Cars-To-Go Carrier

After making the crayon roll, I realized that I needed something similar to it for my Cars-lovin' son. I searched and searched the internet for a tutorial, typing in a thousand different things. I only found one. I liked it, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I wanted something that folded up small, had Velcro for easy opening, and didn't require me to buy any extra materials than the ones I had on had and had already bought for it.

So, I ended up making up my own pattern.

Because I didn't want to be chasing down too many cars in church or at the restaurant {or wherever he might be playing with it}, I only added slots for three cars.

It measures about 15 inches squared and closes up to 5 x 7.5 inches.

However, after I finished making it, I've found all sorts of fun tutorials for them, including one on So You Think You're Crafty? and this amazing one on the Fiskars website. Now I want to make another when I'm not in the middle of finishing up Christmas presents so that I can get a little more creative with it.

Let me know if you make one of them!

Crayon Roll

Crayon roll tutorials are a dime-a-dozen on the internet. And this one is one of the better ones that I have found.

I only altered two things: the size of the slots {because I knew I was going to use the triangular Crayolas... they don't roll off the restaurant table!} and I used Velcro attached to a tab instead of ribbon... since I want my little guy to be able to put it away himself.

He loves it and I have a feeling that this might be my "go-to" gift for some upcoming birthdays!

Camera Strap {Slip} Cover

Back when I made my new nursing cover, I used some of the leftover fabric to make this camera strap cover and I just love it!

The only things I'll change next time I make one {because I am sure I will - it makes my camera feel so new!} is to make it a little bit wider, to make it easier to put on and take off, and put a lining in it, again to make it easier to put on and take off.

An {easy} Applique Shirt

A while back, a friend of ours asked if I could make an initial shirt for her son. He's totally into tractors {and fire trucks too, but a tractor was a little easier!}:

To make it, I simply used the same technique as I did here, after I found a clip art picture of a tractor online. Easy to make and I'm pretty sure Mr. C loved it!!

{Blog Love} Lula Bell's Daughter

Lisa, over at Lula Bell's Daughter, is hosting her first ever giveaway! In honor of her birthday, she's giving away the Tuxedo Scarf... and she created the pattern herself!

To enter the giveaway, simple hop on over to her blog and leave a comment... and be sure to read her post, she has several other ways you can enter! Good luck Lisa and good luck to all who enter!

Welcome to the Planet

Remember when I said that it's been a little busy around here and that I thought I had a good excuse for having not posted in a while? Meet the good excuse:

Welcome to the Planet, Dear Little Eleanor.

And fear not, my friends and faithful followers, there will be posts soon. I've got a ton of Christmas presents to finish up {and post}, as well as a few items off of my Ultimate To Make List... so stayed tuned!

A Kid's Chair {Pattern Review}

I know my last post was also a pattern review, but I've been sitting on these pictures for a while now {um.... since February!} and figured I better get them posted sooner rather than later.

I've always loved working with a pattern - it probably stems from the fact that most of my sewing growing up was done using patterns. My Mom just seemed to know how to perfectly read and use patterns and, lucky for me, she passed along some of her knowledge. Rarely have I come across a pattern that was difficult for me to read or use. But let's be honest, this one, kicked my butt.

I bought this pattern, McCall's 9665, some time ago, thinking that I would love to make one for our nephew and then eventually for our own kids and even as gifts. {Admittedly, I have fabric sitting in my fabric stash that I had purchased specifically for this pattern... that has been sitting there for close to two years!} And, while I love the way it looks, I have serious doubts that I'll attempt this one again - all because of the pillow forms. The pattern says that you can order pillow forms from Mauldin Shore Kids, but, clearly, the company isn't taking orders any more. Hence the reason I doubt I'll make it again. We'll see... maybe I can find some tips somewhere on how to make the pillow forms with ease.

I didn't change much on the pattern itself:

• I did use premade piping instead of handmade {which, if I make it again, I'll use handmade, just FYI}.
  
  
• I added an applique with the recipient's initial on the back of the seat portion.
  
  
• Because I'm a teacher by trade {and had originally envisioned eventually making some for my classroom when I go back to teaching} I added a pocket on the back of the chair to hold a few books.
  
  
  
  
  
  All in all, it's a pretty decent pattern, but be prepared to take your time making it!