New Owl Totes and Looking for Help....

Finally!!! Owl Totes have arrived. This new flock will be listed over the next few days in the shop. Go check out some old favorites and some new owl tote designs! I've decided to start 'naming' the owl totes because 'Gracie' just sounds better than Aqua Owl Tote with Chocolate Brown flowers.

Leading the flock is new comer, Summer. I love this one.

Oliver is back, formerly known as 'I Love Owls'.

My personal fav is back....now known as Dot.

Bloom has returned too, made with the ever popular Carnival Bloom fabric by MM.

Last, but not least in this group is Polka Dot. Got left behind from Valentine's but still a great everyday Owl Tote.

Snowy the Owl, aka the Hedwig Tote, will be arriving in a few weeks. I have a few all cut out and ready to sew. But after making about a dozen totes over the last week, I need a little break from Owl Totes.

Oh. I know I didn't post a tutorial in February. I have a great one coming up for March, so I think that will more than make up for a lack of one.

The looking for help part.
I have plans for SEVERAL new patterns to be released over the year. I know I will need some pattern testers. If you are interested, please leave a comment below. (Make sure there is a way for me to contact you from the comment.) I will need you to, of course, test the pattern and get back to me with feedback. You will have about 2 - 3 weeks to make the item depending on the pattern. Depending on how many show interest, I may or may not be able to choose you all.

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne :)

Custom Tote Bag with Initial

A while back a good friend asked me to make a tote bag for her daughter. I've been wanting to make a tote bag with a monogram for the shop...so this is what came to be...

Pink, polka dots, ric rac....could it get any more fun?!

I plan to make a boyish one too...eventually!

If you wanted to make your own it would be very easy. Just make a regular tote and decorate the side you want the initial on before sewing it together. I cut out a scalloped circle and initial from fabric with fusible webbing. I used the Utlrahold Webbing that doesn't require sewing to reinforce. However, I added a touch of bright aqua hand stitching around the scalloped circle. Easy and dresses up any tote bag!

Sewing Clothes...

....is not my thing. I have had one too many bad encounters with invisible zippers, button holes, and all things clothing. The best luck I've had has been making about five of these adorable dresses for my baby girl.

But I have been inspired by all the cute clothing out there that people are making. I have also been inspired by my amazing former roommate Mim. She is the shirt making queen, truly. Go check out her new blog and get inspired. I really want to make her Cascade-Ruffle Front Tee.

Love your blog Mim!

Cute Crafty Ideas for the Little Guy in Your Life

I think we can all agree there isn't a shortage of cute ideas out there for little girls. (I've got a huge list of ones I want to whip up for my little miss.) Recently, I've spoken with many friends who have boys and want to see more boy ideas. You all better head over Made by Rae or MADE. This month they are 'Celebrating the Boy' by dedicating the month to cute boy projects! What a marvelous idea. I know I will be staring many of their ideas in Google Reader for future use!!!



Let me just add that I was sooo bummed when Dana's Parade Jackets didn't win during So You Think You're Crafty. That was the one tutorial from the whole event that I WAS DYING to get my hands on. I am going to have to figure out how to make one.

The Newest Version of Emma

Like many I am a fan of Jane Austen. I am always ready to watch a new film version of any of her books. Most of the time I hate the newest film version the first time I watch it because I am such a fan of another version. (Except in the case of the new Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightely.) Then after watching it a second time, I can give my honest opinion and decide if the new version is my new favorite.

For the past two weeks on Masterpiece they have been showing the newest version of Emma. (The screenplay is done by the same person who did the latest Jane Eyre.) I hated it for about the first 20 minutes. However, after watching Romola Garai play Emma I can say that I LOVE this version. (I loved Romola Garai in Amazing Grace.) I think the character interpretation overall is better than any previous version. I love Mr Knightely and he does a great job of putting Emma in her place. Plus Dumbledore plays Mr. Woodhouse!

You can enter to win Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion here. I love all three of these versions. If you missed it on PBS, you can watch it online.

New Pattern - Valentine Chairback

A new pattern has arrived! The Valentine Chairback and Mailbox pattern will be available for short time for only $4.00 in the shop! I have one more Valentine tutorial coming later this week. So besure to check back in!