Drawstring bag for vaca

So I've just made a commitment to go on vacation with a couple of friends in January, and now I'm stressing about every little detail. How to pay for it, clothes, tickets, blah, blah, blah. So, since most of my money is going to be going to the vacation itself, I'm going to try my best to work with what I've got to make my clothes and accesories and such. So I'm in need of a tote bag, and was thinking that it would be wonderful to do a drawstring bag instead of a regular tote because there are going to be lots and lots of people, so it will be harder for someone to pick my bag if it's drawstring. Anyway, so I'm searching around the net for a tutorial, and came across this one...





I really like it but was looking for something a bit different. I may try to search a little more, but for now, this is the bag.

Christmas Bags

So I've been looking for some bags to make for Christmas presents, and came across some really nice ones that I can't wait to get started on. Maybe I'll be able to make this happen before December 25th.

Emily - Best friend from high school - I found this tutorial in the book "In Stitches" by Amy Butler, so I don't have a link to this one, sorry. It's a great book though, lots more stuff in it, so you should get it!

Jessica - Her sister...we were all pretty much best friends

And I'm going to be making another tote bag like the one in my previous post for my mother. It's gonna have something to do with my kids, not really sure yet, but it should turn out pretty well.

I'm still looking for some more, and then I'll edit this.

My first finished project

It's about dang time. I've been putting this off so much, but I finally got one that I had to do. I LOVE the results, and can't wait to make another bag. I think that I did a great job.

More Christmas Projects

I've been trying to find a pretty and easy wallet that I could make for Christmas presents, and finally came across one today.


Now, finding the time is another task that I really hate to take on.

SO excited

So, yeah..I've been slacking on every project that I've got going on right now, and no...I'm not ashamed about it. I have 2 kids, I work, yada yada ya...you get it. So, I haven't gotten the chance to do a bag, like I've been talking about for a long time now. So, my cousin just asked me to make one for her as a present to her daughter's teacher. I'm super excited, because this will make me make a bag. And I can put it in my store, and hopefully start selling them. I found a super simple looking tutorial, and can't wait to try it. I'm just waiting for her to get the material, and we're off!

Very Easy Tote Bag - I've explained well enough already

I'm going to be doing the long handles, and for some reason...the blue things in the middle are handles as well...I'm just going to be putting ties there though, so that the teacher can get a little bit of privacy in the classroom, or where ever she may decide to take it. It's going to be customized as well...she wants the teachers name, and an apple on it. I just can't wait to see how it turns out!

Pup Hoodie

I've been working on getting some doggie clothes in my boutique. After all, it's called Babes n' Pups, and the idea was for my to do dog clothes in the beginning anyway. I've just been so busy with School Spirit shirt (ugh) since I've started, and haven't really had a chance to try anything else. Hence the reason I haven't even STARTED on any of my other projects that I've listed here. Anyway, so I was looking around craftster, and came across this SUPER cute dog hoodie, that's gonna be just great for the winter nights when your pup has to get peepee. I really can't wait to try it...but I'm gonna be honest, it's gonna be a while.

Christmas Presents

I've been going back and forth about what to make for the babies in my sons class at school. Seeing that he's only 10 months old right now, and will be 13 months at Christmas, I can't really do anything that's too messy (like I'm doing for my daughters class...crayon rolls, and activity bags). So, I've decided upon SOCK MONKEIES!! YAY! I've been wanting to do a sock monkey for a while now, but just having had the motivation. But I came across a super cute pair of monkies that I've got to redo. Just HAVE to. I think that they're gonna make excellent presents for the babies in his class, and I can't wait to see their faces when I give them out.

Sock Monkey - Here's a picture that has motivated me to make this happen. Aren't they just the cutest?? They're fuzzy too, they're extra cute. And their faces are just precious. I'm definately gonna have to make the eyes and mouth like that.

- Beth

Since when did purple become a color of Halloween??

My daughter has been seeing the lights on our neighbors houses, and freakin' out, so tonight while I was at Wal-Mart, doing some grocery shopping, I decided to go ahead and get her some lights for our house. My son is the perfect age (10 months) for lights, and I can't wait for him to see them tomorrow night.

I don't know when purple became a color of Halloween...along with green, but I think that they fit in with the orange and black well. Our house is the only purple house, and I think it looks the best...just saying, lol. I love Halloween. Actually...I just love fall. My favorite time of year. I opened a pack of Halloween candy to put in a bowl earlier, and the smell made me remember how much I love it.

This is my son's first Halloween, so I'll be documenting the whole thing through pictures. Here are a few of the first.



The lights through the cobwebs.



I love the purple color.



My baby, checking out her mommy's work.



Our front door.



From the front. Blurry, but pretty.

- Beth

A few more before I start

I'll be starting on my projects tonight. I just got the kids to bed, so I'm able to do something. I'm going to be doing the checkbook cover first. It doesn't look too hard, and I have the perfect material for it, and I'm tired of the plastic one that I got from the bank, so it's sort of perfect. Anyway, I was looking for a certain tutorial, and came across these, so I had to add them.

Reversible Children's Apron - I can picture this on my daughter right now.



Pacifier Pouch - I so need one of these for my daughter...she's always losing hers.



Tote Bag - I don't know how many bags I'm gonna find before I actually try one. They're all so cute.



Fabric Lunch Bag - Totally eco-friendly



Baby Quilt - I may have to have the ladies at the local quilt shop help me with this one, but I'd like to try it.



Crib Rail Guard - My son could use this. He's bad about biting the rails on his crib.



Angel Handbag - Again...another cute bag



- Beth

Just a few more...

Yes, I may be going crazy, but this is also my way of keeping up with everything, as well as showing it all off. I found this website that is absolutely wonderful. Tons of stuff that I'd be up for.

Hobo Bag - I don't carry a purse because I can't find one that will hold all of my crap that's cute. Maybe this one will work for me.

Vinyl Tote - I would have to use this as a diaper bag. I'm always having the hardest time keeping my kids bags clean, and this is perfect. I think I may try this one first.

IPod Holder - I don't even have an IPod, but it looks cute, and I know people who have them, so there you go.

Scrap Ribbon Belt - Something that I want to try to coordinate for my daughter's outfits

Paper Cake Decorations - I am SO doing this for my daughter's birthday party. I may have to figure out something for my son's coming up in November, as well...maybe trains or something?

Felt Monogrammed Pillows - You can't really see the details of this, but they're beautiful! I've got to do this.

- Beth

More Projects, Finished Projects, and A Little Wishlist

I'm picking out these projects with my 2 kids in mind, so that's why just about everything is kiddy stuff. I've yet to get around to one of these projects, but one day I'll be able to. Anywho, these are a few more projects that I really want to try soon.

Ruffled Pillow - I would love something this pretty to be sitting on my couch right now.



Framed Memo Board - I so want one of these to go in my daughters room. Or mine.



Bean Bag Chair - Both of my offspring are going to love this. My son takes naps in the bean bags at day care...

Roll Up Playtime Mat - I don't know how well I'll be able to make this one work because I don't quilt, but it's worth a shot.

Baby Booties - Great shower gifts

Reversible Headbands - I'm so glad I found a free tutorial for this, because I love headbands on my daughter.

Pillowcase - Just looks like a fun tutorial, and really easy.

I finally finished my son's bowling shirt. It took 3 days, which is way longer than I would have liked to take. I could have had it finished in an afternoon, but with work, 2 kids, housework, and orders to fill...I have little time for things that I want to do. I finished the shirt after my son went to bed last night, and didn't get to get any pictures of it on him, so maybe he'll be cooperative this evening when I get off work, and I can get some that show off.

So here's a picture of some of my past work.

That's my baby girl, by the way.

Oh, and I really, really want these...I may have to break down and buy myself some.

Ok, off to do some more work.

-Beth

Future Projects

I have recently taken up sewing, mainly to make some extra money, but also, I guess, to make my father proud of me. My grandmother was an excellent sewer, and so is my aunt. I guess I want to follow in those footsteps. I've never even been really interested in sewing, until I started it, and saw that I'm actually good at it. I'm having to teach myself because I can't afford classes, and I really don't want to bother my aunt with it. She has her own alteration business, and just doesn't have time for it, I'm sure.

So, anyway...this post is going to be dedicated to all of the sewing projects that I want to do. I'm sure that there will be many more, but these are just a few that I've found around the internet that I really want to try out. I guess I'll have a little check list, and once I perfect them, I'll scratch em' from the list. Of course, they're little, nothing projects, but this is my way of learning, and my way of sharing the process with you.

Crayon Roll - My daughter is going to love me for this one.

Water Bottle Carrier - This is so cute, and again, my daughter will love it.

Checkbook Cover - I sooo need one of these.

T-Shirt Dress - By far my favorite. I already have all of the materials to make this, I just haven't made the time to do it yet.

Fabric Basket - This is gonna be wonderful gift for mothers day or for a baby shower.

I've also been working on a bowling shirt for my son, and hopefully will have it finished, tonight. If I do, I'll post pictures, and let you see how well I did.

- Beth

Name??

So you may be wondering what the heck I was thinking when I came up with my blog name, right? Keeper of the who?

So, my 2 and half year old is in love with Dora the Explorer. I have no idea why, seeing as how she never watches Dora while we're at home. I don't know if she watches it at school or what, but for about 2 weeks now, she's started screaming to watch Dora. So anyway...I bought her some Dora fruit chews the other day, and now it's her favorite food. I don't care what's going on, if she stops for half a second, she's gonna ask for some 'Dora's.'

So, I was trying to think of something clever, and since my little girl just asked me for some Dora's...I came up with 'Keeper Of The Dora's.'