Towels for Summer

I am in still in summer vacation mode. Trying to get ready for our trip next week to a very warm and sunny island! It will be much like the climate here in FL, but it will certainly be nice to get away for a little R and R. While on vacation I thought we would take along some towels with our new friend "Lisha"(Leesha)...

Isn't she cute!? I named her "Lisha" because it means "full of mystery." She hides her face with her gigantic sun hat. She was inspired by this quilt...

It was my husband's quilt as a baby and I just love it! I love it's bright colors and the simplicity of it. One day soon I will make a big beach quilt similar to it with "Lisha" on it. For now I just put her on three different types of towels...

I know what an ordeal it is to go anywhere with two little ones. So I thought it I would make it a little easier for Carson to carry her own towel and lighten my load a little. She can throw her tote over her shoulder and carry her towel by the ribbon. This way it won't drag on the ground. It will also keep her from tripping over it. It was very simple...

Just cut a ribbon 40inches. Or longer depending on how long you want the bow.

Pin it in the center, bottom of the towel.

Test it (to make sure it will tie the way you want. One side will be longer than the other because it has to go a further distance to meet the other side)

And sew in place using a box. You can also sew an "x" inside the box for reinforcement.

Lastly, singe the ends of the ribbon with a lighter. This will prevent fraying.

That's it!

Fold one end to the center...

Then the other and roll tightly towards the ribbon.

Spread it out, relax and take it all in!

I embellished this towel with "Lisha" and a "C" in Amy Butler's Lotus Brown Lacework fabric. I used a little lace trim on her shorts.

Then there is the...

"Lisha" is wearing a one piece bathing suit here. I still added lace trim to her one piece suit and of course her large sun hat.

I used California Dreaming fabric in Pink by Jenean Morrison. I love the bright colors and it's pattern easily lends itself to being turned into one of "Lisha's" large sun hats.

You can find my tutorial HERE for the hooded towel.

I had some towel scraps leftover and was wondering what I was going them for...then I saw this post. It was the perfect size for a toddler cover-up. I made it a wrap around cover up placing velcro in two different places on the cover-up. The halter straps also have velcro on them.

We also took some time out to get a couple shots for Father's Day!

I think they'll make a good gift for daddy's desk!

Thanks for visiting! I hope you like the "Lisha" towels! I know she will make another appearance...just don't know where...tote, dress, skirt...any suggestions?

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Orchid Wreath

It's about time I put a wreath on our door!

My poor, bare, front door needed a wreath! I like simple and elegant so I knew I wanted to go with one flower for the entire wreath. What flowers to choose? There were so many...magnolias, peonies, hydrangea...the choices were endless! I ended up choosing orchids. They are one of my favorite flowers and I loved the green color. You can make one too. It's a piece of cake and takes no time at all!

Here is what you need...

12" green ring- $5 at Michaels

2 stems of orchids- $10 each. You can use a 50% off Michaels coupon. Sign up for it next time you go there. They are doing away with the Sunday paper coupons.

Glue gun/glue sticks

Scissors

Cut all of the flowers off the stem.

Use your hot glue gun and start gluing!

I just glued them on the sides and front of the green ring so it would lay flat against the door. Plus if I would have covered the entire ring it would have cost me a small fortune!

All finished and now my door has a little color! And I love the color!

I would love to see your version! Maybe with your favorite flower or a ribbon to hang it with. The possibilities are endless!

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The M&J Challenge...

is up! And can I say WOW! Everyone did such an amazing job! I am so honored to be among these talented ladies! You can view my tutorials...





along with the others HERE! Thank you to M&J Trimmings for hosting this challenge. I know it took a lot of work to put this together and it looks fabulous and is truly inspiring!

Placemat Tote: A Tutorial

We are in summer vacation mode. We are leaving next week for vacation. And I have been thinking of some things that would be nice to take along with us. We have our summer vacation dresses. I have been shirring like crazy! I will share some other things I have made later this week. If you you haven't checked out this pattern from Made you will have to before the summer is over!

I was also thinking Carson needed a little tote to put her belongings in for the pool and beach. She is becoming more independent (if that's possible) and wanted a "diaper bag" like mommy. It's so sad when your diaper bag becomes your purse. Mine has, luckily I love my diaper bag! Anyway, I was cleaning out the kitchen and came across some placemats I just had to have 5 years ago. I actually still really like them, but never use them. So, the little light bulb came on in my head and the placemat tote was born. It's super simple and chances are you have it lying around your house too!

Materials:

Placemat

coordinating fabric or cloth napkin

scissors

sewing machine/serger

cutting board

ruler

rotary cutter

Fold your placemat right sides together. Sew or serge down both sides.

Press and turn right side out.

Cut four 2x18 inch strips. These will be your handles.

Now you are going take 2 of your straps and to serge wrong sides together. Repeat with the other two.

If you do not have a serger you will still take your two strips, but will place them right sides together and sew down one side across and up the other side. Rae has an easy tutorial for doing this here! Press.

Take your handles and pin them in place. I pinned them 3 inches from the outside of the tote.

Sew a box stitch.

Now I thought I was finished, but my 2 year old wanted to know where the pocket was where she could put her coins.

I don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place! So I cut a 5 x5 square. I used the edge of the napkin because it already had a hem on two sides. I hemmed the other two sides. Pinned and sewed it into place! Yeah! A pocket for the coins or sunglasses!

And there is a place for your coins!

Now what might a 2 year old place in her tote? What other than every pair princess shoes she owns and a pair of sunslasses (sunglasses)!

If you have any questions let me know! Happy sewing!

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