Crafts @ MindSay

So I finished my Amy Butler Sophia Carry-All bag. It wasn't as tough as I expected it to be. The worst part was drawing and cutting all of the pieces and layers and layers of interfacing. But once that was done, construction was relatively easy. As per web reviews, I used a denim needle on my machine and it worked very nicely.

As for the piping I went ahead and bought pre-made piping, since that was just easier. Once I discovered my zipper foot, it went it in quite well. I wanted to install purse feet on the bottom, but they were all out at G-Street and I didn't feel like waiting to order them online.

The only other modification I made to the pattern was extending the straps by a few inches for a longer drop, and making the pockets in thirds so that there are 3 on each side rather than 2. This way they perfectly fit my wallet, PDA, phone, and work ID.



Looks a bit like a watermelon I suppose...

My next version of this bag is for my friend Becks - I've imagined a denim version of the bag with a baseball print lining, and she'll provide the curly W patch for the outside. It will be the perfect bag for her to take to Nats games! I'm most excited!

I ran out to the fabric store to get interfacing for the Sophia bag, and found flannel Disney fabric for Cars and Toy Story - the kid's two most favorite movies. So I bought some and figured I'd make him some pajama pants.

Once he saw them, he was super-excited, and made the decision that he wanted one leg of each rather than one pair the same.

In order to tell the front from the back, he suggested that we put in a tag, so there is a small green fleece "tag" in each. They are a little long, but he'll grow into them.

Super easy pattern. I think cutting and marking the pieces took longer than sewing them together.

PS:  You can also see he's standing on the completed guitar quilt.

Of yarn that is. My mother just brought me a huge bag full of brushed acrylic and various other yarns. OMG I can't believe it! I am going to have to take pictures and catalog it all, but right now I am content to just fondle it. I might just have to throw it all on my bed and roll in the luxury thereof. I cannot believe I have all this yarn! She also found me a scale that measures grams AND another circular needle. That is all for my craft blog within the next few days, though.

PolyCraftual that is. What does this mean? That I can do many crafts and do them WELL. I love it. I actually learned two new languages while learning to knit and broadening my crochet:

Knit Purl is one language. That is all to itself: k2 ssk p2 k1 p1
Crochet has another language that looks like this : sc dc dc sc ss

Of course I am sewing and from time to time I make a dreamcatcher or two. I love being polycraftual.

I used to make these as a kid, every year.. loved it. I even make them from time to time as an adult :)

 

Click here to get the steps: How to make a autumn leaf placemat

( Don't forget to rate my article and leave a comment!-Thanks!)

 

Here is a nice autumn beverage to make to set on top of the placemat:

 

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cocoa

Step One

Mix cocoa with brown sugar in a bowl. Stir in the pumpkin, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until the ingredients are mixed together.

 

Step Two

Put the beverage in medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

 

Step Three

Transfer the beverage to a bowl and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon.
Can be served with cookies, cinnamon stick aside.