Grids & Grommets

This purse was made from the Grids & Grommets pattern from Indygo Junction.  This bag is very versatile!  The handle can be arranged to have two handles (like shown above) or one long cross body handle.  Way cool!

My mother chose the fabric for this bag.  She is very talented in choosing fabric that looks fantastic with the style of bag.  I wish we lived closer so that she could help me more in this area. 

There are two different sizes in the pattern.  This one is the smaller version.  It is small but surprisingly holds LOTS of stuff. 

The flower was made by cutting 4 layers of 3 different sized circles (mine were scalloped) from synthetic fabric.  Place a brad through the center and then heat the fabric circles with a heat tool.  These are fun flowers to make. 

Enjoy your day!

Grommet Grab Bag

Here is a bag pattern from Indygo Junction.  It is the Grommet Grab Bag.  The inside is lined in pink like the flower).  I made this for a friend but I think I should make myself one now.  :)

The instructions were clear.  The only part of the instructions I got confused on were the handles...but that was just a me issue.  After I figured out their explanation of how to put together the handles,  I chose to make them a different way. 

Instead of assembling the tubes then weaving them through the grommets then sewing a tube around the seam of each handle.  I ended up assembling the handles while they were woven through the grommets. 

I did this by:

1.  I cut my handle fabric strip 1 inch longer (for a 1/2" seam allowance).  

2.  I folded and pressed both long raw edges in toward the center. 

3.  I wove the  handle with the cording and fabric strip through the grommets (unsewn at this point). 

3.  On the short edges, I opened up the fabric strip flat and sewed the short ends together. 

4.  I pressed the seam allowance open then re-folded and pressed to match the previous pressed creases (from folding and pressing in long side raw edges.)

5.  I then sewed together the ends of the cording.

6..  I then very carefully, took my time and sewed along the folded long edge to enclose the cording.  I had to take it sections at a time and rotate it through the grommets. 

Overall it was a very quick and easy bag to put together. 

Hambo Hoedown #35

Hap-Hap-Happy Hoedown Time!

This week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge is to "case" a card.  I had NO problems finding a card (or 30) to "case."  I, however, had issues making a card.   I attempted no less than 5 cards.  But scrapped them for one reason or another.  Then I made a card--with glue and everything.  I was getting ready to post it and...well...I don't know?    Anyone else have moments like this?
So, I went back and started another card.  

For the above card  I  cased this card by Melissa Edwards.  It can also be found by looking on this page here.

I'll go ahead and share my other card...

For this card I cased this card by Sarah Horne.  It can also be found by looking on this page here.

So, of course...I ask my family which card to use...they chose opposite of me.  Oh well...

Also, I have been trying to leave some love on various blogs.  But there must be a little gremlin at work because many times I get an error message...something like you are not authorized to post from this blog.  (after I log into my blog).  I don't know....

I hope you enjoy your week!
Supplies Used (card 1):
 Hambo Stamps-Dragonfly-digi
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities-Oval, Labels Four
Patterned Paper-Sassafrass Lass

Supplies Used (card2)
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-digi, Cornish Heritage Farms-Vintage Text
Dies:  Spellbinders Nestabilities-Ovals, Scalloped Ovals, PTI-buttons
Punch:  Martha Stewart Craft

Bijoux Baby Jewelry Roll

     I was so excited when I saw this pattern. I couldn't wait to make one.  I don't know why.  I've been wanting to make something like this for a while. 
     This Bijoux Baby Jewelry Roll pattern is offered exclusively at www.fabric.com for free. 
     It was really a quick project to make.  Only about 4 hours including cutting-out pieces and hand sewing the back of the bias binding. 

     The only part that was a little tricky is the inner part with the zippers.  When I placed the pattern pieces to see how they fit together, I sort of figured that when all parts--zippers, center and pocket pieces, were assembled it would be too long.  It was.  I ended up having to trim about an inch off of the center section.  I think this has to do with how wide the zipper is.  I also changed the button fastener on the ring holder to a snap...to make my life easier.  :)

     I don't think the instructions stated how wide of bias binding to purchase or make.  I guessed and made mine 2" wide.

     While I do LOVE many Hot Patterns patterns, instructions are minimal at best.  I have found that sometimes it is helpful to take the pattern pieces and place them together to have an understanding of how it all needs to be assembled. 

     Have a great one!

Hoedown #34

Time for another Hambo Hoedown Challenge!
I love this week's challenge.  Read all about it here...play along if you'd like.  It is for a great cause. 
This submarine image is perfect for our family.  My husband used to work on (or more likely in) submarines. :)

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-Pig Sub-digi
Dies: Nestabilities-scalloped oval, classic oval
Embossing plate:  PTI-Sunshine

Here is another card...

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-Pig Sub-digi, Prima Marketing, Inc.-Photo Frames
Punches:  McGill-File Label
Dies:  Sizzix-Bubbles

Have a great one!

M &M Peanut Butter Cookies

I was thinking the other day that my kids really need to learn to cook and bake.  I was cooking and baking by myself at their age.
I taught my oldest to make mac n cheese and quesadillas.  That is all he cares to make...so he said. :)   He rarely cleans up his mess, too.  LOL!
Anywho, I thought of a simple recipe to get them started.    I know they love to eat these cookies. 

This is an extreemly easy recipe.  My mom gave me this recipe.  Both my mom and son are not able to eat gluten.  There's no flour in these here cookies. :)

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Mix all ingreedients together.  No mixer needed.  I like to add in Chocolate Chips and/or M&M's.  We use an ice cream scoop to place on cookie sheet then flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. 

Then bake 375degrees until they look done. 

ENJOY!

Hoedown #33

This week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge is to incorporate something from around the house that you don't normally see on a card. 
I used candy.  You know...for Halloween.  Ya, that's why it's in the house...for Halloween. :)  Just like the milk chocolate chips are for "baking" purposes.  :)

I've been fighting off my kids.  They've been trying to eat my candy now that they know it's in the house.  I can't believe they haven't found the rest of the bag.  I don't have it hidden.  They think that these are the only two candy bars in the house...PLEASE they should know me better than that! :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-House 2-digi
Dies:  Nestabilities-Scalloped ovals, Labels Four, Sizzix-Bat, Fence, Ghost
Punch:  EK Success-pumpkin
Decorative Scissors-Provo Craft-Grass

Petal Card

The petal card I made from a tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers.

I have been playing around with different ways to make flowers. 

The big flower on the front is made from this template at Martha Stewart. I cut it out and shrunk it down. While making it I made an oops and it ended up getting wet....so, I dried it with my heat gun. :) 
I added lace around the band. 

 This is the front of the petal card...the band is to the side. 

This is the inside of the card.  I stamped the rose in magenta acrylic paint and the leaves in celery.  I also added the dots to the tag. 
Supplies Used:
Dies: Spellbinders-beaded circles
Stamps: PTI-Garden of Life, Autumn Leaves-Fine & Dandy
Paper:DCWV
Template:  Coluzzle-Tag

Basic Grey Card Sketch 9-12-11

What's not to LOVE about Basic Grey? 
So, I'm even more excited that they now post weekly sketches. 
This week is the card sketch (below):

I was playing around with making new styles of flowers...why not, right? :)
Here is the card I made:

This was made with some of the first BG paper I've ever bought...I believe it is the Sophia collection. 
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper, tag, stickers-Basic Grey-Sophia Collection,
Template:  Coluzzle-floral
Twine-stash
Decorative scissors-Provocraft-grass

MIM #32-Stamping with Acrylic Paint

Happy Monday!

This week's Make-it Monday Challenge is to stamp using acrylic paint.  Since I haven't used my acrylic paint in a while, I got to do some much needed cleaning.  :)

Enjoy your week!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  PTI-A Little Argyle, Background Basics Woodgrain, Enjoy the Ride, Polka Dot Basics, Button Boutique
Dies:  PTI-Mat Stack 4, Button #1, Spellbinders Shapeabilities-Scalloped Square, Fancy Tags
Twine-stash
Acrylic Paint-stash

Hambo Hoedown #32

Since Grandparent's Day is this weekend.  I figured I'd better make my grandma a card. 
Hopefully, by the time you're reading this, the card will be 'over the river and through the woods...'  :)

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-Flowers-digi, Cornish Heritage Farms-Vintage Text
Dies:  Sizzix-Script Alphabet
Patterned Paper:  Sassafrass Lass

I decided I needed to attempt to scrapbook pictures again.  I am just getting back into it.  It feels good to get  pictures scraped.  My kids love to look back at all of their pages. 

There used to be site (it's now out of business) where they took an entire month (usually Oct.) and had a challenge a day...could be use a certain color, follow a sketch, have a certain shape,etc....--kind of like all the  fun Hoedown Challenges.  At the end of the month you could have 31 scrapbook pages done.  If anyone knows of another web site that does something like this please leave me a comment.

Most of the Hoedown Challenges work for scrapbook pages as well.   :)

I had fun with this one....

Sorry for the big dot-outs.  I only have a very simple version of Photoshop on my phone.  Actually, this was done with some other photo app...anyway, I haven't found a blur tool, yet.  So, I'm left with doing paint dots.

I'm a little excited...this weekend we have plans to do some grape stomping...just like on I Love Lucy. It is a fundraiser with proceeds going to 9/11 survivors. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Hambo Stamps-Flowers-digi, PTI-Just the Ticket, Martha Stewart Crafts-alphabet
Paper-Basic Grey-Urban Couture

Ewe-MIM #31 part deux

I was playing around.  I just couldn't find a design for this card that I liked.  But I was having fun.  Trying several different things.  I'd stop and do some errands and chores then come back and play some more.  Now it is time for me to quit for the day.  :(
I did have fun playing....

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  PTI-Friendship Jar, Green Thumb, Faux Ribbon, My Punny Valentine
Dies: Friendship Jar Label

Make it Monday #31

Happy Labor Day!
There is another great challenge this week @PTI...creating background stamps with non-background stamps. 
Unfortunately, I've been needing far too many sympathy cards lately. So, I made a sympathy card.  I never have any on hand because I don't like to make sympathy cards.  I don't know why.  I guess sometimes I feel like it's tempting fate. 

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  PTI-Simple Sunflower, Out on a Limb, Mat Stack 4
Dies:  PTI-Simply Sunflower Die Collection, Mat Stack 4 Die

Mocha Chocolate Chip Muffins

I was playing around while baking this morning.  Please don't get the wrong idea.  Only occasionally do I bake on a weekday morning, and I almost ALWAYS follow a recipe.  I had an urge try try something new.  So, I created this recipe.  I have some packets of instant coffee drink mixes that I don't like the taste of as a drink.  So, I try to incorporate them into baking.   

First a pic.

Mocha Chocolate Chip Muffins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Yield: about 15 muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup instant coffee drink mix (I used 2 Cafe Cappuccino packets (found @ Costco) but you could use any instant coffee drink mix including the International Foods Coffee that comes in a rectangular tin)
2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt or sour cream
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup brewed coffee
1 egg
about 6 oz. chocolate chips

In a bowl mix together by hand: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and coffee drink mix.
In another bowl combine: yogurt, oil, vanilla, coffee, egg.
Combine the flour mixture with the yogurt mixture.  Making sure not to over mix.  Then fold in chocolate chips.
Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full and bake at 375 degrees F for 20-22 min. or until fully baked. 

Enjoy! 
These are good with a cup of coffee or a frappe!

Now it's time for me to run about 30 miles...if I call please come scrape me off the street.  :)