12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Day 9 Placemat to Tote

Today's tutorial is brought to you by my friend Bree. She is making these for her friends and family for Christmas. Bree hates to sew so her mom Brenda is walking her through the steps for each bag. If Bree can sew these, than anyone can. I stole this one from Bree to showcase here. Enjoy!

Materials Needed:

1. Placemat
2. Thread
3. Bias Tape or Ribbon 
4. Velcro (Optional)

Directions:

1. Fold the placemat lengthwise.
2. Measure two inches down from the top. Mark a line across for the fold down flap.  
3. Take your bias tape or ribbon and place each edge just under the fold line. Pin the edges in place. This will be your bag strap.
4. Fold the bottom of the long rectangle upward so the bottom of the rectangle meets the flap fold down line. Pin in place. Make sure your bag strap is on the outside.
5. With the top flap up. Sew one side seam of the tote bag body and keep sewing up to the side of the flap. Pivot. Sew across the top. Pivot. Then sew down the other side. 
6. Your bag should have two pockets inside! 
7. Optional: Place velcro on the inside of the flap and at the top of the tote bag body. Either sew your velcro in place or stick it on. Et, voila! Easy Placemat to Totebag!

  Sweet Reminder No. 9: "Sleep in Heavenly Peeeeaaaccceeee..." Means you too!

I don't know about you, but I am one of those "Just one more thing" people. I always find just one more thing to work on before I go to bed. It's a terrible habit and one I very much wish to break.

If you're like me and have trouble turning off the lights, then try and dial up your bedtime 10 minutes a night until you reach a normal hour. That "one more thing" can wait. Get good sleep. There will be plenty of late nights carousing and fellowship when Christmas Eve and Christmas arrive. You really won't miss out on much if you go to bed a notch earlier each night. In fact, you'll likely gain more than you miss. So in the spirit of practicing "Peace-Be-Still" this season, make sure to sleep. 

 

How do you ensure that you're sleeping in "Heavenly PEEEEAAACEEE?" Also, do you know any little kids that sing it that way?

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Day 8 Skirt Apron

 

I'm a huge fan of one yard wonders and this tutorial is easy and looks sweet. I love one yard wonders especially when I love a bold quilter's cotton fabric, but know that a full blown skirt or dress would look cray cray. This is a quick handmade gift and can be modified with all sorts of embellishments and trims. You can change the style of pocket, you can use ribbon for ties, or you can add a bib. Have fun with this one!

Materials Needed:

1. One yard of Quilter's Cotton
2. Contrasting fabric for the pockets in two 5x5 squares
3. 3 Yard Package of Quilter's Bias Tape or Ribbon
4. Thread

Directions:

 

1. Quick Note: One yard should be enough for two small sized skirt aprons.
2. Lay the yard of fabric out with the selvedge towards you and the fold away from you. Cut along the fold line so you have two long rectangles.
3. Cut two squares in your contrasting fabric. Mine were 5x5inches. Cut four squares if you are making two aprons.
4. Hem the edges of the pockets and the edges of one of the fabric rectangles.
5. Pin the pocket squares onto the apron fabric.
6. Top stitch the pockets to the apron fabric. Make sure to leave one side open for your hand to go in.
7. Gather the top of the apron. To gather fabric. Put your machine on its longest stitch setting. Do two rows of long running stitches. Make sure to leave long thread tails on both ends of the running stitches.
8. Pull the threads on the top and start gathering the fabric. Play with the gathers until they are fairly even all the way across.
9. Take the large bias tape and sandwich the gathered top of the apron between the folded edges. Make sure to leave long tail ends for apron ties. 
10. Pin in place and sew from one end of tail, across the apron, and to the end of the other tail. 
11. (This is the quickest way to do this! If you are an experienced sewer than you know the proper several-step way to properly sew on bias tape. By all means experienced sewers, have at it!) 

Sweet Reminder No.8: Choose Kindness!
This time of year seems to bring out the very worst in me. It brings out my short temper, my insecurities, and my control freak nature. I am often tired, hyped up on way too much sugar and caffeine, and snap! I am working very hard not to go there this year. 

I am choosing kindness and not just for others, but also for myself. I choose to be kind to my tired feet and my tired brain. I work a full-time job. There is no maid, housekeeper, accountant, party planner, baker at my house... there is just me and the Pookie. So rather than choose grumpy obligation, I choose kindness to me. A little kindness to me then I can direct that kindness outward. Then, I can really pour out love and kindness on others. A well-rested, plucky, full of gumption me is much better than the caffeinated meanie version. Choose kindness, choose peace, choose joy or choose stress. It is up to you!

If you need help with the tutorial, let me know in the comments below!

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Day 7 Bow Brooch

I cannot make jewelry, but I love a good brooch. My friend Kara is a very gifted jewelry designer. I so admire her ability to work with little tiny pieces and details. This is my contribution to Christmas jewelry. With just a little sewing, the brooch takes less than 20 minutes and requires little to no fabric.

Materials Needed: 

1. Two fabric rectangles (10x6 for mine). You can use whatever scrap fabric you have that you can reasonably cut into a rectangle.
2. Thread
3. A strip of fabric for the bow center (3x2 inches for mine). Again, you can use whatever scrap fabric you have that you can reasonable cut into a thin rectangular strip.   
4. Brooch or pin backing. These are sold at fabric stores, usually in the jewelry section of your Joanns or Michael's. Alternatively, use a big safety pin.

Directions:

1. Cut your fabric rectangles. You will need two rectangles for the main bow.
2. Place your fabric rectangles rightsides together. 
3. Sew the seams leaving an opening for turning the rectangle rightsides out.
4. Trim and cut the corners. Turn the rectangles rightsides out.
5. For the bow center there are three alternatives for completion:

• First, You can use thread and wrap it around the center of the bow multiple times. Tie it each time you loop it around. Make sure the thread is tied nice and tight. Cut the loose ends. Fluff the bow.
• Second, You can do what I did, and use a thin strip of jersey fabric. Wrap it around the bow center multiple time. Tie it each time you loop it around. Make sure the jersey strip is tied nice and tight. Cut the loose ends. Fluff the bow.
• Third, you cut two thin rectangle strips. Put them rightsides together. Sew but remember to leave an opening. Turn them right side out. Place around the middle of the bow and sew the ends together. Clip the edges. Flip the raw seam edges to the inside. 

 Last, sew the pin or brooch backing to your bow. Et, voila! Bow brooch gift! 

Sweet Reminder No.7: Choose Joy!

I know that sounds cliche, but bear with me. You can choose gifts, but you cannot force people to like the gifts. You can choose the perfect menu on pinterest, but you cannot force people to like the food you prepare. You can choose the best decorations that your money can buy, but you cannot force people into like your idea of pretty decor.You have no control over the many many situations, circumstances, and people you face everyday. There is no difference merely because it is Christmas.

I can create a million different things, but I cannot force anyone  to enjoy my creations. I only have control over whether I enjoy my Christmas. I only have control over whether I enjoy my own creations. I control my response to my pinterest failures and my recipe disasters. I choose joy. I could choose frustration, self-pity, worry, anxiety, and stress. I am opting out of those this year. Again, I choose joy! What are you choosing this Christmas?

If you need help with the instructions, please let me know in the comments below!

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Throw Pillow Day 6

Target is selling fabric! Random, right? I bought this beautiful teal hummingbird burlap. The fabric is sold in 1 yard pre-cuts or fat quarters. I have a very large fabric stash, but I couldn't resist the impulse. I'm a sucker for fabric.

Materials Needed:

1. 1 yard of pre-cut burlap fabric from Target.
2. Batting: I think pillow forms are ridiculously over-priced so I used a standard $4 pillow from Target and it yielded two throw pillows.
3. Thread
4. Needle 

Step by Step Directions:

1. Cut 16x16 Squares from the burlap. Cute 4 squares or two sets if you plan on making two throw pillows.
2. Place one of the 16x16 squares ontop of the other. Rightsides together. Pin.
3. Sew around the square leaving an opening at top of one of the sides. Don't forget to backstitch.
4. Trim the seams and corners.
5. Turn inside out and Press.
6. Fill the square with batting through the opening. (If you used an inexpensive pillow, cut the pillow open and tear out batting in chunks. This allows you to fluff the batting as you go along.)
7. Slip stitch the opening closed with needle and thread once the pillow is nice and full. Et, Voila!

Here is today's Sweet Reminder....

Sweet Reminder No.6: Stress during the holidays is a choice!
You don't "have to" do anything during this time of year. You don't have to bake, host, make, or create anything if you don't want. I hear a lot of "have to" around this time of year; coupled with a whole lot of resentment. Be clear and honest about what you can and cannot do. If you choose to live in a state of stress and chaos during the holidays, remember your stress is a choice. You don't "have to" do anything. 

Have fun with the tutorial. Any questions on the directions, please feel free to comment below.

Click the link to see more projects in the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas Series.

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Day 5 Handwarmers

Are you still with me? It is Day Five of the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas! Today's tutorial was inspired my husband's family. They are chronically cold and have been rumored to fall asleep with the blow dryer on under the covers. Como se dice, Firehazard?!

This tutorial is simple, but takes some finesse with filling the pockets with rice. I am notorious for splitting bags of cereal, rice, potato flakes, etc... wide open and getting stuff everywhere. I called in the Pookie for help on this one. 

Materials Needed:

1. 5x5 Squares. I used five in different shades and prints of blue.
2. Pinking Shares
3. One pound bag of rice
4. Thread
5. Funnel or Piece of Paper

Step by Step Directions:

1. Layer two of the 5x5 squares on top of each other. Wrong sides together.

2. Mark a 4x4 square within the 5x5 square. 

3. Sew on the 4x4 square line leaving an opening to pour rice into.

4. Create a funnel out of a piece of paper. (Use a funnel if you have one.)

5. Pour the rice in. I filled mine 3/4 of the way.

6. Put the 5x5 square back under the sewing needle. Sew the opening closed carefully. Some rice might spill out, but that's okay.

7. Take the pinking shears and trim the edges all the way around.

Sweet Reminder No.5: Christmas doesn't have to be perfect!

I'm looking at the sachets and I can see all of the lint from the pinking shear scraps all over the sachets. MY PHOTOGRAPH IS NOT PERFECT, but that doesn't take away from all of the love and the joy put into each and everyone of these sachets! 

Every cookie, pie, craft, meal, etc... will not be perfect. A crust will crumble, cookies will burn, a craft will turn into an epic pinterest fail. Stop and laugh at yourself. Christmas doesn't have to be perfect. After all, think of the baby in the stinky manger. Certainly not the perfect place to go into labor. Relax. The day will come and go whether your creations are perfect or not.

If you need help with the tutorial, feel free to comment in the section below. What are projects are you working on?

To See More Projects in the Series, check out other projects in the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas Series.

Partying at: ShineBlogHop#25, LivelaughRowe

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Tote Bag Day 4

Are you still with me? Have you started sewing? For those of you without sewing machines, look at Craigslist or your local Facebook yard sale pages. People are always selling or giving sewing machines away for free or for real cheap. I recommend swooping up any Kenmore, Brother, or Bernina sewing machines that you find for sale.

Sweet Reminder No.4: Christmas doesn't have to be a fight!
I have a few friends that dread every Christmas because it becomes a fight between family members. Whose house are you going to? When will you be here? When will you be there? Ahhh!! Stop the freaking madness! Christmas does not give YOU or ANYONE license to act like the world's most obnoxious micro-manager. Manage your own expectations. Be honest about what you are hoping will happen and who you would like to be there, but also understand that people have their own lives, their own families, and their own Christmas trees to decorate. 

Be honest about what you can and cannot do. Be kind to people you have to tell, "No." 

Get over it if somebody cannot do what you want them to do, when and where you want it done. Christmas is not about you!

Now... onto the tutorial!

Materials Needed:

1. Black Webbing
2. Felt in a cute a print
3. Thread

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Cut 12 x 15 inch rectangles. I made two bags so I cut four.

2. Cut set of 2 webbing handles 15 inches long. I cut four.

3. Pin the webbing handles at 3in. and 9in. Pin the webbing to the rightside of the tote body.

4. Sew the webbing to the tote body.

5. Turn the top of the tote body to the wrongside, creating a hem at the top of the hem body. It should be about a 1/2 inch hem at the top. Sew across the top. Repeat on the other side.

6. Lay the tote body pieces rightsides together. Sew the pieces together. 

7. Trim the edges and the corners. Turn inside out. Iron.

Do you have any family feud issues this time of year? If so, how do you resolve them? Do you have a system, please please share! 

To See More Projects in the Series, check out other projects in the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas Series.

Partying at: ShineBlogHop#25, LivelaughRowe
 

12 Handmade Days of Christmas: Day3 Slouchy Clutch

Welcome to Day Three of the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas! Today's tutorial is the slouchy zippered clutch. I made mine from some sweet purple upholstery suede I found on sale at the fabric store. I bought the 16 inch metal zipper in the Los Angeles garment district. If you are ever in the LA area, check out the stores on Maple Avenue between 8th and 9th streets. They have great notions and knit fabrics.

Here is what you will need for this project:  

1. 16 inch Metal Zipper
2. Fabric with enough yardage to cut two 17 x 20inch rectangle from your main fabric and your lining fabric.  I used purple suede and some striped purple lining.
3. Matching Thread  
4. Interfacing (optional for extra body)

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Cut four rectangles 16 x 20. Two rectangles from the main fabric and two rectangles from your lining fabric.

2. If your fabric needs extra body, cut interfacing and iron it onto your main fabric. My fabric was upholstery fabric; I only added interfacing to one side of my main fabric so the fold side would hold up better.

3. Unzip your zipper so you can attach the body pieces to it. On one side of your zipper layer your pieces: Lay your lining right side up, your zipper right side up, and your main fabric right side down.

4. Pin and Sew the pieces together on one side of the zipper and repeat on the other. (Some people prefer to sew with the zipper closed. There are multiple ways to skin a cat. Do what is easiest for you!)

5. Pin the fabrics together so the main fabric is touching rightsides together and the lining fabric is touching rightsides together. 

6. Sew the side seams of the lining fabric. Trim the edges

7. Sew the side seams of the main fabric. Trim the edges

8. Push the lining fabric into the main fabric of the clutch. 

I had some left over suede and lining fabric so I made a small envelope clutch and added some pleats to the front for details. Have fun with this tutorial. Don't stress over it. It is meant to be big, slouchy, and relaxed. It does not require everything to be perfect.

Sweet Reminder No. 3: Christmas is not only about traditions!

Christmas is about traditions. I hear this a lot. "Each year we do this or that and have done this or that for 20 years. Therefore, we must continue to do this or that even though we hate it because we have always done so." Now, does that make sense to you? Or does it just sound super exhausting and soooo not fun at all. Traditions are only traditions if you say they are. If you adhere to them slavishly then they become an obligation and not a sweet celebratory ritual. Check your heart and be honest with yourself. Who needs your obligation? Nobody.  If you don't want to do this or that, then don't! Free yourself to have a sweet peaceful Christmas.

Enjoy the tutorial! If you need help, feel free to ask in the comment section!!

To See More Projects in the Series, check out other projects in the 12 Handmade Days of Christmas Series.

Partying at: ShineBlogHop#25, LivelaughRowe

No Spend Decorating: Painted Tin Cans

In this last week of my No Spend Decor miniseries, I will post five minute DIY/Copycat projects found on Pinterest. Today's painted tin can project is brought to you buy a can of green beens, diced tomatoes, and mandarin oranges. Tee-Hee!

My husband is a big believer in having tinned canned fruit and veggies stored for an emergency, but occasionally money is tight and we dip into our stash of canned foods. This past month I was recovering from a surgery so we have more tin cans lying around than usual.  

I didn't have to buy any paint because we have sample paint leftover from prior home projects. Yay! Use what you have at home! SHOP YOUR HOUSE PEOPLE! 

Items Used:
1. Tin Cans
2. Blue Painter's Tape
3. Blue sample paint

Steps:
1. Tape the Can
2. Paint the Can

Yeah, it's that easy.

In the picture, I put some random stuff from my sewing room. They'll likely be used as herb planters for my handmade Christmas presents. (Handmade series starting November!!)

October 2014 Goals

This is one of the idea boards from my sewing room. I love pinterest, but there is something about being able to touch paper that makes me feel happy and inspired!

I am off work on medical leave until October 24th so most of my plans must be achievable from my favorite living room chair. My goals for this month are:

1. Pray everyday.
2. Purposefully encourage 5 people daily.
3.  Finish this Skillshare class: Beyond the Logo
4. Make a plan for starting my fashion line
5. Get closer to my goal weight.

For each goal, I like to write baby steps to getting the bigger tasked accomplished. I also think it is wise to set what the ideal for getting my goal accomplished looks like, as well as setting up a backup plan in case the ideal doesn't work out. (And it usually doesn't!)

Baby steps to getting each of these accomplished:
1. Pray Everyday
Ideal: Pray immediately after I have my morning potty break. I like to get this in early to ensure that it gets done.
Backup Plan: Pray before I fall asleep

2. Purposefully Encourage 5 People Daily
Ideal: Text and/or call friends and family after my morning prayer
Backup Plan: Spread out the texts/calls throughout the day as people pop into my mind.

3. Finish the Skillshare Class
Ideal: Watch the videos after lunch and spend nad hour a day on the projects for the course
Backup Plan: Watch the videos all at once on a Saturday afternoon

4. Fashion Line Plan
Ideal: 1 hour day. Preferably an hour before my husband gets home so I can talk about it with him. I like the way his brain works and like to have his input on things.
Backup Plan: I can dedicate a Saturday afternoon to getting a rough draft down.

5.Get Closer to My Goal Weight
Ideal: I would like to lose at least 10 pounds this month. I am not allowed to exercise so this will be a matter of 95% of the weight loss work in the kitchen and 5% of mini walks.
Backup Plan: Progress makes progress. Even if I cannot lose 10 pounds, even a few ounces closer to my goal weight is progress!

What are you working on this month?

February 2014 Goals

January 2014 Sunset| Plucky Gumption Copyright 2014

 I was able to work on each of my January goals a little bit each day. I am proud to be able to strike through my initial list. The real test will be whether I keep going past the January enthusiasm. If “January is for dreamers, and February is for doers,” then I hope I cross over into the latter category.

JANUARY GOALS

1. Start the Nike Training Club Get Lean Beginner Program  

2. Lose 4 pounds.  I was able to lose 3.4 pounds! Yay! 

3. Start a family garden.  Pookie (my husband) and I started carrots, tomatoes, basil, peanuts, tangelos, and strawberries. We started everything, but the strawberries, from seed. More posts to come on our gardening adventures!

4. Revamp the Blog.  Thank you 17thAvenue Designs for the beautiful template.

5. Revamp Etsy Shop. New banner! New tags! Just a little freshening up made me feel better about my shop. Check out the GATON Etsy shop.

FEBRUARY GOALS

1. Nike Training Club Get Lean Intermediate Program

2. Lose 4 pounds

3. Sew the clothing for the spring 2014 collection 

4. Host a spring boutique party at my home for other artists, designers, and home based sellers that I know.

5. Finish redecorating "the side room"

What are your February goals? Did you survive the initial January resolution activity burst?

31 Days of Dream. Plan. Do.

Welcome to 31 Days of Dream. Plan. Do.

1. Day One: Fast and Pray 
2. Day Two: Freedom to Dream 
3. Day Three: Organizing and Categorizing
4. Day Four: Motivational Music Mix 
5. Day Five: Prioritizing 
6. Day Six: Stop and Take a Big Deep Breath
7. Day Seven: Realistic Timelines 
8. Day Eight: Bite-Sized Manageable Pieces 
9. Day Nine: Defining Success and Achievement 
10. Day Ten: Doing the Hard Tasks First 
11. Day Eleven: God Bless My Egg Timer
12. Day Twelve: Talking Too Much 
13. Day Thirteen: Over-thinking Paralysis 
14. Day Fourteen: Motivation Check No. 1 Guilt
15. Day Fifteen: Motivation Check No. 2: Fear 
16. Day Sixteen: Motivation Check No. 3 Revenge 
17. Day Seventeen: Motivation Check No. 4 Self-Deprecation
18. Day Eighteen: Motivation Check No. 5 Selfishness 
19. Day 19, 20 and 21: Starting Fresh Again and Again and Again
20. Day 22: Accountability Buddy
21. Day Twenty Three: If You Don't Know How...