The Mint Needle

Looking for a really simple project? Well, look no further! This quick and chic clutch is perfect for everyone & it's a cinch to make! Here's what you'll need: 2 coordinating fabrics ~ (cut 2) 8 x 16 inches; (cut 2) 6 x 16 inches 13 inch zipper 1 large button 7 inch piece of twill (or ribbon for extra closure) Lining fabric ~ (cut 2) 16 x 13 inches Start by sewing the 6" x 16" piece to the 8" x 16" piece. (Keep face sides together.) Open the connected fabric and top stitch the hem. (This part isn't necessary, but I love to do it when making bags because it minimizes a crease and bulging.) Center & place the twill cord at the base of one panel and stitch it in place.  You can replace the twill cord with a couple of other items like piping, ribbon, or stitched bias tape. If you're going to use the ribbon, I would triple it up and braid it. Especially if it's going to be a frequent...

Hello readers! Guess what? We returned from one of the most enlightening vacations I've ever been on. And of course, I want to tell you all about it! Founded in the 1880's, Glenwood Springs, Colorado is literally known as ~ "America's Most Fun Small Town" and I can totally see why! With a population of only 9,620, in between colossal mountains, one really gets to see what a small town feels like. But it's still packed with soooo many things to do! Let me start by saying that this has given whole new meaning to the word 'vacation'. This trip, which involved snow capped mountains, history, tons of sightseeing, hot springs, amusement parks, and some 'stepping out of my comfort zone', will go down in our family history as one of the funnest places we have ever been. Seriously, how often do you get say you saw bison and bighorn sheep while driving or that you went swimming in the snow? Random note ~ Did you know that Glenwood Spri...

Here's a little something to keep you warm in the cold weather season:) I call this "The Power Tea" because that's exactly what it is when we start to feel run down. This is how I make it: 2 cups water 1 heaping Tablespoon of raw honey a handful of cranberries 4 thin slices of ginger root 1 slice of lemon Now, at first, you're probably thinking..."geez, that's a lot of ingredients for just two cups," but I promise, it's tastes delicious. Besides, if it's too strong for your liking, you can always dilute it with more water. Place all ingredients in the water and bring it to a boil. Stay close by because as soon as it's ready, it will boil over. When it does, remove it from the heat and cover to let it steep for 5 minutes. That's it!  Ginger is very spicy & alone with honey, makes a great tea. Cranberries are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, so buy as much as you can now, and stick them in t...

Ya know what? A coffee cup can used for more things than coffee. How 'bout using for the perfect circle size for a little scalloped bunting? Now I know that for some of you, it's too earlier to break out the Christmas cheer, but I couldn't help myself! There was just something about that vintage Santa Claus fabric that kept smiling at me each time I worked a different project! Anyways... here's how simple it was to make! Gather some color coordinated fabric, a washable marker, double folded bias tape, & your favorite coffee cup! On the wrong side of the fabric, trace some circles using your coffee cup. I did two a time by folding my fabric in half, tracing, pinning, then cutting. Take those perfect circles to the chopping block one more time. I love these handy little grids. I took off 1 inch to create my flat side. Sew them together. Now...this part is not a must, but it does make for nicer, 'smoother' half scallops...

I've done the unthinkable... the one thing I promised myself I wouldn't do..... I stitched mommy and me tops! Yikes... What has happened to me?  I know, I know. Those of you that know me will be laughing hysterically as I am the farthest thing from believing children and mothers should dress the same, but can you blame me? Look how cute the tops are. It all started when a shopping trip ended in purchasing a top I wanted to re-create. Long story short, it didn't happen. And I think it's okay. I wouldn't have had enough fabric to make a 'mini me' one. To make the pattern, I grabbed the new top I purchased and placed it on the blank side of a wrapping paper roll. (I always by cheap wrapping paper just for this purpose.) After I traced around it, I folded the pattern in half and then cut the side that appeared the 'cleanest' with drawing lines. That way my t-shirt was balanced. For the front, I used the same pattern piece again, ...