Favorite time of the year...

I love this time of the year. (never mind that we had wind and rain all day yesterday)

But anywho, I love seeing all the trees in their pretty oranges, yellows, and reds. I love smelling my spice candles through out the house. It's such a cozy time..... Can you believe Thanksgiving is ALMOST here???

What is your favorite time of the year?

2 Down 2 More to go....

Today I had to take Miss Shelby to the dentist to get 2 teeth pulled. She did really well, her face is a little swollen and sore though. She has 2 more that get pulled in a few weeks and then it's time for braces. Shelby is asleep on the couch now....it's so funny watching her sleep....makes me think back when she was a little bitty girl taking naps.

It's been a long time since the tooth fairy has had to come, just hope she doesn't forget. :o)

(Must write a note to self....don't forget!)

Get Ready, Get Set.....Go

Go to www. tangerinekitty.com on November 8th through the 16th to recieve 20% off of everything. Start that Holiday shopping.....

Head on over....

Go to www.sewmamasew.com/blog2 for some really cool tutorials and blogs to read. You won't be sorry......!

Spooky Moon

The other night I was sitting in the living room and noticed the moon. It was a little spooky looking. The clouds would move around it, then clouds would cover it, then it would shine bright.

Here's a few pics I was able to take:

Shrimp Gumbo

Okay, I decided to make a new dish. I wanted to make Shrimp Gumbo. My hubby loves seafood so I really wanted to do something more than just baked fish. We love spicy foods so the shrimp gumbo was a good idea. I did follow a recipe but added a little more, plus I didn't have one ingredient on hand.....so I guess maybe I didn't really follow a recipe..lol. It turned out good, it was a little TOO spicy for me but hubby loved it so that's all that matters!! :-)

(I will be posting a recipe the next time I make this, and there will be a next time because it would be a great dish when the weather turns really cold!)

Drawstring Bag Tutorial

Shelby needed a small drawstring bag to carry part of her school project in so I thought I would do a drawstring tutorial while I sew the bag. Here is the finished bag:


Cute!!
So lets get started.

Supplies:
1 rectangle piece of fabric (size depends on how big you want the bag)
Ribbon (I use 2 yards of ribbon, cut into 2 one yard pieces.)
thread, sewing machine, iron, scissors
Safety pin
lighter or fray stop



First before cutting any fabric I always wash/dry fabric, preshrink it.
Then iron it.

Okay for this bag I cut a rectangle the size of 14 1/2" w and 23"long.
Now fold it in half long ways....you should have a piece 14 1/2" w and 11 1/2" long now.
(You can do any size, smaller or larger!)

Iron again....



Now measure down on the open end about 2 inches and pin. Do both sides.

Now let's do some sewing. I start at the pin and sew all the way down to the folded end. Make sure you back stitch at the beginning and end.

Now turn piece around and sew from bottom (folded end) up to the pin.

Making sure to back stitch on this side too.

I normally use my serger to clean up the raw edges (if not doing a lining for the bag) but since some of you don't have a serger I decided to show that you can just do a zig zag stitch. This helps the fabric not to fray.

Remove pins. There should be a 2 inch slit on the sides. On the slits turn a little of the raw edge in and then turn in again. You can press with your finger or iron.

Stitch down to the part you just got done sewing on the sides. It will look like a V when done.

Back stitch.

Do the other side of the slit the same way.

Now start sewing that side from the bottom to the top. See...it looks like a V.

Now do the other side of the bag.

Once finished with sides, it's time to do the casing for the ribbon.

Take the open end and fold one side down about 1/4" inch and then fold down again about 1 inch.

Stitch across the bottom of the casing.

Then do the other side.
Here's the finished casing.

Take your safety pin and pin the ribbon on it.

This will help slide the ribbon through the casing.

Go all the way around the bag.

Ribbon will be out one end of bag.

Take you second piece of ribbon and do the same thing, but this time start at the oppisite side of the bag.

The bag should look like this now. (The ribbon will probably look long, but we will the cutting it shorter.)

I like to open the bag all the way....and take the ribbon and tie a not at each side against the bag.

See the not at the bag.

It helps so the ribbon can't be pulled out. Now I cut the ribbon off at the length I want. You can leave it long if you like it.

Here's what it should look like.

To finish it all you have to do now if heat seal the ends of the ribbon with a lighter, or use a stop fray product.

You are all done!!!

I hope you liked this little tutorial! If you create any bags, please share...I would love to see!! Please feel free to post this tutorial on your blog, the only thing I ask is that you back link it. Thanks!

(If you have any guestions just leave a comment or email me.