Update

If you ordered a lettering kit in the mail over the last week or so, they went in the mail yesterday. I only have a few more kits left and when they are gone, I will be taking a break from making the lettering kits for a bit. But not forever....

What my sewing corner looked liked yesterday....

The Color Book was an off-the-cuff idea so I totally got sidetracked from what I had planned for the shop/blog this month. Easter is next weekend and I don't have any Easter stuff yet! Yikes! Hopefully I will get a little Easter basket made up this weekend....

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

Favorite Tutorials: Purses & Bags

I've decided to start a new little segment called Favorite Tutorials. I know there are a gazillion blogs out there that collect all the tutorials out on the blogosphere. So every now and then, I will post of collection of my favorite tutorials on a given subject. I will have tried at least one, and make a SHORT list of ones I want to try. I thought my favorite accessory of purses would be a perfect place to start.

I love purses! My daily purse is my beloved diaper bag. However, everyone needs a fun purse especially when going out without the diaper bag.

My all time favorite purse tutorial, the Buttercup Bag by Made by Rae.

This tutorial is quick, easy to follow, and only requires a fat quarter! (A fat quarter is a 18"x 22" piece of fabric, or a 1/2 yard cut in half width wise.) It is the perfect size for a wallet, cell phone, keys, and Chapstick. The essentials in my book. The instructions are very straight forward and easy to follow. I did change how I attached the strap. I also like adding some interfacing to the strap on this bag. Just makes it a bit more durable.

Another great tutorial is the Hip Mama Diaper Bag Tutorial by A Mingled Yarn.

This was my basis for my diaper bag. I added a zipper closure and again made my strap different. It is a great bag tutorial.

Tutorials /Patterns I Want to Try:

Scrappy Clutch by From An Igoo
I absolutely ADORE the fabric she uses, it is Flourish by Studio E. It is being discontinued so I need to get my hands on some.

The Weekender by Amy Butler

I want to make my own 'weekend/overnight' bag. This one seems just right. Anyone out there tried it?

Do you have any purse tutorials/patterns YOU love? Leave a comment if you do!

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

I'm Blushing...

Wow. So a few days ago Marie from Make and Takes commented on my Colors Book Tutorial. I thought that was pretty cool, I love her site/blog. Then she emailed me asking me if she could feature the Color Book on her blog...um...Yes! If you have small children, this is the blog for you. I love, love, love her ideas and have several bookmarked for future use. So go check it out on Make and Takes! The thing that really gets me blushing is the other people who are being featured today: Make It and Love It, Polkadot Chair, Oh So Happy Together, Ruffles and Stuff, and Made by Rae. All crafty blogs that I frequently visit so to be mentioned in the same blog post...WOW!

Anyways. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

Superhero Tote & Mini Tutorial

As promised here is a tote bag for your little guy. Even a Superhero also needs a handy tote to carry all his stuff...

This cute one is going off in the mail to my super cute nephew. Thanks for letting me borrow your initial!

Now for a mini-tutorial. I love making tote bags. They are fun, quick, and easy. Plus, you can add whatever you like to make a tote bag completely 'yours'. This mini-tutorial is a trick that I love to use in making my tote bags. I think the result is a sturdier and more 'professional' looking tote. You can apply this technique to any tote, and many of you may already be doing this. The finished result looks like this:

Simply you are adding a strip of the outer bag material to your lining. Typically linings are lighter material and overtime the handle wear can weaken the lining. This way your handles wear on the stronger fabric. Doing this is to your tote bag is VERY simple.

1. You will need the measurement that you would usually use if you were lining your bag traditionally. This measurement typically is the same size of your two outer bag pieces.
In my case 12.5" (w) x 13.5" (l).

2. Figure out the size of your strip. For this size of tote, I want my FINISHED, or how much shows on the finished tote, strip to be 2" wide. Add your seam allowance, 1/2" on each side, so the UNFINISHED strip is 3" x 12.5. Cut two 3" x 12.5" strips.

3. Next you need the size of the lining material. Simply subtract the FINISHED width of your strip from the length of the normal lining size. 13.5" - 2" = 11.5" x 12.5"
Cut two 12.5" (w) x 11.5" (l) pieces.



If that was clear as mud. Sorry. Numbers aren't my thing.

4. Next, sew the strips to the lining pieces. Matching up the 12.5" sides. Press seams up.



5. These are your two lining pieces. Pin right sides together. Match up the strip seams and pin in place.


6. Sew together using 1/2" seam allowance. Leave a 6"opening in the bottom for turning. Press seams and clip corners. (I like to back stitch at the openings.)



7. Continue sewing the tote as normal. When you are sewing the outer and lining together around the top, don't leave an opening, it is in your lining. When you are all done just sew the opening in the lining closed and you never see it. The outside of your tote remains perfect and nice and seam for turning is hidden nicely inside your tote.

Again. Just a helpful tip!

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday!

Lettering Kit Update

Hey everyone!

Phew. I thought I'd just cut out a few lettering kits. A few turned into lots. Right now they are available as a preorder. So if you need them you can go ahead and order them, they just will not ship until March 29th, maybe sooner. If you already ordered them, they will go out by tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the complements on the quiet book. I am so glad so many of you are making them. Well. I am excited because I hope to have a new tote bag to show you next week! (It is for boys...so stay tuned!)

Oh Happy St. Patty's Day! If you are need of an idea for a fun St. Patty's Treat, check out Our Best Bite's Mint Brownies. They were all fancy and made their own brownies. I made some today from the box and just made the frosting. Yum.

Wow and Questions Answered.

Wow! Thanks everyone for all the complements on the book. I love that you all love it and I hope enjoy making your own book. I am cutting out letters for kits like crazy. When you are done with your book, snap some pictures of your completed project and add it to the Flickr Group. I am still working on new items for the shop and of course some tutorials.

I've received several emails asking me a few questions.

When will Quiet Books return to the shop? I haven't made any Quiet Books for the shop since my baby was born in October. Sadly, I am not planning on making them a regular in stock item in the shop. However, if you want me to make one for you, just email or convo me with the date that you need it. I will let you know if I am able to make one for you. I would ideally like to have 10 business days to work on it, but still check with me either way. :)

Ric Rac and where did I get it all? All my ric rac came from JoAnn Fabrics. I either bought it in the package or off the spools in the trim section. Most of my pieces were little pieces leftover from other projects. I have just about every color because I almost have an unhealthy obsession with ric rac. Just look at my other projects...you will see.

Also, welcome to all the new visitors and subscribers! I hope I can keep you all coming back. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Tutorial: Color Fabric/Quiet Book

 Quiet Book Tutorial - Updated 9.22.11

  

The my colors Quiet Book Tutorial is available as a free pattern through Google docs. Just click on the image below to be taken to the PDF file. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or email me.

*********************************Kit Update*************************************
As of March 2012 I am no longer making the lettering or full kits to sell in my Etsy shop. I've been making these darling little kits for close to two years and am ready for some new projects. If you've ever made multiples upon multiples of the same item...you catch my drift. ;) I may occasionally whip up a few kits when clearing out my fabric stash, but that is all. (I will update this post when/if I whip up any kits.) Sorry to disappoint those who are just finding this idea! However, there are letter templates included in the above pattern or you can cut the letters out with a Cricut or Silhouette. See my tutorial here for cutting fabric with your Cricut.

Thanks for your interest! Sorry that I can't multiply myself so I could work on new projects and keep up my stock of kits....if only. (To be honest though, I'd first multiply myself to keep up with laundry, ironing, and bathrooms.) ;)

Happy Sewing,

LeAnne

{Lettering Kit} Availability
all lettering kits {English and Spanish} are currently SOLD OUT*********************************************************************************

 Individual Page Pictures

I recently updated the book, so I included both versions. Click on the photos to enlarge. If you like, share your finished project in the Flickr Group.

Front Cover

Back Cover

Color Pages

Happy Sewing!!!

LeAnne :)

Personalized Children's Totes

I have been in a tote making phase. I love totes! There is nothing like a fun new tote or purse to show off. I just need to make one for me.

A few weeks ago I showed you the Elle tote...



polka dots, pink...so cute.

Today here is the Talli tote...



I can't get enough of this fabric. Yes, you may be thinking it looks familiar.



I am loving fuchsia ruffles along the bottom.

I wanted to do the initial in a fun and different way. So the initial is on a felt medallion that hangs from one of the handles. (Is medallion the right word...I couldn't think of a better word.)



Boy ones are on the way. I promise. I just had to get the ruffles out of my system.

Sneak Peak of Tutorial

I wanted to post the tutorial for this today, but it may not be ready until tomorrow. Really it is VERY straight forward. I decided to share how to make a Colors Quiet Book/Fabric Book with you all. Here are a few pics to preview it...

I love it! So does my little baby. It truly is very straight forward. I used nothing but fabric scraps and all those pesky little bits of ribbon and ric rac that I always wondered "What will I do with these?!" Now, you'll notice the lettering. Would anyone be interested in buying the letters? (No commitment here...just wondering if I should cut out a few sets and see.)

Anyways. Like I said, the tutorial should be up in the next few days.

I hope you all like it!

Thanks Everyone and More Owl Totes!

Wow! Thanks to everyone who offered to help with pattern testing. Like I said, patterns will be ready throughout the year. But I hope to have a few for you within the next 6 weeks. I will be in touch with you all. You all are wonderful!!!

Here are the last of the Owl Totes...I told you I made a lot...

Gracie...one of my new favs.

Hibiscus is returning...love the red.

Ivy, a little sassy with those fuchsia wings don't you think?

Stripey is returning too.

Finally, here is a sneak peak of the next new thing I am working on.

Thanks for reading!
LeAnne :)