Planner Organizer

**Note:  As of right now, I haven't decided if I'll carry this in my Etsy Store or not, however... if you are interested in one or have any questions, please feel free to email me (tcbcrain at gmail dot com)**

My first project for the New Year!  and it's for ME!!!!!!  Of all of the things I've sewn not a single thing have I made for myself :(  and VERY few quilts I've made are in my home (none that are finished).  But this is for me!  Designed exactly the way I wanted it!  I've recently put together a planner for myself and made it petty with several cutesy things (I'll post more on my planner later), but I was missing one thing... a place for all of those colored pens I NEED, and the post it's and the little tags and the cute little clips.  I'd seen some people keep them on the inside of the their planner cover, but this makes it lumpy and not ideal when writing, etc.  I'd thought of a zippered pencil bag of sorts, but I really wanted something more organized... and so I started sewing...

There is a place for everything in this baby!!!!  I can easily put things away and quickly grab what I need.

I heard that!!!  Of course I NEED all of those pens!!!  Silly!  I don't know how or when it happened, but I've become VERY picky when it comes to pens.  I LOVE Gel ink pens, and the brand I LOVE didn't have enough colors, I found these that write nicely, with no skipping and no bleeding, etc.  One small issue... they are kinda chunky (which is another thing I NEED in a pen), so when making the little pockets for the pens, I had to "pucker" them a bit so the pens fit in nicely without distorting the shape of the whole "holder".

Next up post-it's, tabs & binder clips!  These little pockets fit the post-it's I like perefctly and these little tabs come on a cardboard holder thing which fits nicely under this little ribbon.  Those binder clips are white clips that I added some Washi Tape to to pretty them up a bit!  See that little pocket at the top?

It perfectly holds several cute green paper clips.  It's big enough to give me some flexibility with what I put in there, but it won't get bulky.

Of course I had to add a little somethin' on the front so I started up the Silhouette and made a monogram... it's just fused on there.

I added some ribbon to tie it closed, this gives me TONS of flexibility with how much I stuff inside ;)

And it all fits beautifully under my folder band thing-y on my planner... everything is secure and nothing falls out or shifts around!!  The best part about this is I can keep it on my planner so it's always handy if I need something, or I can take it off and set it aside when doing lots of planner entires/updates, etc.  Well that's it, thanks for peeking at my pretty planner organizer!  Hope to see you back here again!

Matching Zippered Cosmetic Bag

A "stampy-friend" of mine ordered a bag from me and while she loved it she realized she forgot to ask for a zippered pocket in it.  So I made her this little bag.  It perfectly fits some of those "girlie things", some lipsticks and medicine bottles!  I just LOVE the ruffled look on the front (pattern from Noodlehead)

I did add some fusible fleece and a stiffer interfacing just to make it more "stable" (I just don't care for a whimpy bag with no shape ;)).  Well that's it for this quick post.  I'll have some new wallets for the store to share soon, as well as some quilt blocks I''m working on.  Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday :)

Brooke bag in Paisley!

Wowzers I am so behind with my blogging :(  I'm thinking that should be in my top 10 Resolutions for the new year, lol!  My cousin emailed me that she needed a bag for a friend with an upcoming birthday, the friend was a college student and she gave me her favorite colors.  The pattern is called Raspberry Ripple (by Melly & Me) and I have been dieing to make it!  We found this gorgeous Paisley fabric by Wilmington Prints, and it was perfect!!  The inner pleats and handles are a charcoal color, and I think it just really makes the Paisley POP!  The top band is a little harder to see, but it's an Aqua with white hearts... I LOVE the way this bag turned out!
The inside has 2 pockets...

and is just the right size for everyday!  As soon as I get caught up on orders, I'm making one of these for me!! This Brooke Bag can be found here in my Etsy store.  This weekend I am working on three bags that will heading to the UK for Christmas goodies! 

Holy Pink Diva Diaper bags Batman!

A friend of mine needed a Diaper Bag gift for someone at her office, she told me the girl LOVES the Kardashians and Pink and this is what we came up with.  Pink and black really aren't "my thing" but I just LOVE the way this bag turned out!!

The Bag has 2 large pockets inside as well as a cell phone pocket (complete with a velcro closing flap)

and a bottle pocket on the outside :)  The top flap closes with a magnetic snap.  Lots of room AND lots of style! :)  I like patterns that are flexible, here is this bag with a "cute baby look"... versatile :)  If you are interested in ordering a Diaper Bag, please head over to my Etsy Store, Crains Addiction!

Fabrics used: Dandy Damask in Candy by Michael Miller, Pinhead Dots in Black by Michael Miller, Small Black Chevron by Riley Blake Designs

Insulated Lunch Purse, with a laminated lining

I have been wanting to make one of these for some time now.  I decided that I'd have to make the pattern myself since I couldn't find any that were exactly what I wanted...one "small" dilemma, I haven't been sewing bags all that long AND I've never created my own pattern for anything other than quilts!  Oh yea, I should also add I don't think I've ever sewn a zipper, or used "do it yourself laminate".  This was going to be an adventure!  At one point Hubby had to order me to bed because I was tired and trying to finish "one more thing" and frustration was coming fast and furious!  It was NOT as painful as I had thought it might be, there were a few "lessons learned", but in the end, I LOVE my Lunch Purse!  I didn't have much fun with the "iron on laminate" stuff, I thought it would be smarter than buying laminated fabric since it really only has one use (for now) and it seems so limiting since not every fabric comes in a laminate, but after playing with the stuff, I think I'll just learn to live with finding and buying the pre-laminated stuff.  If any of yall have any tricks or tips for using the iron on stuff, I'd LOVE to hear them!  Well here's the inside (laminated) part...

The laminate seemed to want to seperate from the fabric when I manipulated the inside.  I do like that the bag is deep enough to hold a water bottle :)

I love the zipper all the way across.  I also did NOT want the zipper at the top, top of the bag so it sits about an inch or so down.  I used some InsulBright in the bag as well to keep lunches warm/cool.  For the finishing touches I grabbed a handful of ribbons from Ribbon Carousel made some bows and voila!  Pretty!!  Since I'm a SAHM with older kids I really don't have a need for one of these, so this one is for a friend... I hope she likes it.  I have added this as a "Custom Order" item in my Etsy store, but will be adding some more pre-made bags soon.

The Ultimate Baby Shower Gift

Well I think it's high time I start keeping this blog up to date :)  I've recently been sewing my heart out, working on items for my Etsy store, Crains Addiction.  Fortunately (double edged sword here, but I won't look a gift-horse in the mouth ;)) I have been blessed with LOTS of custom orders (makes filling the store slow, but again... I feel blessed).  Anyway, a family friend is getting ready to have her first baby so naturally I had to come up with a great and personal gift.  I apologize for the not so color clear photo :(

 I started off with this great diaper Bag, I called it the Rachel Diaper Bag.  I loved this bag because it is not ginormous, but has plenty of room to carry everything you need for a day out!  I chose the Children At Play line by Sarah Jane. 

Next up I made a Changing Mat/Diaper Clutch.  I used ribbon to hold it closed because velcro might have scratched baby's head :)  The inside is lined with Pink & white polka dot minky.... soooo soft!  The clutch holds a package of Baby Wipes as well as 1 or 2 diapers.

I made this simple, lined Drawstring bag.  It fits nicely inside the diaper bag and is just the right size for holding pacifiers, baby toys, etc.

 And last but not least, I made up 5 wash clothes lined with more Minky.

I am happy to say that she LOVED the gift :)  And even happier to say that aside from the Minky everything was rather easy to make!!  Well thanks for popping by, hope to see you again :)