Bella's Backpack

Here's a make from months ago that I never showed except on Instagram. Miss Bella needed a backpack for their trip to CA. I was very glad to help out with that. I am happy to say that the result matched the vision in my head. I found the grey polka dot at Joann's. It's a nice lighter weight canvas which has proven to be durable but was not hard to sew with the many layers I had going on.

The pattern is Made by Rae's Toddler Backpack. I've made it, I think, 6 times now and I still love it. It is easy to put your own twist on it because it is such a nicely done pattern. One add on was the front pocket. I was really winging it on this part and though I'd do some things different if I did it again, I love the way it looks.

I lined it and decided that a zippered pocket was a good idea. A welt zipper application kept it from being too cluttered inside when it's loaded up.

The piping is Kona Cotton in Salmon, if I am remembering correctly. Can I say yum?

To give it maximum structure, but still have the ability to sew it with out pulling my hair out,  I used Pellon Decor Bond on all of the main pieces including the lining. I actually use it in most of the bags I make. (Smaller bags only need a single layer. ) 

I wanted the back to be more comfortable for her when she wore it so just before I put it all together, I tacked in pieces of Annie's Soft and Stable. I ended up putting it in the back, front and bottom. It is extremely easy to sew, and gives more structure without much extra weight. Have you used this product? I've done a few things with it and I love it. 

Last but not least, I put a leather bottom on it. I am not sure if it helps much in durability or keeping it clean but I think it looks really cute.

I love seeing pictures of Bella wearing it around. I do wonder what all she has packed into it though....

Leather Shoes

While still in Germany, dreaming of what being a gramma would be like, I bought these shoes. I hoped Jess and Micah would like them. They were such a popular style but I didn't know any new walkers who were using them. They are amazing. It's hard to tell but Micah almost wore these out, before he out grew them. 

He wore them everywhere. 

I had some leather left over from a few projects and brow-beaten urged on by Jess decided to make a pair.

He wore them out and then he lost one.

This is the second pair.

For some reason he likes to carry his shoes when he is not wearing them. One day he carried a pair all over the back yard. 

He also tried to put my shoes away one day. 

He put them in his gramps closet.

Gramps may have thought it was a plot initiated by me to take over his closet. 

I love seeing people I love wearing things I've made them.

Look at all that chubbiness.

More Chairs?

I was in a second hand store a couple of months ago with Jessica. I spotted these folding chairs and really liked them. They weren't too old but they had some personality. 

I didn't get them. 

I couldn't stop thinking that I'd made a mistake. 

I needed a small chair for You Know Who's office. One that a I could sit in but wouldn't take up too much space.

I thought the folding chair would work even though the seat was ugly. 

 They were supposed to be marked down at one month. I decided that if they were still there, then it was meant to be. 

They were there, I got them a bit cheaper,  and I still had some yummy leather left from my dining chairs makeover.

 I got them just in time. The chair I had been using in my sewing room had to be thrown out. 

These are very versatile. I love the way they look in our work spaces and in our living spaces when we have company. So far we haven't needed to store them but if we do, the folding option is nice!

Leather Fun Part 2

The Spotted Pillow - because who wouldn't want one?!? This was my second idea for the leather.

I cut circles out of the leather and then decided to add a punch of color in as well so I used 100% wool felt in 3 shades of blue. I didn't plan the layout as well as I probably should have but I think it turned out ok. The leather spots are smooth and rough side out to give the brown spots texture.

I then hand stitched all of the dots on with pearl cotton.

It was a really fun project. Though not baby friendly since leather probably wont go through the wash that well. But that's ok because it was made with someone in mind who may or may not have a problem with circles.... that person may want to locate a 14x26 pillow insert... if that person is reading this and wants it!

And here is a Micah shot for you- he's playing with a gift from his Aunt Sherie sent him and he LOVES it! Its a maple wood teether. I just put it on his play mat the day we got it in the mail and he found it all on his own and started chewing

It's now one of his favorite toys. He loves that his Happy Apple and his pirate bear- golden beard who I need to get a picture so you all can see him!

Leather Fun

Well where did that week go? Sorry about that it was a long week- not bad just long and I didn't find time to update here. I would tell you about it but then you would just be bored! So instead I will show you one of the things I managed to complete!
Mum had a project (that she's yet to show you...thbt!) that involved a fair amount of left over leather- this stuff is like butter people and it smells SO GOOD! So we have been brainstorming ways to put it to good use. One of the ideas came from my Aunt who told us about Sundance Catalogs bracelets which are fun, funky...and ridiculously priced. So we went to work making our own versions---well I only made one but mum made a few so check hers out too!

 My version wraps your wrist twice - here's a shot of it not wrapped

 and  I used a heavy duty snap closure

 We used a punch to cut the holes for our designs and then used a really yummy variegated pearl cotton to stitch the design. The bead is dyed shell.

It's really soft and feels nice to wear- unfortunately I am not keeping it, it will be making it's way to see someone soon... not sure who that someone might be!

Check back for another leather project tomorrow!

To catch you up on other random news- Micah went for his 4 month check up (a week ago) and he is 15 and a half pounds and 27 inches long now! It's absolutely ridiculous how fast this kid is growing!  We were also told that we could go ahead and start introducing him to food.

 Let's just say he was not a fan. We took a video but I think this picture about sums it up!

And other fun news my Aunt Rhonda started a blog! Check her out! 

Oh and I figured out how to edit my HTML for bigger pictures (while Micah screamed at me!) I am so excited that I was able to do this! Hopefully you will all enjoy the larger images!

My Sister Made Me Do It

A few weeks ago while talking to my sis on the phone she mentioned some bracelets she liked on sundance. They are funky leather bracelets at a precious price and she wanted one. Bad. My sis is has style. There are things she can do/wear that I can only wish I could pull off. The fun part about this conversation was, I had leather......

I have some butter soft leather left over from a project I have yet to show you. It's one for the all but defunct house blog. You know, the one I haven't posted on in two months. I'm busy, don't judge. Jess and I got together and made a few to try things out and maybe send a couple off to "someone"...

I'll be making more unless someone tells me to stop.