my first ever pottery barn purchase

You might already know that I adore my friend Stephanie... well she gave me an amazing idea last year and I love it so much I want to share it with you!

Every year she gets each of her kids a unique ornament to reflect on their year.

So I started this last year, and had to back track a bit with Z. I highly recommend this idea for you and your kiddos- It's so much fun for the kids to have their very own ornaments, and it helps you to remember what your kids were like at different ages.

Although I have to say I refuse to buy anything gaudy as it will be on my tree for 18 years... {ha}

So here's what I have so far:

Christmas No. 1 

Both girls have 'Baby's First Christmas' ornaments

Christmas No. 2

Anah: {a 'sweet' cookie ornament- she loves food and is just the sweetest thing!}

Zuriah: a kitty ornament {she was obsessed}

Christmas No. 3

Zuriah: ballerina slippers ornament {ballerinas were her very favorite}

Christmas No. 4

Zuriah: this too cute little ornament from Pottery Barn. She always pretends she's a baby animal, and pretending to be 'baby squirrel' is her favorite.

I love Pottery Barn. I frequent it often, but I'm one of those people who always just browse and never buy {I always just think, "I can make that for so much cheaper!"}

Well I couldn't pass this up for $5 and didn't have a clue how to make a squirrel head and tail {let alone make it that cute}.

So there you have it, my first ever Pottery Barn purchase!


If you haven't already, don't forget to sign up for the Silhouette Giveaway!


{Last day to enter} 

bag {tutorial}

It's here- the tutorial I've been promising. Sorry for the wait! It ended up taking a bit longer than anticipated, but look! I have a new bag out of it and you have a tutorial on how to make it! 

This simple bag tutorial can be the base pattern for practically ANY bag: clutches, totes, and big purses or diaper bags like this one. And of course it can be modified in any way shape or form! 

:::

You'll need:

Beautiful fabric for the outside {I used a print from Amy Butler's Love collection that I bought at Urban Arts and Crafts. If you're outside KC I'm sure you can find it on ebay.} I suggest a heavier weight upholstery fabric, and you'll need about half to three quarters yard depending on the bolt size. 

Fabric for the inside- I used a basic black quilting fabric- grab a yard just to be safe.

One or two yards of heavy {one side fusible} interfacing

Coordinating thread

Magnetic closures {optional}

STRONG needle {and a few extras in case it breaks}

{All the yardage will depend on how big or small you want your bag}

:::

Start by cutting two pieces of your upholstery weight fabric to your desired size. For this bigger bag I measured them to be 27" by 14". Make sure you have your fabric design centered to where you want it.

{don't forget to factor in the depth of the bag when measuring your sides, in the end the width of each side will be 6" narrower.}

 

Next cut squares on the bottom two corners of your fabric. I measured 3.25" x 3.25" {or there abouts} - enough for the corners of the bag and the seam. After cutting one square I simply folded the fabric and copied the square to the other side so they would be the same. Repeat for the other piece.

Now trace your 'pattern' onto the fabric for the inside of the bag and interfacing. {Just a note, the inside fabric will need to be sewn just a bit smaller than the outside, so it will fit inside without any problems}

Cut out all the pieces. You will have 6 total, with each having squares cut out of their bottom two corners.

Now you'll need to fuse together your fabric for the outside of the bag and your interfacing. Make sure you read the directions on the paper that comes with the interfacing to be sure you're doing it correctly. 

Now it's time to sew. Grab your fused fabric and face the pretty sides together so your interfacing is out on both sides. Now sew three seams: down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Don't sew the top or the corners. 

Next you'll sew the corners. Take the seam on one side and the seam next to it on the bottom and have them touch {do you see your corner?} Now just sew it across! Do the same for the other side.

And you should have this:

Next sew the inside fabric the same way: pretty side facing pretty side except this time leave a gap in the bottom {it should be at least 6"} you don't need to worry about finishing the stitch on the bottom, you may need to seam rip it apart more before the end.

Now would be the time to add pockets if you so desire! 

Now you have two bags, one having a hole in the bottom. Flip both inside out {if they aren't already} so that the ugly is on the outside and the pretty is on the inside. Now put the inside fabric inside of the outside and pin it. Make sure the tops are aligned.

If you'd like a shoulder strap or straps attached from the inside, now would be the time to pin it in as well, the entire strap would be hidden between the fabric pieces except the ends of the straps that would be sticking out on either side.

I didn't make a closure for this bag, but they aren't hard to do, and there are many options. {I like magnetic closures- you can find them at fabric stores and they are very simple to attach} you'll want to attach them before you sew your two fabric pieces together.

Now sew it around and remove the pins.

Carefully reach in and pull the bag inside out. Then stick the inside fabric inside. 

Because of the stiff interfacing, you'll need to iron down your sides

and you have:

Now you'll want to sew the hole in your inside fabric {that is if everything looks ok and no more modifications need to be made}

Now it's time to make some straps- I used this strip of leftover fabric and cut it in half.

Next I folded it in on itself and sewed it together, flipped it, and ironed it. {Do that again for the other strap}

For an outside attachment, sew a square and an x in the middle {I went over each 3 or 4 times to ensure strength}

You can also attach the straps on the inside of the bag back when you attached the inside and outside fabrics.

Repeat that for all the straps and you're done!

silhouetting & a giveaway!

As I was working on the bag tutorial I promised, I took a break and did some silhouettes of our family. I got too into it and, well, the bag tutorial is coming tomorrow or Monday.

Look how fun...

Ben... A century ago! 

{he loves this one because he's always dreamed of having a beard but I never let him}

And his wife... a century ago.

She insisted hers was to be pink.

Not officially part of our family... but near enough! {This is actually her Christmas present, I wasn't going to post it but I liked it too much} - Our renter, Hillary

Our little 'round head' as Ben likes to call her! {And you can see why...}

:::

So does anyone want one? These were too fun and I'd love to do them for you! 

...

I'm doing a  G I V E A W A Y !

...

Leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, December 7th and I will pick at random someone to receive their family's silhouettes {up to 5}

I'll also be selling them for $5 each. This includes a pdf and jpg file with your choice of background and color. $3 extra for 1800's style {like 'Ben a century ago'} and I'll include the original silhouette as well.

Choose from any of these backgrounds or you are also welcome to print on your own pretty paper, in which case all you would need is the silhouette, {not the background}

vintage letter . colored post cards . black and white post cards

vintage sheet music .  solid with rounded corners .  scalloped circle

swirls with name plate {you can add a name plate to any}

...

Just submit a side photo of yourself or someone {close up is best} against a white background.

Perfect for gifts! Check out this post for ideas.