Christmas in July

I have been wanting a cute advent calendar for YEARS, and I love, love, love this one! More importantly I'm so glad that Sew Mamma Sew posted this right now when there is still time to make it! Check out her blog for fabrics and tutorials. I'm LOVIN' it!

Twirly Jean Skirt

I love, love, LOVE this blog. It's called Make it and Love it.  She posted this tutorial on another blog, Ucreate, and I am definitely going to try it as soon as my life quiets down a little bit. The tutorial is here.  It looks REALLY easy, and is extremely cute!  I can't wait to try it.

Camera Strap

I've been wanting to make a strap for my camera for a while, but have been consumed with my 9 patch quilt, so now that I'm frustrated with the quilt I decided to put it aside and do something seriously easy. I followed the tutorial on Make It and Love It somewhat. The only thing I really changed was the fabric. I wanted it to be one fabric, which was even easier. 

I bought this black & white fabric to make a pillow for my daughters bed, but I had plenty and I love it.

After measuring the strap and doubling it, then adding about an inch it was 4" wide. After it was cut I ironed on some fusible interfacing for added reinforcement.

You'll want to cut the fabric 1/2" or so longer than the strap so you can tuck it under for the last step.

I failed to take pictures of the strap after I sewed it. You'll want to sew the strap right sides facing each other, then turn it right side out. Put a safety pin on one end of your camera strap and pull it through, being careful not to rip the interfacing inside. After pulling it through, tuck the ends under and sew directly onto the strap right under the leather piece, NOT on the leather.

I'm happy with how it turned out! It was so easy!

Blog Stalkers ...

Alright ... it's time for all of you who look at my blog to show your faces! haha ... I'm only kidding! I keep hearing about people who have found my blog and have been lurking without leaving any comments! Shame, shame! Just kidding! (I'm such a dork). I'm more curious than anything who has been keeping up with my sorry excuse for a craft blog. Please leave a comment or click on the "follow" button on the right. I want to know who I'm embarrassing myself in front of! haha. Thanks!!

A Girls Quiet Book

Since I wont be posting pictures of my quilt for awhile, I decided to post pictures of an old project that I did for my kids. I wanted to make a quiet book for my kids, but couldn't find a pattern that I liked, so I decided to make my own patterns. I think most of them turned out okay, but as with everything else, I've learned in the process things I'll do differently if I ever make another one.

Tic-Tac-Toe page: has a pouch with pieces to play the game.

Flower page: has removable flowers that are interchangeable.

Gumball page: has gumballs that come off so they can match the colors.

Purse page: has bracelets, play lipstick, etc. inside.

Flower vase page: the flowers are removable. This is the only page the baby can play with and she LOVES them!

Shoe page: laces for the kids to practice tying their shoes.

Puzzle pages: the three pockets have the pieces to three different puzzles, and the other page is for them to put the puzzles together.

Star puzzle.

Flower puzzle.

Heart puzzle.

Shape page: the shapes are velcroed on so they can match the shapes.

Hair page: has a pocket with hair ties so the kids can practice braiding and rubber banding the ends.

I stitched our last name on the back just in case we leave it laying around at church or something.

"Just Crafting Away ..."

I hope Lindsay is okay with me posting her quilt top, but I thought it turned out so cute. I'm excited that she finished and that hers turned out so good ... gives me hope. ;) Check out her cute blog "Just Crafting Away ..." here.

Before the Rip-Out

I decided to take a picture of what I had finished before I started ripping out squares to redo them. I've completed three squares so far and they're coming out good. Too bad I didn't pay close attention the first time. I guess this is how we learn our lessons, right!