Keepin' the Car Clean...

can be really HARD! A while ago I saw a tutorial for some car organization items...one of those items was a trash 'can'...which is more a bag. I don't remember where I saw this, but the idea stuck. I didn't really read the tutorial...sometimes I'll just skim through something and then figure it out for myself. All I remembered was a basic shape and the use of a plastic container.

I just made my own...

I came up with a pattern using a 4" embroidery hoop and a plastic bag... I LOVE how they turned out. The fabric makes a nice holder and looks nice, while the plastic bag gets the trash and is replaceable. Just loosen the inside of the hoop, take out the bag, and replace with a new one...easy clean!

The first one I made had a slight issue where the hoop meets...but by the time I made the third one (the brown one) I had that area all figured out.

The third one is also different because it has a 6" hoop instead...I think I like the smaller one, but I broke the third 4" hoop I had and I'm not going to the store till Monday - I'll have to get a few more hoops :)!

The bags I used are Twist Tie Bags - Gallon size.

The Grayish-tan Can is for my SIL's birthday, the green one is for Chad's Birthday, and the Brown one is mine. Tonight we are celebrating the birthdays...Chad is seven years and one week older than his sister...so we sometimes combine the party! Today I made a Strawberry-Rhubarb pie for SIL...Chad always gets a DQ Ice Cream Cake.

I was excited because the pie crust actually turned out...well enough to even do a lattice top! I think this is probably only my 2nd or 3rd time doing a lattice top.

Celebrating with these fun linky parties...

It's a Party! @ A Creative Princess

Weekend Showoff Party @ Lady Bird Lane

Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

(this is a new one...so I need to go grab a button)

And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that good,

acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

Currently I am reading Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl. I am learning how to better meet Chad's needs... Last night I read a chapter about the three types of men...Mr. Command Man, Mr. Visionary, and Mr. Steady...

It was a way to see how the personality of your husband gives the wife different kinds of freedoms and abilities...I'm happily married to a Mr. Steady and as such am able to be craftily creative with his blessing.

Happy Birthday Chad...you are my rock!

Amanda

Friday 'Afternoon' Sew-in?...

Yesterday I accomplished some sewing during the afternoon hours...the bedroom was cooler (I retrieved the window fan from storage) and the girls played well...so, I finished the Belated Father's Day Coasters...

I made my first labels by printing them on my Ink Jet printer using a tutorial from LR Stitched.

These coasters were cut out a day before Father's Day, but then the summer busy season hit...so, they did not get finished until now. They were pretty quick to put together and finished to a really cute size of about 5" x 5 3/4". I hope the men like them!

And then I choose and ironed fabric for about 4 or 5 fabric baskets to get started on...

I was going to try to cut them into the pieces, but instead I cleaned off some shelves from the kitchen (with help from my husband) so he can put a new window (that opens) in the kitchen. The newly cleaned off shelves made their way to my sewing corner...

This is the motivation to get my new kitchen cabinet finished. It was started for my birthday (in January), but we've both been shoving it aside for other priorities!

Because of this new shelf space on my table, I spent the rest of my FNSI rearranging my craft table. So today I should be able to get some sewing done!

This weekend I'm contributing the coasters to these cute linky parties...

Weekend Showoff Party @ Ladybird Lane

(It's a Hodgepodge Friday @ It's a Hodgepodge Life)
*there is no post for this yet...if one comes available...I'll join-in!*

as well as my progress on Friday night for the

Friday Night Sew-in

and my sewing room for the
Where I Sew @ Pink Chalk Studio

I thank my God always on your behalf,

for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

1 Corinthians 1:4

These opening salutations always make me wonder...who should I be saying thank-yous for, and am I living in a way that others would be thankful for me?

Just my thoughts on these often overlooked verses.

Amanda

A New Handsewing Travel Kit...

A few months back I started hand sewing 60 degree diamonds and made myself a travel kit...

It turned out cute and worked good...except it was a little small and not quite hard enough for keeping things from bending, oh, and the flap didn't always stay closed.

My solution came at the Fundraising Garage Sale we had a few weekends ago...

I got this sturdy little box for $1.00. It just needed a face lift...

I quilted a top, made a sleeve for it to go over the lid, and made the box lining by using a pattern for a fabric basket...just changing some dimensions!

I used some sticky loop and hook tape (Velcro) to keep the lining in place. I also made a matching pin cushion that is also Velcroed to the lining...now my box is ready to travel!

This one has hard sides, is bigger but still not to big, and has a latch to close the lid...I think it will be really nice!

I'm happy to link to a few blog linky parties...

It's a Hodgepodge Friday @ It's a Hodgepodge Life

Weekend Showoff Party @ Ladybird Lane

It's a Party @ A Creative Princess

I decided to show my box transformation instead of the skirt...trust me this is cuter!

Have a Great Weekend!



For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

Talk with you again late next week...

Amanda

What Wild Days...

yesterday and today have been! Yesterday was the Friday Night Sew-in with Heidi and Bobbi...so I got housework done in the morning - Yeah! (that's really good for me because it was laundry, and I hate laundry!)

But I digress... I so wanted to post my Friday night work sooner...but today has been very busy, but more on that later!

Yesterday afternoon, I began sewing together this adorable fabric basket for a birthday present. The original pattern from Pink Penguin has two cute handles, but they didn't seem functional...and Chad thought it needed one handle. So that's what it got...I think this is so adorable. When I first saw these baskets, I was wondering just how big it was. It turned out they are very cute 4 inches high, 5 inches across the front and 3 inches deep/wide. I can't wait to make more... it went together quickly! I'm linking this cutie over at It's a Hodgepodge Friday linky party...join the fun!

However, towards the end of the fabric basket project, the baby began to get fussy and cried alot of the evening...so the pillowcase that was on my agenda to finish last night only got partially done. I end up finishing it early afternoon today.

It also turned out very cute and is ready to be sent out to Carlee at Ladybird Lane for the Pillow Fight for a Cause going on over at her blog. I'm also linking this pillow case over at her Weekend Show Off Party...it's a fun party, check it out!

This was my very first pillowcase and I hope it brings comfort to the child that receives it.

Today's wildness also included strawberry picking, jam making, and hot air balloons...but I'll share more on that tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Sunday...

Be ye therefore followers of God,

as dear children;

Ephesians 5:1

We need to follow God's plan for our lives just as children follow others...trusting them to show them the right things to do. We can trust that God will show us His will for our lives if we follow Him...wholeheartedly!

Hope to 'see' you in church tomorrow...
Amanda

Summer Headbands...

Yesterday, Craft Buds had a wonderful tutorial on making reversible headbands. I have been wearing headbands more and thought the tutorial looked great...so I made one this morning! So fast and easy...

The pattern had it 2 inches wide...and I made mine 2 1/2 inches, but it is a smidgen to big. Next time I'd definitely use the 2 inch measurement. They also had another headband version on the tutorial, which I might make at a later time.

I really like how it turned out and how fast it was...probably only a half an hour (once you weed out all the distractions).

Checkout all the fun things at It's a Hodgepodge Life for It's a Hodgepodge Friday as well as some other fun things at Ladybird Lane for Weekend Showoff Party. If you hop over to Ladybird Lane, be sure to read the post about the Pillow Fight for a Cause ...I hope to make a pillowcase early next week. You can click on the text links or use the buttons on the right.

So many fun blogs to share our projects on! I just found these blogs this week and I'm already enjoying them!

For there is nothing hid,

which shall not be manifested;

neither was any thing kept secret,

but that it should come abroad.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:22-23

This reminds me that the good news of God's love, mercy, and grace is to be shared to everyone. It is up to the individual hearing to take God's free gift as their own.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...'see' you in church tomorrow!

Amanda

NOTE: The three opportunities to join me in Pay-It Forward are still available. Check out the Will you Participate Post and join the fun!