June 30 - Pink Sock Monkey Tote Bag

I finished my "Pink Sock Monkey" tote bag project today. 

Finished "Pink Sock Monkey" Tote Bag

I got the idea after reviewing the sketches I did quickly on my iPad before I made my first sock monkey toy earlier in the week.  After looking at the sketches, I thought one would be cute design on a tote bag.  Instead of my usual applique, I decided to draw and paint the sock monkey on the fabric before making the tote bag.

iPad sketch and finished Sock Monkey in Tutu

I started with a new sketch for the tote bag while I washed and dried a sanded cotton twill for the outer portion of the bag.

I then pressed the twill and printed cotton flower fabric I chose for the lining and cut out the pieces.  2 fabric and cut it out:  2 16"x18" pieces of the outer bag twill, 2 16"x18" pieces of the lining cotton, 2 8.5" x 7.5" pieces of the lining fabric to make and inner pocket, and 2 6"x26" pieces of the outer bag fabric for the straps.

I then traced the design on to the twill using a pencil and outlined it with a permanent marker.  After the marker design was complete, I heat set it with an iron.  I then used a 50/50 mix of acrylic paint and Golden's GAC-900 Fabric Painting Medium to paint the design.

After the paint dried, I heat set it with an iron following the directions to do it in a well ventilated area. 

I then applied fusible interfacing to the twill bag front and back and fusible fleece to the 2 lining pieces.  After assembling and sewing the bag, here is the end product.

My next project is making a smaller child's version for my granddaughter, Emma.  Nana and Emma will have matching bags soon!

June 28 - Finished Sock Monkey

I finished my first sock monkey today.  What fun!  I am pleased with the way she turned out and will be starting on some boy versions soon. 

June 27 - Socks!

After working on Bobby's sock monkey themed art bag project, I realized that I have never made a sock monkey toy.  Today I went to Target to shop for socks.  A sock monkey is in progress!

June 26 - Blooming in my garden today

Here are some shots of blooms in my garden today.  The coneflowers just started to bloom.

June 25 - Finished Sock Monkey Project

Emily, Bobby, and Noah joined us for dinner this evening along with Molly and Emma.  Emily, Robert and the boys are leaving tomorrow for a month in London.  I gave Bobby the "sock monkey" items that I made him for his trip:

• A tote bag - red ticking lined with sock monkey fabric
• a crayon roll
• a marker roll
• a wallet that hold colored pencils and a notepad

June 24 - Sock Monkey projects

I spent some time late this evening finishing up some crayon and marker rolls that I am making for Bobby using some cute and bright sock monkey themed fabric.

June 24 - Playing with my iPad

I spent several hours this morning playing with my iPad.  Here is my first sketch using the iPad and SketchbookPro application.

June 23 - Time with family

Bed Party with Emma, Sophie, and Charlie

Emma's purple and blue nail polish

Emma and Molly

Strawberry Sundae

Molly brought Emma by for a visit right before lunch today.  Emma had been for a haircut and pedicure before she arrived.  She enjoyed some time with Charlie and Sophie.  Molly and Bjarne joined us for dinner.  Emma ate 2 strawberry sundaes for dessert!

June 22 - Blooms

I took some shots today in the garden capturing some daisy and daylily blooms.

June 21 - Day Camp and Grooming

Charlie's first hair cut

Charlie and Sophie after a day at camp and freshly groomed

Charlie and Sophie went to "day camp" today and both were groomed at the close of the day.  Charlie had his first haircut.  While the dogs were in camp, Dan and I made a trip to Costco where we purchased these beautiful tomatoes.

June 20 - Owl family for Emma

I finished the 3rd member of the Owl family for Emma tonight late after playing with my new iPad.  I think she will like them.

June 19 - Surprise gift and fresh veggies

I went shopping late this afternoon and stopped at a nearby produce stand to pick up some fresh veggies for dinner this evening.  After dinner, Dan took me to the mall to pickup a "surprise" that he had for me - a new iPad!  Wow!  Thanks, Dan!

June 18 - Little Owl Lovey

When Emma was over yesterday, she asked me to make her an owl "lovey" after looking at some of the fabric and drawings I had scattered on my work table.  She wanted a soft one with pink and green.  I plan to make her a family of owls.  Here is the first baby with green eyes made with a soft plush "minky" fabric - white on the front and lime green on the back with wool felt appliqued heart, eyes and beak.  The owl is about 6.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide.

June 17 - Cheerio Snack

Emma spent some time with us today.  She and Charlie both enjoyed her snack of Cheerios on our back porch.

June 16 - Baby Sensory Tag Toys

I finished two of the baby sensory tag toys I have been working on today - a lion and an owl.  They are about 6 inches in diameter (without the edge ribbon) and between 7.5 and 8 inches with the ribbon.  I decided to make them both circular and include rickrack, grosgrain, sheer, and satin ribbons.  The are lined with a double layer of fleece and both include a "crinkle" layer for additional auditory stimulation.  They are backed with a very soft polyester "minky" fabric to guarantee a good "snuggle factor." 

June 15 - Emma and our dogs

Emma stayed with us during the day today.  She had so much fun playing with our doodles, Sophie (5 years) and Charlie (7 months).

June 14 - Tag Toy

I am making a few baby tag toys for gifts.  After researching them on the Internet, I am making an owl and a lion to start.  Here is the owl as a work in progress.  I am going to line it with batting and insert some "crinkle" so it will make some noise.  It will have additional ribbons around the edges when it is done.  I'm also designing a chicken and a fish tag toy.

June 14 - Charlie and Sophie

January 14, 2012

What a difference 5 months has made in Charlie's size!  He is as big as Sophie now!  I have been taking pictures on the 14th of each month (we welcomed Charlie into our family on the 14th) to document the changes as he grows.  Here are some shots I took yesterday and one from January 14th when Charlie joined are family.

June 13 - Big!

The New York Bagel Shoppe opened recently in Blakeney - very near our home.  Dan brought home brunch for us.  Matt and Dan both had the "Hungry Man's bagel sandwich."  I had to get a shot before they started, as this was the biggest breakfast sandwich I have ever seen.  It had 3 eggs, 3 sausage patties, cheese, ham and bacon on it.  Matt was the winner and finished all of his.  Dan could only eat at best half of his.

June 12 - Pencil/Crayon Wallet

I spent today shopping for fabric and making my first Pencil/Crayon Wallet using a pattern by basketsofpatterns.etsy.com .  Emily and Robert are taking Bobby and Noah on a trip to London soon, so I thought this would be a great project to make up and give them to enjoy on the long flight.  I love the coordinating "sock monkey" fabrics!  I think Bobby will like them too!