The Slouch Bag in Aviary II

Happy Friday All!  I have been saying I wanted to sew up a new fall bag, so I found some time this week and did just that!  And I love it!!!  The pattern is by Ali Foster and is called The Slouch Bag (find it here).  Super simple to sew up - 3 pattern pieces that come along with detailed instructions in a PDF file.  I love the patterns you can find from independent designers - they are so creative!

I made a couple of minor changes - I added a pen pocket by just sewing a straight line up the original pocket piece after it had been sewn to the lining.  I eliminated the magnetic snap because I don't like them in pocketbooks.  I also changed the opening in the lining to the bottom, instead of the side like the pattern instructs. 

The pattern calls for canvas to be used to interline the main bag body - I didn't have any plain canvas, but I had some left over from this project, so I used it and you can't see it a bit :)  The exterior fabric is Bloom in Granite from the Aviary II line by Joel Dewberry and the interior is Lodge Lattice in Vintage Yellow also from Aviary II.  I'm loving the grey and yellow combo! 

  

All in all, I highly recommend this pattern.  It's super simple (would be great for beginners!) and it makes a really cute and functional tote.  Happy Sewing!

This Week

Hello friends!  This has been a busy week, so no sewing done, but I do have a make-up bag cut out and ready to go.  I love this Amy Butler print and it pairs perfectly with black and white polka dots :)

Speaking of make-up bags, Marybelle was the winner of the giveaway on dianapantz...her package is en route to Australia as we speak!

I was in desperate need of zippers - got a great deal on these from zipit on etsy, and the shipping was so fast!  Definitely recommend if you are looking for some zips :)

Found some Spring Blossom salt and pepper shakers - they are so cute! 

Hope everyone had a great week!  Here's hoping some sewing happens around here soon!!  :)

Things I Love...on Pinterest

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New Purchases

I've bought some new fabric and patterns recently and I just can't wait to get started!!  I mentioned the fabric in a post last week - here are some of the prints that I am dying to cut into:

{These prints are from Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 and are available here}

I also bought these 2 patterns.  I have been waiting for this bag pattern since it was first mentioned here and I bought it the second I saw it was available!  I'm hoping to get some serious sewing done tomorrow so make sure you check back!!!

{Available here}

{Available here}

A (Mostly) Successful Day

Hello there!  I had a pretty successful day off today - I say pretty successful, because dinner was an epic fail, but I had a few successes :)  I put out my fall decorations today and my little nest is looking so good!  Then I decided to try a twist on brownies that I had seen on facebook - I substituted fat-free Greek yogurt for the oil called for on the box.  They came out more like cake than brownies, but still good (I ate 3), so they are a pretty good treat if you are trying to be healthier!

I also got some sewing in!  I made up this wristlet using a pattern from Jennalou Designs.  Simple and fabulous!  The fabric is Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt.  I need to get more of this before it's too late!  I found these great swivel hooks on etsy (shop here) - they are a gunmetal color which I just love!  I need some silver ones too, but I'm loving the dark metal look right now :)

I don't have any pictures to show from dinner as it was a fail!  I found the recipe on a crock pot site on facebook - it was Bacon Ranch Chicken served over egg noodles (sounds good, doesn't it???)  I lightened it up and it just was not that good.  My boyfriend ate it and said he liked it, but I had 3 bites and moved onto the brownies :) 

Super Quick Fall Breakfast

Good morning folks!  Fall is in the air, although it's actually pretty warm here today.  The rest of the week is supposed to cool down though.  I thought I'd share the breakfast I am having this morning, as it's quick and easy and pretty good for you too :)  I found this smoothie recipe years ago in Prevention magazine and it's like drinking a cold glass of pumpkin pie :)  I'm having it with a nut and granola mix that I found at the store, but I'd like to try making my own trail mix.  I'm sure I have some recipes saved and I'll share it here when I finally try it out!

Prevention's Pumpkin Smoothie

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup crushed ice
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk (I used unsweetened plain almond milk and it works just fine - I'm sure the vanilla would give a nice flavor though)
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Put all the ingredients in your blender and mix together - enjoy!!!

Giveaway!

Hello there!  Today is an exciting day!  Diana, of dianapantz, is hosting a giveaway on her blog of a make-up bag and earrings...made by me!  Check it out here and if you are visiting from dianapantz - welcome!  I hope you take a look around :)

Things I Love...on Pinterest

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Ok, so I have to confess.....I have become a total Pinterest addict.  Big time!  There is just so much goodness on that site!!  My favorite things to pin are ideas for the home, sewing (of course!) and food!  Here are a few of my favorite recent finds that would be great to make for fall... :)

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Follow me here!!

Finally - Some Sewing!

I hadn't sewn a stitch in 2 weeks!  It was becoming like torture to me, so when I had some time off mid-week, thanks to my new work schedule - I got to sewing :)

First up is another (!) Basic Wallet made up in Denyse Schmidt for Joann fabric.  It's lined with the blue sateen underneath it.  This is easily my favorite, quick to make pattern - always a success!

Next I made some Pleated Pouches in Erin McMorris' Weekends bicycle print.  The tall size is perfect for an iPhone/iPod Touch and the small size is just right for a digital camera :)  These are both lined in the flower print below (also from the Weekends line).  This line is one of my absolute favorites - I need more!!

I also completely binged on online fabric ordering - it should all be arriving this week, so pics to follow :) 

I Found Pyrex Heaven.....

It's in Woolwich, Maine - at the Montsweag Flea Market!  So, I was coming home from a weekend away on the coast of Maine when we happened upon this giant flea market.  Made a quick stop to check it out.  I wasn't seeing much and the Pyrex that I did see was nothing that I wanted to buy.  Until, I turned my head and saw this............

Aren't those circle shelves amazing?!?!  And the Gooseberry glassware!!!  Oh, wait, there's more!  Check out this stand that is run by Norma of Recycling Retro - I have never seen so much Pyrex in one place - and it's all in amazing condition!  Seriously, the pieces here looked brand new - and there are so many pieces I had never imagined seeing! 

Of course, I couldn't settle on one piece, but I will definitely be making a return trip to Maine before the flea market closes for the season!!!



I'm on Twitter....

I finally signed up for a Twitter account - I just started and I'm still learning how it works - but I hope you will follow me!!!

Look What I Got!!

My parent's are selling their house and they were looking to downsize - of course I volunteered to take some items off of their hands!  And, now I am the proud owner of a beautiful antique dining room table and hutch! 

I have had my eye on this hutch forever!  It's just right for displaying lots of my beloved Pyrex pieces :)  The set is perfect for my dining room - and my mom sent along some tablecloths, including this vintage Vera piece...

This set originally belonged to my great-aunt Doris and I am so happy to have it in my home now :)  It goes perfectly with the vintage style I love and of course I am excited to be able to display my pretty Pyrex!!!