Name That Product Giveaway!

Hi everyone. I have reconditioned, remade, restyled and remodeled the old Pouchlet into something even more functionally chic! I'll still offer the old Pouchlet because let's face it, it's a goody! The problem? I can't for the life of me figure out what to call it! That's where you come in.



I'm going to run a 2 week long promotion right here. If you can think of an awesome name for this product please leave a comment!

Here's the criteria:

• You must comment on this post
• The name cannot include color or print of fabric
• It can include the word "Pouchlet" but it's not neccessary
  
• Contest ends Sunday, June 14, 2009

Here's the product info:

• It's a cross between a pouch and a wristlet
• It's small and compact yet big enough for a cell phone
• Includes an interior open pocket (fits my iPhone)
  
• Includes an interior zipper pocket for cash/credit cards/ID
• Transforms from wristlet into a hip pouch just by running the handle through the first 2 belt loops of you favorite jeans
• Includes a key clip
• Great for moms on the go or a GNO (girls night out)!
  

Now you're probably wondering what's in it for you? The winner will receive his/her very own (product that you will name)! You can even choose the fabric! Ok time to put your thinking caps on!

Good Luck!

Sling Hobo

New Product Alert!

The Sling Hobo is one of the newest products to hit One Happy Tree! The big sister to the Hobo, the Sling Hobo has all the great features of a functional bag and style to boot. Sling it over your head and you are ready to go! Sits right at your hip, it's easy to run around town (maybe after the kids!) hands free! The interior key clip is long enough to use to open any door while still clipped. The exterior pocket allows for easy access to your cell phone or anything you need to reach quickly...like snacks! What's ever better? You choose from a wonderful selection of boutique fabrics!

Below: the interior key clip

Below: the interior zipper

Check it out. The model on the left is 6' tall. The model on the right is 5' tall (tee hee hee, yours truly!!!). Both are able to wear the Sling Hobo comfortably!


Well I hope you enjoyed the new featured item! I had a ton of fun making it. I am not sure if I'll sell this one. It's in one of my favorite fabric print and I just LOVE it! So this one's mine...customize your own!

xo

New Business Cards Are In!

Yippy skippy! I just received my new business cards. Ever since I read that Amy over at PeptoGirl got new cards I've been obsessing over them. Now I have my very own! I love them! They are nice a glossy. The colors are vivid and what's best....they have rounded corners! Ahhhh! Love them!

Got them at GotPrint, They are by far the most reasonably priced compared to Vista Prints and 123 Prints. They also have something the others don't; Rounded Corners. So hop on over the GotPrint and check it out yourself.

TTFN!

A Memorial Day Thank You

Thank you to all who served for our freedom. We love you!

xoxo



*flag image found here

Ellen DeGeneres Commencement Speech - Too Funny

Saw a link to this in Twitter. I couldn't resist! It is so funny:



xoxo

Throw Pillows with Hidden Zippers - The Turorial

I've been working on some throw pillows for my friend who lives down the street. She also happens to be an interior designer for the hospitality industry (hotels etc...) so she gets to play with some fabulous fabrics...which in turn allows me to play with them too!

Awesome friend who lets my play with her fabrics had commissioned me to make 2 sets of pillows each with hidden zippers. One was 20" x 20" the other 16" x 24". I had a great time making them that I wanted to share the instructions with you so that you too can make your own!

NOTE:

The following pattern is for the 20" x 20" pillow. You can adjust the dimensions as needed for which ever pillow shape/size. I used a 1 inch seam allowance. Try to use something heavier in weight like upholster weight fabrics or similar. If you will use a quilters cotton I suggest backing it with stabilizer for a nice crisp look (Pellon 931TD works well).

The finished measurements will be 20" x 20" but there will be a 1/4" top stitch seam which will allow the pillow to look full and poofy (technically speaking of course!). I made 2 different pillows in different fabrics and took pictures of the process. So the pictures you see may have different fabrics but the method is still the same.


Materials:

• 1 piece of choice fabric measuring 22" x 22" square, (this will be the front) A
  
• 1 piece of same fabric measuring 20" x 22" (this will be part of the back) B
  
• 1 piece of same fabric measuring 4" x 22" (this will be part of the back) C
  
• 1 - 22" zipper in coordinating color
• thread in coordinating color
• measuring tool
• disappearing marker
• small scissors (applique scissors work great)

Here's a PDF of the tutorial if you want to print the instructions. It's 11 pages long and I reduced the image size but it may still be a bit image heavy.

Directions:

It's important to finish your raw edges because you will be reaching in and out of the pillow cover and you want those edges to be nice and neat. Most of all you want them to stay intact! Here's how:

1. Attach your "edging foot" (you will do an overcast seam)
2. Adjust your stitch to a 3 step zigzag (not a normal zigzag)
   
3. Line up the raw edge with the foot's guide
4. Sew following the foot's guide
5. Do this for all the edges of all your fabric pieces
   
6. Continue following the directions bellow (don't forget to switch back your pressure foot now!)
   

PREPPING FOR THE HIDDEN ZIPPER

1. Take fabric pieces B and C and place right sides together matching up raw edges long ways (22" length)
2. Measure 2" from top edge and mark
3. Adjust your sewing machine to a straight stitch and the longest stitch length (I use 4.5), you will be basting at the moment
4. Sew along the line you just measured
5. open both sides so that you can see the right sides and press with iron
6. Adjust your stitch length back to normal, tighter stitch
   
7. Measure 2" in from each side
8. Sew a small stitch and back stitch to make sure the basting stitch doesn't unravel from that point
9. Do this for the opposite side

APPLYING THE ZIPPER

1. apply the zipper face down on the center of the basting stitch
2. pin in place
3. attach your zipper foot (I put it on the left so the bulk of the fabric is on the left and make my needle move to the left 2 times at -1.0)
4. with your zipper foot stitch on either side of the zipper while it is still facing down. Sew all the way to the end, back stitch and turn. Sew the other side.
5. flip fabric BC over so right side is facing up
6. with sharp, applique scissors or small scissors, carefully clip the basting stitches revealing the zipper inside (it's so magical!)
7. open the zipper about 2-3" wide so that it's easier to reach in when turning (ignore the pins in the picture please! No pinning here.)

CONSTRUCTING THE PILLOW

1. place fabric piece A face up
   
2. place fabric piece BC on top of A face down so that A and BC are together right side facing (opposite of the picture, make sure the zipper side is facing you in case you have some trouble)
3. stitch around the edges using a 1" seam allowance
4. clip the corners (I finished the clipped edges with another overcast seam for durability)
5. very carefully try opening up the zipper a bit more. Remember you are looking at the back of the zipper so it'll be tricky
6. turn right side out
7. push out edges carefully with a wooden dowel or chopstick
8. press with iron
9. top stitch a 1/4" seam all around
10. stuff with pillow
11. TADA! You're done!!!

Now make a whole bunch :) Make some with outdoor fabric to dress up your deck or patio!!! I'm going to for sure!!!

If you have created a throw pillow following this tutorial, please show it off! Got my Flickr group and share with us!

Enjoy!

Elizabeth the Rabbit

I LOVE these pattern by Owlishly. My neighbor's two girls, ages 6 and 4 are obsessed with both bunnies and turtles respectively. I found these patterns at Owlishly and said to myself, "Self, buy the patterns and make the dolls". So I started with the bunny pattern.

I am thoroughly enjoying every stitch! Look I made the head:


Then the Hood:


Then one ear:

Oh I am loving it! I'm in the process of making the second ear in between projects. Now I say in between projects because I'm currently in the process of making throw pillows for my interior designer friend who wants them to have a hidden zipper etc... but I keep running out of supplies. I need to run to the store and get more thread but being Sunday, they closed early. Thus I must wait until Monday. In the mean time...crochet away :)

xoxo





PS I'm going to post a tutorial on how to make these pillows as soon as I'm finished. You're gonna love them!

I've been "Spotted"!

My Trifold wallet has been featured on a website called, "Indie Spotting" :) The website features shop owners of handmade items. It's a great website featuring artists. Check it out!

Spoken like a true crafter

Last night my daughter had the door to her room shut. A sign was strategically placed on the front which stated, "No Entering Sorry, Thank You!". Here's how it went once I was upstairs:

Littlest One: "Mommy don't go in my room! See the sign??"

Me: "Oh, OK why?"

Littlest One: "Well, I have a creative mess"

Ahhhh, spoken like a true crafter :)

Enjoy!
Thanita

PS After she said this she winked to her daddy! I quickly realized that she was working on a Mother's Day gift!