guest post::brown bobbin!

Hey Make it Dear readers, My name is Melissa (I blog over at Brown Bobbin) and I am super honored to share this little DIY with you today...

A while back I bought a bunch of Ikea rugs after I saw a pic on craftgawkers that showed a bunch of rugs sewn together to make a large area rug.  I did sew 3 together and then I was over it.  A few weeks ago I made a friend a big bag out of one of the leftover rugs.  It was super easy and I loved it so much I decided to make one for myself...since i just happened to have more rugs.

Here is how I made it. 

1. Get your rug or if you don't happen to have an ikea rug hanging around, I guess fabric will work just fine...you just won't have the fun fringe edge.

2. Fold rug in half and sew both side edges together almost to the top. Stop about 4 inches from the top.

3. On inside of bag fold corner out to form a triangle.  Sew about 2 inches from tip of corner straight across to make the triangle.

4. Turn bag right side out.
5. Fold top edge over about one inch and sew.  This makes the casing for your strap.

6. Sew some straps.  I used some vinyl that I had and made it about 3/4 inch thick.  Length of strap is just to your liking.

7. Feed strap through casing on bag and then sew strap together to form a large loop.  Push part where strap is sewn together to be inside of casing.

8. Hand sew strap to bag where strap enters casing.  Cinch up the top and then sew the other side where the strap exits the casing.

Fill that big bag up and go have some fun!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for sharing this fun project Melissa, how perfect is it for summer?  I can picture it in every colour and being a part of some sunny adventures!  xo Mandi

A little lookie-loo!

Someday hopefully very soon I will be back around here to share a new restyle project with you made from a thrifted little slip dress.  Until then here is a peek!  And don't fret, the tutorial is in progress as we speak I type! xo Mandi

it sure is true.

image here

Just a little note that I thought was worth sharing while we are working away at a few big, big things in our lives!  New jobs and new houses are taking up lots of energy right now but it will all be so worth it by the end of summer when we are in the new spot.  I am totally using this as my mantra (and passing it on to husband as well) and you should feel free to, too!  x Mandi

In case you wanted to know...

This weekend I finally started my next quilting project, our driveway is being put in at the new lot and today is full of banana pineapple bread and sunshine.  Sounds like a pretty perfect weekend to me!  Hope yours is being good to you too! x Mandi

makeovers and fun new things!

photos:cuddles,make mine melon polish, swim time, chocolatey chickpea cookies, we always heart smoothies, omg it snowed yesterday!!

We have had an impromptu blog makeover here (by that I mean I redid my header and sidebar photo and of course couldn't stop there!) and I am so far liking the new look!  I am a total novice when it comes to blog design but wanted a simple, pretty feel and I hope that you like it too!  Just a few things to note: you can now visit my instagram stream with followgram, see my sewing profile at burda or follow along with bloglovin' and you know you can still see all of my pins too through the new sidebar.  Next up is possibly a button to grab for anyone who may like it and a blog roll section for daily reads. It is so nice to have a change and be able to freshen things up every now and then!

I just have to mention too how much I am enjoying instagram for android now that I have my cell phone back!  It is just too much fun!  Are you on instagram? Leave me a comment here if you are, I would love to find some nice new people to follow! x Mandi 

diy colour block top!

I had been seeing a lot of pretty colour blocking styles around for a while and really wanted to try out a project of my own and here it finally is! I found this thrifted top in my closet that I do like (soft fabric and pretty button closure at the back) but it never really got any wear. So it was decided that she would serve me much better with a little makeover. Here is how boxy got a restyle!

HOW TO: First, I cut the shirt into four separate pieces (front, back and two sleeves) and left all of the finished edges intact. Next, I cut my contrast colour into the shape of the bottom half of the front of the shirt. I went from just above my bust for the second colour. Then I sewed the shirt all back together in the same basic shape it was before. So now it fits a little better and has a pretty navy blue bottom to hang around with!

I also added a rounded hem that turned out a little wavy and it is only driving me slightly crazy that there is a string hanging off the bottom of it! Haha oh well. I think I am still pretty happy with it! x Mandi

busy, busy times.

Well it has been quite around the blog lately and I am really hoping to get back into a posting groove soon but here are a few things I wanted to share with you all, some biggish news and just some other little updates!

: Our land is officially ours as of yesterday, we are all too excited and a little nervous (I think Jason may even start to sleep again at night soon)!!

: Me and these two cool ladies have decided to hit the craft fair scene again this summer and will be vending at an event this June! Wooohoo!

: I have been pinning lots of meals and supper options lately and have been trying to spice up our food related lives! This recipe is next up. YUM.

: We have had a string of sickness in the house that I have so far managed to avoid. The boys are mostly better at this point so I am seriously hoping I am in the clear!

: There is a fun restyle project that I have just finished up that I'm kinda bursting to share and hopefully will be able to soon. (HINT HINT-- think colour blocking. OH yeah!)

xo, Mandi