Etsy Finds and a Lost Wallet

This past Friday I cleaned out my purse while waiting for a friend to get a delicious mid-afternoon ice cream treat. When she got there I got up and threw all the trash away. I distinctly telling myself NOT to throw away my wallet and put it in my purse. The next morning I woke up with a terribly nasty horrendous cold (that I still have) and didn't leave my house. Sunday I picked up my purse to go grocery shopping and it feels surprisingly light. I looked inside and my wallet is GONE! I searched the entire house, my room, car, bathroom (hey, you never know), and anywhere else I could think of. It's no where to be found! I called the ice cream shop and they didn't have it either! I quickly checked my credit/bank card accounts and none of them have been used (thank goodness!).

It's now Wednesday and I still have no idea where the darn thing went! I may be am most definitely losing my mind...sigh.

Anyhow, all of my cards have been turned off and replacements have been ordered. It was the best wallet I've ever had...simple, classic and, well, perfect. 

The plus side - losing it means I get to go shopping for a new one! I decided to support handmade, naturally, and will be buying my new wallet on Etsy. After spending most of the morning looking, I have decided to go with this one from LBaccessories. She is even going to do a little customizing for me (making the leaves all the darker green color)! I can't wait to get it in the mail!!!

Izabella's Hoodie

Remember this post where I made a hoodie for my friend's 3 year old, Izabella? Well, she FINALLY came over last night to open gifts and I was able to snap a few pics of here wearing her new hoodie (sorry in advance for the blurry, she didn't feel like holding still).

Front

Back

Back

I also made her an apron so she can help Mommy cook and clean. As with most 3 year old little girls, she is obsessed with princesses (Cinderella is her favorite) so when I found this fabric I knew it was PERFECT!

 

The pose Cinderella taught her at her 3rd birthday party

What kind of handmade goodness happened at your house this Holiday season? I'd love to see it!

A Hoodie For Izabella

A couple years ago I made a popsicle hoodie for Izabella.

Being that she was just over 1 at the time, she has since grown out of it. So this holiday season I decided to make her a new one...with owls! It came out super cute and here's how to make one for the little one in your life if you are interested. These can be made for adults too!

Supplies:
+ 1 hoodie (I try to get it at least 1 size too big so it lasts longer)
+ 3/4 yard of fabric (1yd for adults)
+ Thread (matching or contrasting and as many colors as you like)
+ Sharpie or Chalk
+ Iron set on cotton
+ Scissors
+ Cookie Cutters (or something to trace in desired shape)
**Please note that this is shown with a size 4-6 hoodie.
***Click on the pictures for a bigger version

1. Fold your hoodie in half length wise and lay your fabric out flat. Lay hoodie on top of fabric. Trace around just the hoodie with about 1 inch extra fabric for seam. (I used a Sharpie so you can see my lines, but you can use whatever works for you). I also try to place the hoodie at least 2 inches from the cut edge.


2. Cut along the line you have created and follow all the way to end of the fabric. Stitch the top and backside of the hoodie leaving the front open.


3. Open the hood sewn hood and press all edges in approx. 1/2 an inch.


4. If there is a draw string in your hoodie, remove it at this time.

5. Line up center seam of created hood and hoodie's hood. Make sure the backside of your fabric is facing the hoodie so your fabric shows. Pin the created hood in place.

6. When you get to the flat/bottom of the hoodie you can either fold the extra fabric up or trim it so there is just a little folded under. Pin this as well (Sorry! I forgot to take a picture of this part)

7. Sew along the entire edge of the hoodie and the bottom. You will want to sew pretty close to the edge. You can do either a decorative stitch with 2 different thread colors, or a straight stitch with 1 color...the choice is yours!

8. With the remaining fabric you will need to cut out "patches". I'm not very good at free-handing these types of things so I use cookie cutters or simple shapes I find online. You will need to cut out 4 shapes for a kid's hoodie and 6 for an adult's. I try to line my shapes up so the patch is a little different and features the fabric well...I also make the one for the front of the hoodie a little different from the rest.

9. Pin 3 of the patches to the back of the hoodie. I like to stagger them and turn them in different directions.

10. Pin 1 patch on the front of the hoodie. I like to do the left side, right where the heart would be.


11. Last, sew around the edge of each patch. You can do the same color stitch and color combo as before or completely switch it up! For this one I chose the same color combo, but since I'm working with flannel I decided to go with a zigzag stitch to protect the edges from fraying as much.


12. Clip all of your extra threads at this time. You can also try to thread the hood's string back in at this time (it depends on how precise you were sewing your fabric into the hood)

13. You're done! I haven't given Izabella her hoodie yet but when I do, I'll be sure to post some adorable pictures of her wearing it for you guys to see.

Ode To The Weird

There are some creative people on Etsy, there's no denying it. But what about the creative people with a sense of humor? These people are probably some of my favorites! I've been perusing Etsy for the past few days trying to find the Best of the Best and these are some of the items that make me laugh so hard I think my sides might split open.

Doody Pops believe it or not, these are actually TREATS for your dog!
They are made with fresh meat and other simple ingredients that dogs go nuts for.


A Breath Of French Air creates these mervelous soaps...that's right, these teeth are actually made of SOAP! Even though they are peppermint "flavored" don't eat try eating a delicious treat with them unless you want a mouth full of bubbles!


These parking notes from Wry and Ginger are absolutely hilarious and were a big hit with my friends when included with their gifts this year. They are PERFECT to leave on the widshield of the driver that decides they are important enough to take two parking spots.

There's a ton more great stuff on Etsy so head on over there and take a look...go on, what are you waiting for?!

What a crazy life!

It's been a few weeks since I've updated my blog...OK, almost a month. Life has been crazy, but fun, lately. Each week seems to get better and better lately.

I'm organizing another Handmade District event on March 14th in Tustin. If you are a crafter and would like more information, please check out www.HandmadeDistrict.com. We'd love to have you join us!

As always, I've been searching for future gift ideas on Etsy. Why is it always easier to find something I like? Anyhow, check out the great stuff I've found!

This card is for my Mom. It's from NeatThings and has to be one of the funniest cards I've ever seen! Make sure you check out both pictures and read what the inside says. Even though I do have a point of reference (my Step-mom) it'll still be great to give her!


I also found this totally perfect seller's apron from RedPaperRecord. I believe it will be my next purchase as soon as I have some extra cash. I can't wait to wear it!


What else?....Oh! This dress made out of ties from Glamarita is ABSOLUTELY crazy and I wish I had the body to wear it!


These Valentine's Day card will be absolutely PERFECT to give my friends! They're from JeanFrancisBean and I need to remember to hurry up and order them before it's to late!

Then, there's this awesome hand painted vintage purse from VozClothingAndArt. I love the way the umbrellas look like they are blowing away and the rain drops are "sliding" down the purse.



What are some of the fun things you've found lately? I'd love to see them!