Friday Finds: Fall Bags

Fall is here, the kids have gone back to school, there is a chill in the air and pretty soon sweaters and jackets will be needed.  What about a new bag?  I've been struggling with switching between  my summer leather bag, my canvas tote and the diaper bag.  Today on Friday Finds I will be showing you 5 bags found on etsy.com

From Jenn Eng Studio, a water repellent cotton canvas tote in a beautiful, seasonal color.

water repellent tote from Jenn Eng Studio

More of a leather person? Meet Luella from Lola Falk Designs.

If leather isn't your thing, don't worry, meet John Met Betty's vegan crossover bag

I usually don't put two finds from the same designer but  this adorable daschund bag caught my eye John Met Betty.  A kisslock clutch with vegan leather and the designer's own printed fabric.

In the mood for reading? Love books? Show it! Unique canvas tote from Just Like Dream.

Happy Friday!

Tracey

DIY Setting the Table: Coaster Tutorial

 Summer is coming to close, this coming Monday will be the Autumnal Equinox.   We only have a few more warm days to enjoy wearing shorts and sandals, grilling outside and enjoying fresh fruits from the farm stand like my favorite, watermelon.   

To keep the summer fever going I created these watermelon coasters.  There are a few things that I really like  about this project: one, the wool felt is lovely and easy to work with, two, you can really mix up the colors. Watermelons range from soft pink, not quite ripe flesh to deep sweet pink, super ripe.  Three, you can hand sew or machine sew these coasters.   Which means it can be a travel project. 

I struggled with the shape in the beginning.  My inspiration for this project came from Molly's apple coasters on purlbee.com and this piece of fabric that I fell in love with two summers ago:  

kaufman fabric

I wanted to do watermelon coasters because the shapes can be different and these are a whimsical coaster for a summer BBQ.  So I've experimented with a few shapes, colors, threads and techniques.  You choose what you want to do. See what you like best.  So choose your design and your color palette.  Once you choose your palette you will need 1 piece of felt per color.

wool felt and dmc perle

My palette: the greens are lime, kelly, olive

pinks: baby pink, bright pink, pink, fuschia

white: ecru, white

Supplies: 

1 18" square felt per color

hand sewing needle- I used an embroidery needle between sizes 5 and 10

dmç cotton perle 8 -  greens #700 and #906 (lime green),  ecru, deep pink #718, bubble gum pink #603, baby pink #818

For the seeds: I used DMC embroidery floss in black #310, it's a 6 ply but I only used 3 ply.

fabric scissors

pinking shears

1.  Your design is chosen; half circle, full circle, cut slice.  Cut out your pieces of felt. 

The following directions are for circle and half circle. I used the bottom of a large jar that had a 5" diameter.  This was for my green piece and the largest size, from here I sized down about 1/2" for the white then the pink.   If you have Adobe Illustrator or a compass, you can make your circles quite easily.   I created a template in Illustrator.

I played around with the design of it.  In the final photos you will see I experimented with strips of pinks to add some dimension.  I also experimented with shades of green thread to  add watermelon skin texture.  I ultimately settled on the circle and half circle, 3 layers and keeping the flesh a solid piece of pink felt.

2. Sew the seeds. Place one piece of pink felt on top of white felt and using the black thread, either 3 ply of DMC floss or the perle DMC  do a simple running stitch starting at the back side (the white).  With a disappearing tracing pen I drew little v's to follow as a shape for the seeds.  You can also machine stitch the seeds.

For the machine stitch I used a zig zig in black or chocolate brown on top.  Remember to sew the seeds before putting the last layer, green, on. This way you won't see the underside of the seeds.

3. Lay the pink and white section on the green.  Do you want a really ripe melon? Then choose your dark green.  Pin the layers together and if you want to make a bite into the piece of melon now is the time to bring out the pinking shears.  

Hand sew pink edges with your choice of pink Perle thread and then do the same with the white.  I like using the dmc brand.  You can sew a green Perle thread around the edges, this would just be a topstitch. 

Time to have a watermelon cocktail!

PS these are machine washable cold, but please line dry.

Enjoy!

Tracey

https://www.etsy.com/shop/traceytoole

Fall Home Trends

Wondering what is hot for home this fall season? Here are some of my favorite fall decorating trends that I simply love!

Neutrals

Neutrals are hot this season!  It’s about creating an interesting space by mixing textures and shapes rather than color and contrast.

reate your own gallery wall

Creating a travel gallery wall is one of my favorite ways of injecting a curated look in my home.  When I travel I make it a point to collect a small piece of artwork or wall hanging made by the local artisans of the community.  I have paintings from Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Greece, Italy, Brazil and India.

 Mix & Match

Getting that curated look extends from accessories to furniture.  The idea that everything has to be “match-matchy” is passe!  Be creative and infuse your own eclectic sense of style by mixing design genres, patterns and colors.

Flea Market Finds

If you want to spruce up your home, shop flea markets and you’ll be sure to find something unique.  Use your flea market find as your focal point and build your décor around it.

Metallic Leather

A new glimmering leather treatment puts a shine on classic furniture and adds a touch of glam appeal to any room!

Lacquered Trays

Another simple way to stay organized and infuse color in your home is to incorporate lacquered trays into your home décor scheme. 

What fall trend are you incorporating into your home?

By:  Rekha Krishnamurthi | ETSY Shop:  DivineNYCo | Website:  www.divineny.com

DIY: upcycled pencil case

Fall is at our doorstep and we’re getting ready to welcome it around our house. The kids are back in school so I have more time to clean up their closets. As I’m putting their outgrown clothes aside for donation, I decided to keep a couple of zippered sweatshirts to experiment with for this project. I ended up making this little pouch, perfect for my daughter’s crayons, here’s how I did it:

1. Use an old zippered sweater to upcycle. Turn the sweater inside out and place it on a flat surface. Decide the final length of your pencil case by marking the zipper at two points (blue dots on picture). If the sweater has a front pocket, try to avoid it to facilitate sewing.  Machine stitch on the marked points to close the zipper, making sure the zipper pull is between the points.

2. Hold the sweater (still inside out) from the center front zipper, fold it and lay it flat as pictured. Use a water-soluble pen or chalk to mark the shape of the pencil case (blue dotted line on picture). The shape can be anything you want, rectangular, square, rounded corners, etc, depending on the size of the sweater. Mark a seam allowance of about ¼” (red  line on picture).

3. Pin down the two layers of fabric and cut along the marked seam allowance (red line) Make sure the zipper pull is pulled to the middle of your work so you can turn it later. Stitch along marked stitch line (blue line). At zipper points, make several stitches to reinforce.

4. Turn your pencil case right side out and tidy up the edges with a pointed tool (pencil, chopstick, etc). Voilà! You’re done… start using to store school supplies, even cosmetics or electronics!

TIP: When stitching along marked stitch line (step 3) you may want to add a second stitch line just next to the first, using your machine’s zig-zag stitch. This is helpful reinforcement, specially because you’re working with a knit and your straight stitch may brake after a while.

Have fun and please share pictures of your upcycled pencil cases!

Natasha K.

*on Etsy*    

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Nostalgic Toys - Carnival Games

This post isn't really about a specific toy or something we may have owned; nonetheless, it reminds us of games we would have played when spending a fun filled day at the carnival with friends and family.  

Games of chance are favorite carnival games. A random outcome gives all players the chance of winning a prize. An example of a carnival game of chance is the "Pingpong Ball and Fish Bowl", . A game like the "Duck Pond", which is geared for young children, may offer a winner every time. 

Games of skill are another favorite carnival game. These games may test a players aim at hitting a target with either a ball or a weapon. Some games of this type are the "Cross Bow Shoot", the "Milk Bottle" game, or the "Balloon and Dart" game.

Other skill testing games challenge the physical abilities of the player. Examples of this type of game is the "Rope Ladder Climb" and "Ring the Bell". 

The following pictures are of vintage games that were provided for play at Fête Paradiso, a festival of vintage French carnival rides, carousels and games.  They will appear in New York City again next summer on Governors Island in New York City.  For more information, visit FeteParadiso.com.

This game was operated by human powered wheels that when ridden on, like a bike, the mouths and arms of the puppet targets would move.  Players had the choice of playing ring toss or ball toss.

Another french vintage ring toss game at Fete Paradiso on Governors Island in New York City.

By Melanie Ann Mercado of M Ann M Creations

End of Summer Getaway: Banff

The signs are beginning to appear: a brisk wind in the evening that makes you wish you had brought a sweater; the sun, setting ever so slightly earlier each night; and Labor Day, peeking around the corner...summer is coming to an end and we want one last getaway before the winter is upon us!!!! Where to go? Banff in Alberta, Canada of course!

Banff is best known for being a resort town, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and soothing natural hot springs. It is one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations and it's easy to see why. In the winter, ski resorts abound, in the spring, summer & fall hiking and biking trails are plentiful and all year round the downtown village is bursting with shops, restaurants and bars that will satisfy any hungry adventurer's palate.

Mountain Goats in Banff National Park

Banff is also home to the well known Banff Television Festival, Banff Mountain Film Festival, Rocky Mountain Music Festival and Bike Fest. The national park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1985 and is only an hour and a half drive from Calgary. 

I had the pleasure of visiting recently and Lake Louise was one of my favorite spots, with it's turquoise blue water and majestic mountain views. Even in August, you are able to see snow and ice at the top of some of the surrounding mountains. But don't worry, in the summer time the temperatures are balmy in the mornings and evenings and warm in the afternoon. Just bring a sweater if you're worried about an unexpected chill. In the winter, temperatures can drop as low as 8 degrees Fahrenheit, but no matter! Just bring your winter clothes and enjoy the views from your chalet after a day spent in the snow. 

Canoeing on Lake Louise

Lodging is abundant but if the prices in Banff are a little too high for your liking, try Canmore, a small town 15 minutes outside of Banff National Park, equipped with it's own charm and plentiful chalets. If you get tired of the grand outdoors (which I don't think you will) or just need a change of pace, you can head east to Calgary and check out the Olympic Park (home to the 1988 winter Olympics...you can ride the luge and bobsled!) or take the kids to Heritage Park Historical Village, a living history 'museum' where you can ride a steam train and learn about Western Canada's iconic past. It's great for adults as well, with an amazing antique car museum, a town square and enough exploring to last the whole day. 

Camping along the river...

So if you're looking for a September escape from the city or just need a little nature to soothe your soul, you are sure to find it in Banff, no matter what time of year you go.

Bon voyage!

Rachael

www.etsy.com/shop/mezzestudios