Child's Tote Bag

 M was invited to a birthday party of a classmate.  When it comes to gifts, I am fairly low-key.  Though I'd love to give handmade gifts all the time, you never know how someone will respond.

We love books, and we love to give books.  However, I only had one book that was appropriate in our gift stash.  I thought I might make something.  (The only other birthday party we've been to I made name pillows.  I knew I did not have time for that!)

Since M loves little bags and purses, I decided to make one for her friend personalized with her initial.  It's big enough for a couple of books.  Looking on-line, I didn't find any tutorials that were of a simple tote bag.  (I didn't want to fuss with a lining.)  I created my own little bag.  I won't pretend this is a real tutorial...because it isn't.  However, I will share how I made it.

 I cut the tote bag's fabric about 22x9 inches.  I used pinking shears for the sides so it wouldn't fray after it was sewn.  It will be folded to 11x9 to make the bag.

The handles are about 2 1/2x 12.  I would recommend going 3x12 if you are not used to making little handles.

For the initial, I used coordinating fabric  and cut a rectangle.  Then I followed the directions for Wonder Under which is great for appliqué.   After the Wonder Under was attached to the fabric, I cut the C freehand.  At this point, I also ironed the C to the tote bag using the directions for the Wonder Under.

I kept it as simple as possible.  Since there was no lining, I folded the top of the bag more than an inch to keep it looking good (plus another 1/4 inch tucked under).  This is pictured to the right.  Then I sewed along the bottom inch as well as a top stitch at the top of the bag to make it appear more finished.

Though I used the Wonder Under, I also sewed near the edge of the C to make sure it would hold up to washing the tote bag.

I turned the bag inside out and sewed the sides.  The bag is basically done now!

To make the handles, first I ironed a crease down the center of each.  Then I turned under the edges just enough to leave room for sewing.  Ironing these are so important!  Then I sewed along the edges.  Attaching the handles was rather easy.  I used the seams that were already visible from where I had folded down the top part of the bag to know where to attach the handles.

To complete the gift, we added a book, and M made her friend a bookmark.  Appropriate, we thought!

M absolutely loved this bag and was proud to tell her friend I made it.  She requested her own for her birthday.  It's not made yet, but when I cut out the fabric for the friend, I cut for M, too...including her own "M."  I just need some time to sew it.  Somehow, it's not a priority.

I have some sewing to do for M before her birthday in October...and the baby's arrival (and E's birthday).  I have a pattern and fabric to make a dress, and I may make a Statue of Liberty costume for M for Halloween.  (Though I like her using her dress up dresses to be a princess, I planted the idea of the SoL a long time ago on purpose.)

Another Wall Hanging

I love personalized items-note cards, pillows, key chains, wall hangings...and even if I have not made a personalized wall hanging for my son yet, I have made a few as gifts.  Above is the most recent one that I made for a newborn baby of a friend.  (Isn't Felicity a beautiful name?)  It is really basic with just paint for the background instead of scrapbook paper.  (I didn't want to clash with nursery decor.)  For the lettering, I used a brown behind a green print that had brown and pink in it, though you would need to click the photo to enlarge it to see all of that.

You might notice the shiny glare...the Mod Podge I used was glossy.  Next time I will use regular matte finish.  The photograph shows just how imperfect it is...if you have any tips for keeping lettering straight while using Mod Podge, please share!  I'm glad it was appreciated despite the flaws!

If interested in how to make a personalized wall hanging or changing it to a barrette holder, you can click the links.

Name Snowman

See our name snowman!  It's a great preschool and early elementary craft!

Wall Hanging-Personalized

I made this set of three wall hangings for a friend who just had her third daughter.  (Well, in December.  It took me a while, huh?)  My goal was to have three distinct but coordinating hangings. I chose three scrapbook papers that coordinated well enough (hopefully), and used my Cricut to cut the letters in blue and the shadowed letters in a pink/purple.  It was the best I could do without knowing favorite colors or bedroom colors.

I began with wooden ovals (available at Wal Mart, Michaels, Joanne) traced onto the paper.  I painted the edges to match the main color of the paper, and then dry brushed additional acrylic paint in similar shade.

Next I Mod Podged the paper on to the wood.  (Someone recently recommended using a glue stick first, and just Mod Podge the top layer.  Any thoughts on this?)  Then I put a few more layers on top.  After it was dry, I added the lettering.  Toothpicks helped to move them around.

Once I went over the letters a few times with Mod Podge and it dried, I hot glued a ribbon loop to the back (for hanging) and followed that with felt (cut to the oval shape).  The purpose of the felt is to protect the wall.

My friend said her girls loved them.  I know I love all things personalized for children.

I may make one of these for my son's room for his Easter basket.  He officially has nothing on his walls (not even colored paint).  Unfortunately, almost all of my scrapbook paper is pretty feminine, but I will make something work.  I hope.

If you have been reading for a while (or you explore the sidebar's favorite posts), you might recognize this as a variation of the personalized barrette holder.

Name Pillow!

I am really trying to make an effort to get off the computer during my children's afternoon naps.  This week this is how I did it.  I made this pillow for M's birthday.  (With all the personalized things I post on this blog, her name is no secret...)  An experienced sewer/appliquer could probably whip this out in one nap...but it took me three or four.  It was really good for me to get off the computer, too.  Healthy, you know?



















It was my very first time using applique.  It's obvious (especially if you blow up the picture).  There are all sorts of puckers. Corners and points are where there should be curves.  One of my seams wasn't really a seam, and I didn't notice until too late...now I have to hand-sew it. 

(If you care, the orange fabric is from a purse I made.  It turned out well, but now I need to make something different for the fall/winter...and larger!)

Since this is for a child, I made the pillowcase removable, which wasn't part of the instructions.  I thought that part turned out well.   I had never made a pillow before, let alone a removable pillow cover that can easily be washed (if it doesn't fall apart due to my lack of sewing skills).

















Pretty cool, I think.  You might disagree, but that's probably because you noticed my lack of sewing skills.  I must have been in a hurry because I can't stand that the pink border is next to the pink M.  It just is not as well balanced as I would prefer.  The overall size is 10x20.  I am pleased with how it turned out, especially since I had not used a zig zag stitch before.

Next time I would:

• chose a variety of prints in one or two colors
• make the pillowcase removable again
• check all seams again...and again...before adding the next step
• make two inch square corners in matching fabric
• and make the borders match, but maybe contrast the square corners
• hopefully sew a straight line
• hopefully cut a straight line

You can buy the pattern at You Can Make This.  It's a great resource, and you get free patterns for signing up for there newsletter.  View the information for the Personalized Name Pillow here. 

Even if you have a lack of sewing skills, like me, You Can still Make This.  Ha ha!  I just came up with that!

Personalized Barrette Holder

I made this last week, but I am finally getting around to taking/posting pictures. M (not that the photo doesn't say the rest) has been wearing clips in her hair since she was about four months old. Baby clips never worked on her thick, long hair. We've lost a few since we haven't organized them. Hopefully this will work. AND it will be the first item to be hung on her wall. (We're slackers like that. Before we moved she had three items hanging! That was more than a year ago.) I was inspired by Katie's Nesting Spot, but this is my simpler version. Her directions are wonderful!

I bought a cheap unpainted oval at Wal Mart. I painted the edges with a close matching green to the scrapbooking paper I had chosen. On top of the green, I dry brushed white. I used Mod Podge to attach the paper, as well as the lettering that I had used a friend's Cricut to cut. (My next project will be using my very own Cricut! Woo-hoo!!) I chose all capital letters because I don't like the "a" and "g" to be extra loopy for a little girl's bedroom.

I used a hot glue gun for the ribbons. Now I wish they were longer and set further apart. I noticed the clips slide a little on the ribbons. If it becomes a problem, I will place a button at the bottom of each ribbon.

Something I never would have thought of is the backing. Katie suggested using felt to protect your walls. Wonderful idea!

I like this project enough that I will probably do it again, but without the ribbons-just as a decorative piece. You can see more creativeness at Creative Cats Tuesday. (a few days late!)

FYI: We have company coming this weekend and going away for a bit, so I'll be taking a short break from posting. :)

See my newer name plaques by clicking!