Coming Soon On Etsy

Well my Etsy shop should be up by the end of the night (fingers crossed). These are a few of the items that will be for sale. The bow headband was a bigger hit than I expected! I think I gave myself carpal tunnel crocheting these little guys! Thanks to everyone who bought or requested one!

The Bobble Clutch. It's 100% cotton and lined with a repurposed bed sheet.

The Big Bag. Measuring 17 1/2 inches wide, by 12 1/2 inches high, this sucker is LARGE! It is also made with 100% cotton (which I must say is super soft) and is lined with a repurposed table cloth. The straps are crocheted fabric strips.

So go on over to Etsy and look for NewMillie. 

Bags, Bags and more Bags

So in preparing for the craft show in March I have been crocheting and sewing like a mad woman. I do have other projects finished, I just haven't taken any photos yet. But here is the first of many bags I am making (all different) for the show. It has been really fun making up patterns and just letting things come together as I go. This bag I was calling the "Mama Bag" because it is pretty big. It is crocheted with 100% cotton cream yarn. It is lined in some of the fabric I bought at goodwill and the strap is crocheted fabric strips (in the lining fabric). I think it's pretty fun.
The lining with two pockets.
The crocheted fabric strap. I tied the ends in a bow and then sewed it closed.
My attempt at a handmade label. I stitched "New Millie" on felt and then sewed it in.
I have more bags to come...to be continued.

Snow Day Projects With No Snow!

The snow has almost melted so I figured it was time to get my butt in gear and finish my "Snow Day Projects." I spent most of last evening sewing in my lining; I have the needle pricked fingers to prove it!
View of the inside.
Snap closure. When working into late hours of the night, be sure to double check your work before you do anything you will have to rip out. The first time I sewed in the snap I sewed the back side up. Needless to say, it had to be redone.

Things That Happen While Babysitting

Last week, while Harper and Lucie (the little girl I babysit) were napping (Thank you Jesus that they were both down at the same time!) I decided I needed a new cell phone case; Harper had dropped mine while we were taking a walk in the park and by the time I realized it, I was watching a woman waiting for the bus picking it up and putting it her purse (she must have needed it, right?). Anyway, this led me to this little case. It was super easy, here's the patterns:Materials:

6 mm crochet hook

Medium weight acrylic blend yarn (really anything will work)

sewing needle

button

fabric and sewing materials for lining (optional)

Chain your desired length, I have a LG Voyager from Verizon and I chained 18

row 1: sc in second chain from hook. Continue to sc in the rest of the chain, do not turn. Sc on the other side of the chain all the way down, do not join round.

Row 2+: Continue with this pattern (sc on both sides) until desired depth is obtained. (Once again, for my phone I sc 12 rounds).

Button hook: On your last round SC until middle of second side, chain 9 or so (depends on thickness of phone) skip one SC and join chain to next SC, continue to SC to finish round.

Button: Choose any type of button and sew to opposite side of button hook.

I decided to line mine, which I think is cute, but the cover would work great without the lining also.

1. To line simply measure the width of your case and then add 1 inch. (This will give you a 1/2 inch seam on each side.

2. Measure the depth of your case from the bottom of the inside to the row that you want to attach the lining to (I chose the second stitch from the top). Multiple your depth by two and then add 1 inch (For example, if your depth is 5 then it will equal: 5 x 2=10+1=11 inches).

3. Measure your fabric and cut.

4. Fold fabric in half (pattern side in) length (depth) wise. Iron. Measure a 1/2 inch seam at the top of each side. Iron fabric out.

5. Pin along sides of folded fabric and sew a 1/2 inch seam on each side. Iron side seams out.

6. Sew the top 1/2 inch seam.

7. Fit lining into case and hand sew in. Be sure to sew only on the inside stitch so it doesn't show through on the outside of the case.

If you haven't sewn before these instructions are going to be very confusing! If you need pictures go to Futuregirl and check out her tutorials on "How to sew a lining" and how to "Sew a lining into a crocheted bag." Don't you wish I would have told you this before?

GOOD LUCK!

Little Bits

Fall flower purse.
Flower Headband. I love these! They are very cute and super easy. For great patterns, including this one visit Creativeyarn.
Simple beaded necklace.
Beaded bracelet (still a work in progress). I changed it a bit, but you can find a similar pattern on Future Girl.

Here are the FEW things I have made lately for a boutique that is opening in the middle of February. I need, oh about 20 more items!! Have you tried to crochet and sew with a 14 month old? Impossible!

Snow day projects

Today was a wonderful day for crafting due to the fact that it was 16 degrees and snowy! I had some lingering projects to work on, like my Heart Purse, which I had crocheted but I hadn't completed the liner, (which is still not finished, but in progress.) Next comes the arduous task of hand sewing the lining into the purse. (For a great tutorial on sewing lining into a crocheted bag check out the Future Girl link.)

Avoiding the lining I turned to crocheting a new bag. I found a great pattern on Marlo's Crochet Corner (which was maybe meant to be since Marlo is my middle name!) I liked how the bag turned out, and I already had some great fabric for the liner!