Fold-Over Clutch

It's been "one of those days".  You know, the kind where you run around nonstop but don't actually get to anything on your to do list?  Yep, "one of those days..."

Thankfully I finished up a new sewing project last night that I wanted to share with you.

Introducing The Fold-Over Clutch...

I'm so excited about how they came out.  Nothing satisfies me creatively as much as having an idea and seeing it come to fruition.

The clutch is perfect to use anytime, day or night.

They feature a zippered closure...

...a sewn on hook and loop tab to keep the clutch folded in place....

...and coordinating interior lining fabric.


For pricing information or to order become a fan of AquaSeventy6 on Facebook or email me at the link above.

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Mother's Day Wish List {Handmade}

It just dawned on me that Mother's Day is just 2.5 weeks away! If I had ONE wish, it would be to spend the day with my mom and my mother-in-law.  Unfortunately, we simply can't do an 800 mile road trip with my daughter in a cast, and the kids still in school.

Oh, and have you SEEN airline prices?!?  For the cost of four round-trip tickets, plus baggage and the cost of boarding the dogs and we could LIT-rally drive to Florida and spend a week in Disney World.

Anyway, since none of those things are going to happen, why not fantasize about my dream Mother's Day Gift Wishlist?  Ahhh, yes.....(wiggly lines and harps playing)

I'm totes magotes into maxi skirts and maxi dresses.  I would kill to have these in my closet:

The following blue floral dress by k.a.i-y.a. designs is long and flowy....and just makes me want to go to St. Tropez.

k.a.i-y.a. designs

I'm also digging this k.a.i-y.a. red maxi skirt with a yoga waist band:

k.a.i-y.a. designs

My former blog and biz partner Autumn created this dress to wear to a vineyard and seriously, I'm about to have a glass of wine right now just thinking about owning this boho strapless maxi...

stitched by jones

I've been using my favorite laci jean handbag every day for a year and a half (and it's so well made that I can probably use it every day for the next 10 years!)  But that doesn't stop me from fantasizing about other bags to add to my collection.

laci jean

Tween Queen Designs

stitched by jones

You know I love accessories!  Here is a fun and funky pendant I wouldn't mind sporting out:

Sweet Whimsy

 Mother's Day isn't complete if you don't have something with your kids' names on it:

This hand-stamped necklace by R&E Avenue is definitely on my wish list! (shhh...I already ordered it for myself)

R&E Avenue

What items are on your Mother's Day wishlist?  Tell me in the comments!

First Aid "Everything Pouch"

Last week, my friend asked if I could create a little pouch to put in her son's diaper bag where she could store his medicines along with a sheet containing instructions on the necessary dosage and his doctor information for any emergency situation.   She wanted to make sure it was clearly marked with a red cross to indicate "First Aid".

What a great idea!  When diaper bags became unnecessary in my house, I found myself tossing band-aids, medicines, etc. into my purse, only to be lost in the bottom of its abyss when the need arouse. This pouch had so much potential! 

This pouch is 5" x 6.5", to accommodate my friend's needs, but can easily be made in any size and fabric combination. 

If you or your child has allergies, a little First Aid Pouch can store an Epipen or allergy medications.  You can pack bandages and triple antibiotic in this little pouch and toss it into your child's sports bag.

The possibilities are endless.  To order, or for more information, email me at the link provided above.

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Stenciled Drop Cloth Pillows

I was bit by the DIY/craft bug a couple of years ago.  It started out with an obsession with thrift stores and vintage pieces, then progressed to refurbishing vintage furniture, then upcycling (using an existing item in a whole new way, or turning one item into another), and finally to sewing items from scratch.  The following project was my first attempt (October 2010) at incorporating the various crafting elements.

I got the drop cloth in the paint section and stencils and acrylic craft paint in the craft section of Walmart.

A true upcycle project, I used the stuffing from some old throw pillows.

(This chair was a $15 Goodwill find.  I just reupholstered the seat.)

(Antique chair $5, Goodwill)

This is an easy peasy DIY project, but if you are interested in your own stenciled throw pillow and aren't in the mood to DIY, you can always turn to me! I promise my sewing has gotten A LOT better since 2010! ;)

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Boho Passport Bag

The first time I'd ever flown out of the country was on my honeymoon.  This was back in the day when you could enter and exit the Caribbean with just your driver's license and birth certificate.  Even though Hubs didn't have one, I already had a passport, and I was in charge of keeping all of our identifying documents safe.

I remember my parents using an old zippered pouch that they got at their bank while traveling.  I was given a similar one at my first gyno appointment (it was purple and originally held all sorts of woman's health information), so of course, that became our "passport case" for the next 10 or so years.  I'm pretty sure Hubs never knew it was a gyno bag.

I stopped using the purple bag a couple of years ago because it simply was too big and bulky to comfortably fit in my purse. My need for a passport pouch wasn't eliminated, though, and I ended up using a plastic baggie to hold our passports on our trip to Rome. Blah!

It finally dawned on me (too late) that I could have used an Everything Pouch!  The idea stuck, but it wasn't until I came across a fantastic fabric this weekend that it came to fruition.

Introducing the Boho Passport Bag:

I tweaked the dimensions of the Everything Pouch, so that it was big enough to hold a few (at least 4 or 5) passports, but small enough to fit comfortably in your purse or briefcase.  Those of us who bring carry-on luggage know that it is hard enough to squeeze your purse underneath the seat, so this guy is nice and flat to take up little space.

I love the vintage postmarks on the fabric, as well as the color!

I lined the inside with a fabric in coordinating colors.  I think it came out so super cute!  What do you think?

To order your own Boho Passport Bag email me using the link above or message me on my Facebook Timeline!

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DIY Fail into DIY Score: "Zikat"

Happy Sunday!  Last week I went fabric shopping for the first time in months.  I came across this gorgeous fabric by Alexander Henry:

Zikat

I was lucky enough to find it NOT on sale.  (Why it is lucky to find something at regular price?  Fabric stores tend to mark their items at around 30% off, and then publish coupons for 40% or 50% off that you can only use on regular priced items.  For example, it's currently on sale at Joann for $10.99/yd (less than 16% off), but with my 40% off coupon, I was able to snag it at $7.79/yd.)

When I got home, I knew I wanted to make this print into a maxi skirt (for me!) but then I remembered that I had only bought 1.25 yards of fabric of each of the 6 prints I had picked out.  (When I spend forever and a day waiting at the cutting counter, I tend to do the math in my head and get scared to blow my entire budget just on fabrics, so sometimes I don't buy enough, especially on designer prints.  Blah!)

I still attempted to make myself a maxi skirt, but my hips protested.  They insisted that I needed at least another half quarter yard to make it a maxi skirt and not an elongated pencil skirt! 

No problem!  I cut off a few inches of elastic at the waistband and trimmed some inches off of the length, and voila!  A perfect "Zikat" maxi skirt for my mini-me in a cast.

 

Not only does she rock this look out, she balances extremely well on one foot so that mommy can get a good pic!

She wanted the same Katniss braid I had done for her when we saw The Hunger Games a couple of weeks ago.  Love it!

And, here we are together.  (Excuse the grip I had on her arm, her leg was getting tired from standing so long and she thought she might fall!)  Of course, I had on ZERO accessories.  Isn't there a saying about the cobbler's son going barefoot?  In my case the cobbler is barefoot.

So what do you think about my daughter's $8 fashion statement??  Tell me in the comments!

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Ribbon Belts

Happy Friday the 13th y'all!  Spring break just flew by!  I wanted to stop by today to show you my latest project.

I was stoked when my friend Stacie asked for a couple of fabric belts to rock out with some shorts and tanks this summer.  I've had ribbon belts on my list of things to do for MONTHS.  In fact, I made my buddy Joe a couple of guy's ribbon belts this winter.

The following are two variations on the "Ribbon Belt."

This ribbon belt is made using actual ribbon on  grosgrain belting.

Fabric Ribbon Belts are made with cotton fabric and lined with interfacing for sturdiness.  The possibilities are ENDLESS!

What I love most about these belts is that they skirt the line between preppy and bohemian!

So what do you think?  I think I am going to have to make myself an entire collection of these!

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DIY Flannel Skirts

I have to begin this post with a disclaimer:  I'm not an apparel designer. You won't see the following items in my shop.  The following is strictly a DIY project! (see below for more information)*

I mentioned yesterday that I had been working on some skirts for my daughter, since she'll be wearing a leg cast for 6 weeks. Sure, it would have been easier (and funner) to raid the mall, or an online designer for a new collection of spring skirts, but my wallet did not agree.

I popped into the fabric store last week and was stoked to find the flannel at $2.49/yd!  Yes, I am aware that flannel isn't exactly a spring fabric, nor is it used for much more than PJs and bedsheets, but I couldn't get over the cute prints.  I knew that they would cheer my daughter up, and they were right in my price range!  (It helps that the temperature is still relatively cool for the next few weeks!)

I know how to make a basic skirt, but I scoured the web for some other ideas and came up with some quick and easy variations.

This turquoise and brown owl print is done in a tiered fashion.

I went with a basic skirt for this purple bird/birhouse print.

This pink bird/birdcage print looks great tiered!

I had some left over fabric from the skulls and cherry blossom skirts to make matching Boho Headbands (which I do sell, btw!)

I was able to get my daughter up on her crutches to model one of the skirts for you:

Did I mention that these only cost $2.49 each to make?!? (Even less for the basic skirt style!)

Thanks for popping in and taking a peek at my newest DIY!

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*Why the disclaimer? When you are part of a community of handcrafters, sometimes your interests and designs overlap. Even though none of us own the rights to any particular craft, I personally find that it's important not to encroach on a friend's niche market.