Puffy Magic Purse

November is birthday month at my house. My daughters were born exactly 3 years apart minus three days. It is always fun to make them something for their birthdays. My oldest has been using a very sad looking small tote bag as a purse. So I thought she might like a new purse. I got the inspiration from this tutorial. The denim is heavy enough that it doesn't need interfacing.
If you're wondering why it is magic. . . I've used a metal tape measure for the top closure. Very simple actually. You make a casing, leaving an opening to put the tape measure in. Stitch the casing vertically where the side seam is. This keeps each piece of the tape measure on its side of the bag. Cut 2 pieces of the tape measure about 1" less than one side of the casing. You can use regular scissors for this. Though I don't recommend using your good sewing shears. Round the ends and cover with a piece of masking tape. Thread each piece into the casing. Sew opening closed and stitch the other side of the casing vertically on the side seam. If you use a dollar store tape measure, double it.
This is a close up of the hardware. I've used split rings to attach the straps and D rings to make the strap adjustable. If you're wondering why split rings. I have a lot of them. They seem to have magically appeared in my studio, as most of my supplies do.

Cute Hedgehogs

The patterns for these cuties came from my Japanese craft book collection. The background fabrics are Japanese also.

In the Doghouse

If doghouses were this cute, it might not be such a bad place to be. Of course, this particular doghouse is a bit on the wee side. Scotty, who is made from a wool blend felt, is only one and a half inches long and fits perfectly inside.

Hedgehog Cupcakes: A mini how-to

My daughter loves hedgehogs. While she was on a trip to So Cal a friend bought her a hedgehog cupcake from a bakery. So, of course, when she came home she had to make hedgehog cupcakes.
Yummy and cute! They are easy enough to make with your kids.

You will need: caramels, mini chocolate chips, confetti sprinkles, sliced almonds, toasted coconut, chocolate frosting and cupcakes.

1. Frost a cupcake with chocolate frosting. Don't skimp, you need the frosting to hold the head and the coconut on.
2. Top cupcake with toasted coconut. Gently press into frosting or your hedgehog will shed.
3. Form a caramel into a cone for the head. Press well into the frosting.
   
4. Attach mini chocolate chips with a dab of frosting for eyes. You can put a little bit of frosting in a zip lock baggie and snip a tiny hole in the corner to make small dabs to attach eyes and noses.
5. Attach a small confetti sprinkle with a dab of frosting for the nose.
6. Add sliced almonds just behind the head for ears.
7. Admire your little creation before devouring.

Very yummy, very cute!

The Wedding Quilt

It looks better in real life. This is a quilt I made in less than 3 weeks for a wedding present. It measures about 60"x60" and is quilted with a double wedding ring pattern. While it's not a complicated pattern, the color is very pleasing to the eye. My family was rather sad that I gave it away. So was I. We really liked it.I always have mixed feelings about giving this sort of a present. I'm never sure the recipients fully appreciate what it takes to put together a gift like this. My immediate family on the other hand, actually see first hand what it takes and absolutely love to get one of my quilts as a gift. In fact, they often ask who's it for in hopes I'll say it's for them.