Going "green" tutorial

Have you seen the eco friendly snack bags everyone is selling now?

Why not use up a few of your scraps and make your own?

Here's my version....



I wanted mine to have a lining and no raw edges inside - here is what I came up with.
My measurements are for a small bag. You can make yours any size you like.
I used  1/4 seams for all.

Cut 2 pieces for your outside fabric - 6 1/2" X 6"
Cut 2 lining pieces  - 6 1/2" X 6"
Velcro - 5 1/2 inches long - cut in half lengthwise


With right sides together stitch a piece of lining and outside fabric together across the top.

Repeat for the other two pieces.

You should have something that looks like this.

Pressing the seams open.

Measure in 1/2 inch from each side on the lining piece for the Velcro placement.

(I use spray adhesive to hold the Velcro in place while sewing)

You will be sewing the rough hook surface to one lining and the fuzzy hook surface on the other lining.

Zig zag all around the edges of the Velcro to hold it in place.

The Velcro should be centered from side to side on the lining side.

With right sides together and matching up your seams, stitch all the way around leaving a small opening in the lining side for turning.

Turn right side out, tuck in the 1/4 seam you left open and press.

Sew across the bottom of the lining - sewing the opening closed.

Tuck the lining inside

Press and topstitch around the top of the bag

Stitch another seam 1/4" down from the topstitch; this will  make it easier to open and close your snack bag.

Your finished bag should look like this...

And the inside....

YUM.......

If your not into snacking....

It's a perfect size for tea time!


Today's links:
http://cheapchichome.blogspot.com/
http://lifeaslori.blogspot.com/
http://itssewstinkincute.blogspot.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/
http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/
http://www.alittlelovelyblog.blogspot.com/
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://atsecondstreet.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

Toddler backpack

A few months ago I purchase this little inexpensive backpack for Oakleigh and embroidered her name on it.

I guess it's true - you get what you pay for.

Both zippers broke pretty much right away and she could no longer use it.

Well.......

I found this great toddler backpack tutorial from Indietutes and decided to try it.

This was THE easiest little backpack to make.

 Front

Back

I did make a few tiny changes from her tutorial.....

I used prequilted fabric - no interfacing necessary.

I also wanted to experiment with the handles a bit.

I cut the fabric strips the width I needed and just serged down the raw edges.

I then added a few straight stitches down the middle of the handle for sturdiness. 

It worked!

Today's link:

http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.beckieandbrad.blogspot.com/

Happy 2011

I hope everyone had a great time ringing in the New Year.
I spent New Year's Eve reorganizing my kitchen cabinets.

All I started out to do was find a better way to store my spices and ended up in
an all day project.
Along with my gift cards, Santa left me a DYMO label maker in my stocking this year
 and I could not wait to use it!

Usually I store my spices in baskets in the cabinet, but it started looking a little messy to me.

I purchased these small containers and the spice bottle fit perfectly.
Depending on the size bottle I can fit 4 or 5 in each container.

Check out all my cool labels!

When shopping for containers for my spices, I came across a few other handy little items....
I love this container; it's great for "corralling" all those little packets of stuff.
In the past I was using plastic baskets - these look so much neater.

I do still use these baskets for my lids and a few other items I need to grab quickly.



Vitamins

I  had one of these three tiered shelf organizers before and hated it.
 My old one was wire and nothing seemed to stay on it.
This one has a nonskid surface on each self. I love it!
As you can see, I am a "what's cheaper, or what do I have a coupon for" girl.
No name brand snob here!

Everything else still looks pretty much the same.

Anyone have a better or neater way to store Tupperware?

Linking to:
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
http://www.alittlelovelyblog.blogspot.com/
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

 

Who doesn't LOVE gift cards ?

Here are a few Santa left in my stocking this year.

It's 32 degrees here this morning.........I needed hot coffee!

I prefer my coffee black but decided to experiment with the different flavors from Dunkin' Donuts.
I tried the gingerbread flavor this morning.
Tasty, but way too sweet for my taste.
 Anyone have a suggestion on something not so sweet?
Do you have a favorite Dunkin' Donuts flavor?
 

New Stockings

I hope everyone had a wonderful and happy Christmas.

Now that Santa has come and gone, it's time to clean up.

 I am not one to leave the decorations up days after Christmas.  I usually pack everything up the day after - I am a little late this year. 

Before everything gets packed away I thought I would share my new Christmas stockings.

We desperately needed new stockings this year so I whipped these up a few days before Christmas.

I wanted them to all match - but not match - if you know what I mean.

I used the same fabric, but gave them each a different look.

All the fabric I used came from my "stash" so they didn't cost me a cent.

My wish for you this Christmas...

Wishing you the blessings of peace and love this Christmas and always.....

Teacher gifts

I usually wait a few weeks before Christmas to make the gifts

 for my daughters teachers.

In the past I have gotten "stuck" with a few personalized gifts because a teacher transfers or quits the month before Christmas. This year I really waited until the last possible minute....

I needed something I could whip up quickly.

I purchased yummy hand soaps from the Bath and Body Works store and personalized hand towels in a cute Christmas font from Embroidery Garden.

From the bottom of our hearts....

We want to thank everyone so much for all your kind words concerning

 the loss of baby Kember.

I am so amazed at the wonderful and kind people there are out there in the blogging world. I have met many thoughtful and caring friends through this blog. 

Thank you all for your support during our difficult time. 

Your thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.

Fly Away Home..............................................

We proudly posted news of our new grandbaby boy Kember's birth November 12, 2010; it is with the utmost of broken hearts and sadness that we inform you of baby Kember's passing. We never got the chance to meet Kember face to face or hold and hug him or give him a kiss, but as grandparents, our love for Kember will never subside. We will save the hugs and kisses only to give to him face to face on a day yet to come.  We may never know or understand why this loss has taken place as our hearts and minds struggle to make sense of it, but this we know for certain - that one day in the future we will reunite with him.
Until that day, sweet baby boy Kember - we will miss you.

Love forever,

Pappa J, Mimi and Aunt Polly

Kember McCray

November 12, 2010 - December 3, 2010

***********

To our most wonderful daughter and son-in-law we are in awe of your incredible devotion and love for Kember during his time on this earth. The strength that both of you have shown not only to us, but to the world is above measure.  

To Miss Oakleigh,

Our hearts are also broken for your loss.

There will never be a better big sister to a little brother. 

I've gained a few pounds lately...

Did I just say a few?

If a couple is two, does that mean a few is three?

Hummmm.... maybe I should be saying more than a few".

That being said....

I started walking a few days ago.

My first day I made it 2 miles in 25 minutes.

Check out day 2......

5.32 miles

5623 Steps

In 45 minutes!

Of course, everything from my thighs down is in pain now, but

"no pain no gain" right?

Quick stitch blankets

I have been "stumped" this year as to what to make two of my nephews,
ages one and four.

I decided to go with blankets...

The 4 year old LOVES Wii Sports and thinks he is THE all time champ!