Diedel*Bug Handmade Tiny Explorer Backpack

The moment we have ALL been waiting for!  Diedel*Bug Handmade has released the 

Tiny Explorer Backpack.

Waste no time; go get the pattern NOW!

Size: toddler to preschooler to 6 or 8 years old

 Pockets: two exterior side pockets, 2 exterior front pockets, 1 interior zipper pocket

Materials

• 1 yard quilting weight or home decor for exterior
• 1 yard quilting weight for lining
• 2.5 yards Shape-flex SF 101 fusible interfacing
• 1/2 yard fusible fleece
• 44" of 1" wide webbing
• 6 yards piping (2 pre-made packages)
• Two 1" strap adjustors
• 10" of 1/4" wide elastic
• One 18" all purpose zipper
• One 7" all purpose zipper
• Coordinating thread

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Cuteness: 12 out of 10

Tutorial: clear directions and pictures with each step

BEST part of this pattern: Cookie Dough can start carrying her own stuff!

Swoon Dorothy Sewalong day 3: Handles and Main Zipper

As promised, to day is easy and fast. 

We will sew the handles on the exterior main panel and construct the main zipper.

Handles

Take an exterior main panel and one handle piece.

Position the handle ends 2" from the side and 

the bottom of the handle end 2.25" from the top.

Pin in place.

Make sure your handle isn't twisted.

PRP Favorite Vacation: Bavaria

This week's Project Run and Play theme is Spring Break. 

The goal is to create an outfit inspired by your favorite vacation spot.

Oh my!  This was an easy decision.  Bavaria, of course!

We lived in Italy for 2.5 years and made more trips to Munich/Bavaria than any other place.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our travels. 

They make me happy and bring back so many great memories.

Swoon Dorothy Sewalong Day 2: Prep Work

Day 2 ladies!

We will work on all the prep stuff which includes the handles, exterior zipper, making the pockets and basting the piping.

Do NOT be scared of the piping.  I'm not sure why it seems intimidating.
It is the easiest way to add serious pizazz to your work.

 Grab your interfaced handles.  Ignore that my interfacing is short.  sigh. It's not worth explaining.

Swoon Dorothy Sewalong Day 1: Print, Cut, Stabilize

Welcome to the Swoon Dorothy Sewalong! I am so glad you are here!

Let's get started.

You can find the pattern here (affiliate link): Dorothy Day Tripper

Materials:

1 yard exterior fabric, quilting or home decor weight
1.5 yard interior fabric, quilting weight
2 packages of pre-made piping
3 yards Pellon Craft-fuse 808 or mid-weight fusible interfacing of choice
1 yard fusible fleece (Pellon Thermolam)
1/2 yd light-med interfacing (you can use Craft-fuse)
24″ all-purpose zipper (22" zipper will work as well)
2 9" zippers
Coordinating thread

We will be making a few changes to the pattern.  I am changing the handle style (it will still be shoulder bag length) so that we can install a zipper pocket on the exterior.

If you do not want to make those changes, then you will only need 1 9" zipper for the interior pocket. 

Cut out all your fabric and stabilizer according to the pattern pieces but  

DO NOT CUT THE HANDLES!

E-beth Designs: Lorelei Dress

I just keep getting lucky!  

I was selected to test the beautiful E-beth Designs Lorelei Dress.

This sweet circle yoke dress also has a tulle petticoat, fitted bodice with easy to install zipper instructions.  It took me about 5 hours to complete.  That sounds like a long time.  The petticoat adds a little bit of extra time but well worth it!

Just look at her face.  You can tell she loves it.

Anytime she sees it in her closet; she asks to wear her Lorelei.

Bad Gone Good: Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have very few rules in life.  Two rules, actually.

1.  Ask forgiveness, not permission.

2.  Eat big cookies.

The first rule is common sense.

I don't play around with cookie eating.  It's serious business.

If I'm going blow calories on a cookie; I want it to be a damn good cookie.

Which brings me to my second rule in life.  Part of identifying a cookie as "damn good" includes the size.  Anything smaller than 2.5" diameter is chump work.  Small cookies are for children or those with sand in their panties.

A while back, I stumbled upon this recipe:  Flourless chocolate chip cookie.

Sounded pretty good to me, so I tried it out.  I was very impressed.  I, however, was NOT impressed with the quantity of cookies.  The recipe as is makes about 6 cookies.  

REALLY? Are you trying to piss me off?  Because you did a good job.

I've taken the liberty of QUADRUPLING the recipe for you. You're welcome!