Josh's Fire T-shirt

Birthday present #5 for the month was for my nephew.  I used a scrap of fire fabric and used a clip art fire banner. I drew the design on tissue paper, then pinned the tissue paper, T, and fabric together. I stitched right on top of the tissue paper, then tore the paper away after stitching.  I thought the tissue paper would easily tear away (which it did), but it left little tufts of paper under the stitches in some spots.  I thought it would wash out just fine, which it didn't.  I ended up having to pull out the tufts by hand with tweezers.  I stitched around the flames in black, and then again in orange.  I also stitched around the neck and arm hem in both black and orange.  After trimming away the excess fire fabric I then ironed on thin interfacing to cover up the itchy fabric edges and stitching.  I think I turned out well, and made a big hit (from what I heard).

Lauren's Zippered Pouch

Birthday present #4 for the month is a zippered pouch for my niece.  I used this tutorial, and embellished the front with an "L" in a reverse applique (there are many tutorials online, but I just winged it).  It was quick to put together, and I really like how it turned out.  Next time I would add a little loop on a top corner to add a carabiner to so it could be clipped to a backpack or belt loop.

Travel Jewelry Roll

I made this travel jewelry roll for my mom's birthday.  It has 5 main sections with 3 small pockets within each section, with a fold over flap to keep everything in it's place.  I think it would be great for any small items you might travel with, like finger nail clippers, etc., not just jewelry.  It rolls up nice and small, and went together very quick, and easily.

Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt

This is for Tammy. Here is a great tutorial on making a disappearing 9 patch quilt the "super easy" way. I haven't tried it yet, but it does look super easy.

Scrappy Camera Strap

While we were in New Zealand I wanted to find a camera strap with a Maori design on it. I couldn't find one anywhere. I should have gone to a fabric shop and got Maori fabric (I'm sure they had that) and made my own. Oh well. Make It and Love It found via How about Orange.

Fabric Flower

Wise Craft has a tutorial on how to make a cute and simple fabric flower. My sister-in-law showed me one she made to put on her little girls shirt. Here is a video on how to make it as well. I can't wait to go whip some up!

Patchwork Pincushions

I haven't given my sister-in-law her extra sewing machine back yet. I'm trying to get a few little sewing projects done before I do. As I was working on the Easter outfits for the kidlets, I realized I could really use a new pin cushion. I have the standard red tomato. Not very attractive, if you ask me. Here are 3 pincushion I really like. The patchwork pincushion looks simple and straight forward. The pincushion trio is very cute, but I think I would just make the biggest flower. The wild flower pincushion is cute, too, but looks more involved than I want to get in a pincushion. Found on BHG.com.

The Shirt Dress

'Made' has a tutorial on how to make a little girls dress from a mans shirt. Cute. Link found via 4 Crazy Kings.

Fabric Scrap Balls

An easy craft to make, these fabric-wrapped balls use up scraps from your stash and can be displayed in a pretty bowl. Cut strips from coordinating fabrics and use glue to adhere them to foam balls. Select a variety of fabric patterns and use both small and large balls for extra interest. Found on BHG.

Grab Bag

I think this is a cute little Grab Bag, especially in that cute fabric. I think I saw this, or one very similar, demonstrated on Martha. If I remember right, it was very easy to put together. This bag and instructions were found on Better Blog. Now, if only I had a functioning sewing machine.

Tote Tutorial

Instructions to make your own sturdy tote bag found on JCaroline Creative. I'm one who loves step-by-step instructions, especially when they have a lot of pictures to accompany them. My sister-in-laws have been making similar totes for about a year (maybe more). I have yet to make myself a cute tote due to the passing away of my sewing machine. I'm going to hold onto this until I get a replacement (whenever that will be :( )

Hanging Hankerchief Vases

I think these hanging handkerchief vases are such a pretty idea. Once Wed was thinking of them for weddings (of course). But I think they would be lovely for any occasion. Find the instructions here. Ooh, ooh. I just had a thought on a modification of this idea. Paper wrapped around instead of fabric (yes, I have a paper addiction). Cut out intricate (or simple) designs, and put a tea light inside. Oh, this is SO pretty in my head!