{DIY} Sweater Mittens

Since this seems to be the never-ending Winter, I thought I'd share a season-appropriate project I created for <a href="http://goo.gl/HsV8ow" target="_blank">iVillage's <i>'30 Days of DIY'</i></a><i> </i>a few months ago....making mittens out of old sweaters!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="643" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/12598160584_492285d829_o.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>{What You Need}</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Sweaters with banded hem</div><div style="text-align: center;">Marker or Chalk</div><div style="text-align: center;">Straight Pins</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fabric Scissors</div><div style="text-align: center;">Embroidery Thread & Needle or Sewing Machine </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="408" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/12597833293_d34de7ac89_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Place hand on sweater, with the hem around your wrist, and thumb fully outstretched.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="523" src="https://ycpi-farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/12597732975_3598469b57_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Draw around the hand with at least 1/4-inch allowance. Repeat this process twice with each hand. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="443" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/12597732365_8681e6b015_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Cut out your four hands, and align each mitten with right-side facing in, then pin in place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="384" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/12597731955_df20ee4bce_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Sew or hand-stitch, leaving the bottom at the hem open. Once you turn them right-side out, they <i>shouldn't</i> look like this. I'm challenged when it comes to the sewing machine. It's okay to laugh. And even point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="528" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/12597834443_9ed7067ba6_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Hopefully your first attempt turns out more like my second...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="429" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/12597836903_2b3a4e7724_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />And hopefully the person you made them for is this cute and happy with them!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="684" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/12597729835_4d638135db_o.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="696" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/12597728835_783389f569_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />My daughter is too hard on her clothes to save them anymore, so I picked up these sweaters at the thrift store. But in her early years, I would have loved to hang on to some of those precious outfits and re-purpose them!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="496" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/12597836723_eaffb7b403_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Mittens from old Sweaters" height="550" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/12598160754_0c56427310_o.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />I've got my eye on some sad-looking sweaters in my closet for my own custom pair. But we hit 70-degrees this weekend, so here's hoping we've seen the last of mittens for awhile. Do you have a 'special' relationship with your sewing machine? Do you feel better about your skills now that you've witnessed mine?!

{DIY} Sweater Mittens

Since this seems to be the never-ending Winter, I thought I'd share a season-appropriate project I created for iVillage's '30 Da...

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Easy DIY Gift Card Holders

Just as I suspected, you and I are kindred folk...peas in a pod...one in the same...total twinsies. You feel me, or do you need more cliches? Because I can go all day. I loved seeing your responses to <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-favorite-things.html" target="_blank">My Favorites</a> yesterday, and loved that we had so much in common.<br /><br />Today I'm sharing a sweet little DIY I whipped-up during last week's Icemageddon....cute gift card holders! I much prefer to give actual gifts, but for some people, gift cards are the only way to go. I'd rather someone <i>(especially teachers)</i> get exactly what they want, too. But I still like to jazz them up so they're fun to receive and open. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="609" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/11405632776_9052270aba_z.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>{SUPPLIES}</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Felt</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pinking Shears or Scissors</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sewing machine or glue</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First cut stockings out of felt using a template so the fronts and backs are the same size. Make sure they are wide enough to fit your gift card, too.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="710" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/11405651314_1623da1c1b_b.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Then cut a bunch of circles in varying sizes and colors.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="512" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/11405633796_9ea6c81d84_z.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Stack the circles on the front piece of the stocking, then sew them in place. You could use glue too, but since I had nothing but time, I figured I'd work on my laughable sewing skills. I only sewed the middle of the circles so the sides would flap up for more dimension.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="504" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/11405631185_7397f9db19_z.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />So they'd hang on the tree, I sewed a loop of felt to the back piece.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="650" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/11405630955_3b0a040531_b.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Final step is to sew the two pieces of the stocking together, leaving the top open.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="548" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/11405650014_4e583c48c2_z.jpg" width="550" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="586" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/11405765713_80732faf46_z.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="553" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/11405630035_bc4314a2e6_z.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br />Now they are cute additions to our tree, until Christmas day!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="639" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/11405632276_0a40c2df68_z.jpg" width="550" /> </div><br />A lot more fun than just an envelope, don't you think? And they won't get lost in the pile of presents under the tree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | DIY Felt Stocking Ornament/Gift Card Holder" height="825" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/11405629595_3013f3f9c4_b.jpg" width="550" /></div><br />Check out the other fun ways I've packaged gift cards <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/05/simple-teacher-gifts.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/12/cute-gift-card-packaging.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Do you like to give actual gifts, or gift cards? How do you package them?

Easy DIY Gift Card Holders

Just as I suspected, you and I are kindred folk...peas in a pod...one in the same...total twinsies. You feel me, or do you need more cliches...

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{Valentine} Burlap Treat Bags

The Week of Sweet continues today, with cute and easy treat bags! For someone who claims to not do much for Valentine's Day, I'm having a hard time reeling in my ideas! I figure, why fight it? I love all these sweet projects, and love spoiling my friends and family with treats. I think the little treasures are just as thoughtful and romantic as the grand gestures. <i>(Mr. Sugarplum, that's code for: you aren't getting a grand gesture this year!)</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8436301068/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="436" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8436301068_583782fc5a_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Burlap is a tricky <strike>fabric</strike> material for me. I love the texture and casualness of it, but sometimes it looks a little country-vintage for my taste. You guys loved my <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/11/natural-glam-fall-table.html" target="_blank">Burlap Gold-Dot Runner</a>, so that was obviously the perfect mix. The other down-side to working with burlap <i>(besides the sometimes musty smell)</i>, is the mess. And the crooked cuts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Tips When Working with Burlap:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>1) Mist slightly with water or febreeze to reduce the shedding and dust when cutting.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>2) To cut a straight line, make a small snip where you want to cut your fabric, then pull that thread out completely. </i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8436301448/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="626" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8436301448_b0c5a935f5_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It will leave an exposed straight line to follow when cutting.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>3) Don't be afraid to iron the burlap. Just use the steam setting, and prepare for the stink.</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8435215555/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="550" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8435215555_8f8f04176f_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />To construct the bags, cut two pieces of x by x burlap, then sew them together on three sides, leaving the top, and 2-inches of the sides open. <i>(That's right, I'm sewing!)</i> You could just as easily use hot glue or hem tape for this project, but I'm trying to <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/11/i-sew-did.html" target="_blank">conquer my sewing machine</a>, remember?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8435215503/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="614" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8435215503_a05c9ec02d_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Turn them right-side out, just like you would when making a pillow. You can iron them flat, but I liked the puff. Notice the tops and part of the sides are open.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8436301318/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="488" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8436301318_5b42aa3469_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Before decorating the bags, insert something to keep the paint from bleeding through to the other side.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8435215429/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="471" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8435215429_598fccdacb_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />All those years of doodling hearts and Ricky Schroder's name came in handy. Obviously I draw better hearts than <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2013/02/valentine-diy-sharpie-mug.html" target="_blank">bees</a>. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8436301242/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="416" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8436301242_cf9c369843_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />For the drawstring effect, thread your ribbon or string on an embroidery needle, and whip-stitch it around the top, just below the open slits on the sides.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8435215355/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="529" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8435215355_0b034cc049_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Fringe the top by pulling off the loose threads <i>(hold it over the trash can to contain the mess).</i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8436301140/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="503" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8436301140_0eb18cde39_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Fill with your waist-busting treat of choice. You may want to choose something you aren't tempted to dive face first in...unless you're okay with eating an entire bag. Not speaking from experience, just assuming.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8435215313/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Valentine Burlap Treat Bags" height="490" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8435215313_4dc8da02b7_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Then pull the ribbon tight to close the top of the bag, and tie with a gift tag. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8448722670/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Burlap Valentine Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Burlap Valentine Treat Bags" height="570" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8448722670_ed92682924_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I used white raffia, and stamped plain white office-supply tags.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8447635499/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Burlap Valentine Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Burlap Valentine Treat Bags" height="525" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8447635499_5ee11ae38c_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I am a total sewing novice, and whipped these bags out in about 30 minutes, using scraps of inexpensive burlap. Hot-gluing them would probably be even faster!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8447635427/" title="Hi Sugarplum | Burlap Valentine Treat Bags"><img alt="Hi Sugarplum | Burlap Valentine Treat Bags" height="682" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8447635427_133e26a94d_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I would love to receive a sweet gift like this, wouldn't you? Or will there be grand gestures in your house this year?

{Valentine} Burlap Treat Bags

The Week of Sweet continues today, with cute and easy treat bags! For someone who claims to not do much for Valentine's Day, I'm hav...

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{DIY} Deer Head Applique Tea Towel

Texas doesn't get much of a Winter, so I love to embrace all the shapes, fabrics and textures that accompany cold weather, as long as possible. Just because Christmas is packed away for another year, it doesn't mean we have to remove all traces of the chilly season. I had a hankering to make a custom tea towel, so I decided on an appliqued deer head. As long as there's no Rudolph nose, it's more Winter than Christmas!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402016077/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="558" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8402016077_1641d3f0f8_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />The supplies are simple and inexpensive <i>(isn't that a given for me?!)</i>...plain kitchen towel, fabric swatch for applique, and Heat-n-Bond Lite. I found this pack of Kitchen Towels for a few bucks at WalMart, and my fabric is actually an old plaid scarf I no longer wear.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402015877/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="502" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8402015877_e283c9e500_z.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Ever since I made <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/03/pinterest-challenge-day-diy-faux.html" target="_blank">Faux Antlers</a>, I've been smitten with deer heads, and thought the Wintery symbol paired well with the wool fabric. To get the shape, I searched <i>'Deer Head Silhouette'</i> online, and traced it directly off the screen in the size I wanted, then cut it out. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8403104506/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="398" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8403104506_d9dbd7e5a3_z.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Using Heat-n-Bond gives your applique better shape, and prevents movement or puckering when sewing. First you adhere the Heat-n-Bond to your applique fabric, then adhere the applique to your towel. Sounds complicated, but it really isn't.<br /><br />Cut a piece slightly larger than your shape, lay the textured side directly on the back-side of your fabric, and iron the paper side to adhere the Heat-n-Bond. Then trace your shape on the paper side, keeping in mind it's the reverse.   <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402015739/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="576" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8402015739_1eb8c157c2_z.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Cut out your shape, peel off the paper, and position the applique on your towel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402015629/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="659" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8402015629_2ef49c01be_b.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Iron it in place, adhering your applique to the towel. To keep the edges of the applique from fraying in the wash, you'll want to seal them with a simple zig-zag stitch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402015521/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="523" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8402015521_32861864a1_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Your eyes are not deceiving you....this is indeed a sewing machine...and I'm the one operating it!! <strike>Painfully</strike> Very slowly, I sewed around the perimeter of my deer head. Had I thought this through, I'd surely have chosen a much simpler shape as my first applique attempt! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402015101/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="593" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8402015101_a64e2c2fd6_z.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Don't look too closely, but you get the idea of how it should look. Hard to tell, but I was indeed sewing sober.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8403104986/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="576" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8403104986_226cf5007a_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />And to further punish myself, I opted to add pom-pom trim to the bottom edge of the towel. Pom-poms are like frosting is to cake.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8403104936/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="581" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8403104936_970cb311c3_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br />Considering this was only my second attempt at sewing <i>(read my first tearful experience <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/11/i-sew-did.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</i>, I think it's not too shabby. Granted I won't be opening an Etsy shop anytime soon. An experienced sewer could probably knock this out in about 30-minutes. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402016125/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="647" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8402016125_dd5ef316b6_o.jpg" width="550" /></a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402015957/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="801" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8402015957_6acdb25c6e_b.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I pat myself on the back every time I see it hanging in my Kitchen. I'm already dreaming up applique options for the next season...or dare I attempt a monogram?!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8403104648/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="663" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8403104648_60fa7d48ba_b.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8402016019/" title="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Reindeer Applique Tea Towel" height="707" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8402016019_c30498b7e3_b.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />The Ikea sewing machine I had went bye-bye, and I'm making friends with a big-girl machine <i>(thanks for the recommendation, <a href="http://thoughtfuldesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtney</a>, I loooove <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JQM1DE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisug-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000JQM1DE">this one</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hisug-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000JQM1DE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />!)</i> Hopefully that means I'll finish those Dining Room drapes I keep talking about. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>*snort* </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Check out more fun and easy projects in the <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/p/project-gallery_17.html" target="_blank">Project Gallery</a>.</span><b><br /></b></span>

{DIY} Deer Head Applique Tea Towel

Texas doesn't get much of a Winter, so I love to embrace all the shapes, fabrics and textures that accompany cold weather, as long as po...

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I Sew Did!

Hey, hey, hey! Somehow another Monday is upon us. I hope you guys had a great weekend, and aren't too tweaked because of the time change. I had a productive, yet insanely frustrating, weekend. I decided it was high-time to conquer the beast that had been sitting idle since buying it <i>three months ago </i>on <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/10/dining-room-ring-it-in.html" target="_blank">this field trip</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156430989/" title="tote bag by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="tote bag" height="668" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8156430989_d71853bcae_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I know it doesn't look like much, but that sewing machine has been scaring the crap out of me. <i>(I can't even sew a button!)</i> You may remember I showed you the mood boards for the <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/04/pull-rug-out.html" target="_blank">Dining Room plan</a>, and they included the drapery fabric I bought <i>last year. </i>I thought about no-sewing them <i>(like <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2011/03/diy-no-sew-pillows.html" target="_blank">these</a> and <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2010/08/diy-no-sew-table-runner.html" target="_blank">this</a>)</i>, but knew that wasn't a good long-term plan for such a visible room. Then I looked into a seamstress, but that only gave me serious sticker shock. For that price, I could buy my own sewing machine...so I did. And it sat.<br /><br />Just like the drapery fabric, rolled up in the corner of the Dining Room, taunting me every day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156473618/" title="tote bag by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="tote bag" height="646" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8156473618_6900f4d64e_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I finally decided this weekend I would no longer be controlled by my fear of a little machine. I followed the instructions step-by-step. I watched You Tube videos. I started a <a href="http://pinterest.com/hisugarplum/sew-it/" target="_blank">Sew It board</a> on Pinterest.<br /><br />But still, it had me in tears of frustration, and the kids running for cover.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156190441/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="This thing has brought me to tears! Surely it's not supposed to be this hard?! #unintentionalcolorcoordinatingwithmysewingmachine by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img height="517" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/8156190441_6849abd3f5_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I thought by matching the machine, we'd get along better. Not really.</i></td></tr></tbody></table>But finally the heavens opened and it all started to click. I practiced lines and lines of stitches, then figured I should actually make something.<br /><br />Ta-Da!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156425207/" title="Untitled by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="607" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/8156425207_f26fed9810_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />The good news is, you can totally tell what it's supposed to be <i>(a bag, duh!)</i>. But the bad news is it's very odd proportions <i>(oh yeah, and the uneven sides, birds-nests of stitches, and wonky seams).</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156457762/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="790" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8156457762_43c28ae899_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is her interpretation of my Outfit poses.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />I passed it off as a purse made especially for Babygirl. <strike>Suckers</strike> Everyone bought it! But then she requested I make a real-sized bag, out of her choice of fabrics. Second time was <strike>closer to</strike> a charm.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156430873/" title="tote bag by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="tote bag" height="732" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8156430873_0eaa76c3fe_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />You don't even want to know my steps, but I mostly followed <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>. They call it a 20-Minute Tote, but they're totally lying. It's more like 3-Hours-20-Minute Tote. I kid, normal humans could likely make it faster than me.<br /><br />And granted I don't know what I'm talking about, but I am really pleased and surprised by my little <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60208974/#" target="_blank">Ikea sewing machine</a>! It comes with all kinds of little gadgets, threads easily, is self-feeding, and has 13 different stitches. The basic needle had no problem plowing through four layers of fabric and a thick strap.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156457556/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="608" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8156457556_298f46a3c3_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You're supposed to be looking at the needle, not my wonky stitches!</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div>My client was really happy with her new bag, and even tried to stage a fashion show. However, <i>someone</i> kept photo-bombing!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156473544/" title="tote bag by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="tote bag" height="730" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8156473544_e7429b1624_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156430755/" title="tote bag by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="tote bag" height="665" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8156430755_9299584778_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />I'm not quite confident enough to tackle my drapes yet, but hopefully soon. Until then, oddly-proportioned bags for everyone! It's beginning to look like a homemade Christmas! <i>(Contain your excitement, mom!)</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8156462706/" title="tote bag by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="tote bag" height="639" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8156462706_fb8134d39c_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Do you sew?! Is it really supposed to be this hard and frustrating?! What is the first thing you made? Please tell me it brings out the worst in you, too!

I Sew Did!

Hey, hey, hey! Somehow another Monday is upon us. I hope you guys had a great weekend, and aren't too tweaked because of the time change...

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