Reversable messenger bag (for Zoe)

Zoe has been bugging me forever to make her a bag. I have been wanting to, but had to find the right fabric first. This was perfect. A cotton canvas that is heaven to work with, especially for bags. And...could it be cuter?
The bag is fully reversable, but this is how she likes it. Front Outside.

Front, inside out.

Back, inside out (so this usually is the interior, with lots of pockets).

I also made a gathered clutch to go with it.

I love this bag so much that I want it. And when she dragged it across my (horribly dirty) kitchen floor, I was offended.

gathered clutch

I found this fun tutorial for this gathered, zippered, clutch. After the first one they went pretty fast. I have already made eight and have plans to make more. I love how quick they turn out and it is so fun to pick the fabrics to match. I made all eight from fabric I already had, I can't imagine how fun if you got to pick out new fabric!

They are great little gifts. I have given all but two away, and I love the ones I kept. I hope the recipients love theirs as much as I do.

Hobo bag

I was wanting a huge bag to double as a purse and diaper bag with tons of pockets and room for everything. I wanted something cute that I would use even if I didn't have diaper things in it. I designed this bag. I didn't have apattern, just made it up as I went. There are a few things I would've done differently, but I love the bag. I would've reinforced the band around the top and the divider inside with interfacing.

Bracelet for mom

My mom doesn't generally wear jewelry. I was very flattered that she loved this and even wore it.

Laundry/Craft Room Redo

There is a great little area in my laundry room that I have claimed for my crafting/sewing stuff. I was so grateful to have a spot that I don't even mind that it is hot and small in there (and sometimes noisy).
When my recent girls trip to Portland was cancelled (sob, sob) I told Travis I was still vacationing, but would be locking myself in the craft room, to paint and decorate.
I painted the room robin's egg blue. The table was our first table when we got married that I repainted. The fabric is hiding all of my clear storage which holds all of my supplies. Although in the picture it is being held up with a combination of duct tape and push pins, I have since then put it on a rod, so that it can be pushed aside for easier access. (Thanks for the brilliant idea, Shawna!)

I already had a bunch of bins that I could use on this handy shelf above the washer and dryer.

This is a shelf that my dad made for me for my dolls when I was little. It was stained oak, but I sanded and painted it and it holds a bunch of treasures from my Grandma that I have never had a place to display. The shelf isn't hung up yet, but you get the idea.

Everytime I enter the room I get excited! It is so functional and happy!

Emerald green bracelet

I wish I could get the colors more vibrant and true in the photo.

New things

visit this site for the before photo
I always want to write down some of my thoughts and things I am pondering. I don't know why I hesitate to do it on my blog, but I do. So, I thought, "I really don't think many (if any) people visit this blog, and since these thoughts are about creating, I will record them here".
I just painted my craft table red. As I was painting, I was remembering when I painted our unwanted family tree house and turned it into my sanctuary. I was probably 10 and spent the summer decorating and enjoying my little getaway. I remembered the dried paint drips and the paint where it wasn't suppose to go. It probably looked horrible.
I love makeover shows. I doesn't matter if it is cars, people, or houses. I love before and after! I have always been enthralled by re purposed furniture. I admire people who have the guts to take something ugly and hopefully make it prettier. They can make it reflect their style and compliment their space. I really want to learn how to do this.

Ideas for projects I want to try: 1. I want a sideboard. I LOVE the idea of sideboards and my family room NEEDS one. Travis found one at IKEA that is nice and would work well with all of our other IKEA furniture in that room. But I want something with character. A piece with character and sass. I don't know about whether I would paint it or stain it. I guess I will know when I find the piece. Luckily I have a very knowledgeable friend here in town that has made over lots of furniture and can help me.

2. Again with the makeover theme, I want to learn to upholster. I have some fabulous chairs that we got at D.I. (I think). They have fabulous lines and are pretty strait forward. I think that I would be able to refinish them, it is just the giant leap I have to take, to be confident enough to try. I am really terrified of killing them.

Shawna recently showed me a site that has Before and After pictures of furniture and rooms. http://www.designspongeonline.com/
The desk above is an "After" photo from a desk refinish. Look how fun and full of character! I want to be that brave.