Springy Bright Fold Over Clutch

Last night I made this Fold Over Clutch.  It's an Ali Foster pattern, which I've raved about before, but I just can't tell you how wonderful and easy her patterns are.  (And no, I don't make any money for saying that.  At least not right now.)

 
It's a good size clutch with a wristlet strap and a magnetic snap closure.  The button is purely decorative.  It has two layers of interfacing which make it sturdy yet soft.

The lining is striped and makes opening the bag even more exciting!

I planned on posting this bag with a link to purchase it in my etsy shop.  However, I already sold it to a friend!  I will certainly be making more of this pattern soon!

Mini Messenger Bag and Matching Snack Bags

One of the greatest things about living in central Florida is having all the tourist attractions in your backyard.  It's almost silly not to take advantage of things like Disney, Sea World and Universal Studios on a regular basis, if it's within your budget. 

A friend at work is heading to these attractions for the weekend and asked me to make her a small messenger bag and some matching snack bags.  She had a favorite bandana that we repurposed.  I just love repurposing fabric- it gives it new life!  :)

She plans on using the snack bags to hold money, lip gloss, tickets and other essentials that she doesn't want to get wet on those water rides!  What a great use for these snack bags that are lined with PUL and have a tight velcro closure.  Genius!

The messenger bag is lined with hot pink fabric and has a magnetic snap closure.  It also has a button on the front of the bag for decoration.  I really didn't have a pattern for this bag, so I just placed the magnetic snap and strap, then sewed right sides together, with one layer of heavy interfacing.  I turned the bag right side out, and top stitched all around.  Then, I sewed up the sides to make the pouch.  Very simple!

 

All the snack bags fit nicely in the mini messenger bag.  I love how it all coordinates and is so functional!

Wine Cork Art

I've been collecting wine corks for a while.  When my husband's great grandmother passed away in 2009, I found a large stash in her house.  Others have come from friends and memorable events.  I've always wanted to do something fun with them, but never had the right inspriration.

I found this frame last weekend while I was at a yard sale.  It was the perfect depth for the wine corks and it was a neutral color.

Don't think I'm a horrible person for crafting over the Declaration of Independence.  Certainly I can't be as terrible as the person who sold it for $1!

 

So, after I got over re-purposing this frame, I started arranging and gluing my wine corks in a pattern.  It took some creativity to make them fit with no holes or gaps, but in the end, I was really happy with how it turned out.  I like the way it is subtle and doesn't "pop" on the wall... just what I wanted.

 

 

And there's more!  It doubles as a hot pad for serving dishes!

 

Yard Sale Score! Vintage Sheets!

Last Saturday my daughter and I were yard sale-ing and I stumbled on four sets of vintage sheets.  They are all twin size, but have all three pieces (fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcase).  I listed them on Ebay (sorry to my sister who is a closet Strawberry Shortcake fan!) and am hoping to reap huge rewards for my $4 (total!) investment.

Click on the link below each photo to see the Ebay listing and more photos.

Strawberry Shortcake

 

Care Bears

 

Garfield 

 

The Smurfs

Brown Pink and Yellow Pleated Purse

Since the Black and White purse was so popular and already sold from my Etsy shop, I thought I'd make another one with different fabrics.  I am in de-cluttering mode around here, which seems to happen every year about this time, so I'm committed to not buying any new fabrics until I use up a lot of what I have in my sewing room.  This particular fabric is from the Brother-Sister line at Hobby Lobby, and I bought it a few months ago.

My favorite part of the purse?  The polka dot lining.  It's like a hidden surprise.

This purse is now for sale in my Etsy shop.  And, if it follows it Black and White sibling, it won't last long!