Cami

Cami has been patiently waiting for her pleated bag to be done.
We first played phone tag for about a week.
Then emailing seemed to work...but
I had another bag order.
I was sick.
It was spring break, and my mom came in town.
Then it was time.
I got the fabric, and finally made it.
I hope she likes it!

This is what Cami ordered.

A Large bag.
Black and white fabric.
Red or emerald fabric inside.
Long strap. with Contrasting fabric on the bottom. And hooked on by Key Rings.
Magnetic closure.
Flower or Botton accessory on outside
a Large pocket for wipes and a few diapers, HORIZONTAL
Pocket outside (maybe 2)
Three pockets on the opposite side.
Key hook.

And here is what happened.

I haven't loved the b/w fabric that is around here. They seem to be small print. Cute but small. and I'm worried with it being a bag that a small print would be TOO busy. I finally found this and was SO excited. It is a NICE expensive material. Also 40% off! the print is the right colors, and not to big or small. not to busy or boring, or cheesy or grandma-ish. I like it. It is also thick and heavy.

The only problem that I had with it, wassssss it has some spandex in it. When I sewed it with the linning the material would stretch but the lining wouldn't. causing MORE pleats. very frustrating.

I decided on red. It's classic. and I was worried I wouldn't get the right green.


strap, check. key rings. check.





Magnet, and accessories.



Outside pocket. I made it stretchy, so nothing falls out.


Large HORizONtaL pocket for wipes and dipes.





the opposite pockets are various sizes, but you can also fit the wipes in one of them. water bottles/ baby bottles. or a wallet.


Key hook.

Poppies in a frame

Some of the Ladies around here do a Bunco night. It has a theme, this theme was "Anything Green" To celebrate spring and St. Patty's Day. So every girl must bring a 'prize' it can be something from your home you no longer use, something handmade (I usually go this route), something bought, something stolen...haha whatever your cup of tea. You just not suppose to spend to much money. (unless you absolutely HAVE to, then I don't think anyone would object...)

This theme I was at a loss at what to make. I, blog stalked a bunch of the crafty blogs, (which I seldom do) looked at websites trying to come up with some inspiration.

The irony of it all was that I was the host! I came up with the theme, and I shouldn't be having a problem. I was just out of ideas with everything though. what to make, how to decorate, what to bake.

Anyway, from the inspiration of my sister and Amy butler, and a touch of my own taste I came up with these Poppies in a Frame idea.

My sister is making a pillowcase quilt much like this "I'm blushing" quilt from Moda Bake Shop.

I wish I could have had the time or money to make a bag...but I needed something quick. I liked this idea from Amy Butlers website. {did you know she has free sewing and craft patterns on her website!} I want with the nigella silhouettes.

So I modified it all. to my taste and time.

I went to Salvation Army and found a great heavy, sturdy frame for a few dollars.

sure you can get some frames at Walmart for $3, with no backing. and they would work fine. but I liked the irregular shape of this one, its great wood construction, with the bamboo feel.

I didn't however like the moldy yellowing color nor the blue 80's watering tin. blah.

So I spray painted the frame black. AND I spray painted the pitcher...you'll see why later.

I took Amy's idea and Amy's material ( shades of GREEN scraps from bags and projects) and made poppies.

unlike the quilt and Amy's instructions I did not sew around the edges. too many details for the short day I had to make this in.

I used easy but extra strong hold Heat 'n Bond to iron on the flowers to DucK CLOTH. Love duck cloth. I think I need to make a bag out of duck cloth. Nothin like texture :)

In Amy butler's instructions she says to cut foam board to a certain size. Well instead of doing All that measuring and measuring (I'm a measure twice and cut once....ha, even then I usually have to cut twice, sad I know) so this made it simple. I spray painted the ugly picture so NO ONE would ever have to look at it again. haha ok it wasn't That bad right?. and then use a strong spray glue on both- duck cloth and thick cardboard. stuck them together and placed them in the frame.

I didn't use the glass because of personal preference and glare. and I didn't sew around because of time, but also because it is a picture. Not an applique on a shirt or something that will be used. It will hang on a wall and not be touched. much. hopefully.

There, I was done.

or so I thought.

Then my husband came home and said how he didn't like it. "he just didn't get it."

do you "get it." are you in agreement with my hubby. there is something missing isn't there.

so Added a little more to the inner circles and called it good. I think I do like the end result, better than the previous end result.

And I'm happy to say it went to a good home!!

There now, you know how I did it. you can make ANYTHING. names, cars and trucks. flowers, birds. Add lace whatever. Go. Be. Creative.

and of course, leave me your honest feedback. seriously people. lacking in comments on this blog.

Krissy

Krissy is an awesome girl. I have been her friend since high school....maybe even before. We both were into the same nerdy things like orchestra. Our senior year we were stuck with B lunch, while the rest of our girlfriends had A. We also had PE together that year. So we got close. you know- when your forced to sweat with someone :) haha.

She lives far away from me now....but I still love her and keep in contact, miss her tons. What would we do with out blogs?

She emailed me for a bag...these were her requirements.... I hope you love it, Krissy!! It was made with love :) so cheesy, but true.

Color: versatile, neutral color that goes with most colors. I wear lots of different colors from black, brown, reds, greens, oranges...etc but I am getting really tired of switching my purse every morning to match my outfit just to go to work. So I need something that can be an everyday bag..If it is easier to do reversible I'm okay with that as well.

I sent Krissy pictures of fabric from my local quilting store. And she chose the following fabrics.She specifiically wanted the stripes as the main fabric.

I like the magnetic closure and the scrunchy pocket on the outside. I'm so paranoid about dropping my purse and everything in there falls out.

Long straps and the pleat on the outside. LOVE that. (I love the length of the red flowered bag's straps)

Inside: i like the 3 pockets on one side and the chapstick/pen pocket on the other w/the key strap. If possible to make it so it stands up on its own like one of the bags you did that would be even more perfect.

I decided to add my own little flare to it. It can easily be clipped off if she doesn't like it....OR when she gets sick of it.

Well guys? What do you think?