Glee Inspired Summer 'Very Pink' Trench Bag

Did anyone see the Glee episode where Quinn wore this bag?

It was seriously love at first sight.

 Paul gave me a fun, summery pink and white fabric a while back and I've been dying to make a summer bag out of it.  There was even a solid pink linen in the bunch to use as lining.  I decided trying to replicate this 'trench coat' bag would be so fun! 

I started, as per usual, with a little sketch.  I changed up the pockets a bit so I could make them functional- I love an outside pocket for my keys and for my phone.  This would give me one for each!

Now it was time to start cutting and sewing!

Always my little helper ;)  This is always the face I get too when he knows he's being a stinker

 And... Voila!  A trench coat inspired bag!  Very pink, right?  But super fun for summer.  It was so fun playing with the grain of the fabric to create different looks on the bag.  And, ok, I really love deals, so I have to throw in that I found the buttons at JoAnn's on sale for .25 per two pack and got 40% off the zipper I used for the pocket inside.  I think this bag cost me a grand total of about $2.00... You can't beat that!

I really really wanted to go shoot these photos outside in the woods, but alas.. ya gotta work with naptime.  I'm noticing too that my bag isn't quite so round as Quinn's, but this is a fully functioning diaper bag.  Sa-weet!

Sweet little trench pockets- one for the keys, one for the phone.  Fabulous!  I made my pocket hole the same way I would for a zipper, just left out the zipper and added the flap.  Worked wonderfully!

Now I can't wait to wear it out and show it off!  :)

I plan to make another one in the fall in a solid much more like Quinn's... So darling.

Next up... pillows.  Coming soon!

P&P Style

Ok, so I set this blog up 2 (?!) years ago.  I've finally decided I might as well use it.  ;)  I thought it might be fun to post any projects/fun stuff I do on here- that way if you don't want to read boring crafty stuff you're not interested in on my family blog, you don't have to!  Yippee!

So this last week, I seriously was beginning to wonder... "Was I born in the right century?"

"Before" Lamp
Black... beige... pretty boring.

I felt like my lamps needed a makeover.  So I made myself a template from my existing lamp shade (if you'd like to make one yourself, just roll and trace! ;)  I already had this lovely powder blue linen fabric a la' Paul (so wonderful) gave it a 1" hem on top and bottom to face on the outside, found a beautiful Martha Stewart Template to embroider on it, and got to embroidering!

the work in progress

I thought it turned out lovely.  I think I'd be perfectly happy sitting and embroidering and watching movies all the time!  With a little "Just Dance 2" and "The Michael Jackson Experience" inbetween to get the blood flowing to my legs again.  ;)  Seriously, didn't those wealthy girls in the Pride & Prejudice age have it good?  I could stand just embroidering, painting, playing the piano, singing, learning French and Latin, eating, going to balls, and attempting to catch a husband... it doesn't sound so bad. 

Anyway, to finish up the project, simply use some spray adhesive, gently smoothing out the fabric onto the shade as you go.

Then I sprayed the lamp bases white, added some silver lining with a bit of silver metallic enamel, and then gave it a "wash" with cream acrylic paint to bring down the brightness and whiteness.  I LOVE the shades.  Not absolutely love with the base, but I'm good with it.  :) 

Finished Lamp!  Yay!

Speaking of P&P, if you read my other blog you also know I "trimmed a hat" as they'd call it those days, and I found a bird cage (I am turning into a crazy bird lady... I just really love birds!!) Instead of leaving it the stained wood I painted it a sage green.  Too fun!  Real birds to put in it would be super fun too, if they weren't so smelly.  I'm happy with just a cage for now. 

So this week I have on the agenda to make a skirt for a YW sewing event we're having this Saturday.  I've modified the pattern to make the skirt longer... I also have another purse in mind to make... I'll have to do a post when that's all finished! 

Have a great week!