Halloween Treat Bag

I fell in love with this Owl Treat Tote through Pottery Barn Kids and was very bummed when it became no longer available. I figured the concept was easy enough, so I tried to make my own bag - - - and LOVE the results. My tote bag itself was a little uneven, but the owl turned out too cute! Cole has already used it for Trick or Treating at Zoo Boo. It was so cute to see him hold it and walk up to each booth and say "treat"!

Best part is - - -It only cost $1 to make the whole bag!!

One Million Pillowcases

Make a pillowcase. Make a difference. You can turn your love of quilting and sewing into messages of comfort, hope and love – for a foster child, a cancer patient, victims of domestic violence, and others. Every pillowcase can make a difference in your local community. The American Patchwork & Quilting 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge is continuing through 2012 – and they need your help to reach their goal of providing 1,000,000 pillowcases to people who need to know someone cares. The need is great. Our compassion as quilters is greater. So far, nearly 400,000 pillowcases have been recorded on their website. But they’re not done yet! Pillowcases are a quick and easy project (and a great way to use up your stash). Even if you’ve never sewn before, you can make a pillowcase. The challenge website has free patterns and a how-to video to make it even easier! Join me in making pillowcases throughout 2012. My personal goal is 10 pillowcases. I’m going to donate them to a local charity through Cottage Quilts. To find a participating shop, check the counter, download free patterns and watch a how-to video, visit the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge website: AllPeopleQuilt.com/millionpillowcases.

Bookmark

I recently saw this bookmark idea while browsing craft ideas online. (I can't remember where I saw it to give the appropriate credit, sorry!) Even though I use my eReader, I still think some of these will be handy. I am currently using one on my planner and think they could also be useful in cookbooks.

The concept includes a piece of ribbon, a button, and a hair elastic - - the end result is a book mark that doesn't slip :)

Firewood Carrier

I found a project idea at Joanns.com that I have been wanting to try. The project is a canvas firewood carrier, which would be a perfect addition to our wood burning fireplace tools! I decided to follow the Joanns directions to a "T" (almost) and the final product turned out fairly nice (would have been better if my sewing machine wasn't having stitch issues!) and will be great to use once our weather cools down - - at this rate that could be a while.

The only adjustment I made to the original project was to sew the dowel rods into the pockets instead of letting them be loose.

I have a great remnant of burlap and am considering making a second carrier, that is narrower (since our wood is cut to about 14" lengths) out of the burlap :)

The wood is completely enclosed in the carrier, which means my clothes will stay clean when bringing in wood!

Side view

I think a narrower carrier would fit better in our log rack . . .



 

Wedding Accents

I decided to add a couple photos of some of the DIY wedding items I made for my wedding in 2009. Beside the below items I also did my own programs, thank you tags for our favors, seating chart, table cards, place cards and decorated small containers of bubbles.

Flower girl baskets customized with the flower girls initial and ribbon in the wedding colors (green and tan)

I took store bought flower hair pieces and added ribbon and green rhinestones

Flower "kissing" balls that lined both sides of the isle. I also faux finished the shepherds hooks they hung from.

1st Birthday Smash Cake Props

Baby Shower

Cute as a Button Baby Shower

Yummy cupcakes made by my sister!

Family Monogram

Party Favors