Rice Bags...

I do love making rice bags.

These were for a friend. I posted a picture of them on my Instagram about a week ago.

{hugs}
Laura

Froggy Pillow for Trey...

I just finished this pillow last night. My friend asked me to make it for her son. I fell in love with the backing fabric when I saw it at Joann's. The colors are beautiful and the design was perfect for a toddler. 

For my embroidery pattern, I just took different elements from the fabric. It was a really hard decision because I love all of the animals in it - but the frog won out.  I really love how it turned out. You can see the pillow I made for his older brother here. 

{hugs}

Laura

Sunday Afternoon...

We had a rainy weekend here - I love the rain...

I spent sunday afternoon sewing up some rice bags.

{hugs}
Laura

Rice Bag Heating Pad...

I posted earlier about making Rice Bags. They are wonderful. I use mine every evening to keep warm and then at night in bed. And, if you have an ache or pain and need heat for it, it's perfect.

I made a lot for family and friends this Christmas, and have had fun doing it. So, I thought I would do a tutorial on how I have been making them. It's really very easy and I have done them all by hand too (my sewing machine is not working right now).

Below you will find pictures and instructions of what I did. But, there are many ways to do this and you can modify what I have done to better suit you. Have fun and enjoy your rice bag.

{hugs}
Laura


You will need these supplies for your rice bag.
- Fabric. 100% cotton works best, you can get a fat quarter or just a 1/4 yard of fabric.
- Heavy duty thread.
- DMC Cotton Perle 10g.
- Whole grain white rice.
- Scissors, straight pins and a needle (I used an embroidery needle).

For this bag, I cut my fabric into a 14 inch by 9 inch rectangle. I wanted it to be more long and narrow than square. But, for most of the rice bags I have made, I use a fat quarter and cut it into two pieces for two rice bags.

Fold the fabric in half with right sides together. Now, fold over the two long sides and pin the fold in place. I folded mine over twice so there is no chance of any rice getting out.

When you are done pinning the sides, use your heavy thread, doubled up and tied with a good knot, to sew a running stitch down each side.

When you get to the end, back stitch a couple of times and tie a really good knot.

When both sides are sewn, turn your bag right side out and you are ready to fill it with rice.

I fill my bags about 2/3 full with rice.

Now, fold the raw edge of your fabric in about 1/2 to 1 inch.

And then, fold it over and pin in place.

Sew along the edge with nice small stitches. I even stitched up the small sides of the fold.

When you get to the end, tie a good knot.

This is what the back of mine looks like...

And, the front...

Gotta love a rice bag.

I found this fun fabric for my daughter...

And this Star Wars fabric for my son.

Rice Bags...

I have been sewing lately. Sewing by hand. Mostly because my sewing machine is not working properly. But, sewing by hand is very relaxing and I really love the look of it - very vintage. I have been making rice bags. Pretty fabric, sew it up, fill it 2/3 full with whole grain rice and then stitch up the opening. Once done, pop it in the microwave for about 2 minutes and it will be your new best friend. Sore muscles are relaxed away. I even heat it up and take it to bed with me, it keeps me warm until I fall asleep.

Can you be in love with rice in a bag? Oh yes you can...

{hugs}
Laura

Wonderful Wednesday...

I hope your wednesday has been wonderful as well.

I have one beautiful zucchini, a few tomatoes and one chili...

I also made banana bread today using this recipe... 

It tastes wonderful.

And I made a skirt last weekend. I will post more on that soon.

{hugs}
Laura

Mug Rug...

It has been a while, I know. Life has been very busy lately. With my daughters summer volleyball tournament (which they won) and cross country starting for my son, getting ready for the new school year to start, work and home, the heat and the ants (ugh, I hate ants) and we took a little weekend trip to my sister's house (loved it) - well, life is busy. And I think I am getting old because all I want to do is lay down and go to sleep, hahahaha...

Anyway...

I am still working on getting you the embroidery pattern for my ladybug under the bunting strung between the flowers. I have issues with the scanner on my printer and I have been bad about remembering to take it with me to work to scan. Soon, I promise...

Here are a few pictures from when I made my mug rug.

My stash of thread...

My stash of fabric...

Everything is sewn by machine except the binding. I folded over the edges, mitered the corners and pressed and pinned it down. Then I stitched it by hand. I also used a decorative stitch down both sides of the yellow fabric for a different look.

Have a great weekend...

{hugs}
Laura

New Mug Rug...

I hope your Monday has been blessed.

{hugs}

Laura