-wallets and pouches-

I made these coloring wallets for my niece and nephew for their birthdays a few weeks back.  I have made several of these coloring wallets (pattern by jcasa).  They were my go to birthday present for a couple of years, but it has been awhile since I made one.  These are great to use up large scraps though and go together quickly.

For the boy wallet I used a Japanese car fabric that I had leftover from Josiah's pants I made during Kids Clothes Week and a blue solid for the lining.

For the girl wallet I used a Japanese princess and the frog fabric leftover from Juliana's bento box carrier and a green solid.  I do interface the outside and the lining to make them sturdy, but iron on interfacing does crinkle a bit since it is folded, and this is especially noticeable on the inside.

I also made my first Christmas gift!  This is the Idea Pouch from Michelle Patterns.  I bought this when she first released the pattern.  I changed the button closure to use a rubber band because I didn't like having to wrap a string, and I think this makes it look a little more streamlined. 

 I really think this is a versatile pattern.  It can fit an iPad, a composition book, or I also think it would be nice for an embroidery project- you  could keep a hoop and pattern in the main part and adjust the pockets on the inside for your floss, needles, and scissors.  I am definitely going to make another for me after the holidays.  For the fabric I used two half yards from Madrona road.  However, the pattern does call for 2/3 yards because of the height of the pieces.  Fabric.com usually cuts their fabric a bit generously.  I was lucky, and it worked!  

I also made myself a new wallet.  This is the Zip Pocket Pouch from Michelle Patterns.  My old wallet was the same pattern in the big size.  This is the tall.  My old one somehow ended up in the kitchen trash can.  Hmm...I have my suspicions on how that happened.  I definitely couldn't keep it...trust me.   

I love this cute typewriter fabric, and this is a super fun pattern to put together.

I am a huge fan of all of Michelle's patterns, and she currently has all of her patterns on sale for $5 until 11/25!  I definitely would recommend her patterns to even a beginner because she has such great details on how to get your bag or pouch to look professional.  Go check them out!

I will be back later this week to show you my finished cowl!  Yay!

-we have a four year old!-

Felicity turned four over the weekend!  She was so excited.  She has been counting down the days ever since Juliana was counting down the days to her birthday.  It has been a long wait, but finally she is four.  Now she is counting down to five. ;0) 

We had her birthday party the day before, and she has been looking at the pinatas at the grocery store for months picking out the "perfect" one.  She settled on a blue unicorn with pink and white hair.  She named it "Star Heart".  Poor Star Heart really got smashed to smithereens    

One of the things she has been asking for was a princess purse and a wallet.  Both of my girls are intrigued by how money works right now, and they like to pay the cashiers at store and get "change".  They think it is so awesome that they give them money, and then they get handed money back!

I didn't make the princess purse, but I had this awesome little mermaid/ castle Japanese fabric scrap that was the perfect size to make a wallet.  I used Keyka Lou's Zip Pocket Pouch pattern.  This is the tall version.  This size would work perfectly for a cell phone!

The only thing I did differently was to use a lightweight fusible fleece.  I like how it makes it soft but firm.  It was definitely a big hit with the recipient!

Keyka Lou is also offering all her patterns right now for $5 until November 27th!  All her patterns would make great Christmas gifts!

What are you working on this week?

I am working on my girls' Easter dresses this week, but I took a little break to make some of these basic wallets from Keyka Lou's pattern.  I made some of these at Christmas for the preschool teachers, and they were big hits.  I needed a couple of little gifts, so I went back to this pattern.  This first one is actually for me.  I needed another case for my little point and shoot camera, and this pattern works perfectly for it.  I also use this wallet for my iPhone.

For this one I used this pretty oak tree from by Joel Dewberry.  

This wallet is the perfect pattern for your largish scraps.  I used this fun Japanese print that I had just perfect amount leftover from this pillow.  

Just dig through your scrap bin and wa-la!  

Keyka Lou is having her anniversary sale right now and all her patterns are only $5 right now!  I have never been disappointed in any of her patterns.  She has great details on how to make your item turn out just right.  I have a link to her shop over there ---------->; in my sidebar!  

So, what are you working on this week?