Sunshine

The sun has been shining on our end of the state and we have just been eating it up. The boys have discovered their swing set again and it's like Christmas all over again (yay for me!!!). Spring break is just around the corner and we have nothing planned, which is both a pro and a con. Perhaps we'll think of something fun to do. Any ideas? Any???

Sawyer is tugging at my shirt so I'm off to spend a fun weekend with my children. Maybe we'll dye some eggs? Or just finish that massive pile of laundry downstairs?

Maybe?



So Blessed

Eight Months

 I'm a little late on this post cause we've been a little busy this month traveling all over the state, but we are back and settled again. Little Remi has is a crazy girl full of laughs and smiles and lots and lots of shoulder snuggles (my favorite).

Remi your favorite foods are strawberry smoothies and solid bananas! And your favorite person is ME! Usually. :) You've learned to reach for what you want and you clap a lot and wave a little...occassionally.

You are trying so hard to sit up still and are getting closer and closer each day. You sat for a few seconds before cathing yourself with your arms. You roll and pivot yourself to any destination you desire.

You absolutely HATE riding in your carseat at night! Traveling will probably be difficult for the next little while.

You have two bottom teeth and two more on the way. You've been a lot happier since they broke through as well.

We love you lots little Remi Jean Bean! Keep that gummy grin of yours! It's our fave!

The Poppins Bag

 It's here!!! I have used this bag for almost a year now and I love it more and more every day. My green one is ragged and dirty and completely used, but I still get compliments on it! It's absolutely adorable and still holds everything you need. As Mary Poppins would say,

"Practically perfect in every way!"

One really fun feature is the child handle! I added this feature when I knew my third baby was on the way and I was all out of hands. It's true, walking into Target with a carseat in one hand, the four year old on the other and the six year old wondering somewhere behind can be a little stressful. And I have to admit, I am not a fan of putting my child on a leash. The child handle has become my third hand. It's perfect for children to hold onto and trust me when I say this, they love having the freedom! My boys prefer the handle much more than having to "hold mom's hand"!

And then...there are the pockets! This bag will keep you so organized, you won't even know what to do with yourself! There are two large pockets and then three smaller pockets just on the inside! The big ones are diaper/wipe size and the smaller ones are great for sippy cups or water bottles.

 There are four pockets total on the outside! You can see in the photo above, the outside pockets have a delicate trim along the curved edges and then the silver rings on the handles giving it a little less of a "handmade" feel. My favorite part of the bag is the scrunched center. I've done this on one other bag of mine and the shops have loved it! It's a little sassy and a lot of fun to make.

 And finally, the curve at the top of the bag came through trial and error. I've been trying to figure out how to make a bag that's snug around the arm, but not tight. By keeping the straps long and adding depth to the top of the bag I was able to get that snug feel. If that makes any sense at all? And I hope you like it too! :)

As always, the pattern comes with pattern pieces, easy to follow instructions (tested by all levels of seamstresses) and is quickly shipped directly to your mailbox. So hop on over to my shop and order one today! And thank you again to Beth for the great photos!

The Poppins Bag is practically perfect in every way!

A simple clutch tutorial

 There was a time a few months back when I was so sick of blogging, but now that I've been so sparse with it, I'm starting to miss it, just a little. I've been working on some tutorials to share with you all. Just little projects that I've wanted to do that were fun, but not quite enough to make into a whole pattern. And I've forgotten just how much work a tutorial can be! It's crazy to me that there are bloggers out there who offer a free tutorial every single day! I may not have one for you every day, but I do have a few coming this way and I hope you enjoy them!
This first one is just a simple clutch that I have really enjoyed having around. It's so quick and perfect for birthdays or baby gifts (stuff a few diapers in there) or even just travel.

To start you will need:

-1 yard of fabric

-1 snap or piece of velcro

-1/2 yard of fusible fleece

 

1. From your fabric you need to cut (4) 16" by 7" pieces for the body, as shown above and (2) 10.5" by 6" pieces for the flap.

2. From your fleece you need to cut (2) 16" by 7" pieces and apply to wrong sides of two body pieces. Then cut (1) 10.5" by 6" piece and apply to wrong side of a flap piece.

 3. Fold each flap piece and each body piece in half.

4. With the flap, your going to measure to the left (as shown above) 1" and cut off excess.

5. With body, you're going to measure to the left (as shown above) 2" and cut off excess.

6. Using a glass or cup, trace around each bottom corner of both body pieces and flap pieces and cut off excess.

7. Place body pieces with fusible fleece right sides together and sew down both sides and across bottom. Repeat with other two body pieces, leaving a 3" opening in the bottom to turn later.

8. Place flap pieces right sides together and sew down both sides and across bottom.

9. As shown above, you're going to clip around all curve edges of body and flap.

10. Turn flap piece right sides out, press, and top stitch. Measure from bottom center up about 1" (on non-fusible fleece side) and add velcro or snap.

11. Turn body (with fusible fleece) right sides out and measure from the top center down about 3" and add velcro or snap.

 12. On the body (with fusible fleece), on the opposite side of velcro, center the flap (as shown above, with velcro facing UP) and top stitch across the top.

 13. Place body (with fusible fleece) inside of lining body (without fusible fleece), as shown above, and sew around top edge, making sure all seams are lined up and flap is tucked inside.

14. Pull bag through the 3" opening you made earlier in the lining body. I like to call this the birthing of the bag, because it's the most painful part having to pull all that fabric through a tiny hole, but in the end it's all worth it! ;)
15. After that, you're going to top stitch your 3" opening closed and then top stitch around the whole top of the bag and voila! Your simple clutch is finished!

 Now, if you want to add a few accessories you can. I added these tiny flowers to my black and white clutch for fun and they were super easy. I just cut 2" circles, folded them into fourths and hand-stitched them on! I hope you enjoy this clutch! It's a perfect 30 minute project if you're looking for something quick and easy!