Two years ago!

So, I've neglected my blog for almost two whole years... Working full time and the kids and helping here and there at the husband business leaves me with no time... How do other people do? Anyway, I'm back with this post. I stared working on this project in an area fairly new to me, that is BAG MAKING. 

I took this pattern from a book called "Mijn Designertas"

I'm following the motive by stencilling a chevron pattern on gold and silver over felt. It should look great when it's finished! 

I'll keep you posted...promise! 

Swimbags

From this year my kids have swim lessons at school, so I decided that instead of spending a few euro in buying a swim bag, I would make one!
I have so much fabric laying around that I thought this is the right project to use some cute pieces.
I let the kids chose their combinations and I set to work.
Here is the first one.

The bottom part with the tiny flowers is vinyl fabric. The yellow (interior part) is waterproof fabric, or raincoat fabric. So as you can see this is a very easy project. 

You'd need two yellow pieces, one green, two vinyl pieces, a zipper and cord to close it when it's all sewn together. 

This is de detail of the front pocket and materials. Even though I think the vinyl is hardly visible but the pattern is so cute!

This is the finished bag. The book on top is from two belgian ladies: Sanne and Riet. It's a book with 'recipes' of all kinds, from this bags to baby stuff called Zo geknipt!

And the second bag:

No sew Tutu

A while ago, my daughter was invited to a Super Hero birthday party. She and her twin brother chose to be Super man. So I explained her, she could be Super Girl. She agreed but she wanted to be Princess Super Girl.
The problem was, her brother has a Superman outfit bought from the carnival store, so I had to come up with a solution for her that had none.
Thanks to the lovely lady over at Skip to my Lou I came up with the solution! So, I followed her tutorial and easy pie! I got my daughter a lovely red tutu! All together I think I spent like 10€... The tule and headband were cheap but she didn't have a blue shirt so I spent most of the 10 in the t-shirt.
I printed a big S on iron on transfer paper and done! Here is the result!

Really! Skip to my Lou has so many ideas, not only crafts but recipes and tips and tricks on many things... Check it out!

From hardware store washers to pattern pressers

Today I'm sharing something different I've made. I've read about it online and also I'd seen some ideas in Pinterest, so finally I decided to try. 

First you will need some washers, from any hardware store. I chose 12mm, they are not too big but heavy enough. 

You'll also need some cute paper. If you have paper punches you can use it to cut out circles of the cute paper. Then, using strong glue, stick it to the washer. 

Let it dry before you cut out the center! Otherwise the paper will shift.

Next, cover the paper side with embossing glue or a similar product, I used this:

 Allow to dry accordingly to your products instructions. 

In the end you will have beatiful paper pressers! Small and heavy enough to be at hand when transferring patterns. This is how mine turned up: 

Nice eh?! Now it's your turn!!

Kimono baby shoes

Going through Pinterest I stumbled with a bunch of cute baby booties. Some you have to buy the pattern some you get a good idea of how to do just by looking. But I came across this blog (actually it was a different blog but I couldn't find it anymore because the lady owner is on maternity leave) but the pattern is exactly the same. And Homespun threads shares other patterns for free! For which many thanks!

The first pair is this I made for my niece, I used some Tilda fabrics and instead of making the outside sole on fabric I did it wit soft suede leather.

In the background you can see the print out of the pattern :) 

They are so easy to make that I got hooked and combined some ideas, this is what came from it:

The light is not so good, but I couldn't really find a good angle to take the picture. They are kimono shoes but! with faux fur... and claws!  I finished the inside with checkered brown-white bias. I didn't took a picture of that and now they are gone to their rightful new owner in NY. 

And then, I didn't think it was so difficult to sew faux fur... Or maybe there is an easy way but I didn't figure out how... 

Any way! This is it. I hope you like them and that you get also inspired to show off on those cute little feet babies have! 

To my niece...

She isn't born yet, but she has me already wrapped around her finger...

I wish I could sit for hours and hours to sew and do all the beautiful things I have in mind and all the things I would like to give her. 

Yes, she is my first niece! 

And it all started wit this two fabrics

Later it took a bit of shape and became this

When it was all finished, I added a changing mat:

The changing mat has plastic pockets to store diapers and other baby necessities. 

And it matches the bag of course! 

Isn't it beautiful!?? I got the pattern from a book called "De tassen maken de vrouw" from Lisa Lam. It's translated from English in which is called "A bag for all reasons" 

It's well explained, step by step, easy to follow. 

The outside material comes from "koekepeertje", a web shop and also they have a brick shop like they like to call it! 

The red polka dots one comes from a shop called "Les Tissus du chien vert" a lovely shop here in Belgium. I have some pictures but those are for another post. 

Well that's all! Have fun and keep crafting! 

One more photo (and not a first post) ;)

Here is the model and the dress I've made yesterday. 

My daughter came out of bed to find the dress hanging. When I looked she had already put it on! 

She likes it! Now just a bit of hair brush and she's set for the day! :)