PinkPetunia's House

Beach Bags Needed

Because our family beach vacation is almost here, I thought it would be nice to make Ellie and her little friend Mae, who will be joining us for a few days, beach bags. I have no idea what kind of beach bag I want to make so I thought I would be a search on 'beach bag tutorials' to see what I can come up with. Once I find a tutorial and make them, I will fill them with crafts and games so the girls have plenty to keep them busy when we are not at the beach or in the pool.

Here are some beach bag tutorials I found that just would be nice to make.

 
Beach Bag by Film in the Fridge

 
Moda Bake Shop Drawstring Beach Bag Tutorial

 
The Long Thread's Owl Bag Tutorial

Alisa Burke's Beach Towel to Beach Bag Tutorial - I LOVE this one!

Oh Pretty Colors tote bag tutorial

Moda Bake Shop Pocket Tote Bag Tutorial
 
 

  

  
I wish I could make this bag, or afford to buy one. The only Jujube bag I have ever had was a diaper bag that my friend Tammy got me as a shower gift. It was incredible so it is no surprise that I would love this wannabe bag too. She has thought of everything.

 
Not a good idea for the kids but this beach bag/beach mat tutorial is too funny not to include. I came across this tutorial in the past and I am not sure where I got it from but it is from Smart Sewing, around 1950.

Lots to think about. Once I get the beach tote bags completed, I will share plenty of pics. Even ones of the girls using them.

New Patterns, Magazines and My Love Hate Relationship with Joann

This past weekend I got a Joann flyer in the mail and saw that Simplicity sewing patterns were on sale. Since I am getting ready to start a new job I thought it would be nice to make some skirts and tops to wear to work. I went over to the Simplicity pattern site and scouted out what clothing patterns I wanted and headed on over to Joann Fabric.

I was pretty surprised when I discovered each sewing pattern I wanted was in stock. Yippy for me since this almost never happens. Here is a sample of the patterns I picked up.

 

 

 

Joann Fabric also had the spring editions of the Stitch and SewStylish magazines I wanted.

The Stitch magazine has a couple of really cute kids patterns in it plus a whole lot more.

(Oliver + S  Ruffled Halter Top Pattern is a free download.)

 
The reason I got the SewStylish magazine is because they have a tutorial in it for copying your favorite tshirt. This is so timely since I just dripped curry sauce on my FAVORITE white tshirt. Ruined unless I want to dye it a yellowish-green color. Perhaps not.

Now on to my love/hate relationship with Joann Fabric. Please explain to me why each time I actually think of getting book, or magazine in this case, and have a coupon greater than 40% off that I plan to use, they have a measly 10% off sale on them? Why can't they charge me regular price and allow me to use my 50% coupon? That would have saved me $7.50 off the Stitch magazine! I know, I could have waited until the following week and used a 40% off coupon but I really, really, REALLY wanted to get it today. Who knows, I might get a few hours of free time this weekend from my fairy God mother. It could happen.
 

Job News, Crafty Update and a Possible Craft Challenge

I have a few things to share today.

First, I got a new job! I will still be working for the same agency but for a higher office. I will be sad to leave the people I have worked with for the past two years but I am so happy to be moving in a new direction.

 

On the crafty front, I have finished the napkins I had listed as a crafty goal for last week and they are already in use. My goal is to make 100 of them so I can use them for parties too. They are a great way to use large scraps. So 6 down and 94 more to go. Seems I never do anything small.

Also, craftster has a craft challenge getting ready to start that I am thinking of doing. I have never done one but think it sounds like a ton of fun. Anyone ever done one? This one is using a bedsheet to make an article of clothing. I have the perfect sheet to use. It is a king size flat sheet. It has a white background and orange coral all over it. What a great way to upcycle something, don't you think? This is right in line with my frugal living since I think it would be nice to make some kind of ruffled dress for Ellie. Thoughts? Ideas? Lessons learned?

Bandana Pants Completed

As promised, here are the bandana pants being modeled by my little athlete.

These pants could not have been easier to make. I followed the bandana pants tutorial that was posted over on Sew Mama Sew. I made two changes to the tutorial. One was to tailor the waist a little since Ellie is smaller than the intended size called for and the other was to cut the bandanas in half so I had four pieces instead of two. This allowed me to put the design on the outside of the leg rather than the inside. 

They turned out cute and Ellie really does like wearing her "big girl bandana pants." I think I am going to make a few more. They make great pajamas and are super cheap to make. $1 for two bandanas and maybe $0.50 for the amount of elastic used. That beats paying around $10 for a pair of 100% cotton pajamas for her. I guess I need to get sewing. 

Crafty Goals for Last Week Update

We had a pretty busy weekend this past weekend but I did manage to make some real crafty progress on my crafty goals. My goals were:

1. Make a D-ring belt.
2. Make Ellie a pair of bandana pants.
3. Cut my Michael Miller fabric for my retro napkins.

I did not get the D-ring belt done but I did pick up the twill stabilizer I was going to use in the center and I picked out a ton of stash fabric pieces to do a patchwork version of the D-ring belt.

I did make the bandana pants for Ellie. She did not cooperate this morning when I wanted to take a picture of her in them but I promise I will get one tonight...whether she likes it or not. Ok, I know that sounds harsh but is bribing a 2 1/2 year old with chocolate really that harsh? I think not. I can be bribed with chocolate and I do not think it is harsh at all.

Ok, back on track here and more crafty goal updates. I did get my retro napkin fabric all cut out and lined up for some assembly line sewing. That is what I plan to do tonight when I get home. With any luck, they will be washed and on the clothes line in no time.