Something new for gift wrapping

OK, it might not be so new, but it is so simple, yet so nice, and there are endless variations. New Year is near and it is time to start thinking about gifts fo our love ones. Ant it is never just about buying and shopping, but how to make these moments solemn. Wrapping gift is as important to me as chosing the gift. I found this very easy yet very clever way of gift wrapping and made small tut to share it.

Tutorial how to make gifts box

Make a pattern: draw half a circle and add 1 cm of lenght. Size of the circle (and the box) depends on the gift.

Put the pattern on the paper and cut the four such pieces. Cut the square with the size of the circle diameter.

Bottom of the box (outer)

Inner side of the box

Glue this half circles on the square bottom.

Fold the 'petals' one under the previous (las one under the first one).

Take paper tape and glue it (not to the box, but two tape ends together).

Now it's the time to add string, other tapes, decorations.

Or, you can personalize yout own paper. Or, my favourite, recycle journals or newspapers.

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Trolley shopping bag - something old, something new

My weekly ritual is visit to the green market where local farmers sell their product. I am going there for years and built a relationship with some of them. I know where to buy fresh cheese, who has the best carrot or potato, who's products are organic. And always buy over 1o kilograms, it's too heavy for me to carry bags. Trolley shopping bag is marvelous invention, I've been using it  more than 20 years. On the old one bag became worn out, metal construction was still good. And I decided to sew something original, and the bag that will match my requirements. This is the result, I am very pleased with the result (and that is not the case with all my projects). Here is the tutorial how I made it.

Trolley shopping bag DIY tutorial

Material:

- old jeans (I bought two pairs in second hand shop for 3,5 $)

 - leftover fabric
- eco leather (decided to buy it later on)

From back part of the jeans legs made front of the trolley.

Another trousers used for the back side.

This stripped fabric I used for the sides. The upper edge I strengthened with the nonwoven and two layers of the fabric.

I need big inner pocket of the shopping bag (this I couldn't find in any bag I could buy). So, I used jeans as well for the base and sewed original pocket to be used as one pocket and stripped fabric for another one. 

Stripped fabric fastened on the base together with the zipper (see photo).

For the lower end of the pocket I made a pleat, to be able to put in more things.

For the bottom of the bag decided to use eco leather. First pinned it, then hand stitched and finally sewed (twice, to be firm).

The original bag was made of synthetic material. Jeans is rather soft and heavy and the back side was not standing upright. Wire frame from the old bag I used to fasten the  front side. For the back side had several options and decided to make insert from the fabric and sponge and input the cardboard. 

Finally, used   eco leather to make the cap. Added some details in the meantime.

My trolley shopping bag :

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Fabric pumpkin

Photo taken from this site.

I am obsessed with pumpkins, can't help it. For those preferring to sew and not to carve or paint, here are some examples of fabric pumpkins and tuts how to make them.

How to make fabric pumpkin

On this site you can find detailed tut how to make this gorgeous pumpkins. Although, according to the tut, genuine stems are used, I think some wooden twig will do as well.

one very easy to make

These are really funny and original, remind me on Cinderella's carriage. If you like them, go to the thecottagemama.com .

This is one very easy to make pumpkin.

And if you prefer paper, this is project for you.

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Pumpkins again

Pumpkins are 'in' again. I love them - they are so colorful, interesting, funny and tasteful in so many ways, even seed and oil are delicious. Although Halloween is not so popular in Croatia, we love to decorate pumpkins and squashes.
Internet is full of pumpkin art, here are some I found the most interesting or funny, enjoy.

How to make a silhouette pumpkin

This easy to make tut find on www.thistlewoodfarms.com.

Pumpkin lanterns

Design*sponge is always current with themes. 

Patchwork pumpkin (and other tuts) by Alisa Burke

On the blog of Alisa Burke you can find various 'pumpkin' projects created over the years.

How to carve pumpkin

And, for the 'zero' step, find out how to carve pumpkin. Remeber, it is not easy.

Another carved pumpkin I realy love.



Few more photos for pumpkins lovers.

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Lavender bag

Lavender is certainly one of the best plants in my garden - so modest and durable, yet giving us so much joy. Except in the very begining, lavender don't require a lot of care. I enjoy the laveneder bushes all year long - in summer as well as in winter, not to mention the  beautiful fragrant flowers. I collected flowers month ago and found some time today to make a little lavender bag (some other ideas still in the pipeline).

How to make lavender bag

Material

Material: fabric scaps, rope, lavender, wooden bead

Cut a paper triangle (pattewrn for the bag), then cut two fabric pieces. Put them together (right sides together) and sew them, leaving opening at the base.

Turn on the right side, fill in with the lavender and  hand sew the opening.

Pull the rope through the bag and through the bead, make simple knots.

Hand sew little lace skirt and lavender bag is finished.

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