It's my party and I'll cry if I want to......

Well, today is my birthday!!  I feel like I just celebrated it last week.  I can't believe it's been a whole year already. 

Here I am.....lil ole me!!  Honestly how old do I look to you? 

I look 21 huh.....if only that were true, lol!

Is it me or what, but as I age I feel like I have no patience,  I get annoyed easily,  I get grumpy when I don't have my Sunday afternoon nap.  I forget everything - the Hubs says because my head is already full with too much information.  He's so sweet. 

  I just want to say that I am so thankful to be here and that I am able to share this day with my friends and family.  I'm thankful for the sweetest hubby in the whole wide world.  I tell him that he's lucky because I don't ask for much, even though he would gladly fulfill my every want.  This year for my birthday all I "want" are 5 things:

1.  A bicycle - yup I've been wanting a bike for a while!

2.  A darning foot for my sewing machine - I have quilts that I want to finish up with some fancy designs.

3.  Amazon gift card - $25 bucks should do it! I like to buy books for my kindle fire and since I'm a cheap-o queen I like to buy the books that are 99 cents.

4.  Since I have class tonight, I want to have a dinner date on Friday at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

and.....

5.  A crawfish boil with my friends and family this weekend. YUMMMMMM!

See....not too much right?

We'll see what happens!

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Another gift......Tote/Baby bag

Welcome everyone....thanks for stopping by.  I want to also say hi to all my new readers glad you are here.  

Okay, here is a new tote/baby bag that I was working on.  I also made bibs and burpies but you've already seen what I can do so I won't show you them, LOL!  This gift set was for my niece.  One tote, two bibs and two burpies.  

Here are the fabrics that I used for the tote.

The pink and orange were used for the inside of the bag and the pockets.

Here is the finished product.  I just love this bag.  It's big enough for all the baby items that she will need to carry around.  A big pocket on the inside, two big pockets on the outside and a magnetic snap to close it up.

Sorry I didn't get enough pics or any of the inside.  I was in a hurry and was already walking out the door.  As you can see it was all ready to be given away.  We had to drive all the way to the other side of town.  Since Houston was hosting the NBA All-Star Game, it was a nightmare getting anywhere with all of the traffic, plus we're already dealing with construction everywhere...so you can just imagine.

We finally made it to the baby shower.  The tote and the bibs & burpies were a big hit.

Well, everyone have a fabulous week.

Linking up to the awesome parties on my party page and also to these amazing parties:

Craft-O-Maniac

Watch Out, Martha

Making the world cuter!

The Dedicated House

An Original Belle

Holly's Stamping Addiction & Cherished Handmade Treasures

The Blackberry Vine

Do Small things with Love

Today's Creative Blog

Sugar Bee Crafts

Elizabeth and Co.

Lil Luna

Rae Gun Ramblings

Creations by Kara

High Heels and Grills

DIY by Design

Handy Man Crafty Women

The Real Housewives of Riverton

Crafty Texas Girls

Family Home and Life

House of Hepworths

Artsy Fartsy Mama

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Elephant Softie - using a pattern

Okay, I wasn't going to post a project this week.  Buuuuuut I had to show off this cute little elephant that I sewed up.  It was included in the birthday tote that was for my for my niece.  

 There are tons of tutorials out on the net and there are too many cute ones to choose from as well.  Since I was short on time and needed to get this done quickly I decided on this one here.  Jess from Craftiness is not Optional has one of the cutest and easiest patterns available.  Go check out her page, she has some really awesome stuff and her blog is great.

Now on to the cuteness.....

Look who has the cutest tail ever.....

Big blue floppy ears to go with the cute tail!

There you have it.

This pattern only has two legs, but I will definitely have to try making one with 4 legs.

See, I told you it was going to be cute!

Thanks for stopping by, you have a fabulous week.

Linking up at the parties on my party page and here:
Its So Very Cheri

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Summer vacation is over....

Why do the weekends go by so quickly? Because time sure does fly when you're having fun that's why, lol.   This was the last free weekend for everyone here in Houston.  School starts Monday....so does the crazy traffic, the getting caught behind school buses, and the waking up super early to avoid all of this.  I myself will start my evening classes on Tuesday...yay!!  So, for everyone that starts school tomorrow good luck and have a fantastic semester.

Now for this weeks project.  My next project will probably be in two weeks, just till I get situated with my class schedule.

I'm showing off a new tote that I made for my niece Aubrey.  It was for her second birthday.  I really enjoy sewing and making thing for my loved ones and for myself.  

Red on the inside.

For this tote bag I sewed a double pocket on the outside for some extra storage.

If you make it, then tag it.  My tag "Fifi Made This"

Okay are you ready to be attacked with cuteness.....really how can you not love this.  I made this as the special little add-on for the tote.

After about 7 different variations, I really liked the way I drew this little elephant.  I then traced on felt and sewed on the extra little pieces.  Then I drew the letter "A"  for her name and made it too.  Cute huh!  Her birthday theme was "Circus".

This has to be my favorite tote that I have made so far.

Until next time!  Thanks for stopping by.  

Participating at all the fabulous parties on my party page and here:

Its So Very Cheri

Crafty Texas Girls

Coastal Charm

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Patriotic Pillow

This past Saturday we drove out to the country to visit some wonderful friends.  They have their property in Sommerville, TX and a short gulf cart drive to the lakes edge.  I love it!!  Well, we never go or leave there empty handed. Not that we expect or they expect anything, it's just a nice gesture since we only get to see them about once a year.  I wanted to make something that I knew they would enjoy and appreciate.  So I decided on a Patriotic Pillow.  Of course it can be put out all year round, not just the 4th of July. 

The Patriotic Pillow

(I apologize for the not so great pics. I was in a hurry)

I decided on the more muted colors of Red, White and Blue. 

1.) Washed and pressed the 3 fat quarters.

2.) Made my cuts, I didn't measure - I usually eyeball everything.

3.) I printed out a star, traced it onto cardboard and cut it out.

4.) I traced stars on the light fabric.

5.) Cut out my stars and they're ready to be sewn on.

6.) I sewed using a zig-zag stitch.  I sewed on the stripes to the light fabric, I sewed the stars to the blue fabric, then sewed the blue fabric onto the light fabric.   Then I used embroidery floss to sew the buttons onto the stars.

For the back I used burlap lined with the light fabric, I didn't want the stuffing to poke out thru the burlap.

Here is the finished pillow.  I have to say they really loved it.  I loved making it for them. 

I made another pillow for my friend's birthday but I will show hers later.  If you follow me on Instagram (@fifiybr) then you got to see a sneak peek of it and I also introduced her pet potbelly pig Bacon.  Her parents are the ones who received the Patriotic Pillow.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone have a fabulous day!! 

Until the next project.....

Linking at these spots and others on my Link Party page

CraftyTexasGirls

Savvy Southern Style

My RePurposed Life

2805

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Crochet Covered Jars - Mother's day gifts or whenever gifts!

Well I took a break from all the scrap busting this week! I wanted to do something else so I decided to cover some jars with some really bad crocheting.....as you can see from the pics below I'm not the worlds best crochet-er.  I did get the affect I was looking for though. This is what I will be making for Mothers day gifts for my mom, sisters, M-I-L and S-I-L's.  

I have about 100 empty jars and bottles in a spare closet waiting for future crafting plans.  When I get to them is another question and theHubs is getting a bit worried with all the jar hoarding going on. "Men", sometimes they don't understand.

I know the big thing that's going on around blog land is painting and tinting glass jars, but I don't want to do that just yet.  I don't want to do it because everyone else is doing it. Sometimes I want to be the oddball when it comes to crafting. ('',)  Yes, I know I'm not the first the crochet cover jars, but I'm showing you the jars that "I" covered. 

I used some yarn that I had bought at the $ store...and used some jars from my stash and cut some knock-out roses from my backyard.  Doesn't it feel great to be able to use what you have and not go out and buy anything.  The jars can be used as plant holders, candle holders or what ever you decide to do with them.

I hope everyone has a great week!  Look out for me I'll be linking up to lots of parties this week.  Check out my I ♥ to Party links page to see where I link up and where you can link up as well.

One of the places where I'll be linking up at is Craftbotics

Rosie is having a month long link up, so what'cha waiting for go over there and link up your AWESOME projects.  She also has co-hosting opportunities if you email her.  Go and check out her cute and crafty blog.

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I surely have the Sweetest Valentine!!

My hubby is awesome!!  

This sneaky guy woke up early to put my gift into my truck, so I'd see it getting into the vehicle!

Well look what I received for Valentine's Day! I am soooo happy, I've been eyeballing the thing every time we go to BestBuy.  I already have a e-reader, not a top brand but it works.  So I didn't necessarily need to have it. But every time I saw the KindleFire I swear I heard heavenly voices singing, lol!!

Thanks honey buns, I love you!!  Not only today, but forever!

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Mondays!!

We all have them.....

some have bad ones, some have good ones.

This Monday is not bad. But I'm excited about NEXT Monday!! 

Why...... 

Oh it's my Birthday!! Yay!!

it's my birthday, it's my birthday....we're gonna party like it's my birthday!!!

Since Valentines day and my birthday are only six days apart.... I don't ask for anything fancy, I don't demand 2 gifts, I'm not picky - most of the time, I don't need to be lavished with diamonds - I already have them. I don't go bonkers because I didn't get flowers, or the giant bear that is bigger than my lil ole 5'1-5'2 self....<---man, I'm short! lol! 

Fifi made this*! 

Why do they make bears this big anyways? lol!!

I've never been one to want expensive things or dinners at big restaurants.  The hubs spoils me all year round, I have every thing I need and most things that I want. I'm happy with a card and chocolates. I just don't understand people going broke for holidays or birthdays. 

Whatever you do I hope it makes you HAPPY!  

Valentines day will be Chinese take-out and movies for us!  and a Weekend get away for my birthday!  With a spa day thrown in the mix!  Massage, mani, pedi, facial, lunch!!  I love this particular spa,  they are sooooo nice and all the girls always do a great job with whatever they're doing.  I can't wait.

Happy Early Valentines Day to everyone!!

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Finished project - New Tote Bag!

Hey everyone....


Can you believe that this weekend is Christmas already!!  I can't....it's coming too fast!  Where's the pause button?


Well here is a semi-tutorial for a simple tote bag.  Everyone one can make bags, well at least I hope you can. So I won't bore you with too many details, I'll just make you go insane with all the pictures!! hahaha!!  If you haven't noticed already, I like to post lots of pics. I'm not that much of a writer so I post pics, duh!


Here is a tote that I've been working on for a while, only because I have had so much stuff to finish.  This is a birthday present for my besties daughter. Which I call my fake niece....I'm her aunt but not by blood! Her birthday was on Nov. 29, so yeah I'm pretty behind on it! I guess it's gonna be a Christmas gift now. lol!  She turned 13 years old, oh my....where have the years gone?  Now I do feel old. 

Many people sew totes differently, I usually sew mine 2 different ways. I always get compliments. Which is a good thing!

Here are the 2 ways I sew totes:

1) I sew 1 outside shell with gussets, 1 inside shell with gussets. then fit the shells together and sew the top, pockets and handles. It can be reversible.

2) I sew 1 outside and 1 inside together to make a wall, then sew both walls together, make the gussets and expose the guts (seams) as like to call them. If the inside is a solid color the exposed seams give it a pop of color when you open the bag. I'll have to post a pic so you can see what I'm talking about.  

Totes can come in all shapes and sizes, shore and wide, tall and skinny.  So it's up to you to decide those dimensions. 

On to the bag!!

•  I cut out 4 pieces for the bag (2 for in/2 for out) and 4 pieces for the pockets (2 for in/2 for out).  I cut out 2 strips for the handles. I cut out 2 pieces of interfacing for the bag, 2 for the pockets and 2 strips for the handles.

I ♥'d this fabric!! Her mom helped me pick it out.

I made my pockets. 2 pocket pieces and interfacing.

I found my center and sewed my pocket onto one of the outside  pieces.

Sew up the outside pieces, right sides facing each other.

• After sewing a 1/4 inch seam, I open and press the seams. I do the sides and the bottoms.  Then I open the corners to make my marks for the gussets.

ironed

Measure 2 inches down from the tip.

Can you see my chalk line?

I have no idea why this pic is upside down!!
Well I just cut the triangle off. I usually leave about a  1/4 inch.

Here is the outside shell turned right side out.

• The following pictures just show me doing the exact same thing as above just adding the interfacing to the inside shell.

Measure, find my center and sew.

Put the two pieces together, right sides facing each other.
Then sandwich with the 2 large interfacing pieces, then sew.

I pressed seams, added the gussets and cut.

This shell doesn't have to be flipped.

• Now that the shells are done, insert the inside shell and fit it together. Now I'm ready to fold and press the top down and get it ready for the handles.

Fit the shells together.

Fold down about 1 inch, then press.  Then another fold and press.

• Take the strips for the handles and fold and press like you would while making a binding, press interfacing down the middle.

Fold and press

Folded and pressed, ready to sew the sides.

Sew down one side.

Flip over and sew down the other side.

• Now that that's done I'm ready to sew on the handles. Flip tote inside out and get a couple of pins to secure the handles in place.

I align the handle with the side of the pocket, push the edge of the handle up the folded top.
Secure with a pin and sew my 1st line. (the bottom of the fold)

Fold over the handle and sew the second line. (the top part of the fold)

Done!! Now turn right side out and admire!!
(this is not the best pic, but  you can see  the inside!!
It can be used either way. I ♥ reversible!)

I really like the way this tote came out....the colors are awesome!! Perfect for a 13 year old.