It's a Wrap!

Just finished sewing a ruffle checkbook cover (revealing it tomorrow with a tutorial finally!), but I didn't want to leave you guys without an update -- since I got in too late Thursday to prepare an update for Friday. So sorry about that!

So I wanted to share this yummy wrap I love love. It's very fresh and makes a great dinner.

Spinach, Blue Cheese, Pecan, Chicken Wrap
adapted from Southern Living

Ingredients
1 pound chicken tenders
Seasoned salt
1 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
1 8 oz. container of spreadable cream cheese, almost room temperature
2 Tbsp buttermilk
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 4 oz. package of crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
8 8-inch flour tortillas (I use whole wheat.)
1 Granny Smith apple, sliced thinly
4 cups baby spinach leaves

Directions
1. Lightly sprinkle chicken tenders with seasoned salt. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, and cook chicken tenders until done, flipping over after 4 to 5 minutes.

2. Combine cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and blue cheese in a medium-sized bowl. Add in blue cheese, pecans, and cranberries.

3. Spread about 5 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture on each tortilla. Layer with apple slices, spinach leaves, and one or two chicken tenders (depending on how much you want).

4. Roll up, and secure with a toothpick. Then cut in half.

Want something a little lighter? Make the wrap minus the chicken. It's just as yummy and a great vegetarian lunch.

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Summer Wreath Tutorial

Here you go, guys. A simple tutorial for the wreath shared yesterday. You can do it for lots of holidays, events, etc. I can't wait to make something like this for Halloween.


First thing you need - some fabric. This is a great scrap-busting project, so pull out any leftover fabric you have. I used only six or seven, but I could have used about 20 fabrics. (Know what I mean?)


Then find circular things. I went through all of our measuring cups. And some drinking cups. And some cosmetic items. It took lots of stuff for me to get all the circle sizes I want. So be patient.


Cut out lots of circles in all the different sizes. (I had a total of about six different circle sizes.) This doesn't take all that long. I watched a few episodes of Glee while cutting it, and I'm a really slow cutter.


Set out your large circles and then stack them up. I tried to avoid using the same fabric in one flower, but it doesn't always work. Just give it your best shot.



Wrap a wreath in burlap or fabric--whichever you prefer. I went with this because I bought this stuff in bulk a few months back, and I can't seem to get rid of all of it.


Use brads or buttons to puncture through the flower. These are some scrapbooking brads I had. You can usually find some on clearance in the back of craft stores.


With all of your flowers pierced through with the brads, begin placing the flowers on your wreath in whatever pattern you prefer.


Tie a ribbon on the top to hang the wreath, and you're done!

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Summer Crush Wreath

My poor front door has been a little blank since the 4th of July. It reminds me every day when I came home --the blank wreath stares me down--that I should be more creative and get something done.

So I went on an inspiration mission. I love Piccadilly Peddlers Christmas wreath, and I plan to make something exactly like it for Christmas this year. Those "flowers" were like little light bulbs going off in my head.









Oh yeah, and I have a little tutorial here.





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Bag, You're It! Tutorial

I am way late on this tutorial. But I have another project this week. Will that make up for my tardiness? (In full disclosure, my hometown has been suffering some flooding in recent hours, and my mind has been in other places.)

So here's the tutorial I promised.

First, you need your fabric. The black/white print is a home decor cotton fabric. The blue is a broadcloth (I think). You don't have to make the lining/reversible side. This was totally my call as I wanted a more finished look.

What You'll Need
1 yard of home decore cotton fabric
1 yard of liner fabric
Bone folder or utensil for pushing out corners
Iron
Fabric starch (optional)
Scissors
Pins
Sewing machine
Ruler
Yard stick
Disappearing ink pen

1) You need to cut your fabric.

Cut two pieces of the following:
- 20" by 21" in decor cotton (The top and bottom of the tote will be the 20" sides. This matters especially if you have a fabric with a nap or design.)
- 20" by 21" in lining fabric
- 5" by 26" in decor cotton for the handles
- 10" by 10" in decor cotton (for the pockets)
- 10" by 10" in lining fabric (for the pockets)



2) Make your pockets.

Now I made mine with black/white fabric on one side and the blue fabric on the other. You can make the combo for the pockets any way you want.

Press the right sides of the fabric together. Sew around all sides, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Be sure to leave a small (2 to 3 inches) opening for turning the pocket.



Clip the corners. Then turn the pocket right side out and push the corners out. (I use a bone folder.)

Press the pocket, making sure the seams are folded and the 2- to 3-inch opening is turned in. (Pressing it makes sewing easier.)




Topstitch 1 inch down on the side opposite the opening. This is the opening of the pocket, what will be the top of the pocket, the unattached side.


Repeat the same for the interior pocket if you've decided you want one.

3) Attach the pockets. Place the (now) 9" by 9" pocket on one of the 20" by 21" pieces (exterior fabric or interior fabric). Make sure the pocket top (where you topstitched one inch down) is lined up with the shorter 20" sides of the bag. Then pin the pocket in place.

Seam the three sides of the pocket in place using a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Be sure to secure the opening of the pocket as you're sewing. Double (or triple) stitch to secure the pocket well.


Repeat this step for the other pocket.


4) Sew main panels of outside and inside fabrics together.

Sew around all three sides, using an 1/4-inch seam allowance.

If you have a serger, serge the raw edges of the two sets of main panels together. If you don't, use a zig-zag seam. Since you'll be lining this bag, you don't have to worry about any unsightly raw edges. Yippee! You're just looking for extra hold.


5) Make the handles.

Press both 5" by 26" pieces. Then fold it in half and press again.

Then open the fold and fold in one side of the handle to meet in the crease of the previous fold. Repeat for the other side, and press to create a new crease.

Repeat this for the second handle.




With an 1/8-inch seam allowance, double or triple stitch along each long side of the handles. (Get as close as you can to the side without missing all the pieces.)

6) Make the gussets.

With the wrong sides still out, take one corner of the bag and open it.

Feel for the seams of both the bottom and side pieces, lining them up with your fingers. You want the seams to be in line with each other, then pin the gusset in place, making sure the seams on the bottom fold to the same side.


Measure 2 1/2" from the point and draw a line across. Sew (at least) a triple stitch along this line. You can cut off the extra material too.

Repeat these same steps for the other corner of this bag and for the corners of the liner.



(Now comes the part I hope I can remember...) :)

7) Put the handles in place.

With the tote still inside out, create a 1 1/2-inch hem along the top of the tote. To do this, fold down the raw edge 1/2 inch. Press with an iron, then fold down the hem another 1 1/2" and press again. Do the same for the lining.

Lay out the handle, being sure it's flat and ready to be attached.

Flip the inside fabric (the blue in this case) out, so the inside pocket is now on the outside. Slide the outside fabric (the black/white fabric in this case) into the inside fabric. Both wrong sides should now be touching.

Slide the inside fabric (the blue) under the 1 1/2" seam from the outside fabric.

Measure about five inches from each side of the tote, then tuck each handle under the hem. Pin in place, and repeat these handle-placement steps for the other side.

Triple stitch along the bottom of the fold (where the straps are tucked), then fold the handles up (like you are holding the bag) and hem the top. Be sure the straps are caught when you're sewing so they'll be most secure.



Then flip the bag whichever direction you want it (inside out or outside in or can you tell the difference?) And enjoy! (And enjoy making all the ones you'll want to make when you see how easy this great all-purpose bag is!)

Got any great bags you've made or seen lately? I'm looking for some new ones to try.




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Bag, You're It!

Can we ever get enough bags? Honestly? I have a bag I take to the office; a bag that goes with me to the gym. Another 10 bags that are designated grocery bags. A few bags I take with me when I go out of town. A bag for make-up. A bag for shoes. Stop me when this is familiar.

Since I'm all about sewing stuff lately (mostly just so I can say I can do it), I gave this bag a try.

What do you think? (Thanks to my rooms, Amy, for the modeling.)


The inside is lined with blue, as are the inside of the pockets.


There's a pocket on front, perfect for cell phones, keys, etc.


It's plenty roomy for a book, a purse, and a towel if you're headed to the beach or out to a park.


Oh yeah... and it's reversible! So if you want to show a little color, there you go!


And here... a tutorial.

See something you like? Print it. Share it. Email it. But please, link back here when you do.