My (almost) Finished Paper Bag Smash Book

Yes, I did it.  I made my own Paper Bag Smash Book!

At a "get ready for Girls Camp" meeting with my cohort for the 3rd years a few weeks ago, we were busy trying to come up with ideas for . . . you guessed it,  "Girls Camp."  One of the ideas that my cohort brought to the table was Paper Bag Journals for the girls.  Paper Bag Journals?  Now not knowing anything about paper bag journals, that was my reaction.  Well it was more like "really?"  But outside I was all for it.  

Later at home I decided to find out what a paper bag journal was, so I headed for my all favorite "Pinterest."  I found all kinds of paper bag journals on there, but all the ones I liked didn't have any kind of tutorials, just pictures.  So I ended up googling "how to make a paper bag journal" and found this awesome Youtube video (well it's actually split into 3 videos) with step by step instructions on how to make your own Paper Bag Journal.  While watching the video I proceeded to make my own.  

I didn't have any double stick tape so I used a glue stick.  Well that just took forever and was a mess, so I ran (drove) to the store and got me some double stick tape at Joann's in the scrapbooking section.  And yes, I had my 40% off coupon.  I have now almost completed my very own Paper Bag Journal, which I have renamed "Smash Book" because I think that it sounds way more cool.  

One of the coolest features of the Paper Bag Smash Book (Journal) is all the pockets.  There's multiple pockets on every page, so the girls have places to put their mementos.  I do however need some more ideas on what to do in the pages, so it's not quite completed.  If you have any I'd love to hear them.  I was thinking a page for the hike and one for the devotionals.  That's two down.   

So here's my pictures of my completed "Smash Book" plus the link for those awesome Youtube tutorials.  Here is part 1 of the Paper Bag Journal Tutorial.

Front Cover

Our Camp theme for this year is C.O.M.E. 

Covenants, Obey, Minister and Endure

Inside front cover with a pull out card for the girls to write their testimony of the Savior on.

Another page with Scripture Insert

Back Cover with this years Young Women Theme

"Come Unto Christ"

Toilet Paper Holder

I was looking at toilet paper holders at the local store and they are pretty expensive.  An old friend of mine used to make her own using old coffee cans and material, so I thought I would make a go of it.  I don't drink coffee so of coarse I have no old coffee cans, but I do have lots of food storage and much of that comes in the same size cans.  (#10 size.)

So I found a few (3 is what you need) that were already open and emptied the contents into another container.  Wala!  Empty cans!  Next I cleaned them and took the bottom off of two of them with my can opener.  I saved one of the bottoms for making the lid of my toilet paper holder.  I like my pampered chef can opener because it doesn't leave sharp edges.  I then got out my duct tape and taped the cans together with the one that still has the bottom on the bottom.  I wrapped it clear around to make sure it was secure.  I then found the material I wanted to use and cut it just a bit bigger than my toilet paper holder.  Using my hot glue gun (you can also use spray adhesive or whatever else you prefer, but hot glue is what I had on hand) I glued my material to the cans.  I folded over the edge and glued that down making for a clean end.

I then glued the bottom material over on the bottom. 

 I tucked the top into the inside nice and neat gluing that down.

  I then made my lid by cutting out a circle a little larger than the top.  I glued that down on top then pulled it over to the other side gluing it down.  I then went to home depot and bought a cheep knob and attached it.  It came with two different size screws but they were both too long.  I found one I had on hand a little shorter, but still too long so I improvised using some discs I had left over from another project.  It turned out perfect.  

I then made a cute wall quilt to go with my toilet paper holder.

And that was it.  Easy Peasy, and very cheap!  Just how I like it.

Story of a Quilt

I found this really cute Jelly Roll at Joann's and had to get it.  I had my coupon which helped with the purchasing desicion.  Taking home my treasure I set it down trying to think what to do with it.  So I went where I always go to be inspired (or as you may say, find a pattern).  The internet.  I found this awesome site called the Jolly Gabber that sells some beautiful fabric as well as having some great tutorials.  Doesn't the name Jolly Gabber sound catchy?  I love it!   Here is the site if you would like to check it out.  One of those tutorials just happens to be the Jelly Roll Jam.  Are you getting hungry?  I know I was licking my lips.  Well I printed up the pattern and watched the instructional video.  I then commenced to my sewing room and put together my own.

After finishing the project I took a look at the result.  It's too small.  I want it to be twin size to go on my youngest daughters bed.  The size you are looking for in a twin is at least 72" x 108".  Even adding my boarders it wasn't going to reach anywhere near those dimensions.  So off I went and got another Jelly Roll.  Still too small.  I need 2 more squares.  So today I am off to buy me yet another Jelly Roll.  I printed off my coupon for 40% off and I'm prepared.  I bought some other fabric for the boarder and can't wait till it's time to add it.  Here is the quilt with just one Jelly Roll.  I'm hoping to have the top done this weekend.  Wish me luck.

Sunday skirts

I was able to go to paradise last week and browse through loads and loads of fabric.  The big bonus is that I got to buy loads of fabric because it was so cheap.  I love outlet stores!  One of the fabrics I bought I thought would make a cute skirt for Katie, my 11 year old.  So Saturday night I pulled it out of my stash.  I was excited to realize that it was not only enough to make Katie a skirt, but I could make myself one as well.  So that night I made myself one.  Then wishing I would have made hers as well I set my alarm for a little bit earlier Sunday morning so we could be twinsies at church.  The skirts I made literally took me about 20 minutes to make.  Just cut, sew a hem, sew top to fit elastic and pull elastic through.  Here is Katie and I right when we got home from church.

Scripture Cover Tutorial

I found this tutorial on Pinterest for a scripture cover and thought, "What a great idea."  So of course I had to make myself one.  

I found that after I made mine there were a few things that I didn't like.  I don't like how the stabilizer is out and you can see it from the sides.  I also wanted it to be a little smaller height wise and not hang over so much on the top and bottom.  So I made a few adjustments and this is what I came up with.

This project is so simple and fun.  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask in the comment section and I will do my best to answer them.  

Bag Tutorial

I have made lots of bags and they all have the same basic concept of assembling.  This tutorial is just showing the basics of how to assemble, box the bottom corners and finishing.  It very simple.  You can design the bag however you'd like.  Use your favorite quilt block or just use one solid piece of fabric.  It's totally up to you.  You can also embellish it however you would like.
For this bag I used a block called "Diagonal Paths" which I found on one of my favorite sites, "Quilt Blocks Galore."  I also like to add a pocket to the lining of all my bags.  I just cut a piece of fabric 8 inches by whatever the width of the bag I am making.  Instructions are below for pocket.

What you need.

To start the bag you need.

2 outside panels cut tot size you want your bag

2 panels for lining cut to same size as outside panels.

2 strips of material 2 X 26 inches (longer or shorter depending on how long you want your handles.)

2 pieces of batting cut just a bit larger than your outside panels.

Assembly.

Once you have all your pieces cut out you can start assembling.  

Handles

For my handles I like to add batting.  You don't have to but I like how it feels.  Put right sides together  with batting on the outside and sew up both sides of your handles.  Now you are going to turn your handles right side out.  After it is turned right side out iron the handles flat then sew along the edge of the long sides of your handles.  I like to use a decorative stitch on this part.  Now set your handles aside for now.

 Outside Panels.

My two outside panels are already quilted with the batting so now I am going to take them and put right sides together and pin.  Next sew both sides and bottom of bag with 1/4 inch seam.  Set aside.

Lining.

You are going to do the same thing with the lining.  My lining is made of two seperate fabrics.  One matching for the top and one for the bottom.  I also added my pocket to my lining by pinning it to one of the panels.  You are now going to sew the two sides and bottom leaving a 4 inch gap for turning later.

I got a little ahead of myself with pinning the handles to the bag.  It is actually easier to do this after this next step.

Boxing the Corners.

I like to box the corners of my bags.  It makes it look nice plus makes it able to stand up.

after turning your bag right side out is a good time to pin your handles on.

Sewing the lining to the bag.  

Finishing it up.

You can now embellish the bag however you would like.  I added a pocket with applique to the front of this bag.  

Now it's time to go make you some bags.  I hope that this has been helpful.  If you have any questions you can ask me in the comment section.  

Let's Make Some Bags.

I have been having so much fun making bags.  It has actually been all I've really wanted to make for the last couple of months.  I have found so many different patterns and tutorials that have been wonderful.  After making several different bags I am learning that although the tutorials are all different, the concept is all the same.  So I am going to put together a basic tutorial of how to make the bag and let you be the creative one and make the bag your own.  So be sure to check in tomorrow for the step by step tutorial with pictures on how to assemble an awesome bag.

Quilting Pleasures

Learning to quilt is a joyous adventure that I am currently on.   I still have a lot to learn.  My next goal is to learn to free motion quilt on my machine at home.  I have watched some tutorials and have tried it, but I definitely need a lot of practice. I have finished several that I am pretty proud of and wanted to share along with some great tutorials that have helped me on my way. 

Not too long ago my wonderful husband bought me a brand new Brother sewing machine and I have been going a little crazy since I opened that box of pure delight.  I absolutely love it.  It’s the Brother SE400 and not only has a whole bunch of cool stitches but does some great embroidery as well.  The only down side of it is that the embroidery size is limited to the 4” loop that it comes with.  Well needless to say I haven’t spent much time doing anything but sitting at this beautiful machine making all kinds of creations.  My poor kids can attest.  They have patiently suffered through many "fend for yourself" nights and "can you tuck yourself in" nights because sadly I get into my zone. 

My first quilt this year was a king size new album quilt.  I finished the top in March and it is now neatly folded with the backing in a bag ready to go to my friend Ginny for quilting on her long arm.

 

My second quilt this year was a quilt put together for the Young Women to tie and donate to who they felt it should go to.  It turned out really cute and I was able to get it put together in just 2 days.  It was a fun activity for the Young Women.  They were able to present it to a couple in our ward at a later activity.  The girls not only learned a skill but they were also doing a service for someone else.  

My third quilt was a baby quilt as a gift for a friend.  I had fun doing some monogramming in one of the squares with the embroidery part on my machine. 

Twin Quilt & Pillow Case

My last quilt of the year was a twin size quilt that I have been meaning to make since the beginning of the year for one of my girls.  My 9 year old daughter, Ally, has been asking me when I was going to make her a quilt and I kept telling her when I would get a chance.  Well I decided that I would make her quilt for Christmas.  This is what started me on my Homemade Christmas.  It was easy to piece the quilt together in secret without her knowing about it.  I could easily hide it when she was around so she wasn’t the wiser about it.  But when it was time to put it on the quilting frame it was another story.  I had the quilting frame in the living room for 3 days with a large sheet draped over it.  When the kids would ask me about it I would firmly tell them that it was too close to Christmas for them to be asking me questions.  Thankfully they didn’t press the matter.  I found a tutorial on how to tie my quilt with hidden ties that I really liked.  It was easy to do and I like how well it turned out.    

Here is the link if you would like to check it out.  

 http://www.creationsbykara.com/2010/09/knot-less-tied-quilt.html/ .  

Binding Tutorial

I also found a tutorial for binding that I like better than any other method I have used.  It is basically the same as most others except for the start and finish.  Here is the tutorial from Heirloom Creations for the binding.  ▶ How to Bind a Quilt - 6 Simple Steps - YouTube .    

Pillow Case Tutorial

I made a pillow case to go with the quilt.  I learned how to do this using the tutorial from The Crafty Gemini.  It was really simple to do and turned out perfect.
  ▶ How to make a Pillowcase- Burrito/Sausage/Roll Up method - YouTube . 
She has so many great tutorials and if you like to get crafty you definitely have to check her out.