Linen Scallop Diaper Tote

It is no secret that I am a big fan of See Kate Sew. So, when she decided to celebrate her blog's birthday with a Scallop-Sew-Along, how could I say no? It was actually perfect timing because I was on the prowl for a new diaper bag pattern. I only have like 5 or 6 diaper bags so clearly I need a new one. Is it just me or is anyone else constantly searching for the perfect one? They are either too big, too small, too mommish, too pursish, not enough pockets, too many pockets. I think I just hate lugging around two different size diapers, snacks, batman, toy cars, bibs, blankets and a change of clothes for each kid. Maybe I'm taking it out on my diaper bag?
Anyway, I made a diaper bag. With this pretty little scallop pattern from Kate. I used the pattern for the scallops and I used her strap dimensions. I designed the rest of the bag to my liking (or to my picky standards). 

Not only do I love scallops but I LOVE linen (who doesn't?), so I used that for the base of the bag. I ironed some interfacing to one side of the linen so it stands up better.

I also made bias tape for the edge of the side pockets (which are all lined for more stability).

The back has a large pocket that is split, for sippy cups or toys- gawd my life is glamorous.

I added my fabric label.

And of course added three pockets to the inside, two for diapers and I get that one little square houndstooth number - with more handmade bias tape.
And everything is so organized now. See, I wasn't lying about carrying batman everywhere.

Thanks Kate for the Sweet Scallop Pattern, and a deadline :)

Pin It

ps... Next Tuesday kicks off Craft Spaces - a little series here on Taylor Made that is going to be filled with tips, tours and talented guest bloggers. If you are interested in showing off your room, sharing a tip or a tutorial - email me at taylor.taylormade@gmail.com. See you back here next week :) 

Octopus Costume

In keeping with our "under the sea" theme this year... Clyde will be fashioning an Octopus Costume :) 

Trying to get a crawling nine month old to sit still for an octopus photo shoot isn't the easiest of tasks... but we got a few pictures. Just like his brother's,  I made sure his costume is comfortable because my boys will rip clothes off if they don't like them. 

This is what I started with...-light blue onesie with a truck on it-blue pants-XL men's blue shirt on clearance

My main problem was that all of the blues were a different shade so I tie-dyed all of them along with Poseidon's pillow case. Also, I tried to seam rip that embroidered car which almost resulted in a major fail... saved it by adding felt octopus eyes. 

For the "octopus leg belt", I created a sock shape and cut out 12 halves from the XL men's shirt. Then I sewed them together but left the tops open. I stuffed the legs and made "bias tape" (not actually on the bias- just from the tshirt scraps). To close the legs, I sandwiched them into the bias tape. The whole belt has a Velcro closure. 

Lastly, I kind of cheated and fabric glued felt "o's" for the suckers to the back of the legs... I mean after cutting 35 "o's" out I wasn't abut to hand sew them on... Halloween is one day people. 

and this pretty much sums up how he felt about this little photo shoot...  bye mom.

Pin It

Poseidon - King of the Sea... a costume

If you ask Finn about his costume for Halloween not only is he excited to put it on (because it involves a Trident) but he will also tell you he is the King of the Sea. 

At first he called his Trident a fork and ran around trying to "eat" everything with it. I have to give full credit to my mom for the idea. I though of Clyde's costume (pics coming later this week) and wanted an Under the Sea theme. My Mom came up with Poseidon... KING OF THE SEA. Finn loves it. He even cried for at least 10 minutes after I made him take it off.

I don't have a tutorial because Poseidon is pretty obscure, right?
Here are the components:-a tie-dyed pillowcase -gold pleather belt with felt waves hand embroidered with a Velcro closure-gold pleather shoulder "wrap"- black taffeta trident with gold pleather tips and a wooden dowel inside and stuffed to make it soft

The best part is that it is super comfortable for him so he can run for hours in it :)

(ps... our poor dog was not harmed in the chasing with the trident pictures :)

Casserole Carrier

I like to make homemade wedding gifts whenever I can. I saw this Casserole Carrier Tutorial from Two Little Hooligans and I was allll over it. She has really detailed instructions. The only thing that I didn't do (and should have) was add a little extra length because the Pyrex that I found had built in glass handles. But I still love how it turned out. Halfway through I remembered an old post from Jill where she added belting instead of making the handles. She also etched the couples last name into the Pyrex. Done. I shamelessly copied two crafters!

I used a super bold print for the outside and a cute little dot pattern for the inside. 

I also added a label.

And etched the glass.

And now I want one :) Have you made any homemade wedding gifts lately?Pin It

Craft Spaces... Coming Soon!

Has anyone noticed that super kewl button in my side bar? Get excited people because "Craft Spaces - a series by Taylor Made" is coming to a blog near you.

If you are nosy like I am, then you are curious about everyone else's everything craft room; where does the magic happen, what does it look like, are they messy or organized? I have compiled some of the most creative bloggers that I can think of. Craft Spaces will be a few fun filled weeks of famous craft room tours, tutorials, a round up or two, a link party for you and maybe even a giveaway :)
You want in? I will be doing a few features from the people... (that's you) If you have an awesome, messy, organized, tiny, huge, impressive or a closet of a craft room then I want to see it. Do you have an awesome tip for organization? A tutorial that would be perfect for a craft space? A printable? Do you have a product that would be a good Craft Space Giveaway? Email me at:
taylor.taylormade@gmail.com
Craft Spaces will see you back here on November 1st. Yay.

Microcrafts Book Review

A few weeks ago I got an email from Quirk Books asking if I wanted to review a book called Microcrafts. I read further and found out that the book is all about itty, bitty, tiny crafts... uuuuhhhh, Yeah I Do! I love little tiny miniatures. What is it about smaller things that are so much cuter?
It's claim? No craft in the book is larger than a spool of thread. 

I am totally making these to-die-for little deer for Christmas that are only 2". Are you kidding me?

Not only are the 25 craft tutorials precious but the book is really beautiful. It is quirky and fresh and would make a great coffee table book or a fun gift because it's so unique. 
I kind of want to frame this page and hang it in a baby's nursery.

Microcrafts is available from Quirk Books, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 
Do you have any hard back craft books that you love to display? I can't even get rid of my college figure drawing book because it too pretty, this one is a great new addition :) 

The Bandit Bib

In case you missed it, I posted last week over at Someday Crafts with this...

The Bandit Bib. It might be the next big thing :) I get bored with "regular" bibs so this is a little more exciting.

What you need: - 1 fat quarter for the front - 1 fat quarter for the back (I use flannel, jersey or terrycloth for the backs) - snap kit - TaylorMade Bandit Bib Pattern
Lets get started: Print the pattern for the Bandit Bib HERE (just save it to your computer and print on a full page :) Cut out a front and a back. I like to use an absorbent fabric for the backs of my bibs like terry cloth or flannel. 

Put right sides together, pin and sew. Leave a small opening so you can flip it. 

Don't forget to clip the corners and the round tip. 

Press and top stitch around the bib.

Time for snaps (which I love). If you have never used them, they are very simple and your kit will come with instructions on the back. Each snap has two parts and the fun part is hammering them together :)

Most importantly, make sure your snaps are facing opposite directions so you can snap them together correctly. The first time I did a snap, I made this mistake. 

Admire your new and more exciting Bandit Bib. And make a few.

Look at my cute little Bandit :)  Pin It