DIY Message on a Bottle

I work in a research lab at a University.  Every so often when a lab is closing, they offer up what would otherwise get thrown away, to other labs.  So I wandered down looking for things I could use in the lab, and ended up with 2 boxes of these beautiful bottles.  The glass was so beautiful, I just couldn't stand to see them get thrown away.   

My first thought was to etch them.  I've seen some really great etched projects.  So I bought a bottle of the etching cream and gave it a try.

The instructions say "may not work on Pyrex", but I've seen it done on Pyrex.  I think people just increase the time they leave it on.

Well, even after 30 minutes (the instructions say 2 minutes), no luck.  The glass was just as beautiful and clear as before.  

So, new plan, chalkboard spray paint!

I used a punch to cut some contact paper and carefully smoothed it on the glass.  I learned that you really need to smooth it out well as the spray paint will find any tiny crack and run underneath.  The good news is that it scratches off fairly easily, so you can fix any imperfections later.

Spray on the chalkboard paint, let it dry for an hour, do a second coat and let it dry for 24hrs.  

Add some flowers and a message.
 You could do this on any kind of vase to add a little message.  Would make a nice little Valentine's gift.

Handmade Gift Ideas - Pin Cushion Jar

Happy Thanksgiving!  Here's a quick post with a fun gift idea.

 A fellow crafty friend has a birthday soon and I wanted to give something handmade but also useful. 

I used this tutorial from Make It and Love It.  

I made it and I loved it!  To add my own little touch, I spray painted the lid to get a antiqued look.

 The jar on the left has the hammered finish, the jar on the right doesn't.  Both look great.

Ready to fill with some yummy treats.

Hope your Thanksgiving Day is full of cheer!

Handmade Gift Ideas - Color Blocked Zip Pouch

 The holidays are right around the corner so it's time to get started on those handmade gifts.  And who doesn't love a zip pouch?  Here's a great little project that you can use some scraps to whip up in no time.  

You'll need some heavyweight fabric for the outer (or you can interface a lighter fabric), fabric for the lining and a zipper. 
 Full tutorial and pattern here.

 
I used some scraps of duck canvas that were 5 inches wide by 14 inches tall.  

(you can see I put together 2 smaller gray pieces)

 Sew the strips together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and cut in half.

 Cut the pieces to size using the printable pattern, and finish according to the instructions here. 

Fill it up with some fun little treats and it's ready to be received!

What handmade gifts are you working on?

Fabric Gift Bag - TUTORIAL

Thanks for all the comments on my previous gift bag post. Definitely gave me the push I needed to put together this tutorial and to make a few changes.  I was inspired by the Nautical Adventures Tote that Roselee over at Jane of All Trades posted recently.  Her technique for sewing and finishing the seams all in one step is genius!  Go take a peek, but be sure to come back so you can make a cute little gift bag.  

Here's what you'll need to make a cute, simple and reusable gift bag:

• 1 piece of duck canvas that is 10"x22"
• about 21 inches of 1/2inch double fold bias tape (this is a great time to use up some scraps or try making your own - good tutorial here) 
• 4 large eyelets and setting tool

Fold the fabric in half so you have a rectangle that is 10"x11" and iron the fold well. 

If you are going to add some applique, now's the time to do it.  You want to add your applique to the INSIDE of your folded piece of fabric.

Here's the genius part I borrowed from Roselee,  start your bias tape about an inch from the top (open end of fabric) and sew a 3/8 inch seam from the top all the way to the bottom, folding the bias tape under at the bottom (folded end of fabric).  You've sewn and enclosed the seam in one step.  Amazing!

Next, box the corners by marking 2 inches from the bottom corner. 

Match those marking, draw a line across and sew on the line.

Iron the seams and from the corners up so the bag has more shape.

 Here's what the inside will look like.

Finish the top edge with either a serger,

or cut with pinking shears. 

Fold the top edge towards the inside about 3/4 inch, so that the raw edge of the bias tape is covered, and sew around. 

2 inches down from the top, centered, and 1 inch apart, make 2 markings for where your eyelets will go.  My bag front was about 5.5 inches across, but this might vary a little depending on how you ironed it.  Just make sure the markings are centered and the spacing is even. 

Follow the instructions to attach the eyelets.

Use the front 2 eyelets to mark where the back eyelets should be.  This insures that they line up at the end.

There you have it!  Thread some pretty ribbon or bias tape through, fill with a gift, and you're ready to go.

Be sure to add yours to the Flickr Pool.

It's alway so fun to see what you come up with!

Kid's Messenger Bag Tutorial

(remember, this is for personal use only.  contact me if you'd like to become a licensed seller)

We've had a lot of birthdays to celebrate this month. It's always fun to give something handmade, so I came up with this cute messenger bag that we could fill up with other fun presents. It's super easy to make and can be made for a boy or girl depending on the fabric.

Here's what you need:

2 pieces of fabric for bag outer, 12" X 9" (I used denim)
2 pieces of fabric for bag lining, 12" X 9"
2 pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing for bag bottom, 12" x 9"

2 pieces of fabric for flap, 9.5" X 8" (I used a contrasting fabric for one side and denim for the other)
1 piece of medium weight fusible interfacing for flap, 9.5" X 8"

1 piece of fabric for strap 28" x 8" (I used denim)
1 piece of batting for strap, 28" x 4" (this is optional)

Start out by fusing the interfacing to the outer bag pieces.


In the bottom corners of the 12 inch side of both outer pieces, mark a box that is 1.5 x 1.5 inches.

Then, cut those corners out. Do the same for the bag lining.

With right sides together and 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew the outer main bag panels along the sides and bottom. Do the same for the bag lining pieces. Press seams open.

Now match the side seam to the bottom seam on each corner. Trim and sew across with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Do the same for the bag lining.
When you turn the outer part of the bag right-side-out, you should have something that looks like this.

Now, let's work on the flap. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric that you want to the outside of the flap.

Next, we'll round the corners. Lay the 2 flap pieces out with right sides together.
Fold in half matching the shorter (8 inch) sides. Use something round like a CD or jar cover to trace a rounded corner and cut.Here's what you'll end up with. Now along the long rounded edge, leaving the top, straight edge, open.
Clip curves, turn and top-stitch.
(ignore the fabric change....I was working on 2 bags and took a picture of the wrong bag...)
Next, we'll do the strap. Take your strap fabric and fold it in half the long way. Open it up and fold the edges in to fold line you just made, essentially folding your fabric in quarters. Place the batting inside.Top-stitch along each long side and down the middle.

Now we just need to put it all together. Pin the strap to the right side of the bag and then baste in place.

Pin the flap to the right side of the bag and baste in place. Double check to make sure that the fabric you want to see will show when the flap is closed.
This is the hardest part of the whole project. With right sides together, pin the bag lining over the bag exterior. You'll really have to pull it up to match the raw edges since you've got the strap and bag flap in there.

One it's all nice and pinned, sew around the top, leaving an opening for turning.
Turn and top-stitch making sure to close up the opening you left for turning.
There it is! Fill it up with some fun little presents and give it to someone special.