Brownie Banner

It's been a while since I have posted something. I have been busy doing lots of stuff ! I finally have the time to share one of them with you. My daughter is a Brownie and this year her troop needed to make a banner. Since I am one of the few moms who knows how to sew more than a button I was chosen to execute this project.

The first thing I did was search the web for ideas. I didn't find many but I did find one that I thought the girls would enjoy. I chose to have the girls trace their hands onto a piece of cotton fabric backed with Heat and Bond ( to then fuse onto the felt banner). They then attached a felt heart to the hand with their name on it. A simple running stitch around the heart was perfect for these girls who are mostly 7 and 8 years old.

I fused all the hands on to a piece of pink felt along with the troop number. And then the "bedazzling" began. 

 Ribbons, gems and flowers. The girls had a great time. We used self stick gems as well as ones that required glueing. 

I hot glued the ribbons and the decorative flowers on the letters and numbers. I then took the pink felt and sewed it to another piece of brown felt. To hide my stitching, I glued ribbon all around the pink felt.

 

Now the girls can march in style at our next parade!

Hope this gives you some ideas on your banner.

Have a great day!
Vera

My Favorite Almond Cake

I love this almond bundt cake from Solo.

Solo makes all sorts of fillings and one of them is almond and it makes the most delicious cakes. You can find it in the baking aisle with the other canned fillings like apple and cherry. Once you make it you are hooked. It's my son's favorite and I bet if you try it it will be yours as well. I brought it to my PTA meeting this week and not a single piece was left! Nicest complement a baker can get.

The best part is that it's super easy and it always comes out perfect. I have friends who like to make it as 2 loaves and then they freeze one for a later occasion. Your friends will asking you for the recipe. I guarantee it. We can keep this secret between you and me but I prefer to share. So click here for the recipe. Now it's up to you.

Have a great day!
Vera

Princess Wristlets

Well, we finally got to take vacation and right when we got home the kids finally went back to school! Before we left on vacation I made a few of these wristlets that I'm calling "Princess Wristlets" for our friends in Virginia.

I simply took this handbag pattern I had and skipped making the regular shoulder strap, added a zipper and a wrist strap. I played with the design a bit by making the opening straight across. One of these wristlets (far left) has it with a scoop top. I decided I liked the straight across version better. Easier to sew the zipper in that way.

These were lots of fun to make. Really quick. Almost instant gratification. It's a lot quicker than making a quilt. Maybe you have a pattern somewhere that can be converted into something new. Give it a try.You never know what you'll come up with.

Have a great day!
Vera

Summer.....

Well it's getting to the end of August and school is not that far away. I was looking at the pictures I've taken this summer and thought I might share some with you. Photography is one of my great loves next to my family, so I take a ton of pictures. Ever since I got my new camera last year I have had so much fun. Here are a few of my favorites so far this summer.....

I don't know about your yard, but the black eyed susans are exploding in mine!

No, this isn't my backyard. These are barns at Caumset Park in Huntington, NY. I thought they were very interesting.

My children acting silly.

We have a local Fireman's fair every year in July. I had a lot of fun taking pictures there. Here's the ferris wheel.

If you can believe it that's my daughter on the left in this motion shot.

The kids at the beach.

A beautiful sunset I caught on the way home from the beach that night.

Hope your summer has been wonderful. Enjoy the last few bits of it. I know I will.

Have a great day!

Vera

I made it to an Etsy Treasury

My Metro Backsack made it to EmmiGrace Kids Treasury on Etsy.com. Check it out.

Have a great day!

Vera

Inspiration Results

Well, I got cracking and actually made some things from that batch of fabric I received last month. Made this pretty backpack and it sold on Etsy in a flash. Love the peacock/sea glass fabric from Amy butler.The I created this cute little wallet as a gift for one of my best customers. She picked the fabric - another Amy Butler fan- Soul Blossoms Disco Tangerine- and I made her a backpack and the wallet. I'm going to do a tutorial for this wallet soon. I've made a few and this one is my favorite. It has three pockets inside for your cards and bills and a key ring. I've wanted to do a tutorial for some time now but I always think of it after I have created the item.
Love this backpack. My customer has the best taste in fabric. She got me inspired to get sewing again. Thanks, Liza.
Look for that tutorial soon. I'm a little slow with my posts these days.

Have a great day!

Vera

Inspiration

I just received a shipment of fabric and I can't wait to dive into it. I received a custom order on my Etsy shop which meant that I had to order fabric! These are from Amy Butler's Love and Soul Blossoms line. Amy always inspires me. Her fabric is gorgeous and makes you want to create something beautiful. The far right two are for my custom order. The other three are for me. Hope you're having a good summer. I'm going to spend mine doing some sewing!!!

Vera