My etsy shop, Joy and Delight, is a sponsor of the lovely Annalea’s blog, and today is her sponsor feature day. Head on over to see me (and her other fun sponsors!), plus you’ll find a discount for my shop!
Thanks to those of you who have voted for my flowered tank! If you didn’t have a chance yet, I’d love your vote! You’ll find it here.
You may remember this maternity tank that I made not too long ago:
I entered it in this fun contest at A Jennuine Life, for maternity, nursing, and post-baby wear. And I made it into the finals! If you could, would you head over there and vote for me?? :)
Hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend… and don’t forget, free shipping through tomorrow in my shop! (Use code MEMORIALDAY)
Today through Monday, I’m offering free shipping on all items in my shop. Just use coupon code MEMORIALDAY.
Enjoy your holiday weekend, and remember all who have fought for our freedom!
This summer [whenever summer decides to arrive here... ] we’re planning on spending a lot of time at the wading pools. They are perfect for my boys and I – small, not crowded, shallow enough that the boys can play freely, and free [the big selling point!]
Look at my little wading pool baby!
When we go to the wading pool, we bring along little bath toys. However, when we are heading home, the wet toys get thrown into the bag, getting everything else wet too. I can’t even tell you how annoying that is to me.
This year we will not have this problem, though, thanks to the Stay Dry Tote. It is lined with vinyl, so that all the wetness stays in the bag. It’s made from a random rummage sale fabric that reminds me of waves (and was $4 for 4yds!), with upcycled jeans pockets on the outside. It’s the perfect size for my three-year-old to carry by himself [because this prego mama's going to have her hands full!]
Mine is made to really only hold small toys, and not much else, but you could easily make yours bigger to fit whatever you need.
I know you want to make your own! So here’s how:
1. Cut two pieces of fabric for the main pieces of your tote. I didn’t measure mine at all, I just drew onto the fabric what I thought would be a good size and shape. Just make sure your two pieces are the same size.
2. Cut two pieces of vinyl that are an inch shorter than your fabric pieces.
3. Cut two rectangles of fabric for your straps. Again, I didn’t measure these. I just held up the fabric to my three-year-old to see about how long they should be. You will be folding these pieces of fabric in half, so make sure it is twice as wide as you want your straps to be.
4. Grab an old pair of jeans and use a seam ripper to take off the pockets, if you’d like some on your tote. You could also make fabric pockets, but I knew my son would think these pockets were much cooler – and it’s faster!
5. Sew the pockets onto the outside of one fabric piece. I overlapped my pockets onto one side, but you could also put one on each side (or just use one pocket).
In doing this, one of the pockets gets sort of divided into two small sections, which are perfect for holding sunscreen, granola bars… or matchbox cars, depending on who is packing the pockets. ;)
6. Take the two main fabric pieces, put the right sides together, and sew along the curved edge – but NOT along the top edge. I used a serger, but you could zig-zag this on your sewing machine instead.
7. Take one piece of the fabric for the straps and fold it in half, right side in. Sew along the edge.
8. The fabric for the strap will now be an inside out tube. Attach a safety pin to one end, and use it to help you turn the tube right side out. Repeat steps seven and eight for the other strap.
9. Press the straps so that the seam is in the middle.
10. Press the seams of the tote.
11. Fold the unfinished edge at the top of the tote down about 1/2 inch and press.
12. Insert one end of one strap, under the edge you just pressed. Do the same for the other end of the strap – on the same side of the tote. When you insert it, the seam will be facing down.
13. Fold the strap flush with the edge and press.
14. Fold the top edge over again another 1/2 inch, then press. Pin the strap in place. You can double check at this point that the strap is laying correctly, isn’t twisted, and is in the right place. Repeat steps 12 – 14 for the other strap. Make sure you fold, press, and pin your edge all around the top of the tote.
*You won’t want to press it again after this, because the vinyl could melt [not that I've done that before or anything....]
15. Sew the two pieces of vinyl together. I serged it – which turned out to be tricky for me, because I had a hard time finding good tension for the vinyl, but you can zig-zag it also. Make sure you use a short stitch length on your sewing machine.
16. Put your vinyl inside your tote. Check how it fits, because now is the time to trim it if you need to. You want it to fit underneath your pressed edge, right up to the top. If it seems too big at all, you can trim it and re-sew if necessary. Pin the vinyl under the pressed edge. When tucking it under the straps, be careful they don’t shift out of place.
17. Top stitch around the top of the tote. Be careful that you keep the straps laying flat and not in the bag at all.
Now you are all set to enjoy your new Stay Dry Tote, keeping your water toys from getting everything else wet! And bonus for a bag that a three-year-old is is super psyched to carry around… at least for now.
And now that we have our Stay Dry Tote, we are ready for summer! Even if we did have to turn our heat on yesterday. [Seriously.]
If you make one, I’d love to see a picture!
Linking up here!
It’s no surprise that when spring comes around, my thoughts turn to new life. Winter always seems to last for.e.ver, and I am happy to be free of socks and breathing fresh air again. I remember why I love the midwest. My boys are re-discovering the world around them, amazed by everything that they see. All around me, something new is coming into view.
A bit of my life lately…
Eli discovering ants for the first time [yes, inside the house... sigh]
Veggies starting to grow in my garden. And conversations with my three-year-old about germination and nectar and what makes plants grow. So lovely.
Picking flowers…. even if they are just dandelions.
Teeny tiny baby socks, reminding me of the teeny tiny life that will be joining our family later this summer. I can’t wait to see his sweet little feet.
Buzz cuts. [I can't handle the cuteness of those cheeks!]
Blooming lilacs in our backyard. It’s one of the few flowers that grows in our yard… because I don’t actually have to do anything to make it grow.
What new life do you see springing up around you?
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Today I am so excited to be a guest over at The Southern Institute of Domestic Arts and Crafts. If you haven’t seen Jenny’s blog, you are missing out. She creates some wonderful things! I’m over there today with a tutorial on how to make these super easy painted burlap placemats.
So come on over and check it out! And peek around Jenny’s blog while you’re there – you’ll get lost in all the creativity!
Have a great Thursday!
In the middle of KCWC, I decided to make a little something for myself. Something just a teeny bit fancier than my typical T-shirt. :)
And no, do not adjust your screen… I really am that pasty white. I live in Wisconsin. I was freezing outside while I took this picture.
This top is made from a jersey knit I bought quite awhile ago at Joann’s, from my own pattern. I made sure to make this one long enough that it will definitely last through my pregnancy. It will probably even be a good post-partum shirt.
I’m finishing up a couple things for my boys to round out KCWC, and then I have a few non-clothing posts coming up next week!
Alright, I’m getting back on track after a few frustrating days of sewing mistakes and mishaps.
These shorts are upcycled from an old button-up shirt of my dad’s that my mom brought me one day (thanks, Mom!). The shirt was really thin, so they’re lined with an old white T-shirt.
I made these flat-front, like these pants, and they are definitely my new favorite way to make pants. And for my skinny little bean pole here, the little bit of elastic in the back of the waistband works great. The plaid even *almost* lines up.
And despite my super crabby reluctant model, he refuses to take the shorts off. Even though today it is not even close to shorts weather. I don’t blame him, they are pretty fantastic looking on him.
I have had one of those weeks where every sewing project I have attempted has not turned out. I blame it on the baby, sucking my brain away as his little body grows bigger. So, since none of my KCWC efforts have worked out –yet!– I picked up a project I had started quite awhile ago, but never finished.
Matching pajama pants! These are upcycled from an XXL pair of men’s pajama pants. I used the hem on the bottom for E’s pants (on the left) and used the existing waistband for Sam’s pants (on the right), including the drawstring.
I love to dress my boys in matching clothes. I will do it as long as I can get away with it. And then when we add baby boy number three to the mix, just think of all the matching craziness! I. Can’t. Wait.
Oh, and last day to enter my giveaway at Shwin&Shwin!
I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it many times again… I’m a T-shirt kind of girl. Since I spend my days chasing my very active boys, I like to be comfy. Add into that my 27 week prego belly, and comfort is 100% necessary!
(We have my three-year-old to thank for these pictures, by the way. Which explains why they’re a little grainy and not the greatest… oh well, make it work, right? And he was quite proud of himself, which makes it totally worth it.)
This tee is made from my own pattern, using a maternity t-shirt I had on hand as my starting point. It’s also similar to this tee I made awhile back.
This shirt is actually [gasp!] not upcycled. I made it from a super soft and cozy knit I found at Joann’s (purchased with a coupon, of course…. I never buy anything full price at Joann’s!) I hadn’t originally intended to sew the band on the bottom of the shirt, but after sewing the rest of it together, I didn’t think the shirt would last through the next 13 weeks. [only 13 weeks??!! eek!]
I’m working on another maternity shirt that I had hoped to enter into Spring Top Week at Made by Rae, but I doubt I’ll get it finished. Though she did just extend the deadline…. so we’ll see! I’ve also got some KCWC sewing to do. Oh my sewing machines are getting a workout this week!
And p.s. don’t forget to enter the giveaway I’m doing over at Shwin&Shwin!
