Luggage Tags for Grandparents

There were lots of tutorials for luggage tags this year.  I whipped up two and of course had to change the design a bit, mostly because my sewing machine does not get along with vinyl.  I sewed my right sides of fabric together, sandwiching the strap piece, then turned them right side out.  I top stitched and sewed the vinyl in place at the same time, which also closed my turning hole.  Tissue paper on top of the vinyl helps things along, but don't look too close, because the vinyl is still a bit crooked.

I guess you can't even see the vinyl pocket, but you get the idea.

Wallets for the Boys

I'm taking the easy way out this year and getting my nephews gift cards for Christmas.  At 9 and 7, it's hard for me to know what they'd really like.  But I can't just have them opening an envelope on Christmas Day, so decided to make them each a wallet as well.

I'm not a very original crafter, so scoured the internet looking for a free wallet tutorial.  I didn't find anything that would work.  Most were designed for women, and I just wanted a simple bifold design.  So, I made up my own pattern and am pretty happy with how it turned out.

Here is one of the finished products.  The other was done in Steelers fabric and turned out nice, but it seems I forgot to take a photo.

(Sorry, guys, but the twenty wasn't included when I shipped it.)

 Maybe someday I'll share a tutorial for the wallet.  C wants one for herself, so I'll definitely be making another.

For fun, here is a picture C drew of me.  I'm not sure what my hair was doing that day, but I love the eyelashes.

Cute Little Dolls (if I can say that about something I made...)

Last year I bought my niece dolls like these for Christmas.  I loved them for C, too, but since S was in the crawling/mouthing stage, I worried about the potential choking hazard.

Then I saw this post over at Twirling Betty and it reminded me of how much I think C would enjoy her own set.  First, she looooves having multiples of things.  Secondly, we travel a LOT and it's nice to have toys with their own carrying device.

I couldn't resist and made her a set.

I didn't have a real plan or theme, but think she'll be quite creative with the collection.

Their "home" was a Robeez shoe box in another life.

A cat and a dog.

Two gnomish characters.

Not bad for a glue gun, Sharpie Markers, felt and fabric scraps.  Ten dolls in an hour.  But for some real art check out this Etsy shop.  I'll take one of those, and one of those, and those...

Lady Bug Bag

I made this quick tote to "wrap" some Christmas gifts.

The lady bug applique is from Sew Liberated by Meg McElwee.  I *hope* to do the puppy on a library tote for C.

I LOVE Big Butt Baby Pants!

I am addicted to Made-by-Rae's Big Butt Baby Pants pattern.  I bought some fine wale brown corduroy in hopes of making C & S coordinating fall outfits, but I only got as far as the pants.  I lined them in flannel for extra warmth.

(His favorite activity--cooking!)

I bought the flannel on clearance last spring and although I don't really love the flannel print, I actually think they look cute turned up.

 (Check out that big fat balance toe.  He's already worn a hole in the bottom of one pair of shoes!)

The pants have been seeing lots of action, as they are super warm and soft.

Now, although S doesn't need another pair of pants, I have some leftover navy blue corduroy that needs to be used on something.  

And this is where I write a note to myself to assemble the pants differently next time...Sew the right sides together of exterior and lining.  Turn right side out and sew 3/4" down from top for elastic casing, leaving a couple of inches for inserting elastic. Then wedge the elastic up from the leg.  Although I will curse at myself along the way, the finished product will result in a nicer waistband than the brown pair (which fortunately you can't see right now).  

Oh, and leave a nice amount of fabric in the length, because I hope I can let these out and he can wear them next year, too.