Drawstring Backpack

I couldn't find a single drawstring backpack tutorial that I liked, so I just made my own.  It is fully lined and I used grommets to attach the drawstring (so it is adjustable in size).  This is a gift for my nephew for Christmas.  I plan on making another one in the future for my son, so I will have to do a step-by-step tutorial then.  This was done on a whim and it turned out wonderful.

I chose the sports fabric because my nephew is an absolute sports nut, so I thought it would be fitting.  Boy fabrics are hard to come by (that aren't baby boy fabrics). If you know of any good places to get boy fabrics at a reasonable price, please let me know.  I have found some recently, but with having two boys, I see myself going through them quickly.

Boat Tote

As I have stated earlier, I am making a lot of Christmas presents this year and most of them are being made with my sewing machine.  The reason for this, I was truly inspired when I went to the International Quilt Show in Houston a few weeks ago.  It was AH-MAY-ZING!  I have dug out my sewing machine and been using it almost exclusively since.

Anyways, onto the boat tote.  I have poked around online and found a great tutorial for a boat tote from The Longthread.  I made minor changes to the original design (see, I told you I don't follow directions well), but nothing so major that I wouldn't credit the design to the original source.  After seeing the tutorial, I decided to make two, one for each of my son's two morning preschool teachers.  The reason I decided on this tote was I wanted to give a gift that was practical, useful and if they didn't like it, easily re-gifted.

Without further ado...I present to you, boat tote number one.

Unfortunately, boat tote number two is still in production.  It is patiently awaiting fabric in the mail...and starting to grow impatient since UPS has claimed that it has been out on delivery for the past three days.  I hate having to order things online, because of my serious hate for any postal or delivery company.

I ♥ Power Tools

Something that you will soon discover about me...my absolute love for power tools.  I love the noise, the power, the confidence, the ability to destroy and create.  My husband also shares a love for power tools, even though once upon a time I did own more and know more about them.  The tide has shifted and my husband is more knowledgeable than I and I am okay with that.

We took a pen turning class at our local Woodcraft store for an early Valentine's day date.  We both loved it and soon my husband found all the tools we would need in order to do it in our own garage.  Tonight I got to enjoy the garage and turned a pen.  I loved it.  It's been over a month since I have been out playing with the power tools and it felt so great to get back out there.

Here is what I turned tonight on the lathe.  It is a Magascan Ebony slimline pen.

Crayon Roll Up

This Christmas I am making quite a few gifts by hand.  It is cheaper and the meaning behind it is so much more than buying something.  To take the time to say, I created this for you and just you, really makes one feel special.  I love receiving home made gifts and love even more to give them.  This gift is for my older son Maben who is 3.  He loves to color and even though he "helped" me sew this, he didn't get to see the finished project so it is still a surprise for him.

I searched high and low for a tutorial that used 24 crayons and could not find one.  The most that I could find was one for 16 crayons and it was just a single row.  I realized how long it would be to put 24 in a single row, so my solution was to make a second row.  This folds in half and then rolls.  I totally forgot to take pictures while doing all the steps, so I am going to do my best to explain it and hope that you understand.  (Must remember to take photos while creating)

How to make it and what you need. 

The backing and outside (rocket print) - 2 pieces - 10x14 in each

The crayon pockets (red star print) - 2 pieces - 4x14 in each

1 elastic hair tie 

1 box of 24 crayons

Press over a 1/4 inch on the top of the crayon pocket fabric.  Then sew it down.

Attach the crayon pockets to the right side of the backing.  You should be looking at both prints.

Pin and mark where to stitch the individual pockets.  Measure in 1 1/2 inches for the first mark, then 1 inch after that until you reach the other side, leave 1 1/2 inches on the far side.  

Stitch to from the bottom of the pocket to the top of the pocket to create the slots where your crayons will fit.

Turn around and do the same for the other pocket.

Pin right sides together and stitch all the way around, leaving an opening to turn inside out.

Turn inside out and then press to make sure it all lays flat.  I left my opening where I placed my hair tie.

Top stitch around the edge and over the hair tie.

Creative Outlet

I follow many craft and design blogs and have been creating more and more lately.  I love to create things.  I love the high I get when I accomplish something with my hands.  When I draw, paint, sew, craft, scrapbook, etc...it puts my mind into a calm.  My mind if very frantic most of the time.  That makes it hard for me to function on a daily basis like that without a break.

I decided it was time that I step up to the plate and show off what I can do.  I don't follow directions well, I take an idea and tweak it to the way I want it.  I will however try to explain what I did, why I did it and the changes I have made from an original design.

Now, a little background on me.  I am the wife to a wonderful man, the mother to two very rambunctious boys and two lovable dogs.  I attended art school at Syracuse University, where I had to unfortunately drop out.  I was going for my BFA with a concentration in illustration.  I ended up finishing up my BFA at the Univ of Mary Hardin Baylor with a concentration in studio arts.  As a small child, I was always creating something.  My elementary school art teacher told me while I was in the first grade that I would become an artist.  He was right.  Creating is a large piece of who I am and what makes me, ME!  So, please enjoy my creative outlet.  Please feel free to comment.  Please remember that all images I post are copyrighted and do not re-post them without my permission.  If you use any of my ideas, please link back to my original post.