More Tutorials…

I added a few new tutorials to the Tutorials page! Inspiration ahoy!

Help For Haiti

Most of you will already have heard about the many ways the crafty community is trying to help those affected by the horrendous events in Haiti. But for those that haven’t, please head over and check out Craft Hope for Haiti.

With 100% of the proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders, an Etsy shop has been set up. The items that are sold have been donated from numerous crafters and offer to you the chance to buy something beautiful while helping those that need it the most.

Or you could even donate some of your own handmade creations!

Already, up to today, $ 7,000.- have been raised! And all that in only two days! Please, check it out!

Update: As of the January 20th 2010 over $20,000 have been raised by Craft Hope and over 1000 items sold from the Etsy shop!

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A few more links:

- Pretty Ditty is having a raffle for Haiti, raffling off two of her beautiful aprons. [Update: The raffle is now closed]

- Indie Fixx is organizing a Haiti relief fundraiser. A silent auction of donated items (from indie crafters, artists and designers) is taking place. [Auction lasts until January 29th]

Eye Glasses Case

I love English Paper Piecing! That’s something I never thought I would say, but I recently discovered how much enjoy this technique. Hand-sewing something has proven to be quite relaxing and piecing together lots of cute fabrics is always a lot of fun.

I came across this technique when making another Christmas present – an eye class case (following this great and very easy to follow tutorial over at Liesl Made). As I really enjoyed the process as well as the final product, I am already forward to paper piecing a few more things… Another case is already in the works! And this time I’ll try to integrate a flex frame to keep the glasses from sliding out of their case.

Additionally to the tutorial mentioned beforehand, I used these instructions for the paper piecing as I didn’t have any freezer paper to work with and used just normal paper onto which I printed the hexagon shapes from the same site. (other shapes / patterns are available too)

Oh, and I used Amy Butler fabric for this project – more specifically from her Lotus and Belle range.

Patchwork Bags – Second Batch

I just couldn’t resist…

P.S.: I just love everything that Ayumi produces over at Pink Penguin. Be sure to check her blog out!

Patchwork Bags – First Batch

So, I proudly present to you another Christmas present that I produced…

I followed Pink Penguin’s great tutorial for a reversible patchwork bag, adapting it slightly. I reduced the size of the overall bag by only making it out of 9 squares for each side of the bag. Of course I consequently also had to adjust the size of the interior bag and the casing of the cord.

With basic calculations I came to these measurements:
3 x 3 squares for each side of the bag = 9 squares per side = 18 squares in total
(each square measured the original 2 1/2” proposed in the tutorial)
As I left out 1 square on each line of squares, I “missed out” on 2” of the width of the bag (2 1/2” square minus 2 times the seam allowance of 1/4”)
I therefore reduced the length of the casing from 8 3/4” to 6 3/4”  while keeping the original width.
Equally I reduced the size of the fabric squares for the interior bag from 8 1/2” to 6 1/2”.
Apart from these adaptations, I used all the original instructions.

Voilà! =)
Aren’t they cute? Will have to make a few for myself too, should I get the time to. They would be lovely and just the right size to keep a bit of jewelry…

Adorable Hors D’Oeuvres

Just found this over at Peas Love Carrots. Aren’t they just adorable?

New Tutorials Added

I added a few new tutorials to the Tutorials page! There are so many inspiring free instructions for crafty projects out there!

It’s Been A Good Year!

Wishing you all a happy new year! See you in 2010!

Small Pouch

My brother’s girlfriend did get this small pouch as a Christmas present. The tutorial I used is originally for a Make Up Bag and originates from Craftastical!. I changed the dimensions slightly. Well, I actually halved them.

Also, it was the first time ever I used piping. I think given the final size of the bag I chose a piping cord that was too thick, but I still enjoyed including this new technique into my sewing.

Oh, and the most embarrassing thing of it all: I realised when doing the piping that I had been attaching my zipper foot the wrong way around ever since I bought my sewing machine! Well, it stilled worked for all my other projects though…

Tea Bag Wallet

I made this tea bag wallet for a friend of mine who helped me prepare for a recent English exam (which I aced, by the way… ). Remember Tea Bag Wallet #1 and Tea Bag Wallet #2? This is one just like it, just nicer (in my humble opinion). I made it once again following the tutorial from Is It Naptime Yet?, with a slight modification: I didn’t use a button for the closure but a snap closure. But I am definitely starting to go off them, as they keep loosening all the time…

But, enough of that – here are some pictures of the tea bag wallet!

Oh, did I mention I made two of those wallets? =)