easter basket

this is my little easter basket! It was super quick and easy to make.  I made it in less than an hour! the most difficult part was getting the bottom on but I made it work.  I used this pattern to make the basket.  I did make a few adjustments.  I made the bottom 7.5" instead of 7.25".  I also only did interfacing and I think it calls for a layer of batting or something.  I plan on adding little buttons onto the sides where the handles meet the basket.  I think I'm going to make little fabric eggs and buy some plastic ones to go inside this.  I also plan on making one that is a little bit larger, maybe a 10" diameter.  use the small one as a table display in the family room and the larger one on the kitchen table.  I was so worried this would be hard to make but I was so surprised at how easy it was!

These are my little gnomes!  sorry, I don't have pictures of their cute little faces.  I made them for several people this year.  They were quick and super easy to make.  There is a tutorial out there somewhere but I don't remember where and I made some slight adjustments. 




1) cut a 5x5" square.  fold in half and sew the two sides together.  grab the middle of both sides and fold in half again to sew the two sides together.  make sure to leave the top open.  It should resemble a bag.
2)  Stuff your little bag.  You can also put rice or beans in the bottom so it sits right.  I didn't.
3) get a good sized bead.  I had to grab a dremel and make the wholes bigger, well, my husband did. grab the top of the stuffed ball thing and twist it til you can shove it through the bead.  Shove it. i used needle nose pliers to pull the fabric through once enough came out the top.
4) I trimmed the top of the fabric and hot glued it in place on the bead.
5) using felt, cut a triangle big enough to go around the bead.  sew it into a hat shape, turn so the seam is inside.  Hot glue the hat onto the bead. 
6) draw some cute little faces using a fine point sharpie.

There you have it.  I made around 10 or 15 of these in just a short time.  they make great little gifts.  and did you know that gnomes are a symbol of luck.  so when you give them out make sure that people know that they are to watch over them and bring them years of luck! happy sewing!

purses

Over the last couple months I made a couple purses.  They were both christmas gifts for family members.  I had bought the handles a few months ago and decided it was about time I used them.  I decided to make these two cute little bags.  Both bags have pockets inside the purse.  Each one has a larger pocket for storing small notebooks, possibly a kindle, or other things.  The other side of the purses has a multipocket that has a few slots.  One big enough for a droid phone or iphone, three for pens and pencils and one that can hold a couple markers or checkbook.  It was fun learning how to make pockets and line purses.  The main reason I made these was to learn how to line items and how to use those dang handles.  They are both the same style.  One is flowery and the other is Star Wars themed.

both have a strip of denim at the top and have pleats to add style.  they aren't large pleats so you can't see them in the photos. 

Adventures of a Denim Trench part 1

Its been a long time since I have posted.  The reason is because I was enjoying the holidays by making a bunch of stuff for family.  Over the next few days I will be posting a lot of stuff I have worked on the last month or so.  So keep your eyes peeled for more posts.  This post is to show off my progress on a trench I am making.  I have a picture that I drew up myself that I am somewhat going by.  I am making some changes along the way so by the end, my trench will look nothing like my drawing.  Well, here's some pictures since I know you want to see them.

This is the drawing.  front and back.  it has the measurements on it and everything.

This is the front and back of the skirt portion, not quite done, but almost.

This is front and back of the finished skirt portion.  The only part left is the jacket part of the trench. Its going to have to wait for now as I am out of time for the evening and out of denim!