Fabric Nesting Dolls and Gift Bag

Hello All! and Happy New Year!

My last day of the "old" year ends with a celebration...NO, not that kind. ;-) But a celebration of birthday for my friend's child. Today is the beginning of those so-called "terrible twos!" And I procrastinated (as usual) in making or buying a gift. BUT WAIT...

A perfect solution by Made by Joel! This dude is awesomely creative! It's like he reads my mind, but the difference is HE DOES IT...not like me and procrastinate or not write or create the ideas...boring me.
Aaaannnyyyways.........here is the link to make your own fabric nesting dolls if you so desire!

Take a look at mine:

Now I need a gift bag...AHA! Why not make a fabric produce bag so Mommy can use it later? I don't know! Why not!? Okay I will. Super easy and practical pattern created by Jan DiCintio of Daisy Janie in support of the Green Grocery Bag Challenge. All you need is at least an 18" square piece of fabric! Ta-da!

Here is mine:

A Weekend Trip...

...requires a weekend bag! Even Callie knows that! Using a pattern found on the Weekend designer web site, I fashioned an awesome bag from a stash of outdoor (very slippery) fabric I've had for several years.

I REALLY like the web site because you have to draft your own pattern templates based on measurements given. It offers great practice and more experience in this aspect of sewing to me!

I added a loop&hook closure to the cool, big pockets on
both sides of the bag.

And I used a double zipper too.

All Set!

Since I now have the pattern pieces made and I had enough of this fabric, I will be making another one for my daughter. (Which is who I went to visit for this bag's first weekend trip!)

Baby's Library Bag

A friend of mine will soon be having {HAD} a fine baby boy! In her eighth month, I attended her delightful baby shower. And of course, I felt compelled to “last minute” create-a-gift (sooo not like me…yeah right). In the course of conversations, we both expressed our belief of reading…books, books, and more books were desired! I told her I could supply her library quite well just by going in my basement! My child is now 20 years old and my friend is just beginning!

So to encourage the love of reading, this bag was created for those many trips to the library or bookstores! I found an owl-themed fabric by Debbie Mum at Joann’s Fabric store which worked out perfectly. The other fabrics were found in my stash and seem to work in the primary color theme nicely. I added a couple inside pockets for keys or cell phone or pacifier!

I followed the pattern for this bag based on Jodi Nelson's Hushabye Tote Bag via Moda Bake Shop . Link to it directly here. It worked out okay....but I need to make some changes if used again. I DO love her directions on how to do the handles! My favorite part of the bag.

Just look at that cute owl fabric! This is one of the bag fronts sewn together.

Last, she shared a cell phone pic of her tummy and the bag. He was a big one: 9lbs 11oz! Welcome to the World baby boy!!