Denim Project Bag

Here's my latest sewing project...I call it my "Denim Project Bag".  I needed something to hold my knitting projects so I created this bag...

I started out with a pair of old blue jeans and the "printed" canvas fabric for the lining.  From both fabrics, I cut the following pieces:

Bottom - 10 3/4" x 7 3/4"
Sides (x2) - 15" x 7 3/4"
Front & Back - 15" x 10 3/4"

First, you are going to sew the denim bag. With right sides together, sew the front and the back to the bottom using 1/4" seam allowance.

Then, attached the sides to the bottom and sew in place, again using 1/4" seam allowance.  Actually, you will use a 1/4" seam allowance for all the sewing.

Now, you are going to sew up all four corners.  Trim any loose threads and turn right-side out. Fold the top over approximately 1" and press with an iron.  Now, sew the top edge in place.

Denim bag done!  Now you will do the same thing with your lining EXCEPT hemming the top edge of the bag.  Also, just leave the finished liner wrong side out.

To make the ruffled edge:

Cut a piece of the liner fabric 70" long by 6" wide.  Fold the fabric in half width-wise and press with an iron so your fabric will now be 70" long by 3" wide.

Here's the ruffling technique...you will need dental floss...yes, dental floss - waxed preferred.  Measure the floss to 70" adding about 3" to each end.  Set you machine stitch onto "zigzag", lay the dental floss onto the top edge (the unfinished edge) and zigzag over top of the floss.  Make any sense?!?  Once you are done, you can now pull the loose floss ends to gather your fabric and the wax helps it to slide easily.

Once you've gathered your ruffle, pin it to the top edge of your liner (right sides together) and sew in place.  Remove any loose threads.

Insert the liner into the denim bag and fold the ruffled top edge over the denim.  There you have it.... You could add handles and pockets, if desired, however, I just wanted something simple to keep my projects off the floor.

(Note...the bag will not stand up on it's own...I cut two pieces of cardboard the same size as the front and back and placed them in between the inside of the denim bag and the liner.)

If you have any questions with regards to my instructions, please don't hesitate to contact me.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by...
Lesa

Dishcloth Giveaway and the Winner...

I want to thank all of you who entered my first "giveaway".  There were 21 of you who entered...more than I anticipated, so thank you!  I had to do the draw the "old-fashioned" way...as the comments were left, your name went onto a piece of paper and put into a jar.  And, the winner of the "Dishcloth Giveaway" is:

Lizzie@PrettyCityThings

Congratulations!  Lizzie, if you would send me an email with your mailing information, I will get your dishcloths sent this week.

Again, thank you to everyone who participated!  Hope you all have a great day and are keeping warm.  We woke up to -40 degrees celsius.

Lesa

Knitted Dishcloths and a Giveaway

The subject of dishcloths may seem a bit boring, but I really wanted to share these with you because I absolutely love them!

At one time, I believed the only type of dishcloth to use was a "J-Cloth".  Once it reached the end of it's life, I would throw it out and use a new one.  I'd cringe at the sight of a crocheted cloth!  Don't know why...I just did.  Well, I've grown up and I've discovered how wonderful it is to use a cotton knitted dishcloth!  Extremely absorbent, very durable and alot of fun to whip up.  They are a great evening project while watching television and very useful, therefore,  I've decided to knit up a bunch to have on-hand as gifts.  There are so many colors of cotton yarn available, but I must admit my favorites are white and a linen color.

There are also many free patterns on the internet; as well, there is a free pattern on the label of the yarn.

If you like to knit buy a ball of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn ($1.88 at Walmart) and make yourself a dishcloth to try...you won't be disappointed.

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY

I have also decided to host my first "giveaway".  I am giving one of you two of my knitted dishcloths to try. I'm a bit nervous about hosting a "giveaway" because its like hosting an "open house", will anyone show up? I guess you don't know until you try, so here is my one rule to entering...

1.  Leave me a comment and let me know what colors you would like...note: you are not limited to the colors I have shown as there are so many available.  I will do my best to use the colors you choose.

You have until Tuesday, January 17th to enter so get your name in if you are interested.  I will announce the winner on Wednesday, January 18th.  Good luck!

Thank you for stopping by...have a great day!
Lesa

Simple Christmas Decor

Thought I'd give you a little look at my simple Christmas decor.  I really didn't do too much in the way of decorating because this will be the first year that our kids will not be home for Christmas and I have to admit that I'm feeling a little sad.  Anyway, here we go...

First stop is the living room...

Next, the kitchen...

On to the entrance...

And finally, a simple embellishment in the bathroom...

That is it!  Thank you for stopping by...I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Have a great day.

Lesa

Ruffle Scarves

If you like to knit then you'll love this project.  It's a ruffle scarf...

If found the yarn at Walmart...it's called "Twist & Twirl" by Bernat and it was only $5.99 a ball!  The scarf only uses one ball and the knitting instructions are on the inside of the label.

It's a fun, easy and affordable gift to make someone - even yourself!

Thank you for stopping by and having a visit.  Hope you have a great day.

Lesa

Christmas Burlap Sacks

I know...it's been awhile since my last post and I really had so many plans for Christmas crafts/decor, but I really haven't been in the mood to create anything!  And, it's not like me, especially this time of year, to not be crafting something.  I guess it's because this will be our first year without our kids at home.  Both Taryn and Brendan will be working over the holidays, so they won't be home for Christmas.  They are hoping to come home for a few days after the big day, but they are still trying to coordinate their days off, etc.  So we'll see what happens.  Anyway, I thought I'd share a project from last year...

When it comes to filling stockings, I find that I end up piling the gifts "under" each of the stockings because nothing seems to fit inside!  Also, I don't really have a good spot to hang stockings, so I decided to sew some burlap sacks that were large enough to hold the gifts and that can sit on the floor.  I used burlap and lined each bag with muslin.  The "cuff" that I added is made from a woven fabric in a burgundy and green plaid.

I made everyone's initial out of cardboard and added sparkle using gold glitter.

I attached each letter to the bags with jute.  

They were easy to sew and now everything fits into each sack!

Thank you for your continued support and for stopping by...

Lesa

Total Bits of Randomness

The title of this post says it all...

#1.  The Magic of Felting

I love to knit and a couple of years ago I discovered "felting".  Love it!!  I made felted slippers for everyone, but the other night I found a free pattern on the internet for mittens - Felted Eskimo Mittens.  They are quick and easy to knit and took me an evening to knit a pair. 

This is how they look before they are felted...HUGE!!! 

Now, for the felted magic...

Love the pattern, love the mittens and now I'm knitting a pair for everyone I know! 

#2.  Did You Know?

You don't have to throw out the leftover wax left in the bottom of the jar candles.

I use the wax in my tea light burner and the scented wax makes the entire house smell wonderful.  Just use an old knife to dig out the wax from the bottom of the jar.

Break the wax into smaller chunks and I store in a plastic ziploc bag.

When ready to use, throw a piece into your burner and enjoy the wonderful scent.

No more wasting!

#3.  Canvas Pillows

Just a couple of pillows I made for the couch in the family room.  I love the gathered center.  Looks like ruffles without being ruffles.   

They were very easy to sew up, especially after I discovered how to ruffle/gather fabric using waxed dental floss.  Perfect gathers every time!

That's it for the randomness.  Thank you for stopping by...hope I didn't bore you too much!  Have a great weekend.

Lesa