Heart Garland

Valentine's day is coming up.  We really don't do anything on February 14th.  Some years I've forgotten all about it.  It's not as commercialized here as it is at home.  Sometimes I miss it, and other days I don't.  But I couldn't pass up trying to make this and hang it in our home for a little extra something.

It's a heart garland.  Pretty cool, right?  I thought Adrian would like to help me, turns out he wasn't interested.  Also, he's sick today and laying on the couch.  Poor guy.

Back to the topic at hand.  Below is a short tutorial so you can make your own.

Here's what you'll need.  

If you don't have a paper cutter, you could use a ruler and a pair of scissors.

Cut your paper into strips.  Mine were about 1 inch wide, but you can make them any size you want.  Next, cut your long strips in half.  I folded mine and then used the scissors to do this.

Now, the fun begins!  

Take two strips of paper and staple them together at one end.

Curve it down to form the heart shape.

Staple your next two strips into place at the bottom of your first heart.

 And then keep going...

 and going...

 until you have the length of garland you want.

Hang 'em up for all the house to enjoy!

 I couldn't resist making another with the left overs.

I hope you enjoy your heart garland as much as I do.

Winter

We had a piddly amount of snow fall last night.  But it was enough for the boys to pull on all the snow gear and head out.  I was perfectly happy to watch after them from behind the window.  Winter has finally arrived with temperatures dropping into the low 20's (-5C).  You'd think we'd have more snow with it being so cold.

We finally got them all bundled up and off they went.  

Let's make a snow angel!

That's as many pictures as I could stand from the door without a jacket.  I've had a cold and wasn't feeling all that grand.  I watched the boys from our living room, and made lunch while they played in the back yard.  They had a pretty great time.  I'll wash all the snow clothes and they'll be ready for another day - probably tomorrow.

Angels

For our children's Christmas musical, we had the kids dress like angels.  They looked pretty cute.  It was a project that was more work than I had anticipated.  In the end they all looked great! When my mom was here she helped to cut them out and then two other ladies came over with their machines and we sewed them together.  Here they are hanging, all ironed and ready for Sunday.

I worked and worked to iron them and make them all pretty.  I suppose it helped some.  However, as soon as the kids got a hold of them I may as well have not ironed any at all.  Another lesson learned for next year.

Aren't they cute?

Adrian praying during the offering and here he is singing one of his solos.  I am one proud mamma!

Everyone really enjoyed the program and all the kids did an excellent job.  But, I think next year they'll wear matching scarves!

Applique

I've tried my hand at appliqueing.  My first try wasn't so bad.  I put it away for a rainy day and some more instructions.  Then, this week, I got the opportunity to check out a friends handy work.  Her applique was so nice that it inspired me to try again.  

Here's what I came up with.  

I positioned my applique a little too low, but I think I did pretty good.  I'm still playing around with these little wallets and toying with opening an etsy shop.  We'll see about that later.  In the mean time, I have a few gifts to give away!

Here's the back.

What do you think?  Are they worth buying once I get all the kinks worked out?

The Jenny Bag

Some time ago I made the pattern for this bag from a friends bag.  Her bag was extra loved and starting to show a bit of wear.  We laid it on the kitchen table and traced around it to make a pattern for a new one.  Since then I've made quite a few.  It's one of my favorite bags to make.  First, it makes me think of the original bag owner, and I smile.  Second, it's a great bag.  With each bag I've made some improvements and now I've got it down.  Here are some of the first few...

Now, for the one I made this week.  I added a zipper pocket, something I've never done.

This isn't the greatest picture, but at least you get an idea of how big it is.

There it is!  I hope the new owner likes it.  I do!

I did it!

I did it.  I put a zipper pocket on the inside of a purse!  I've been making these generic side pockets that are just squares of fabric sewn to the lining of the purse.  Let's be realistic - they stink!  What you need is a zipper pocket.  I set out to find directions on the internet. And what do you know?  It wasn't so hard after all.  Here's one I made today that I'll be lining a purse with soon.

Pictures of the finished purse to follow.

A little sewing

I've done some sewing in the past couple of weeks.  I'm kind of proud of this little number.  I made up the pattern myself and here is what I came up with. 

It's a cute little clutch, perfect for a night out to hold your lipstick and things.  I don't know that I'll ever have a chance to use it, so I'll probably give it away.  We'll see.

Next, I have cautiously entered the world of pinterest.  What I found I liked, but I haven't quite figured it out.  I feel totally behind, but that's OK.  I really don't need another reason to sit behind the computer for hours on end.  However, I did see some little felt wallets on there that inspired these.  

Some time ago I made a purse out of my grandma's old cashmere coat.  These are left over pieces of the coat.  I might have to make a few more.  

Then I had an after thought and put a little decoration on the front. Then I wished I hadn't.  Oh well, they don't look so bad. 

The first one inspired a second one.  Not to bad for not really having a pattern!

Here they are together.  I think I'll make a few more.