Cat Bag

Next up in the bags for traveling kids series.... Kitty Cat pencil case. This was inspired by a pin I'd seen that led back to Tokyoinspired. This is our take on it. I love it a lot. 

I made it with some gorgeous felt that I purchased in Germany from the loveliest little shop, which I am now kicking myself that I cannot remember the name. 

It's unlined and except for the feet and buttons, the embellishing is by machine. Small pieces of wool for the stripes sewn on before assembling the front and back. Doing the nose and whiskers was fun. Scribbling with the machine might be something I should try more often.

Then Jessica said, "Wouldn't it be cute if it had a fish?" 

So I did.

And it is.

If for some reason Miss Boo doesn't like this, I may be stealing it back....

Wallygator

Here's my prototype for an alligator version of the fish. 

 He has a zipper for a mouth. 

He is fully lined and has pointy little teeth. 

 His stuffed legs have claws 

And he can eat a ridiculous amount of toys. 

Since Jennifer asked I will probably try to do a tutorial for him ( not that I make any promises to complete one before her kids graduate ...college...) He is actually a really fun and simple sew once the pattern was created.... until then he made my brain hurt. 

Fish are friends- not food!

Some of you may have already seen that I made fish... a whole lot of fish.... But I figured just in case I would pop in here and show them anyway. They were in the shop but they all found new homes already. 

 Micah and Bella kept one of them and they LOVE the thing. It eats all sorts of things that it shouldn't and regurgitates all sorts of things where they don't go so it can move on to eating other things... I actually don't plan to store anything permanently in it since they get such a kick out of choosing things for it to eat. 

I am actually working on a few more for a custom order. If I can get them photographed I will show you... it seems lately that most things go out without good photos taken...

here is an example

 The star quilt was purchased and 5 custom bags were sewn to match it.... this is the best photo I have! 

Bad Blogger. 

Hope you all are good! 

Crafting for Uber - Bike Bag

Uber bikes almost every weekend. When we had a garage he had a spot to stash all of the paraphernalia that comes with riding. Now that were in a condo it all seemed to be spread from my parents house through both of our vehicles and in random places around our house. This was super frustrating-not only for me but also for Uber because he constantly didn't have things he thought he did. 

So I made him a present- a Gear Bag.  

of course it had to be pretty- but also masculine. I'd been hoarding this wood grain fabric forever

The bag is fully lined, drawstring closure, squared bottom

I cut the bike out and steam-a-seamed it on. Then stitched around it rather crudely. The spokes still have bits of paper in them since I used paper to guide where I should sew the spokes. 

He really likes it which is a relief. It gets constant use. I think its around 15" x 20" big enough to fit biking shoes, helmet, glasses, camel pack and other various riding gear. And bonus for me I love looking at it and it hangs on the inside of our laundry room door. 

Everyday Bag #2

I liked my first one so much I made a second. 

This time out of a linen from Joann's' that I found in remnant bin. 

I switched up the design a little so the process was faster... but I still found a couple of places I wish I had done differently. I may still add leather to the straps on this one. I really liked that feature but I just didn't get to it. 

I love that they are so simple. I get a TON of use out of them as I load them up with extra stuff that isn't needed in the diaper bag but still needs to be available to me when we are out for the whole day or on our way to Mom and Dad's. That is the one thing I wont miss about small children the diaper bag is at least 15 pounds and I can't figure out what to leave out to make it lighter!

I can't believe we are already this far into November! Where is the time going?! 

Toy Bags

Seriously there has to be a point where you have too many bags... Unfortunately (fortunately?!) I have not reached that point yet... 

Bags for Isabella- even added cute initials! Does she have toys yet that need bags? Nope! But I am sure she will soon and I am trying to use up a bunch of small quantity scrap fabric... 

These also make the BEST gift wrap. Here's a smaller version for a recent birthday party. I love gift wrap I just hate paying for it... so if I have time/fabric most gifts get a bag made now...

Because what kid doesn't need a bag?

Gift Bag Alternative

I love this bag that Mum made for Micah's blocks, it's so convenient and adorable. So when I wanted to get a little friend something she could play with while she stayed at our house for a few days I figured what better way to gift wrap it and give her a way to keep the toys pieces together. 

The drawstring is Grosgrain ribbon I had on hand. And the fabric is Parisville by Tula Pink.

Another Bag

Another french seamed travel bag. This one is to store the sun shade for Micah's stroller. I scored an amazing amount of phil and ted loot for next to nothing at a local store going out of business- Awesome for me but also a bummer because the store was really cool.  

The fabric is Studio e, Birds in brown, Naturology Fabric which I have had in my stash forever waiting for something boyish to be necessary, the inside is a coordinating teal fabric

I really love projects like this, so satisfying!

Whether She Wanted It Or Not

One of my co-workers had a birthday last week. With only two days to come up with something, I decided on a bag. We don't know each other well, but you know me..... I'd rather make a gift than purchase something. I made it up as I went along because that's the way I roll these days. I may have gone a bit out of her comfort zone color-wise. It's kind of a lunch bag, carry-all type of thing.

 I took these pictures with my phone the morning I finished it.

 I should have been on my way to work.

 The color is brighter than I remember it being. Poor woman, I think she prefers black.....

It's the thought that counts.... right??

I've Finally Did It!

With some help from a sweet girl......

I've opened an Etsy shop.

Tell me what you think!

Let's see if I can keep this up! 

A Little Bag

We got our grandson blocks for Christmas. I know he can't play with them now but he can't play with much yet. I asked Jess if she would like a bag for them to live in. She said yes and she even had the perfect fabric. Anne Kelle's Urban Zoology whales in Bermuda. I love this print. I wanted the seams nice and finished so I ironed them open, turned them under and sewed through all the layers. I like seeing the finishing seam on the outside. In this case I think it makes it a bit more interesting. A simple casing with grosgrain ribbon finished it off.

Two hundred tiny blocks waiting for their boy.

A Bag For Jessica

Jessica and I were discussing what type of bag she would like to have when baby M is born. She even sent sketches because that's fun for her. When she mentioned she liked the way the Multi Tasker tote by AMH looked I started thinking of combining the two. Not sure if this is exactly what she was looking for, but it's a start. I made this with our new organic canvas and one of the gorgeous chambrays from Kaufman.

I used the pattern and it was fun and simple. I just added more pockets. These two were not in the pattern. I figured everyone needs a zippered pocket and the other gets wider at the top for, well, odd wide at the top stuff.

I also put fleece between the layers to give it more body. Moms need to be able to use just one hand sometimes, right? I added a pocket that follows the fun outer pockets on the pattern.

In it I put a changing mat with a fun Amy Schimler surprise. I had to use the iron on vinyl. Not a fan but you do what you have to do. Dear Ms. Schimler, have you thought of coated cottons lately?

She might even  be able to sling it across her body if she absolutely needs both hands.

What do you think Jess?