Happy Day 1: make something (with polka dots)

It's National Craft Month! Awesome! JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores has a spring crafting inspiration site with a great coupon to get everyone crafting! I loved looking through everyone's ideas there. JoAnn asked me to create something from their spring trends list and I chose to make this little nautical bag for Paige. As soon as the temperature gets above 50 degrees, she is ready to be playing outside. It's great! And we've been doing some "exploring" together in nature, she loves to collect a bunch of "amazing" things like random rocks and sticks. I was so inspired by this happy dotted print and coordinating twill! And the options for handles makes my head swim, I want to use them all! I made the bag with all cotton materials so I can throw it in the wash whenever I need to, nice. I plan to make myself a bag with the fabulous seagull fabric you see in the second photo. Ugh, I love it!! Seagulls! *heart eyes*

Here's how to make this simple tote. :O) 
(With french seams! Fancy!)

  •  Cut a 34" x 17" rectangle and fold it in half with wrong sides facing. Pin up the two sides.


  •  Sew up both sides and trim to a 1/8'' seam allowance (pinking shears optional)


  •  Turn inside-out and iron (or finger press) the seams.


  •  Sew along the side seams while still inside-out.


  •  Fold the bag on its side and use your ruler mat to mark off a straight line about 2'' from each corner of the bottom. Sew along line(s).


  •  Pin the corner up onto the side seam and give it a stitch to keep it from flopping around.


  •  Fold the top under about 1'' twice and sew all the way around the top and bottom of the folded edge. Sew on each end of a 24'' length of braided rope trim.


  •  Add a bit of stick-on velcro.


  •  Add an anchor by cutting an 8'' x 11'' piece of coordinating fabric and paper-backed fusible web. Iron the fusible web to the back of the fabric piece.


  •  Print out an anchor graphic (just google "anchor graphic") and use a craft knife to cut it out.


  •  Peel off the paper backing and iron to the front of the back. Finish off with contrasting white stitches.

And there you go!
I have to say, making something is the perfect way to start off my happy month. Especially something with polka dots and a pink anchor. I mean that's bliss. Sometimes I get lazy or busy and don't make time to be creative and I really think it affects my attitude! I think creating things is a basic need for humans. Like eating or praying or sleeping. I also think that some people need a little more than others (raises hand) so when we get time to create something it makes us really happy! :O) I think I'm gonna do it again today.

Have a happy day :O)
Love,
Disney


*This review has been part of the Jo-Ann Fabric And Craft Stores® National Craft Month campaign. I received compensation for this review; however, this is my personal, honest opinion based on my experience. And mostly it's just a post about how I made something from my favorite craft store and it made me happy ;o)*

Comments

  1. Such a cute bag! I love the combination of the polka dots with the anchor - definitely the kind of bag I want to be carrying around this spring.

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  2. Love it! You give perfect instructions, even I can follow them! Thanks for another great post and tutorial, love you and your cute girl! Seriously, I never make anything and I am determined to make this bag.
    P.s. I remember a past post about people being horrible...they are just jealous of you and your awesomeness.
    Xoxo, Annastacia

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  3. This is so cute!! And I looooove that seagulls fabric too. I'm pretty impressed also with Paige' s warm weather duds....hoping it gets warm enough for that soon!

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  4. Your comment about the need to create reminded me of one of my favorite quotes! Hopefully you'll love it too!

    "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty. You might say, I am not the creative type. If that is how you feel, think again. Creation is your opportunity in this life….. Start small. Creativity does not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you. You will make the World a better place. Improve, beautify, extend, smile, cultivate, develop, create." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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    Replies
    1. A few days ago, in my Physics class at school we were talking about inventions, innovations, and the characteristics of a creative person. Some of these were open-mindedness and willingness to take risks, which people can develop. Also, just because somebody doesn't have all the characteristics doesn't mean they aren't creative. The point was that pretty much everyone has creative potential.

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