Sunday, June 30, 2013

Lace Clutch

 My daughter and I located this wonderful chambray and cream stripe at a thrift store almost 6 months ago.  I love it.  It speaks to me. I just couldn't find the right project.
 I looked at skirts on Pinterest.  I considered a few tops.  Perhaps an Envelope System Wallet.  Nope, nothing seemed to be a worthy enough project to warrant putting scissors to the lovely pile of stripes. 
 Well, this is what I finally designed!  I do love it!

For all of you DIYers out there, I made this little clutch following the same directions as in my ZIPPERED POUCH TUTORIAL.  The only exceptions include:
1. adding lace to front and back outer panels first.
2. adding pink hand stitching next
3. adding key ring and lanyard hook with arm strap. The lanyard hook is attached to zipper pull.

If you aren't much of a sewer or just don't have time, you can find this little clutch in my ETSY SHOP! Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Burlap Envelope System Wallet

 I almost hate to see this one on the "To Sell" shelf.  I may have to indulge myself with a new personal Envelope System Wallet.  My teenage daughter fell in love with it too.  Can you tell that she loves a little lace??
 Not familiar with these wallets?  An Envelope System Wallet is set up for cash-only discretionary expenses such as, groceries, gas/car, haircuts, etc. Each month you allot yourself so much cash into each category.  When the money is gone...the spending must stop. 

My design of an Envelope System Wallet includes these features:

1) A Velcro closure and one main pocket, in which the envelopes fit.

2)Three envelopes have been made in a coordinating fabric. I will transfer labels to each of the envelopes for easy reference. The envelopes are lined to prevent your cash from slipping and for long-lasting usage.

3) A large built-in zippered pocket can hold change, cards, receipts, etc.

4) This wallet is large enough to also hold your checkbook and deposit slips.
5) Envelopes are entirely removable for easy access and budgeting. Remove it if its not to be used! This prevents "dipping" into other categories to make impulse purchases.
If you are interested in this wallet or any of my other designs, please visit my ETSY SHOP! Thanks for visiting!


New Retro Clutch

 Well, I have to admit that I really enjoyed this little project.  My daughter fell in love with this clutch.  The colors, cream and burnt orange, as well as the clean lines bring out a retro feel!  If you are interested in purchasing this cutie (the clutch, not the girl), visit my Esty Shop! Thanks for visiting!



Thursday, June 6, 2013

Baby Bib and Burp Cloth Tutorial

Nothing more exciting than making a gift for a friend whose family has just expanded!  Initially, I wasn't sure what I wanted to sew for her so I went looking through my pinterest board for inspiration!
I ended up recycling a pair of blue jeans into a bib and appliquing a burp cloth to match.
Here are my inspriration pieces!
I was drawn to the colors and simple decorative stitches.  I made a few changes after my sewing machine decided that it would have no part in pretty stitches...ugh.  I did not use ribbon, but instead used a scrap of my favorite fabric.  I think I had about a quarter of a yard hanging around.  Ric rac was used along the top.  I then penciled in the baby's name along the bottom and used a simple backstitch using embroidery thread.  While this site offered the styling inspiration, I needed a template to use, since baby bibs have long been gone from my house. 
You can download this template in real sizing by clicking HERE.  Be sure to check out Clover & Violet as well, because the baby bibs there are cute too!
The burp cloth was made using a cloth diaper and simpling appliquing the name to the bottom corner.  I am very low tech and as soon as I get some extra time on my hands, I will write a tutorial on how I did this. 

Thanks so much for visiting!


 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Reversible Market Bag

I have had a great week and have been able to catch up on a lot of sewing!  I just love this fabric!

Envelope System Wallet and NEW Purse

I wanted to share my newest Envelope System Wallet!  It is perfect for your cash-only budgeting system! 
 
The wallet includes a large zippered pocket (my checkbook , without cover, can fit), three customizeable fabric envelopes and an outer wallet that has plenty of room for addition wallet "things". 
 The little bag is made of burlap and is a cross body bag.  It is so light and airy, you hardly know it is there.  Just large enough for your Envelope System Wallet, car keys, phone and a few other necessities, it is perfect to just grab and go.

 For more detailed information, you can find this wallet and purse for sell in my ETSY SHOP.
Thanks for visiting!
 


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Birthday Breakfast Casserole Recipe

I wanted to share a yummy recipe with you!  At our house, it is served on birthday mornings, though I also use this recipe for other special occassions such as Easter or Christmas. 

While this recipe always results in many acolades, the number one question is, "What is that sauce on top??".  Well, I aquired this recipe, along with the special sauce from my grandmother and I am willing to share it with you.  You won't tell anyone will you?

Birthday Breakfast Casserole

6 to 8 slices of bread - no crust
1lb. ground sausage - cooked
2 cups grated cheese - or more
6 eggs
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 to 2 cups of milk
1 can cream of chicken soup

Tear bread into chunks and place in the bottom of the casserole dish.  (When I am lazy, I simply lay bread in the bottom of the dish).  Crumble sausage on top of bread.  Crack eggs into a large bowl and whip them up with a fork.  Add in milk, 1 cup grated cheese, and mustard.  Mix together with the eggs using fork, then pour over bread and sausage layers.  In same bowl, mix cream of chicken soup with a little milk to loosen it up (a tablespoon or 2 should work).  Pour over top of casserole and spread with the back of a spoon.  Top with remaining grated cheese.  If you need to, you can let this casserole sit overnight in the refridgerator, though many times, I go ahead and cook it immediately.  Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 40 to 60 minutes.  Cheese should be starting to brown lightly and casserole should be hot and bubbly.  Enjoy!


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Budgeting with the NEW Envelope System Wallet

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New to cash only budgeting??  Don't worry!  There are many ways to use this budgeting system to make it work for you!
 
I found my way to the cash-only budgeting method by author and budgeting guru, Dave Ramsey.  Studies show that you spend less when paying with cash versus credit cards, debit cards and checks.  Forget clipping coupons!  Making this simple change will curb your unplanned purchases and help you be a frugal and intential shopper.
 
 
My husband and I share the household and family expenses, but a MAJORITY the descretionary spending fell into my hands...birthday parties, Christmas gifts, haircuts, groceries, gas, clothing, school money, etc.  As a new wife, I was enjoying having so much money at my mere disposal.  Over the years, my credit card bill became larger and larger, until I wasn't able to pay it off each month.   
 
A couple of years ago, when I was not such a young wife anymore and now worried about the financial future of two children as well as a husband's exasperation at my lack of discipline, decided to take control of my spending.
 
I sat down and divided my month's worth of spending into categories.  My categories are very simple, though others have quite complicated categories.  My categories include groceries, car, gifts/entertainment, clothing, health/beauty.  I looked at my checking register and credit card bills to determine approximately how much I spend the the following areas, the determined how much I NEEDED to spend in those categories!  Cash was divided and placed into paper envelopes.  There a couple of rules to follow here:

 1. You can only use grocery money for....GROCERIES
2. You may not pass money from one envelope to another!
 
 
Those were not easy rules to follow.  I quickly solved that problem by only carrying an envelope that contained money I was allowed to use for that particular trip/day.  Such as, "car" went with me all the time (in case I needed gas), but I only carried the "health/beauty" when we were going to get haircuts or pick up medicines for a sick child. 
 
As time went on, I became an expert at my cash only adaption.  But the paper envelopes really got on my nerves.  Since I love to sew, I designed my first Envelope System Wallet two years ago. 
 
I have recently designed the Envelope System Wallet to be even more user friendly!
 
1. Outer wallet is large enough to house up to 6 envelopes, check book, small notepad.
 
2. Three fabric envelopes are included with the wallet in a coordinating fabric.  Each envelope will be labeled with the category of your choice.  Envelopes are not sewn in so that you are free to remove them!
 
3.  Large front zippered pocket.  I found that I rarely EVER removed my zippered pouch from the old design.  It holds change, cards like drivers license, social security, etc.  This new pocket spans the entire length of the wallet and I was able to even place a check book in it (without large cover).
 
 
Thank you for stopping to have a look around!  If you would like to make your own fabric envelopes, you can click HERE for a sewing tutorial.  Don't sew or don't have the time?  My Envelope System Wallets are for sale in my ETSY SHOP.   I would love to hear from you!
 
Here are a few articles/videos about cash-only spending:
The Girl Creative
 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Vintage Kindle Case and Wine Botle Bag

I wanted to share with you two new little projects!  If you are interested in either one, please visit my etsy store for specifics! Thank you for viewing!

 I love this little wine bottle bag!  The bag is in charcoal grey and the front letter can be customized!
 This is a little Kindle case made in burlap and a vintage tablecloth. It is fully lined and cushioned.  Not sized for a Kindle Fire.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Newest Spring Envelope System Wallet!





In 2009, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to move to a more envelope based spending system. Why is it so hard to break that $20 bill in your wallet, but so easy to write a $50 check?? Anyway, I received Dave Ramsey’s book, "The Total Money Makeover" for Christmas. It is a great book and I highly recommend it. Dave Ramsey advocates using the envelope system for many of your daily spending needs as a way to curb excess spending. You allocate your money into the different envelopes at the beginning of the week/month and when the money is gone…it’s gone.

In honor of my New Year’s resolution I made the “Envelope System Wallet”. I am so in love with it and couldn’t wait to share it with you. The wallet features a Velcro closure and one main pocket, in which the envelopes fit. The three envelopes are made in a coordinating fabric and can be removed entirely from the wallet to further enable you to stop unwanted spending. For example, if you are going grocery shopping and know that you have plenty of gas, you can remove the gas envelope to prevent "dipping". I transferred labels to each of the wallets for easy reference. I would be happy to transfer a Bible verse, saying or other labels at your request. Last but not least, there is a zippered pouch for coins, driver’s license and pictures of the kids (plenty large enough for up to 10 cards). I will be selling these on
Etsy. Come over and see!!

By the way, I have had several past customers tell me that they also used the envelopes to help organize their couons too!
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