Spring Tote

A couple of months ago I found the cutest spring fabric at JoAnn's and I have been itching to use it ever since. Last weekend I decided to make a tote. I also decided to design it myself and not follow a pattern. I thought this would be more disastrous then it was, but I am quite happy with it! The only stipulation I had was that it would fit a good-sized book and a have a pocket or two.

Spring Tote
by The Crafty Dough Puncher

I cut out the pockets first. I decided to double line them with a sturdier fabric so they could hold heavier items (including my heavy Otterbox covered iPhone). I cut each piece 5" x 6":



Iron and pin 1/2" down on one side of each pocket:



Sew with a zig-zag stitch:



Cut two panels each 12" x 14" of the outside fabric and inside fabric (if you want to line your tote, which I recommend). Sew each pocket on the right side of the panels that will be your lining using a zig-zag stitch:



I sewed down the middle of the pocket above to create two pockets.



Place the wrong sides of the outside and liner fabric together. Fold the top of each side down 1/4" and iron, fold again 1/4" and iron. Pin and sew using a straight stitch:



Now it's time to make the straps. After using the tote for a week, I wish I would have made them longer (oh well, next time) but here is what I did: Cut two pieces of fabric that measure 20" x 4". Iron 1/2" on both 4" sides:



Cut each corner:



Iron in on each long side about 1/2":



Fold over and iron in half:



Sew around all three open edges. Repeat with the second strap.

Sew on straps to each panel:



Pin the right sides together of each completed panel (so the tote is inside out). Sew around all three raw edges with a straight stitch. Cut each corner, making sure not to cut too close to the stitches. Turn right side out and you have your tote!





Happy almost-Spring!

Fun "I Want's"

Here are some fun new (to me) kitchen items I found recently -

I could get these cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma in time for Easter!



and this super cute Easter cupcake tree:





I love these dessert plates from CB2:



and this Coop Bowl too:

Taggie Blanket

This is my favorite thing to make for babies. You can make them any size, with basically any type of fabric, and any kind of ribbons.

Here's my latest version of a taggie blanket -

Cake of the Month

This just might be one of my favorite cakes we've made. Claire and I both feel like we are getting a little better with fondant (it's harder then you think to use!) and this cake just built our spirits right up!

We were asked by a good friend if we could make an Xbox cake to surprise her husband with for his birthday. We love a good challenge so we were quite excited with this one!










Here's some exciting news for you: Claire started a blog! It's great and you should check it out when you get a chance! :)

A sewing post is up next!

Cake of the Month - February

Here is our Valentine's cake! The heart "candy box" is a chocolate cake covered in chocolate frosting. It's topped with white gum paste and wrapped with red gum paste. The chocolate candies or truffles are actually cake pops.

Body Scrub

This is a fun homemade gift to give a Valentine! It works wonders and makes your skin so soft! My favorite thing about it? I had all the ingredients in my pantry!

Body Scrub
2 C brown sugar
1/2-3/4 C oil - depends on the type of texture you like
5 TBSP honey
1-2 tsp vanilla



Mix it all together in a bowl and find a cute glass container to store it in!

Easy Valentine Treat

We have this wonderful candy store in Galena on Main Street called Galena Kandy Kitchen and every time my husband and I take a trip to Main Street we always stock up on their yummy candies and homemade confections. I always eye, but never buy, the chocolate covered oreos.

So this year for Valentine's Day I thought I would try my hand at making my own.
They were so easy to do and took maybe a half hour from start to finish. I knew I wanted to use pink and red sprinkles, so instead of dipping the oreos in milk chocolate, I used almond bark. I added a teaspoon of shortening per four squares of bark to make it easier to dip the cookies.

I promise they taste as good as they look!







A Valentine gift coming up tomorrow!