a not-tutorial for a DIY camera insert.

I am not one to generally make decisions quickly. 

Right when I go to decide on something, 6 or 7 "but maybes..." enter my mind and delay the decision.

Sometimes it's a bit ridiculous, like when I'm just choosing what to eat for lunch. I'm working on it.

So, a camera bag. I have a camera & I like to take pictures. [Newsflash, I know.] I was just throwing said camera in my diaper bag, surrounded by burp cloths for protection. As cool as that was, I really wanted to get a camera bag/purse thing.  Oh wait, I already told you about that decision... over a month ago. You see what I mean about the timely manner in which I make decisions? Well, I was about to take the plunge and then I just couldn't do it. The evil chorus of "but maybes" entered my mind. (You'd think I was about to elope.) 

Fast forward to mid August when I saw this purse at a Marshall's.  It was reasonably priced, the perfect size for a camera, a wallet, and a diaper (my 3 must-haves these days).  Plus it's red. So that's fun. 

I had seen a few DIY camera inserts that can be placed in different bags so I decided to grab this bag (i mean, it was calling to me 'Renee - bring me home!!') and try the whole DIY thing. I generally end up buying rather than DIYing, but I do like the idea of a DIY project now and again. Now, sometimes my projects fail. Like this. But once in a while, they work! And this one did! Hooray. 

Don't get too excited - This is not a tutorial. I didn't follow a pattern or actually any method at all.  I skimmed these directions & looked at her pictures. But, the process was not very systematic. And the result? Functional, yes.  Pretty, no. The seams are uneven; and I just sewed each piece shut on the outside rather than slip stitching to hide the seam.  But it works. 

If I was going to give you a tutorial based on the pictures I took (which I am not), here's what I'd have for you. 

1. Step one - get some foam, scissors and fabric. 

2. You will also need a sewing machine.  This project can be done without coffee, but it is not recommended.

3. Place foam in your bag and mark it with a sharpie, then cut it & lay it on some doubled over fabric. [time-saver! that tip was for free.]  Without measuring, just guess how much extra you'll need for seams Precisely measure for seam allowances, and then cut on the doubled over fabric so you have 2 pieces of fabric to create a pillow-case like thing for your foam.  

4. Do some sewing & add some velcro. [no more pictures.]

5. Voila. 

Ahh! Whose feet photo bombed!? Weirdo.

next quilt...

i usually arrange my schedule so that my entire friday is free to substitute.  but if i don't get called, or it's a holiday break, i have the entire day free.  it's a fun time to do some sewing, which i am slow at and need LOTS of time to accomplish small amount of progress.

i'm going to finish up the quilting project for the class i'm in now, but i'd love to make a patchwork quilt next.  looks simple enough, right...?

so i'm thinking maybe one like this

source

 or this!

source

or this

source

sew what?

i got a sewing machine for christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  i am sewwwww excited to learn how to sew.  [pun intended]

some things i've been eyeing as a first project are....

an easy-to-sew jersey skirt, although the creator said she's always hesitant to sew w/ knit materials. perhaps harder?

from HERE

or perhaps my own version of this pretty pillow with a similar fabric

from world market

a tote bag

from this tutorial

the last couple days have been filled with we-just-got-back-home-things like laundry, grocery shopping, bank, oil change, car wash, etc...  but as soon as i have a chunk of free time i'm going to hit up the youtube tutorials for beginner seamstresses.  VERY BEGINNER. like, how to get my sewing machine out of the box, beginner.  

in the meantime, i've been thinking about/ pinteresting ways to reorganize my craft space. i am SEW lucky to have a space in the basement to leave out all my scrapbooking stuff.  it's way easier to use when i can just leave it out.  

current craft space (messy!) 

not sure what's up with my computer - it's making all my pictures look crazy. dark. sometimes with extra neon colors. anywhoooo....

the space works well for my current scrapbooking stuff (this picture was taken mid-project) but i want to make room for sewing too. and i want things to be practical, accessible.  so i'll have to use the space slightly more efficiently. plus i love organizing, so it's a win win!  here are some cool ideas (some of which are completely unrealistic).

for all the random small stuff (buttons, paper flowers, paperclips, etc...)  

or this 

 or this! magnetic spice containers - sold @ ikea cheaply :)

 if this lady can get all that in a closet, i can use my space well. 

file scrapbook paper. i love filing stuff (seriously) and have tons of paper - not sure why i didn't think of this earlier! i'm imagining files to fit in the cube shelves or on the bottom shelf of the book shelf.

this would work well for paper too if i can't find the right size files. 

peg board!  i'm seriously considering this for that ginormous wall. 

smaller pegboard might make more sense since we live in a rental temporarily.

easy way to keep ribbon. cheap too! 

 very fun way to store thread... although i don't have that much thread. 

woohoo! this all makes me excited to craft and learn to sew and organize!

Project Fail

so i was feeling crafty.
and thought this was cute.

i decided to actually try one of the crafty things i pinned on pinterest.
i already had this shimmery frame - just had to take the mirror out.  i tried to type the words but the printer kept feeding the cardstock through crooked.  So, I got blank bookmarks from michael's and a pretty red pen instead. also got some red foil wire and mini clothes pins.

starting materials

plan was:

cut book marks (to be 2 x4)

round corners

write christmas words

remove mirror

string foil behind frame horizontally - pin with thumb tacks

clip on words with mini clothes pins

admire my craftiness

but then, i tried to force the mirror out and....

it broke.

project fail.

i had already cut the bookmarks to size, rounded the corners and wrote the words.

looked for a frame but didn't love anything i saw. 

then we went to chicago for christmas and i lost interest.

haha maybe next year!

:)