Pinterest-Inspired Pumpkin

I am so ready for fall!  We started school this week and were blessed with a day of unseasonably cooler temps.  It's back in the 90s now, but I'm still anxious to start putting out my fall decor.

I got the idea from a pin on Pinterest, but I can't find the exact pin.  I used one of the smaller artificial pumpkins from Michael's.  It was originally $8.99, but I had a coupon and a gift card, so basically it was free--woo hoo!  The vinyl is Paper Studio brand from Hobby Lobby ($7.99 but I had a 40% off coupon.)  The ribbons are scraps from my bow-making days.  I used my Cricut to cut the vinyl (Storybook letter M).  There are actually polka dots all over the pumpkin.

Here's my final product!

Linking up to:

-- Delightfully Inspiring Thursday at Delightful Order
-- Get Your Craft On - Handmade Crafts at Today's Creative Blog

Cargo Pants to Cute Tote

My husband had a pair of hand-me-down cargo pants that were too short for him.  I wore them for awhile in my post-partum days when nothing else would fit.  What I liked about them were the pockets--they were big and closed with velcro.  Enter my new fascination with upcycling along with endless tote-making tutorials on the Web, and I found a new purpose for them.

When I started this project, I just wanted a simple bag in which to carry my calendar and schoolbooks for the kids.  It kind of took on a life of it's own, and I decided it was so cute, I would probably use it for my casual purse...which translates to everyday since I rarely go anywhere worthy of a formal bag.  :)

Supplies:
-One pair of adult cargo pants
-About half a yard each of fabric in two coordinating patterns--one for the lining and one for accent
-Fusible fabric bond (optional)
-Button

Cutting
1.  Take your pants and cut the inseam up one leg, around the crotch, and down the other leg.

2.  To make the body, lay out the pants and measure around the pockets.  I cut mine at 18" wide x 15" tall.  Do this for each leg and cut out the fabric.  CUT OUT JUST WHAT YOU NEED AND AVOID MAKING ANY EXTRA CUTS.

3.  Cut two pieces of fabric 18" wide x 15" tall from the fabric you chose for your lining.

4.  Here's why I bolded my statement in step 2.  Measure a piece of fabric 24" long x 3" wide from the legs of your pants.  (I didn't plan ahead for this step and had to cut two pieces of varying lengths for my straps, hence the knotted strap.)

5.  Cut a 24" long x 3" wide of accent fabric for your strap.

6.  If you want an inner pocket, cut a 12 x 12 piece of accent fabric.

7.  Find the closure on your pants and snip off about 3 or 4 inches from the end.  (I stopped at the first belt loop.)

Sewing
1.  Turn your two body pieces right sides together and pin.  Stitch around the sides and bottom.

2.  Take the fabric that you cut for your pocket and fold it right sides together.  Stitch along the open sides, leaving about a two-inch gap for turning.  Turn the fabric right side out and secure about 4 inches down on one piece of your lining.  Making sure your fold is on the top, stitch the pocket onto the lining, making sure you close the open edge.  Determine if you want this pocket divided into two or three pockets, and sew the appropriate lines.

3.  Take your two lining pieces, and pin right sides together.  Stitch around the sides and bottom. (This is the same thing you did with your body pieces in step 1.)

4.  Now you'll want to square the bottom of your body and lining.  With the pieces still turned right sides together, press the corners into a point MAKING SURE YOUR SEAMS ARE IN LINE.  Measure across 4 inches, pin together, and mark with a fabric pen.  Do this on both bottom edges for both pieces.  Trim off a little of the excess points, if you wish.

5.  Take your strap piece and strap lining, and pin right sides together.  Stitch the long sides only.  Turn the strap right side out.  Sew about 1/8 from each edge down the length of the strap.  You don't have to do this, but I think it adds a nice finishing touch.  (You may want to iron your strap before doing this step, unless you're like me and enjoy a good battle with your fabric and machine.)

6.  Take the body of the bag, right side out, and pin the straps to each side.

7.  Take the lining, wrong side out, and fit the body into it.  Repin where your straps are on the edges.  Now, stitch around the top leaving about a 5-inch gap (centered) across the back to turn it right side out.  

8.  Turn the bag right side out and fold in the unsewn edges and pin.  Sew again around the outside of the top of the bag.

9.  Take the button tab that you cut and pin it to the back of the bag.  Stitch across several times and seal any unfinished edges with fabric glue or fray check.   (NOTE:  You may want to tuck the button tab into the unsewn edge before sewing in step 8.  I decided I wanted mine after I had already sewn my bag, which is why it's on the outside.)

10.  Determine where you want your button closure to be and sew a button on the opposite side.  (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture!)

11.  If you want to get a little fancy, measure your pocket flaps and cut out some accent pieces.  Use fusable bond to attach them to the flaps.

There you have it!  A fun tote to carry around.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.  I'm new to tutorials, so I apologize if my directions aren't as clear as they should be.  :)

I'm linking this tutorial to two of my favorite craft blogs: Today's Creative Blog and their Get Your Craft On link party, and Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap Up Party.  :)

Getting Crafty: Quick Valentine Art

Well, hello, long-lost blog.  As you can see, my intentions of keeping this up-to-date have fallen by the wayside.

I've seen this on several craft blogs that I read.  I made this last night in about ten minutes.  It probably took longer for me to walk out to the garage and find the frame and stand than it did to assemble it.  The tiles are from our Bananagrams game (I'll put them back after V-Day).  The paper is actually on top of the glass, and I used photo splits to adhere the letters.

Enjoy!

Getting Crafty: Altered Metal Washers

So, when's the last time that you wore hardware around your neck?  :)  At my last scrapbook retreat, one of the gals made a really cool necklace using a large metal washer.  She used Mod Podge to adhere scrapbook paper to the washer, highlighted a few areas with Stickles, and then put a layer of Crystal Effects over the top.  She then hung them on black cord with a few beads added as accents.  They were a hit!

Earlier this year, I stamped small washers with letters (names) and hung them on ribbon for my daughter's birthday party.  My brother works at a hardware store, so he was able to get me a box of 100 for around $7.00.  (By the way, if you're going to stamp or punch holes in them, aluminum is the way to go!)

Okay, back to the altered washer.  Given that I still have about 80 or so left, I decided to try my hand at the altering part.  I purchased the black cord at Michael's in the jewelry aisle (it came with clasps) and used paper from my scrapbook stash.  Here's what I came up with:

Isn't it cute?  :)