9/3 - New Art-o-mat pieces!

I mailed off my new Art-o-mat pieces yesterday.  Here's a little taste of what they look like!

I painted some really cool wooden geometric beads this time around, and replaced the clay beads with metal ones to give the pieces a more sophisticated look.  I will have slightly different, more colorful, versions of these on my etsy site in a little bit.  I've been wearing mine non-stop for the last week, and love it.  

8/23 - Back from Paris crafts - bag 2

The second bag I was really excited to try making/recreating was a small corduroy bag we saw at Le Petit Pan.  This bag has been a staple for me all summer, even though it's made out of a traditionally warm weather fabric.  It's just the perfect size!

Finally got a chance to write this up.  Here are my rough instructions on how to make your own:

1.  Cut out the pieces.
2.  Sew bias tape to the top of the side pocket.
3.  Sew pocket flap top edge (wrong sides facing).
4.  Flip pocket flap so right sides are facing and sew the bias tape around the pocket flap.
5.  Sew the inside lining.
6.  Sew the side pocket onto the side panel of the bag, then stitch on the pocket flap.
7.  Sew the outside pieces together.
8.  Sew the bag strap.
9.  Sew the bag strap onto the bag on one side, and the ring and loop to the opposite side.
10.  Sew the front edge and 2 sides of the lining into the bag, leaving the back side open.
11.  Turn the bag inside out.
12.  Sew the large bag flap into the open back side.
13.  Sew the velcro on.
14.  Sew any other hardware or adjusters on.

8/18 - More nautical pieces!

8/1 - Arm candy :)

7/25 - New nautical-themed pieces!

New pieces I've been working on.  I am loving everything nautical this summer!

6/7 - Back from Paris crafts - necklace

I just posted a Petit Pan inspired bag.  They also had some very cute notions, and I decided to make the "pearl" necklace they had in the shop.  It was so easy with their tube fabric trim and fabric beads!  Cut over 2 feet of the fabric trim.  Tie an overhand knot to connect the ends and make a necklace that will fit over your head.  Then, just sew the beads onto the fabric necklace.  So cute!

6/5 - Back from Paris crafts - bag 1

Paris was a huge inspiration!  So many cute shops, including this one called Petit Pan.  I saw a few different bags that I just HAD to make!  I bought some fabric at their arts and crafts stores to make some stuff.  Here's the tutorial for my Paris market bag!  I was able to use a half yard of laminated cotton with cotton piping trim.  The pink material and polka dot piping are from Petit Pan, while the superhero material and yellow trim are from my local fabric store.

1.  First cut out pieces:
2 large rectangles for the front and back, 2 long rectangles for the sides, and two long rectangles for the handles.  These can vary in size depending on the dimensions of your bag, but you can see my measurements from the photo below.

2.  Ready your machine.  You will want to tape your machine and foot with masking tape or scotch tape, as the laminated cotton can stick quite a bit.   

 3.  Sew the short side of your two side pieces together, to make one long piece.

 4.  Change to your zipper foot, and sew the piping onto each side of the side pieces.  Note that the piping is sewn onto the right side of the fabric.

 5.  Now sew the sides to the front and back of the bag, starting from one side, then turning for the bottom, and back up the other side.  Sorry, I don't have a great picture of this, but it should look like this after you've sewn up the sides.

(You can also clip the corners to help with the sewing.)

6.  Tape the edge of the bag about 1 inch down, and sew the hem up.  You don't want to use pins because that will poke holes in your laminated cotton.  

7. Sew the handles.  Fold one side in the width you would like your handle to be, and sew up that side.  Then fold over the other side, to finish the handle.  You could also use tape to help hold this fold down.  

8.  Tape the handles in place, and sew them securely onto the bag by sewing a box with an "x" in it.

9.  Enjoy, you're done!

5/15 - before we go to Portland and Paris

Some jewelry to add to my outfits when we go to Portland and Paris:

The pink and orange one is based off of this online diy:  http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-braided-cuff/
Both bracelets below are based off of Aurelie Bidermann designs.  I made the blue one with a pink macaroon charm, perfect for Paris!  It's not off of any of the diy's I have seen on-line, which use just two strands; I like to use 3 strands like a braid.

Tassels are in, and I got these cool charms at the Bead Faire!

RTW London

I didn't get too many crafting supplies from London, but I did pick up this scarab bead from the British Museum.  I like how this bracelet turned out!  :)

RTW Japan
So I got this pipe cleaner kit from Japan.  I probably should have gotten the book... following black and white instructions in Japanese was a bit difficult... but totally cute in the end right?!?

4/20 - Stamps and Letterboxing

So I accidentally re-learned all about letterboxing.  We went to a postal convention, and I decided to finally use the stamp carving materials I bought in Japan.  My first attempt was a penguin; I used a sketch I made while we were in Antarctica as a template.  I think I did pretty well!  :)

After making a few more stamps, I decided to start Letterboxing.  It's like geocaching, but instead of using just GPS coordinates, logging into a bock, and trading prizes, you get written directions to the hidden box, use the box's stamp to stamp into your own book, and use your signature stamp to log into the logbook.  It's great!  I even decide to host my own box.  :)

3/20 - Addicted after Stitches

So, I bought this book at Stitches: http://mochimochiland.com/shop/teeny-tiny-mochimochi/

and obviously, I got addicted...

Buddy and I also made a few coin purses with snaps from Daiso!  Cute right?  :)  The last one I made was the largest, and I made it out of Liberty fabric...SO soft!