Lavender scented hand warmers

I was reading some quilting blogs and ran across this idea for hand warmers. I've made some neck warmers with rice in the past but never thought about making mini ones...especially with a quilt top.

I knew I kept all those tiny scraps for a reason. I put a quarter down for comparison. 

I sewed up some half-square triangles for two of them, and scrappy tops for three more. I put a layer of cotton batting on the back and stitched in the ditch to hold it in place.

I put the front and back right sides together, stitched them together leaving a small opening and turned them right side out. 

I used my lavender essential oil to scent the rice and filled them a little more than halfway. Just the perfect calming scent.

Five finished hand warmers. Definitely not the best picture. Didn't realize it was bad until after I'd given them away and couldn't take another. 

They made the perfect Valentine's Day gifts.

This was a really fun project, and I definitely want to work more with minis. It just might be my next quilting addiction. The patterns are endless. I also saw ideas for pin cushions just like this but the filling is different. Some used crushed walnuts and others polyester fiberfill. I need to do some experimenting.

Zipper Bags

I had been seeing lots of zipper bags on Pinterest. They looked fairly simple and would work great as storage for my essential oils, makeup, and smaller items in my purse. 

I made the first one in the same fabric as my sister's tote bag. After looking at several patterns, I used parts of three of them to make mine. 

I sewed fabric tabs onto the ends of the zippers so there's no sewing into the seam allowance. Then each side with lining is sewn to the zippers.

I used coordinating fabric for the lining and also fusible fleece to add padding to the bags. The pieces of the bags are sewn wrong sides together and then turned out thru a section of lining that was left open. The lining is sewn shut and put inside the bag.

Picking out fabric was the best part. 

I made up a few to sell and then a friend of a friend wanted lots and lots so I made them up for her.

I also made up some fabric holders for the oils. Each bag holds ten 15-ml oil bottles. 

More bags.

The two bags in the front (brown/orange and gray/pink) are smaller bags. Instead of removable inserts like the larger bags, I sewed elastic in them to hold five 5-ml oil bottles. 

Here's the inside of a small bag.

And finally I made a pencil bag for a couple of my favorite kiddos.  

New Bedroom Carpet

It's been quite awhile since I made many updates at my house. Most of them happened within a couple years of me buying it. 

But the bedroom carpet needed to be replaced, and it finally happened. 

The installation took just a couple hours and he did a great job.

I knew I wanted a light color and once it was down, I knew I'd made the right choice. 

But now it really makes the living room/hallway carpet look dark and it has way too yellow of a tone. But it's in decent shape so it'll stay for now.

Birthday Tote Bag

It's been way too long since I posted. Time to get back at it and update you on some of my recent projects.

I had made myself a tote bag a few months ago. When it came time for Lisa's birthday, I decided to make one for her. I admit I picked the fabrics because I loved them, but I knew she would too. 

It was much easier to make the second bag since I now had experience with adding a lining. 

I also made a small makeup bag to match. 

Happy Birthday, Lisa!!