Pont des Arts

Around the world, there are several bridges where lovers hook padlock on bridges to symbolize their eternal love and throw the key in the water. Pont des Arts bridge is the "Love Bride" in Paris.

Paris is our first stop in our Europe Trip coming up! (Can't contain my excitement!!!!) One of our many adventures will include leaving our mark on the love bridges. I hope to leave our mark on each city we visit: Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome.

My random craft for today is my Spiced Up Padlocks =)

Before:

A little paint and some jewelry accents and voilà...

T-Minus 27 days until Europe...

Flower Power

Today's craft was more of a dry run for me. My family and I recently took a trip to Disney World a couple months ago. We had just bought a brand new camera for the trip and I made sure to bring it everywhere in order to capture all my dreams coming true =) Therefore my camera bag also became my purse, due to the fact I did not want to carry around 2 bags. Unfortunately, my camera bag is the perfect size for my camera only! The silver lining is that I probably ended up spending less money because I just didn't want to bother trying to fish my wallet out. Now, we are headed to Europe in less than a month and knowing that this could possibly be my one and only trip over seas I will be taking thousands of pictures. I probably won't even need a bag due to the fact my camera will not leave my hands. Never the less, I want a stylish camera bag/purse and don't want to pay high dollar for it. So I decided to just make my own. Anyway, to make a short story long... ha!

I really want to make a quality bag. Since I have never made one before and I have yet to get any foam in order to make it camera friendly, I decided to make a similar purse for practice.

I combined 3 different tutorial/patterns for this project:

First, I took a kit that I got on clearance from Walmart. I really only used it for the fabric and lining:

Second, I used 2 tutorials to help me build my bag.
I found this super cute Pleated Purse Tutorial for the basic structure.
And this helpful Lined Zippered Pouch to help me insert a zipper. I have been told that there are several Expert Pickpocketers in Europe so I don't want to give them easy access with just a button.

Last but not least, the kit provided extra little flowers.

At first I was just going to toss them, but then I had a great idea to make a pocket! =)
Using Steam-A-Seam I created a collage of them and ironed them onto the wrong side of some extra lining fabric I had.

Then, I just cut around the flowers and sewed it unto my lining. (Note: I did this before I sewed the whole bag together.)

And the finished project:

 Also, as you can see I made longer straps than showed in the the tutorial. Overall I like it, but I will say I am glad I did a dry run, so I can improve some things.

Hope you felt creativity was brewed... =)

5th Times a Charm?!?!

When I first started my blog, one of my main concerns was neglecting it. And time and time again I vow to be better and I usually only make it 2 days before surrendering.

Due to some unfortunate incidents I have more time on my hands these days. So I'm hoping the extra time will help me stay focused. I have also decided to do themed type days, so as to keep me accountable. So here are my thoughts as now (which I know I'm bound to change).

Mondays: How-To/Tutorials/Videos
Tuesday: Stampin'/Cards
Wednesday: Sew Cute Projects
Thursday: Random/Pinterest Inspired 
Friday: Upcycle/Recycle/Repurpose

No post on Saturday or Sunday unless there is a special occasion or I'm feeling like providing a bonus post day =)

Now I know Tuesday is supposed to be Stampin/Cards, but I wanted to kick off my "new and improved" blog with a Craft Room Transformation Video. My plan was to do this yesterday, unfortunately I could not get my videos to work properly. So we are going to be doing that today instead of stamps.

My Craft Room had become more of a junk room and my poor husband had entered it without warning one night after I had gone to bed when he was in search of something. I then was told I was not allowed to buy anything else crafty until my room was clean and organized. Ha! Talk about motivation! =)

So I hope you enjoy...

Before the Transformation:

Dramatic After:

For The Dogs

Yet again I have let my blog slip away from me.
I vow to be better.... Where have I heard that before?!?!

No, but really... I am going to try my best!

Today's craft comes from an inspiration found on Pinterest... 

See Tutorial Here

We are headed on a small road trip to Oklahoma with...

Our five new precious puppies and the two parents

 

Due to the fact that my Jeep is still pretty new, we would like to keep it looking that way

Hence, a seat cover for the dogs... 

 

Materials Used:

2 yards Blizzard Fleece

2 yards Target Bottomweight Fabric

1" x 120" Nylon Strapping 

4 Parachute Buckles 

Tip for using Nylon Strapping:

My guess is that the Cotton Strapping catches on the teeth of the buckles a little better than Nylon Strapping. No worries if you are using Nylon though. Just sew the straps in place after putting on the buckle and measuring where they need to go by pinning them in place inside the car

 

 

Owl-tastic

So a little over a week ago, 'Jack' (my Toyota Solara), decided to call it quits and shut down on my way to church.. on the hwy... it was a sad, sad day. 

Although, a much happier day came following soon after. I finally got an SUV!!
It's an adorable Jeep Liberty, named Pearl =) Now the only downside to this new vehicle was that it has a spare tire on the back of the vehicle. This was one of the my 'Don't Want Wish List' but it has grown on me and I put my own piece of flare on it thanks to super cute vinyl from EAD Designs!  

Hope you enjoy...