Me Sew Crazy Projects

Good Afternoon, Jennifer here to report on two Me Sew Crazy tutorials I attempted recently. I follow Jessica's blog and love so much of what she creates! I finally took the plunge and tried out two of her tutorials.

For the first project, I made my Cupcake's Easter dress using the Spring Fever Dress tutorial. The tutorial was great, it provided a free pattern for sizes 2T - 5! For the most part, the tutorial was very clear. I did struggle with the back of the dress (which was one of my favorite parts of the dress!) but once I posted my question on the blog, Jess emailed me back with a more in depth explanation and I was able to work my way through it. Although the tutorial was clear and provided many pictures, I continued to struggle through the dress. I think I used my seam ripper more than I ever have on any other project. But, beside the back piece, all my mistakes were just not paying close enough attention while I was working - thank goodness for the seam ripper, right? If I made the dress again, I would probably make the skirt more of an A-line rather than straight, so it would look a little fuller. Other than that, I love how it turned out! Unfortunately, I was distracted and didn't take any pictures on Easter day of Cupcake wearing it. The next time she wears it, I will make sure to take some photos.

Close-up of the back of the dress

My second Me Sew Crazy project was The Bustle Backpack. I found this tutorial a while back and pinned it, knowing if I decided to make Cupcake a backpack, this had to be the one! With Cupcake being potty trained, I had less of a reason to lug a big diaper bag along, but I still needed something to carry a few items with us. I decided a backpack she could wear and I could carry would be perfect. I took Cupcake to JoAnn to pick out fabric. She originally chose a bright pink which I was fine with, then she pointed to several different colors and finally settled on a lime green.

This tutorial, just like the Spring Fever Dress was concise and clear. I was a little nervous that this was going to be a very time consuming project as I looked at all the little bustles all over the adorable backpacks Jess made. I went ahead and jumped in. Making the circles didn't take much time at all. It was a little monotonous sewing the circles on the backpack but it really didn't take too incredibly long. Once the circles were all attached, the rest of the backpack came together very easily. I got it done during two of Cupcake's naps and when I showed it to her she was very excited! She immediately wanted the bag and said she needed to put books in it. She filled it up with lots of books and carried it around all afternoon. It is a little big on Cupcake's shoulders, but I know that means she will grow into it. It has worked out really well when we are out and about and I love how it turned out!

Cupcake showing off her new "pack pack" as she calls it

Checking out her treasures

Thanks Jessica for two great tutorials. I can't wait to try more projects from her site!

Handmade Christmas: Diaper Bag & Accessories

Good Evening - Jennifer here. I have been busy with potty training and crafting that I haven't posted in a long time! I have things to catch up on (like the Potty Party and Halloween costumes) but for now I am just going to jump into Christmas!

My little Cupcake has just recently gotten into playing with her baby dolls, it started soon after the Potty Party (we first trained a new doll of Cupcake's). She started wanting to take her dolls on walks in her stroller, feeding her babies, and changing their diapers. When I saw this tutorial on Pinterest, I knew I wanted to make it for her! I loved the idea of having a diaper bag for Cupcake. She loves carrying bags and purses around and filling them with her things, so I knew she would like a bag filled with baby things.

The tutorial for the diaper bag on Mommy by Day...Crafter by Night was pretty straight forward and easy to follow! I did make some changes to the bag. I know how much Cupcake loves pockets, so I added a pocket to the outside side panel - gotta have a place for that bottle right?! I also added a pocket to the inside to keep things like wipes safe and secure. I also attached the straps a little differently, just because it seemed easier to me - even though I did end up pulling out the seam ripper multiple times :-/ All in all, I loved how it turned out!

I searched around Pinterest and found lots of tutorials for accessories to fill the bag. Check out my Fun Stuff for Kids board to see all of the tutorials I found!

I couldn't stop with just the bag & accessories, she needed a new princess doll to go with it

 I got a little carried away and made diapers, wipes and a wipe container, a blanket, a big, and even a changing pad (not pictured..it was an afterthought)! I actually made 2 sets of everything, one is a gift for a my cousin's daughter who is into baby dolls too.

Cupcake receiving her present

Cupcake absolutely LOVED her new diaper bag and doll. She got the present at a party we have with my Dad's extended family where Santa comes and brings a present for all the kids. Unfortunately, Santa was unable to make it, but his helpers did distribute the goods. Cupcake changed baby Ariel's diaper at least 10 times at the party alone, using wipes each time. It was so cute! I'm so happy she likes it so much, and I am hoping the other recipient does as well.

Opening her present with Mommy

Cupcake giving baby Ariel a bottle

Daddy helping Cupcake put a new diaper on Ariel

Soccer drawstring bag

Hello all, Sara once again.  I have been on a crafting blitz the last couple of weeks and haven't been able to post my projects.  I am trying to get as much of them posted so I am not so far behind.

DJ Ark and his buddies are going to be getting together to start soccer soon.  Yes, at 2 he can't really play soccer, but he can kick the ball well and hopefully listen to the coach and do some running around.  So in preparation for the first practice, I wanted to make a bag to hold all of his stuff.  I was going to make a bag with handles and extra pockets, but then I decide that a simple drawstring bag would be easiest for him and me.  I found a tutorial to use at The Purl Bee and had found some cute soccer fabric at JoAnn.  I even found cute ribbon at Hobby Lobby (I love whem it is 50% off!!).

Can't wait for the first practice!

Perfect size for all of his stuff

I even have fabric left over to make something else...we will just have to see what I come up with!

Travel Tote Tutorial

Sara here and this is my first official tutorial so bare with me!

This summer on Kojo Designs and Delia Creates they had a series called Color My Summer on their blogs as well as a contest.  After Crafty Mama Jennifer (who made an awesome wall hanging to enter into the contest) told me I should enter something and with some help from my hubby I made the Travel Tote for DJ Ark.  I ended up in the top 11 and was so excited!!!  I also entered it into the Prudent Baby "Use Your Words" Contest, but unfortunately didn't win.

So here are the steps to make your very own Travel Tote!!

I found a tote tutorial that I loved and couldn't figure out how to embellish the tote to make it my own. My husband came up with the idea to make a travel tote with the United States on it so that every time we went to a different state we could color in the state with fabric markers.

Gather your supplies:
  -Exterior fabric (I used a home decor weight fabric to give the tote some stability): 2-15" x 15"
  -Lining fabric (I used a travel themed cotton fabric): 2-15" x 15"
  -Handle fabric (same as out exterior): 2-4" x 21"

   -Embellishment:  For this I simply printed an image of the United States on fabric.  I read somewhere that you just need to add something to stabilize the fabric (I ironed on freezer paper, but Heat 'n Bond would have been a better choice since I ended up using it later) and you can send it through your printer with no problems.  I was slightly nervous, but I thought I would give it a try before I went out to buy transfer paper.  Let me tell you, it worked like a charm!

Now how to assemble the tote, which is reversible!!!

For the handles of the bag, fold each strip of fabric in half and iron a crease down the middle.

Then unfold and turn each side so it lines up with the middle crease you just created.

Once both sides are ironed towards the middle, fold it in half again and iron.  You should have something that looks like this:

Sew each along the open side to create the handle.  Set the handles aside while you work on embellishing the tote.

For this bag, I wanted to add a personal touch.  This way I will be able to make a bag for each of my kids so each one can color in the states they travel to.  I wrote the words in a white fabric marker so it would show up well for when I was stitching away!

Now the time consuming part (or at least it was for me!).  Get a needle and thread and turn on your favorite show.

Once the words were on, I laid out where I wanted the image to be and ironed it on with Heat 'n Bond.  For added strength, I sewed along the edge (which I also used pinking shears to cut of the excess because I liked the look of that).

 To add the handles, fold the top of the exterior fabric down 1" and iron.  Pin the handles 3' for each edge.

Sew each handle on with two rows of stitching for added strength.

I forgot to take a picture of this next step, but it's an easy one so don't panic.  Take the two exterior pieces that you have attached the handles to and sew them right sides together (I used a 1/4" seam allowance, but you could use more).  For the lining fold the top of each piece down 1" (like you did with the exterior pieces).  Again sew these pieces with right sides together. Iron the seams flat for a more finished look once you are done sewing.

Now to create a flat bottom for the tote.  Mark a line 2.5" from each corner (created when folding the side of the tote to match up with the bottom of the tote) and sewing along the line.  Cut off the excess material.

Once you have the exterior and the interior all you had to do is sew them together.  Slip the lining tote inside the exterior tote and pin along the top.  Sew about 1/8" from the top to finish your tote.

You now have a great tote for all your future trips.  Each time you travel to a new state remember to color in that state.  Once DJ Ark is older I thought it would be good to use to learn where all the states are too!  I hope you enjoyed my first tutorial!