Archives for August 2012

Hello Kitty Reversible Gift Bags

August 27, 2012 By JulieK

Kathryn had a birthday party to go to for 3 of her friends… Our first stop was the mall to pick out some gifts (At the Hello Kitty store, of course) but you know me… I couldn’t just leave it at store bought gifts!! Our next stop was the fabric store for Hello Kitty Fabric, some fun buttons, and webbing for handles! I used the same michellepatterns.com pattern (but this time the small size) that I used for the last bag I made, but because time was a factor (I made them all Saturday afternoon for the Sunday party!!), I used a nylon webbing instead of making handles :) Here’s the front… You can see the little ladybug button :) If you like the projects, don’t forget you can pin them using Pinterest just by clicking the little “pin it” button under the photo…

Here’s a shot of the inside…

The bags are also sporting my new fabric tags!! I know my Mother in Law is a huge fan of me signing my work :) and here’s the fabric version… I think they came out great, and make the bags look a little more professional :) I had them made by www.misslabel.com and they did a fantastic job!

We filled the bags with little Hello Kitty things, and I sure hope that the birthday girls like them as much as I do!! I made all 4 (one for Kathryn) bags in less than 2 hours, and I really love how they came out. I have enough fabric to make a couple more, but alas, summer vacation ends today… I’ll have a little less time to sew in the next few weeks…
Here’s a sponsored link to the inside fabric that I used… Who doesn’t love Hello Kitty??

Book Review: Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble

August 24, 2012 By JulieK

From the summary:

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the Outer Banks could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of the family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

But Libby soon realizes that the only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brother and sister are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, and Libby’s under suspicion for the crime.

I have to say, I really did enjoy this story. It started as a very entertaining and quick read where you’re pulled into the story very quickly. The story is full of interesting plot twists and turns. Hope Island itself is painted as a beautiful place, one that you’d love to go and visit. I enjoy Christian Fiction, and my only minor complaint with the story is that while most of the Christian references flow beautifully within the story, occasionally the references seem to be a little bit forced.

Overall I would recommend this book, I hope that there will be more in the series as I would love to learn more about Libby!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The 2-6-12 Skirt Tutorial

August 22, 2012 By JulieK

I was THRILLED to be invited to be a guest blogger over at Keeping it Simple. Kaysi’s blog is so great, and she’s moving and needed a few blog posts for her move week… I hope you’ll go over to her blog and check out the full step-by-step tutorial… And let me know if you try it out, I’d love to see what you make!!

The 2-6-12 Skirt

I was so excited that my daughter’s friend (and her mom) wanted me to teach her how to sew! It’s so fun to pass along the traditional skills that I learned from my grandmothers when I was little! I wanted to have the girls make something “real” that they could show off a little, but also that they could really make themselves, so I came up with this little skirt. It uses just 3 cuts of fabric (and only 2 if you use prepared bias tape). My daughter doesn’t like seams, so this skirt features an enclosed pillowcase top band that was super easy, but looks impressive! We added a little t-shirt with an iron-on detail to make the perfect outfit. I hope you enjoy and make these with a special little girl in your life!

Here’s a peek at the finished product! Look at how proud she is of her own handiwork!

JulieK, Sewing, Skirt Pattern, 2-6-12 skirt, Julie Kelley

Here’s a picture of the finished skirt.

We also ironed on the design and made a cute matching T-Shirt

Here they are together!

I hope you’ll head over to Keeping it Simple to check out the step-by-step tutorial!

Summer Sewing Projects-Kindle Case and Bag

August 20, 2012 By JulieK

Oh, that’s right :) It’s sewing season :) Here’s another project I made up… I bought the fabric because I LOVED it, orange is my favorite color (I know I’m weird, I’m OK with that!). The wave fabric is Amy Butler, and I don’t remember who made the other one, but when I saw them I knew I had to make something with them… I found a couple of patterns… Here’s what I made, a cover for my Kindle, and a cute reversible tote.

The Kindle pattern was by Binski’s Studio on Etsy, easy to follow, and how cute! Here it is closed.

And opened up… It has enough padding for me to just toss it in the bag…

And, speaking of bags, here’s the super cute reversible bag that I made… The pattern is from Michellepatterns.com, I didn’t follow her instructions for the handle because my printer is out of ink :) So, I just made straight handles, they work :) and I love how it came out :)

I think the bag took me all of 30 minutes to make, easy instructions, I plan to make several more (maybe with the “real” handles) with some really cute fabric that I’ve been hoarding :) the pattern has several different sizes included, Kathryn has already put in her “order” for what she wants… Summer vacation’s almost over, I better get sewing!

Summer Sewing Projects-Baby Quilt

August 13, 2012 By JulieK

I know that my crafts are somewhat seasonal :) I always have paper crafts going throughout the year, but when it’s cold out I crochet and knit… In the summer I quilt and sew because I set my sewing machine up on the kitchen table and leave it there :) I do love to sew! I have a super cute sewing tutorial that will be posted over at Keeping it Simple next week, but that’s not the only thing I’ve been up to!!

I’m working on several projects… This baby blanket came out super cute (I think) it started as a Moda Bungle Jungle charm pack, and I used the Missouri Star Quilt Company 5″ Tumbler ruler… It came together in an afternoon, which is good ’cause the “baby” isn’t such a baby anymore, I was making a knit blankie for him, but I just can’t knit in the summer :) so I needed to get this done!! All babies should have something made just for them!

I love the colors…

here’s the whole top… A huge thank you to the very nice ladies at the Quilters Common in Wakefield, Kathryn and I took the finished top there, and they helped us to find coordinating fabric (they didn’t have bolts from the Moda line) for the border and the backing/binding