Here's the third purse for the Camp Shaw fundraiser. As it turns out, this one was the greatest challenge, but challenging yourself is good for the mind and the creative spirit. As with the pink purse, this shirt was the perfect fit for this pattern--also from McCalls 5011. However, it's been a while since I sewed and I made a decision error with one of the materials on the list. It called for fusible interfacing (hair canvas). In my mind, hair canvas was a material I had used before for other purses--almost like a fine needlepoint canvas. However, when I was at the cutting counter, they didn't have that, so I bought a fusible interfacing that was fairly thick, about the thickness of felt but much stiffer. I should have realized it would be difficult to stitch through and that I should have trimmed it inside the seam allowances rather than having to trim it afterward just beyond the seamline. So this purse turned out fairly stiff--it can definitely stand on its own. I had the same challenge with this purse that I had with the back of the pink purse--the placement of the screen print meant some creative piecing, so this time I covered the seams with wide black rickrack.

But the greatest challenge was at the end. The way this purse goes together, the seam that remains unsewn for turning right-side out is the handle opening on both sides--that rounded triangular area. But then you have to hand-stitch along that opening, sewing the outer part (the t-shirt in this case) to the lining. That's really when I realized that the felt-like fusible stuff was a bad idea! I don't know how many times I stuck myself with pins and needles making those two pieces line up correctly. And stitching through that dense fabric was tough! But I persevered and finished the purses just in time to get ready for the fundraiser (and not a moment sooner!). They did turn out pretty cute, if I can say that about something I made without tooting my own horn.

Thanks, Deb, for the inspiration and the push I needed to get back to sewing and making things. It felt great!

So here's project two for the Camp Shaw fundraiser. When my sister gave me the smaller shirts, I didn't want to turn them into a second reversible tote--WAY too predictable! So I pulled out a few of my purse patterns and books and found a discontinued McCalls sewing pattern 5011. This pattern included instructions and patterns for three different-shaped purses and when I opened up the tissue pattern sheets and started looking at them, I noticed that one of them fit the screened area of this t-shirt perfectly! What are the odds? So it had to be turned into this handbag. I found the perfect ribbon to attach the bag to the handles and the perfect handles.

But then, when it came to the back of the purse, I realized there might be an challenge. The camp web address was positioned high on the back, which meant that I had to do something to position it properly on the purse. I set the screened portion low, since it was the only place it could fit, and I sewed another piece above it. I backed the pink ribbon with black ribbon and sewed it over the seam. I lined the purse with a mottled pink cotton that was almost a perfect match.

One tip: I did back all of the t-shirts with fusible interfacing. The cotton lining fabric will help to keep it from losing its shape.

First, no worries, I'm still alive. I realize it's been almost three weeks since I blogged. I really don't know where the time went, but it's been a very busy time in my life. Nothing specific, just much going on---mind, body, and spirit. Meanwhile, I made some projects last week and I have to tell you, it was pure bliss (with a bit of occasional cursing). I'll share them in the coming days, starting with this post.

I used to work on a magazine called Make It Mine, and a wonderful and creative woman, Andrea Loss from Milwaukee, shared this project in the first issue. Andrea did a lot of work with her local high school, helping them with plays, which meant she ended up with lots of theater t-shirts. And she found a way to turn two t-shirts into a very cute tote. For the step-by-step shots for the magazine, we used t-shirts from one of my favorite places--Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see. It was a 4-H camp when I was a kid; it's a non-profit camp now.


The last few years have been tough for fundraising for a camp (and for similar non-profits), given the economic conditions of the country. So the board at Camp Shaw decided that a more personal fundraiser was in order. The First Ever Have a Heart, Send a Kid to Camp! Camp Shaw fundraiser was held Feb. 13 in Kankakee, Illinois. I was delighted and honored when my sister Deb (Board Treasurer) asked me if I would donate some handmade items to the silent auction. We started talking, and we decided that a tote bag made out of Camp Shaw t-shirts would be perfect. She had secured two large adult t-shirts (white and orange) and two medium child-size tee's in pink and aqua. So I followed our directions and turned the orange and white shirts into a tote (shown here--click on the photo to see it larger).

Tomorrow, I'll show you what I did with the pink shirt. And Friday, the aqua shirt.

And yes, for the record, all three of them did get bids, so I feel good about that! And I got a few things at the silent auction as well and got to catch up with some old friends, so it was a great event!

I was visiting family this weekend for big Christmas celebrations. My Mom had all of her siblings, their kids, and THEIR kids (and assorted others) over on Saturday for a party (53 of us in all). The next day,my Dad's brother had that side of the family at his house. I'm exhausted from the traveling and from being my Mom's "right-hand girl,"but it was a blast to catch up with family.

Where does the day go? Meetings and more, and here it is, 6 p.m. and I should head home. But when I get there, there's so much to do THERE too! But I think tonight, amid the laundry and other tasks, I'm going to make time to put the buttons on the backpack I made for my sister. I had such a good time putting it together this weekend! I've had this Rucksack pattern from Bethany Reynolds for years (click to see the pattern; it includes three sizes). I made one for my nephew when he started school. Recently, in need of a creative fix, I stopped by a local quilt shop and picked up some cool, retro-print fabrics in greens, yellows, reds, and blacks and made myself one. When my sister saw it, she begged me for one. So I let her choose her fabrics and she went with bright and tropical, which I have a ton of in my fabric stash. So, I put hers together this weekend and it's adorable, if I do say so myself. All that's left to do are the buttons, and that shouldn't take long.


That's what I love about creative endeavors. I've made the same pattern three times in two sizes and each has been customized to the recipient. I'm even thinking about making myself a toddler-size pack to use instead of a purse on those "traveling light" days. And I know I can either spend a Saturday and make it from start to finish or I can carve out 30 minutes or an hour a few evenings and have it done in a week. I look at projects the same way--some might need to be done over a week (so paint can dry or you can fit it around your schedule) and others can be done while watching a chick flick on the sofa.


Okay, I'd better run. Those buttons are waiting and maybe there's a good movie on...