Bumble Briar Boutique: January 2012

January 11, 2012

{Wow Me Wednesday}

I'm so excited for {Wow Me Wednesday}!!!

This is a little segment I decided to start mainly for myself....I'm always looking for amazing ideas that inspire creativity. I just love to see something that makes me go "WOW!! I wish I could make that!" So pull up a chair and take a look at what inspired me this week!

I love this idea!! I don't have kids yet but they are on the way. This fun little bag looks so functional!!!! I love the fact that it just fits on the stroller but then you can totally use it as a diaper bag too. Make it and Love it shows you exactly how this awesome bag!

Sew Much Ado made these fabulous flash cards. Most flash cards get super mangled when the little ones play with them or rather tries to eat them. I love that you can just throw them in the wash when they get a little icky. You can also make these for the alphabet, shapes, or anything you would like to match.

Another wonderful idea for kids! Lil Blue Boo has a tutorial and free pattern download for this cart cover. I'm kind of germ-a-phobic and I like that a little one sitting in the front won't lean down and starting sucking on the yucky handles...cute solution!

Yet another idea for kids...(it's all I think about right now seeing that we have our own little one on its way!) I want to be able to make sure my kids learn everything about everything. Oopsey daisy shows how to make this fun Gospel ABC's book.

Last, but certainly not least and not too connected to kids, is this ultra cute Valentines throw! Moda Bake Shop shows you how to make this quilt just in time for the holidays!!! Love the colors!!!!

These are just a few of the super amazing "Wows" that I love this week....

What have you seen that inspires you?
What kinds of things should a new mom have for her new little one?
What advice would you share about being a mom/parent?

January 10, 2012

Camera Strap

I made this adorable camera strap for my sister, the aspiring photographer! I initially planned on using the two different fabrics and ribbon for a cute accent...but the planned changed about 3/4 the way through. Here's how you make a camera strap cover.

Gather your materials. I chose the orange fabrics because they are bright and fun and totally match my sisters personality.

Next, cut out your main cover. I believe all straps are basically the same size but make sure to measure and add seam allowance. My measurements were 24" x 1.75" so I cut 2 strips measuring 25" x 2.75". **Note**If I make another strap I would save myself some cutting time and cut one really wide piece and fold it....cuts out a sewing step too!!!

Next, sew your two strips together and then iron that seam flat!

After they are ironed you will want to hem the ends of the strips. (sorry...no picture of that one)

For my little ruffled piece I cut 2 strips, 2" x 40", and the sewed them together so I had plenty of ruffle! I measured 1/4" and ironed the fold and then stitched it all the way...on both sides.

Now you have your two basic pieces!!!

In order to gather the fabric, I sewed a running stitch (a longer stitch) right down the center, like so (pictured below)

To gather, just pull on on of the threads until you get the desired ruffle. Once you are satisfied with the ruffle, pin it to the other fabric and sew it on.

After you have the ruffle attached, put right sides together (so it looks like it is inside out) and sew your final side seam. The fun part comes next...turning it right-side out! I like to use a wooded spoon to help me out and it works quite nice!

So this is were I decided i didn't want to use the ribbon. I like ruffles but not too many and the ribbon just wasn't working the way I imagined. So.....I cut a small little strip about a 1" wide, hemmed it all up and sewed it in the middle of the ruffle. I love how it turned out!!!