gift card!!

This project is provided by Crystal Butler and www.mylongestyear.com.

Business Card Case

Here we go again...another felt project.  So, once again I refused the felt recommendation and made it out of heavy weight home decor fabric.  I actually used the same fabric as the photo album cover.  I decided to give the brag book to my mom (so she can show off pictures of her 5, soon to be 6, grandchildren) and I thought it would be much cuter if the business card case I was making her matched.  So, now she has a set. 

We both have the hard metal cases for our business cards, but mine just recently broke.  This is the perfect replacement.  It was also very quick and easy.  A great solution for a quick gift idea for a co-worker or friend.  These would also make great gift card holders...they are the perfect size.

This project was provided by Lauren Brandy and http://www.laurenbrandy.com/.

Zippered Pouch

I promise this didn't really take 2 weeks for me to make this pouch.  More like it took about 30 minutes.  I just got overwhelmed with other non-calendar-challenge projects.  I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since my last post.  AAAHHH!! 


But I digress...

This is such a great project.  I have a zippered pouch that I always carry in my purse for loose change.  I didn't make the one I have, but I will certainly make many more of these in the future.  The one in the picture has already been given away as a gift, and...in case you were wondering...she LOVED it!!! 


The main reason I love this project is because I am one of those really picky people who refuses to carry a wallet and purse that don't match or at least coordinate.  So, now I don't have to worry about the coin purse clashing either.  I tend to always make my own purses and sometimes my own wallet and now my own coin purse. 


This project was provided by Cindy Hopper at http://www.skiptomylou.org/.

Bunny Baby

All I can say here is ....  SERIOUSLY?!?!?






This project was provided by Jana P. Nielson at http://www.lolaagain.blogspot.com/ and http://www.gracielous.com/.

Bunny Pocket Pillow

Another pocket pillow?  Why is the crafting world obsessed with creating all these little projects with a pocket?  Do the crafters have all these little trinkets lying around with no place to put them?  And if I don't have that problem...does that mean I am not a true crafter?  Is pocket loving a prerequisite?  I sure hope not, or I am going to have to find a new hobby. 


Anyway, I guess this pillow isn't all that bad.  And by "isn't all that bad"...I mean it would be better without the pocket and the stupid little bunny doll. (Sorry to the creator of this pattern...I just can't get on board with the doll.)  It was very quick and easy to make (except for the bunny...since it is so small, I missed a couple of spots when sewing the front and back together and ended up with a few open seams).  I think I will toss the bunny now that I have the picture I need and just keep the pillow.  I guess I should start working on my trinket collection though...it's only April and I already have a dozen pockets to fill!!!


This project was provided by Missy Ballance at http://www.craftycarnival.com/.

Robot Doll Pocket Pillow

Ugh!!  Another pocket pillow!!  These are cute and all, but what am I going to do with these pocket pillows.  I don't have any idea what to use them for.  No kids...so no need for a tooth fairy pillow (plus, I already have a tooth fairy pillow that I don't need).  I hate giving gift cards, so that won't work.  And these aren't nearly big enough to hold the piles and piles of extra money laying around the house that needs a place to be stored...(don't I wish).  But, I made it anyway.


I made my robot pink and purple, because we all know robots must really be girls.  Aren't robots super smart, organized and focused?  And did I mention super smart?  Plus, if one part of their internal makeup is out of place, they just can't get through the day without a few malfunctions.  GIRL!!!  I think she turned out pretty cute!!  Maybe I will turn her into a Christmas ornament.


This project was provided by Lauren Brandy at http://goodygoody.typepad.com/.

Tooth Fairy Pillow

This is such a great project to make for any little tyke who is frequently being visited by the tooth fairy!! It is pretty quick to make and very easy. The pocket is the perfect size for either a baby tooth or money left by Little Miss Tooth Fairy. I used a small strip of ribbon so you can hang the pillow on the door or the bedpost, but you could also make this pillow without the ribbon...so you can tuck it under your pillow. I did change the tooth a bit from the original project sheet. I am the child of two dentists, so they helped me perfect the tooth shape. My nephews are a little young to need one of these, but when the time comes...I imagine they will each get one.

This project was provided by Missy Ballance at http://www.craftycarnival.com/.

Pacifier Pouch

I have four nephews, one niece and another niece or nephew on the way. I can't speak for the one that is still in the oven, but as far as I know...out of the five of them, only one has taken a pacifier. To Connor, his binkie is just as important as food or water or even air. It is borderline criminal to leave home without it. So, when I saw this project I immediately thought of Connor. I decided to make him two pouches, one for mom and dad to carry and one for Connor to carry. Picking out fabric for Connor's pouch was a piece of cake...there are really only three possible choices. Should I use Elmo, Elmo or Elmo??? I also added a clip on Connor's so he can clip it to a belt loop. For his parents, I figured theirs should go with the diaper bag...so luckily I had a few scraps of Chief's fabric. Both of the pouches are lined in solid color fabric with iron on vinyl. This was pretty easy to make. Start to finish, I think I spent about 45 minutes making both of them.

This project was provided by Jana P. Nielson at http://www.lolaagain.blogspot.com/.

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/.

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.