Simple bag tutorial.

Want to make a simple tote bag? I can show how easy it is. 

I started with 2 place mats I bought from a dollar store. Found some matching fabric for the inside and webbing for a handle. I cut two squares I'm the bottom 2 inches. I sandwich one inside with outside right sides facing inward. 

Sew along the top to hold handles in place. 

Iron the sides open.  Place both sides of the bag together right sides facing. 

Then the outside fabric sew all the way on the bottom. On the inside fabric leave an opening so you can pull the inside through.  Take the corners and match up the lines. Ironing helps. 

Through the opening, grab the bottom of bag and pull right side out. 

Iron the top tight and stich across the top to look clean. 

Along the inside bottom iron and stich up. Try to use matching color fabric. 

The measurements I used for the bag was 12 1/2 x10 1/2 the bag handle is 11 inches. I like to use a craft fuse interfacing. I like some stiffness to the bag. 

Snow Day!

So we have heard of this storm coming since Monday. My boss decided since people won't show for eye appointments then to close and not pay to have employees sit. Good idea. So the snow is slowing working through and it's nice to have time to clean and make my son's Valentine cookies without rushing at night. All is good and calm. My husband and son went to walmart to get some non cooking foods incase we lose power. Praying it's just a snow day and it's not the 6 inches that they are predicting. Besides my back yard looks pretty. 

Made a rough week to a better weekend.

Last week was a long and busy week at work. So Saturday I told my husband that I needed some fabric therapy and I would take our 18 month daughter. She needed a nap and the drive to JoAnns would be long enough. I was pleased to find some reversible jersey knit fabric 30% off and some cute cotton fabric to make a toy catcher for my daughter. So when I got to the register I pulled out my joAnns app and found a 20% total purchase. Very awesome. So when I got home I washed the fabric and Sunday afternoon my daughter took a great long nap so I got some afternoon sewing in. I made that toy catcher and one infinity scarf. Then after the kids where in bed I made two more. One for my mother in law and I have two for me. What started with creative therapy turned into business. Yeah for me! Two people want toy catchers and one scarf. Ready to go back Saturday. Hoping our snow will have melted enough for driving.

This is a better view of the colors and design. I love it. 

Changes

Sorry, I try to keep up. This last month I've busted out a bunch of purse orders, did a booth at an unsuccessful craft fair, canned some garden goodies and got a job. 

In  I was busy sewing. Made some reusable snack bags, big purse like mine and chap stick holders. I have a bunch of handmade stuff in boxes to sell too. So the church I go to was partnering with another church to do a fund raiser craft fair. Needless to say, wasn't successful. Was glad to meet a person who follows my Mir Made This Facebook page. 

My garden had been great. I have a family recipe for zucchini relish that my family and husband's family loves. I made two batches. Love it on my black bean burgers I have for lunch everyday. 

So I had been on unemployment since we moved and it ran out last month. I had tried going to VSP dr offices in the area and nothing. The week before my last check I got an email from Staffmark for an at home job. I honestly thought it was too good to be true. Well after I filled everything out online they

called me the next day for an interview. It all worked out and now on my second week of training. It's for technical support for Direct tv. It's challenging but great overall. 

The differences in North Carolina

It's crazy how much rain we get. I rarely have to water my lawn. Everything grows so quickly too. I was looking back in march when we had our yard seeded for grass and all the ivy and weeds that come out are crazy. Our 4x4 garden bed with 4 tomato plants are so crowded we know for next year two plants per bed. Our zucchini leaves are so tall it's hard to find the zucchini, but when we do they are big. We ate our first bell pepper yesterday on a pizza and in a salad and it was so flavorful. I think having a garden in NC is less work than CA since the rain and humidity really does most of the work. I do plan to do winter crops this year and add two more boxes. It's really coming along nicely. I have bought canning jars and a big pot to make zucchini relish and tomato sauce. I'm ready. 

For Real, Homemade Deoderant

I love Pinterest. I've seen a couple things for homemade deodorant and soap, you know. Well, I have not been happy with Suave, Secret anything I would try didn't last all day. I like simple and came across a recipe with baking soda, essential oil (what ever scent I wanted) and warmed coconut oil. Mix it until its a paste and store in a container with a screw top. Leaving it in a warm bathroom is ok. It's easier to apply that way. I have been using this for about 5 days and so happy. 

Life on an acre

So since November when we moved into our home we've been working on our wild yard. We now have 4 fruit trees, 4 blueberry bushes, 4 garden beds and seeded grass. Thankfully the grass we paid someone to do it. We plan each year to add to our garden and trees. It hasn't been easy clearing out wild briar patches and weeds. Did you know green onions grow wild out here? I have seen wild strawberries too. Found the strawberries attract snakes. Not good. Most of our plants are growing like all 4 tomato plants, zucchini and peppers. Our watermelon and cucumbers didn't. Can't wait to harvest.