Monday, July 29, 2013

Dog Treat Training Kit

A very dear friend had her birthday a week and a half ago and I instantly knew what I wanted to make her despite the fact that I had no time to make it. As she's just moved her dog to come live with her here in Malta the decision was simple:  A dog treat kit!



I know there are ton of different belts out there that you can buy, but they all have something about them that I don't like. To few pockets or too small pockets and you always need to bring the whole big belt with you, which might not always be ideal. So I decided to make little separate belt pouches for her that she could combine as she liked.



The big drawstring baggy gave me a little trouble. I thought for sure that there had to be a pattern out there easily accessible but when no such where to be found, I designed my own version based on the chalk bags we hang around our waists when we go rock climbing. I think it turned out really well! =) 



The little zippered pockets came together quickly and they have sturdy belt loops on the back. 


I think she really likes her kit as I've already seen her use it a lot! =)

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Jewelry Travel Bag

My mother makes the most adorable travel bags for jewelry. They're super handy and such a fun design that I of course had to make her show me how to make them at the quilting retreat - so we made one each =)




The chubby little "bar" can be detached at one side with velcro and is for storing ones rings. The lace hanger for earrings was my own addition (as I don't have many rings) and it too can be detached for easy handling on one side with velcro. I also love the touch of whimsy it gets from using different colored zipper tabs ^^ 




The pattern is called "Sew Together Bag" and is available on Craftsy. This is such a handy design, thanks a lot mom for showing me how to make it! <3 


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Stash Update
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I have also received the Stash Stack Club package for May (June appears to still be out travelling with the mail, hope to get it soon as I'm super excited about my greys ^^ ) which contained of lovely reds. My favorite this month has to be  Beatrice Weave which is the top one in the photo. They are making some small changes to this years stash club, instead of August being Navy this year, it will be included in the blues and instead we will get Low Volume prints next months which I'm totally excited about! =D







I'm also still working hard on my pattern for the Bia Bag, however, work got in the way and I'm about a week behind on my schedule, but it's still in the works - so please don't loose hope! =)

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Wallet and Zippered Bag to go with my Bia Bag

I of course needed a new wallet to go with my new bag so I made one during the quilt retreat using a pattern that I've had my eye on for a while, the Onigiri Designs Long Wallet. It's really pretty and oh so handy!






The little zippered pouch is from a pattern we got at the quilting retreat made by Anki. So quick to make and so handy with it's two zippered pockets!



But I'll be honest with you, the pattern for the wallet was quite difficult to understand and follow, I think it might be a translation issue but after some (read  a LOT) of unpicking, and redoing I finally managed to get it right =)

The end result is quite lovely I think , but if I were to make it again I would absolutely make some small changes. I'd attach the zipper a bit further out, add some interfacing to the coin pocket and to the card pockets since as they are now, they're a bit difficult to handle being so soft. I also made money and receipt pockets behind the card pockets, to get a little more space for such things as otherwise I'd have to have it next to the cards which would make it a bit difficult to handle.

I'm also in the process of making a free pattern for my Bia Bag - so stay tuned ^^

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The "Bia Bag" =)

During this years quilting retreat I made myself a much needed bag. Since I couldn't find a pattern that suited my needs, I made it up as I went along. Customizing my design for my needs perfectly, resulting in my most loved bag to date! It's just perfect and as it's made from oilcloth it is therefore rather waterproof, it can just be wiped off when it gets a little dingy or gets salt stains from the sea. =)


It has a zipper that extends beyond the edges to allow me to fully open it up and see what's inside while still providing theft protection as no one can simply slide a hand into it while closed, nor will stuff fall out if it tips over.

The insides are perfected for keeping all my junk in check, specialized pockets for phone, lip gloss, pens, nose spray, compact etc ^^






It also has many pockets on the outside for easy access to necessities. I also love the handles I found at Ankis, they had the perfect length to keep my stuff safely tucked under my arm, and as the whole bag is rather thin, it doesn't get bulky despite their rather conservative length. Just the way I want it!


I also made a matching wallet and little zippered bag, but I'll show you those a little later along with the other stuff I made during the week ^^

This years quilting retreat with my mother, was for the first time held by the lovely Anki from Kinnas Sy. There were 10 of us there and we had an absolutely lovely time, thank you so very much Anki and everyone, I had a blast! The only problem was that 1 week is much to short! <3 Love you all!