New Purse: Go Anywhere Bag by Noodlehead

While shopping at our warehouse fabric store recently (which is closing, by the way!!!! So so sad.) I came across these green quilt weight fabrics that I just couldn't leave behind. I didn't have a project in mind, but knew one would come to me. And it did! I decided to make up Noodlehead's Go Anywhere Bag. I have made one of Noodlehead's patterns in the past and found it to be a great e-pattern and the Go Anywhere didn't disappoint. I did make a few modifications. I repeated the divided pockets from the front on the back. (For me, I knew that more pockets would be better than the one large one.)

I also decided to add a zipper. (It is just a way of life with two kiddos that my bag doesn't always get placed right side up. A zipper closure ensures I am not scrambling all over the Target parking lot trying to find various items from my purse.) I also added a key clip, as I hate digging to the bottom of my bags trying to find my keys. I ended up making the handles with webbing wrapped int he quilt weight fabric. (An idea I grabbed from the Noodlehead Divided Basket pattern.) In addition to the quilt weight fabric I used a chambray and a mid-weight denim that I already had on hand.

I love how the chambray looks with the accent fabrics and the denim lining adds a nice weight to the entire bag. This bag has a great sized interior and the addition of the six pockets on the outside work well for sippies, sunglasses, and other odds and ends. I am loving it.

A Memory Rag Quilt

When we found out our good friends were moving far away, I immediately got to thinking about what we could give them that would be meaningful, thoughtful, and fun. I got the idea to make the framed state art to my friend, but now I wanted to come up with something for their daughter, Miss S, Peachy's friend since they were babies.

Since I know that they love handmade things, I went that route for both gifts. I settled on a quilt for Miss S, but a quilt with a personal touch. I had each child in our playgroup color a square for the quilt. I interspersed the drawing blocks with some fun bright flannel and made it into a rag quilt.

I hope that this quilt serves to not only warm the body, but the heart as Miss S looks back on her first four years with a wonderful group of playgroup friends.

Halloween Fabric Bunting

I can't believe that it has taken me this long to jump on the fabric bunting wagon. I have made paper buntings in the past, but finally sat down to conquer the fabric bunting. I am loving how they turned out and how quick and simple they are. I am thinking this is the start of an addiction.

Watch out, folks. There won't be a tutorial with this. The internet is already crawling with them. I just did some searches and found the one that I liked the best. I followed most of Leigh Anne's tutorial on Your Home Based Mom. 

I made my pennants a bit smaller, 7 inches long and 5 inches wide, and instead of using binding, I used twill tape simply because I had it on hand. I really liked the way Leigh Anne cuts her buntings. It made quick work. I ordered all of my fabrics from Fabric.com.

I bought a half yard of each print and that made plenty of pennants. I may have much more than I need.

Taking Care of Business

Over the last few weeks I have been working hard at gearing up for my second indie craft show. It was a true labor of love and now that I have lived through it, I can share the experience with you. Two years ago a group of friends decided to bring an indie craft show to our area. I was blessed to be chosen to participate and it was awesome. The response was much greater than anyone could have guessed. Last year the venue was changed to a local art museum. I was able to attend that year, but with a 5 month old, didn't apply. As I walked around looking at all of the booths I knew I would have to try to apply again for the 2013 show. So, in the middle of December I listed some new items in my Etsy shop and applied on line. A few days before the new year I got an email saying that I was in!! I was so excited. And really since then I have been using most of my spare time to gear up for the show. Mr. Cherry even took the girls away for a weekend so I could focus on sewing.

This past weekend was the big event. Mr. Cherry and I went to the museum to set up Friday afternoon. After getting my booth all set up I quickly drove home and got ready for the special gala night. It was fun to mingle with customers and talk shop a bit with the vendors around me. It was a great laid back atmosphere to start off the show. I headed home for the night where I stuffed a few more crayon rolls and finished up two more up-cycled puppy dogs.

The next morning I was back at it, but there was no relaxing on Saturday. They always give away 100 swag bags to the first attendees and that brings a mad rush from the start of the day. I would say the crowd started to thin out around 1 pm, but people came to the very end at 5. It was a long day that flew by. I had so much fun selling my items, people watching, and soaking up the atmosphere. I had some great vendors around me who I chatted with throughout the day. The organization of the show is done so well and the organizers take such good care of the vendors. It is really like no other craft show I have experienced.

At the end of the day, Mr. Cherry and the girls came to help me take down after a very successful few days. I tried a few new things for the show that I will share another time. For now, I am off to enjoy a day back at my regular day job. You know, feeding tummies, changing bottoms, and cleaning rooms. I am actually looking forward to it.