LAPTOP POUCH

At the end of this month, my children and I are traveling (via airplane) to New Mexico to visit my parents.  In order to entertain my boys while on the plane, I plan to show them a movie on my laptop.  Now I know, I could just take a portable DVD player (which would be smaller). But on this trip, I plan on taking LOTS of pictures, so I will need my laptop in order to edit them... because, with my Editing Addiction, there is just no way I could wait until I got back home to edit.

So... I don't want to have to carry my huge computer bag (along with a camera bag, a carry-on, two small children, their backpacks, and an umbrella stroller).  I decided I would make a little protective pouch for the laptop, that I can just slide into my carry-on.  

I knew I probably didn't have enough of one single fabric to construct the entire thing (at least not one that I Loved), but I knew I had TONS of scraps that I Loved, left over from all the purses I made last year for my (now defunct) Etsy shop and my booth at our local Farmer's Market.

After going through all my scraps, and doing a little math, I determined that I needed (44) 3.25" X 4.5" rectangles to construct what I had in mind.  This is what I came up with...

a 9.75" X 14.25" X 1.25" pouch with a fold over flap.  The entire thing is padded with interfacing, and the inside is lined with soft white felt.

I started going through my fabric stash yesterday morning, while doing some laundry, with no intention on working on a project that day.  But as I started pulling the fabrics I loved, figuring out how to construct it, and realizing I already had everything I needed, I just couldn't stop myself.  Before I knew it (by dinnertime), it was done.

So Cute, So Fun, So Colorful, So Funtional, and best of all... SO FREE!!

A SEWING FIEND...

This is why I haven't been posting much lately. My first weekend at the Farmer's Market was quite successful, so I had to replenish my selection of Quilted Tote Bags.

TEACHER GIFTS

Well, I totally missed Teacher Appreciation Week - actually, I didn't even know it was Teacher Appreciation week, until the end of the week. At that point, it finally clicked after seeing all the cute projects while visiting linky parties... DUH!!

Anywhoo...

I knew I wanted to do something for Luke's teachers, and when I saw this project by Christian over at Tolen Family Fun, I knew I had found the perfect thing (I seem to be using that particular phrasing quite often - sorry)!

I just love thow they look like they're made out of sheets of paper.

They have a snappy top closure which is made possible by using 6" pieces of a 3/4" metal tape measure - totally ingenious.

I thought these were going to be Easy Peasy until I got to the very last step - closing up the ends at the top where the tape measure pieces have been slid in. What a PAIN IN THE PATUKIS!! If I'm ever going to make any more of these, I've. got. to. come. up. with a different way.

So to Miss Angie, Miss Irene, and Miss Susan - sorry I missed Teacher Appreciation Week, but I'm giving you these, on the last day of school next week, as a much deserved Thank You for being Luke's teachers.

CUSTOM ORDERS

Last month, my Etsy shop had a little sale, which got me Five Custom Orders. And they all came at the end of the month, so needless to say, I've been a busy little bee.

I wanted to share with you what I created for my wonderful customers.

This first one was for Krystal over at Sassy Sanctuary. She needed a bag for Church. She teaches Sunday School, so she has a lot to carry along with her Bible. Along with being a Church Tote, it also doubles as a Diaber Bag. So now every Sunday, she can load it up with Everything she needs and go in Style.

Krystal selected the two main fabrics and sent them to me.

I added the third fabric to be used for this cute Ruffle embellishment...

and for a little trim detail on the inside pockets.

I think the size turned out great, and I will probably be making more of these to add to my shop.

These next three are for a High School classmate of mine you wanted bags for herself and her two daughters - one being 15 and the other being 21. My only instructions were that they needed to be black and white, and all different.

LOVE the Bling Button on this one.

Can you guess who got which one?

And this last one is for another High School classmate. She told me she likes black and whites, but that she also likes green. When I saw this fabric, I got so excited. I knew it would be the perfect one.

LOVE the little Rosette Button... so much so, I also used it on one of the bags above...

and, I added the little Ruffle detail.

What do you think of the little ruffle? It's new for me, but I might start doing it more.

Hopefully, these inspired you to come visit me at my Etsy shop, and maybe have me whip something beautiful up for you.

SALE ENDING SOON!!!!!

My Etsy Shop Sale is ending SOON.
It will be over on Monday, February 28th.

So hurry up and come visit my Etsy shop tMoOT and buy yourself a new purse for Spring. I'm offering 30% off any of the nine Totes that are in stock, or any Custom Order. Just enter code SPRING30 at checkout.

Hope to see you there before the end of the day on Monday!!

A FIRST.... BEFORE & AFTER

Yesterday, I attempted something for the first time... and accomplished success. I modified a piece of clothing - a shirt.

I got this shirt last summer at Wal-Mart. I bought it because it was very full through the mid-section, which I felt I needed to conceal a post-pregnancy belly (sadly a year old).

Thankfully, that belly bump is finally gone, so I can now wear my shirts a little more fitted. I still loved the shirt, but didn't like the elastic it had at the bottom, which gave it the billowy effect.

So, I did a little modifying. I got my seam ripper out and removed the elastic at the bottom and I opened up the side seams....

And Voila...

I added a little hem at the bottom and took in the sides giving them more definition at the waist.

I'm really liking the fact that I'm not afraid of my sewing machine anymore.

ETSY SHOP SALE

Starting tomorrow,

February 1st, 2011,

I'm having a SALE.

Come visit my Etsy shop tMoOT and buy yourself a new purse for Spring. I'm offering 30% off any of the nine Totes that are in stock, or any Custom Order. Just enter code SPRING30 at checkout.

Hope to see you there!!

OLD TURNED INTO NEW... GOTTA LOVE IT!!

About a month ago, I purchased these cute little wedges at a local department store called Peebles. Do you have one of those in your town? It's like a mini Kohls. It opened in our tiny rural town about 18 months ago, and I have gotten a lot of great deals there.

Aren't they Totally Fabulous? Normally, I don't go for metallics or patent leather, but the Pewter color of these... well lets just say, I completely fell head over heals in love, and the ruffle detail is to Die for.

Because of my recent sewing successes, and my love for the ruffle detail on those shoes, I thought I might try to dress up a pair of simple little black ballet flats I own.

Here is the "Before" shoe... basic black flat from Walmart (or maybe Target).

Here is the "After Shoe"... another Totally Fabulous shoe with the ruffle detail to Die for.

Sorry for the lack of step by step photos, but I was kind of winging it as I went. Basically, each shoe has two strips of fabric that are ruffled in the middle.

1). I cut (4) strips of scrap cotton fabric, each 1-5/8" x 9", which I then folded and pressed the long raw edges 1/8". I used a little bit of fabric glue to hold the fold.

2). I then folded a strip in half and measured down 2.5" from the fold, and that's were I started my gathering stitch.

3). Holding the strip flat in my hand, I did the gathering stitch for five inches. I knotted the thread at the start of the stitch, and once I had gathered the material to the desired ruffle fullness, I knotted the other end.

4). I then repeated the process on the three remaining strips.

5). I took one strip (the bottom one) and positioned it on a shoe. I held it in place with tape while I marked where the excess fabric would be cut off at the sole.

6). I then cut off excess on one side.

7). I hot glued the strip in place on that side, at the sole.

8). I pulled the strip tight and marked and cut the excess on other side, at sole.

9). I then hot glued the strip in place on that side as well. I also added a little bit of glue on top of the shoe to help hold the ruffle in place.

10). I then repeated steps 5-9 for top strip. Once everything was positioned to my liking, I added a little bit of glue under the flat edges of the top strip and the exposed edge of the bottom strip.

11). I then did the other shoe.

And Voila...

I think they're pretty darn Cute!!

And BTW, to go along with my cute "New" old shoes, I followed Rachel's tutorial at Holy Craft on how to turn an old pair of jeans into "New" Skinny Jeans.

So this morning, while my husband hunted, I kept myself busy. After loading the dishwasher, scrubbing the toilets, and feeding my two youngins lunch, by 2:00pm, I had two "New" fashion items using "Old" things I already owned. An adorable pair of shoes and a great pair of jeans.

I'm linking up here... be sure to go check out all the other awesome ideas.

This project was Featured here...