Cutie Patootie Valentine Shirts

I had these two little t-shirts laying around since before Thanksgiving and I had planned on making them for our trip to Disney, but time got away from me.  So I figured I better use them before my two little ones grow out of them.  :)  

Here's an up close of what the hearts look like.  I wanted something a little more than a plain heart so I made it gathered.

I cut a six inch heart out with my cricut.  I traced it onto my heat n' bond and cut it out.  

I then ironed the heart onto the fabric.

Waited until it was cool and then cut the heart out and then peeled the paper backing off.  

I then ironed it onto the t-shirt.  To secure it even more I stitched around the heart.  The other shirt I ran a zig zag stitch around the heart.   I thought this shirt needed something else so I added the wide brown grosgrain ribbon to it.  I, of course, gathered that too.  

To attach, I just ran a stitch down the ribbon and cut the ends to fit to the heart.  And here are the finished shirts.

My two girlies couldn't wait to put them on when they got home from school.  :)

I'm linking up with:

Embroidered Valentine's Banner

 I decided against another wreath on my front door.  So... I made a felt banner and embroidered it with ribbon.  It took me about three evenings in front of the TV to do all the hand work but it was worth it.  

This little wooden ornament I picked up from Michael's in one of their dollar bins was my inspiration.  I wanted to cut all the intricate details but they were just too small to make it work.  

As I was stitching the hearts on I decided to stuff them for some added dimension.  I used 1/8th inch satin ribbon for the flowers and stems.

I'm linking to:

Road trip blankets

As I said the other day we are taking a vacation to Disney soon, and I want to have a few things for my kiddos on the road.  Since we are driving rather than a quick flight my girls will definitely want pillows and blankets with them.  I decided to find some small throws for them instead of big blankets that will take up tons of room.  

I picked up these throws at a bargain outlet store for 7 dollars apiece.  But I wanted them to be a little more special for my girls.  I added Minnie Mouse silhouettes to them.

Soo cute!  I was worried because the care instructions say "no iron"  but I had to try anyway.  :)  I used the Cricut design studio and welded three circles together.  I ironed my fabric to my Heat N Bond.  Then  just put it onto my Cricut mat.  The glue side of the fabric down against the adhesive mat worked great.  I cut four and then decided that the Mickey logo wasn't enough.  

They had to be Minnie so I cut four bows from the Rock Princess cartridge.  I ironed them all on but I used a tea towel over my throws and images. 

 I know my girls are going to love them!
Here are the linky parties I'm joining.

Be Thankful

I've been working on this project for a week or so.  I finally finished it last night.  I embroidered the words on a piece of muslin, then sewed the embroidered fabric to a pretty fall fabric and made it into a pillow.  Easy and if you don't count the time embroidering, quick to put together.  It only took me a while because I did the needlework at night while watching TV, with many interruptions.   :)  

It's not perfect but I love the homespun look of it.
Here are the parties I'm linking to.

Strut Your  Stuff

Camera Strap

I finally made myself one of the ruffled camera straps that have been floating around the crafty blogosphere.  We're taking a vacation soon, and I really need a camera strap.   Can you guess where we are going?  :)

I just covered the old strap that I didn't use.  I put a little batting in it too.  Nice and comfy for my neck and oh so stylish for Disney.  :)

Coloring Briefcase

Who doesn't like coloring?  Here is a cute and quick take along coloring briefcase for your kiddos.  

Here's what you need:  3/4 yard of quilted fabric

1/4 yard of coordinating fabric for trim 

thread

crayons

coloring book

Cut a rectangle from the quilted fabric 12 1/2 by18 inches (front and back).  

Cut two rectangles from the quilted fabric 6 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches (inside flaps).  

Cut two strips from the quilted fabric 2 by 13 inches (these are the handles).

Cut two strips from the coordinating fabric 2 by 13 inches (these are the handles).

Cut a rectangle from the coordinating fabric 3 1/2 by 10 inches (crayon pouch).

Cut two strips from coordinating fabric 1 by 12 1/2 inches (trim for the flaps).

Cut two strips from coordinating fabric 1 by 18 inches (trim).

I've used 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

I started by putting the trim on everything first.  With right sides together pin 1" x 12 1/2" strip to one of the inside flaps.  Sew together.  Fold trim in 1/4" and press, then pin on other side of flap.  Stitch together.

Do this for the other flap and for the long edges of the front and back piece of the case.

Do you have everything trimmed out?  Cool.  Moving on. :)

Now for the handles.  With right sides together pin a 2"x13" quilted strip to a 2" X13" coordinating strip.  Sew both long sides together then turn.  Press.  Make the other handle the same way.

With the right sides together and the handle sandwiched in between the front/back piece and the flap pin it all together on one side.  We still have more work on the other flap.  

Take the 3 1/2"X10" piece of coordinating fabric and press down 1/4" of the long edges.  Stitch that down.  Now press the remaining three sides of the fabric down 1/4".  Position the stitched edge on the flap away from the trim.  Pin the pouch onto the flap and stitch the three sides down.

Now you have one big pouch.  Divide the pouch into eight small pockets for the crayons, approximately and inch apart.  I put a pin for each row and then stitched them down.

Almost done.  With right sides together and the handle sandwiched between the front/back and the flap with the crayon pocket, pin and sew.  Sew the other side also.  Turn them right side out and your done. 

I'm linking to all these great sites: