Something strange has happened when I try to upload pictures now. I get a message saying I need to download Image-Do.jpg and then my computer just sits and sits and never uploads the images. I'm completely baffled. So, no pictures this post, sorry. But here's what you've missed:
August is a crazy month in our family. Everyone has a birthday or anniversary this month and we've just added one more to the list! My husbands little brother, last to leave the nest, has tied the knot with a very sweet girl. Hubby and I were blessed to be there at their sealing in Nauvoo and to participate in all the post wedding stuff. Hubby actually gets home from Colorado Springs tonight around 10pm from the reception there.
We also celebrated no less than 5 birthdays in one sitting at the worlds largest birthday party in under 15 minutes. That was...an experience. lol Fun, but definitely odd. I don't know that I'd want to repeat that, I'd rather go to all five on their own dates...well four, cause we can skip mine. =P
Then there were other fun things that happened. Hubby and his brother playing with hubby's Star Wars toys. You've never seen Star Wars till it's re-enacted in your dining room doorway between Darth Vader wearing plaid and some random tall handsome guy with Yoda's light saber. Good times, good times. I wish I could upload the pictures cause they're quite funny.
While hubby was away in Colorado my mom and sister came down to visit (keep me sane) for a few days. That was fun. We've discovered a new game called
Settlers of Catan. For anyone that likes strategy games, or just enjoys having a good time, this one's for you. Hey, someone want to trade me one wood for three ore?! he he Anyway...it's a great game that you can play with the kiddos.
I've also discovered my kitchen. After moving a month ago, I've finally unpacked the last box of kitchen items and re-arranged everything to my liking. Yay! I can't tell you how nice it is to have a "cooking" counter and a "dish washing" counter. I can actually leave my mixer out next to an outlet now without having to lug it halfway across my kitchen! If you've never hoisted a Kitchen Aid, let me tell you, they're not light. Actually, carrying it back and forth a few times would probably be a great workout for your biceps and triceps!
So that's the news from the Paint By Life homefront. As soon as I get this image uploading issue fixed I'll post pictures for you, untill then, there may not be a post for a while. Who really wants to listen (read) all I have to say anyway right? I only look at the pitures most of the time too. =P Later Guys n' Gals!
This adorable bag was inspired by the Moda Bakeshop Tote Tutorial found here. I thought it was the cutest tote bag I'd seen in quite a while and fairly simple to assemble. I'm all about quick sewing projects. Now, I didn't feel like making a whole tote bag, so I shortened the measurements and made a small handbag instead. The whole project took me about 3 hours off and on while watching TV. Here's how "I" made my bag, which isn't too different from the one at Moda Bakeshop, but just incase you want the short version only.
Step One: Pick out your fabric palette. I chose jewel tones for mine and grouped it with some pretty yellow flower fabric I got in the discount bin at Walmart. Anyway, I cut my strips to be one inch thick before sewing leaving a VERY thin seam allowance. I wouldn't reccomend this to someone who is new to sewing as it can be very tricky to keep the stitching straight and even. I stitched 18 thin strips twice for the top of the bag on both sides. Then I cut out a 6" piece of fabric for the bottom of the bag. Sew this to your strips.
Now you're ready to free hand machine quilt the fabric! This part is fun if you've never done it before. I suggest practicing on a scrap piece of fabric and batting to get the hang of it first. Also, tape down your feeder so that you don't have to fight it while quilting. (The YouTube video above is basically how I did it without the taped pattern and without that octo thing.) Also, remove your presser foot for easier viewing of what you're doing.
You can see that I just did a very simple free hand curvy line throughout my bag using a light cream cotton thread that blends into the yellow but stands out subtly against the jewel toned fabric strips on top.
Next you're going to sew on your center ribbon. For the back just sew straight across on top and bottom.
On the front you'll have two different ribbons. Sew to about an inch from the center on either side so that your ribbon ends are loose enough for you to tie into a knot.
You should not have the sides sewn yet, so your bag should look similar to the one above.
When you are done with the ribbon, insert your bag liner and sew on your latch. I just used that same yellow floral as the from for a cohesive look. Attatch your straps...sew on a cute button to make use of your latch and enjoy! Hope you enjoyed that! Drop into Moda Bakeshop for other cute quilting projects!
