Lots of Undocumented Sewing & A little rambling

I've been bad lately, neglecting my poor blog and just living life like everyone else. There's been a lot of turmoil in my personal life that's really been hard for me to deal with and that's also stunted my desire to share on the blog for fear that I might say too much (I'm really bad about over-sharing) and make things worse.

Some things I've made though, well I got two precious aprons made for my mother and daughter for my mom's birthday. She's been begging me to make her and Addy matching aprons since Addy always wants to cook with her so that was her birthday present.

My coming soon nephew, Lawson James, had a baby shower in his honor this past weekend and I made a few things for him. A little taggy blanket (I shared that on the Facebook Page) and a onesie that I hand stamped "rock star" and appliqued 2 stars to, one blue and one green.

I've been feeling the need lately to come up with some new things, but just haven't had the energy or creative inspiration that I usually can find. It's so draining trying to find something that you know is right in front of you but you just CANT SEE. My picture taking has been terrible this month, honestly, my husband has been taking more pictures lately than I have. It's just shameful, I know, but it's true ;).

Have you ever seen the movie How does she do it? My favorite part of the entire movie is when her husband tells his friend, after being asked what she does, that his wife is a juggler. It's just so sweet and true about so many women. I've got to tell you, I'm an awful juggler, literally and figuratively. I've always tried and never quite got it right.

If you've made it this far, God bless you, if you stopped way up at the top, I don't blame you. I just want to say one last thing, thank you to anyone who reads these silly posts on this silly blog. I try my best to share things that I think other people would like to see and sometimes I feel good about it, other times, well not so much, but the fact that there are people that come and visit this blog at all makes it worth my time and effort; so thanks!

~Allison

P.S. Sorry I know that was painfully random.

My new minis :D

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but most of what I make is either repurposed or upcycled. I'll take fabric from a huge t-shirt and turn it into a dress for one of my girls or a cute skirt, or completely take apart an item of clothing and use the pieces to make something much better with them. Repurposing and upcycling!

My newest creations are an upcycle from a vintage Dior sweatshirt jacket from the 80s! Lol it was actually one that I considered keeping intact and settling as vintage, but the zipper pull was completely broken and some the seam finishings were already looking a but pitiful.

So after a good wash and dry, I turned something that might have otherwise between thrown out into a new cute item for lovers of bows!

I know, pretty "green"of me right? Lol not only is this ecofriendly, but there are a lot of ways to wear these miniature beauties.

 

My favorite is wearing 2 at once under a high bun, so so cute and fashion forward! (sorry, forgot to take a picture of this one)

Can you tell I really love these? I've got a surprise too...are you ready? Too bad, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. I won't be cruel though, my post will be early and you'll like what I to say so that'll make it even better.


~ Allison

Toddler Valentines

My daughter has seen all the hype I've created for Valentine's day and asked to make Valentines herself. We got out the construction paper and markers, a little glitter and glue and went to town.

I had her color on some pink paper and then cut a heart out of the scribbled area.

We added the heart on one card front for her Grandma and Papa, and put the heart negative on another for her Grama T.

We added some glitter to the middle of one of the hearts! She did so well to not make a big mess; which, for a 2 year old, is pretty impressive.

Then we made a card for Daddy :) he got extra hearts.

Don't these cute cards remind you of Valentines you made and exchanged when you were little? I know they'll all love their Valentines, what did you do with your children to get them involved in Valentines Day?

~Allison

Me & You Tote Tutorial

I whipped this tote up during naptime! The process is very simple and it creates an adorable go-to bag.

I used canvas fabric for the outside of the bag and cotton for the lining. To add a little pizazz, I freezer paper stenciled a design on the front with fabric paint.

Cut your outer and lining fabrics into rectangles the size of your choosing, mine was 14 inches wide and 16 inches long. You'll also want to cut 2 strips of fabric that you'll use to make your straps, 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.

If you're using a thicker fabric like the canvas that I used, you'll want to iron your strap pieces in half and and then iron each long edge in halfway in toward the half point. I know it's a lot of halves, but trust me, it works and turns out perfect.

Once your straps are ironed you'll want to sew along the long the long open edge of each strap.

Now that your straps are ready, you can start pinning your main pieces together! Pin your lining and outer fabric right sides together and on one of the short sides you'll sandwich your strap.

Be sure to evenly space your handles, and once everything is in place sew along the short side with your straps.

With you straps in place you'll now pin your lining pieces right sides together and your outers with right sides together as well. It should look like a very long rectangle with the handles inside.

(Sorry didn't get pictures of this part!)
Sew your outer pieces together, and sew your lining pieces all but a 3 inch space to turn your tote bag right side out.

The space that you left to turn you bag will need to be stitched closed, and to insure your lining stays in place a little topstitching around the top of your bag will keep things neat.

There you have it! A spacious, useful tote bag that anyone would love to carry.

~Allison