Fabric Box Tutorial

I needed an easy way to store my electronic chargers and cords, so I decided to make a fabric box. I love the deep yellow (mustardy, if you will) and grey combination.

Here's what you need:

Two fat quarters (or similar sized pieces of fabric)
Scissors
Fusible interfacing
Ruler
Sewing machine
Pins

I used all the electronics I was planning on storing as a size guideline. I cut a 12" by 12" square in each fabric.

Iron interfacing to the back of both fabrics according to directions. Heavier interfacing works best, but I used what I had and it was still pretty sturdy.

Sew around all sides with fabrics right sides together. Leave a 2"-3" opening for turning.

Clip corners & turn.

Top stitch all the way around. This adds a decorative touch and closes the opening at the same time.

Now, to make it a box. Grab each corner and fold each side on itself so that it forms a triangular point & pin. Repeat for all the corners.

To sew the corners, I sewed from bottom to top. Backstitch a few times for stability. Repeat for all corners, trim threads, & marvel at your creation!

I'm going to expirement with sturdier interfacing for sure. Love these boxes!

Your Love is the Spark

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." -Albert Schweitzer

I'm learning the importance of self-control and perseverance in prayer this Lent, but I am certainly indebted to the people in my life who help fan my flame and encourage me by their witness. Do you ever get lazy with prayer? What helps you refocus and get back on track?

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"Your love is the spark that lights this life." -Matt Maher

Saturday Snapshot

Linking up at Yellow Songbird again (PS just bought some daffodil earrings from Oh, Sweet Joy! And I'm so excited). This is such a fun link party... so many fun (& funny) memories! Come join the fun!

Since the girls and I are going camping this weekend, I thought it would be fitting to have a snapshot from our last camping trip together. This is our "jumping picture." We're famous for these. Concerts, graduations, plays, nights on the town, etc. They all include a jumping picture. Using the timer on my camera we tried (and failed) to jump at the precise moment... to no avail... Maybe this time around we'll get it right!

Four Favorites Friday: 03.25.2011 Camping Edition

My friends & I are going camping (well, actually yurting) this weekend! I can't wait to spend some quality time with them & mother nature sans distractions. Hope you have a great weekend too!

1. The North Face sleeping bags. I can't articulate just how much I love sleeping bags [mummy bags]. Suffice to say I slept in one from 8th grade until I was a junior in college... True story. LOVE.

2. Jiffy Pop. Delicious & fun to make.

3. What would camping be without s'mores?! Our Best Bites puts a new spin on it & I very much like the idea of using a Resse's Peanut Butter Cup or a Rolo. Yum! You don't even need a campfire for this recipe.

4. Fun questions & discussions around the campfire. Table Topics sells "questions to start great conversations." Always sounds good to me!

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Saturday Snapshot

Today I'm participating in Yellow Songbird's Saturday Snapshot link party. Come join the fun!

This is a picture from summer 2010. My friend Chelsea & I went shopping and decided to stop in The American Girl store. I was obsessed with these dolls as a kiddo--my sister and I spent hours and hours playing with them. For some absurd reason as a senior in high school I had a dream that my closest friends and I made a movie about the American Girls. This dream turned into a fantasy & I begged my friends to make said movie with me (and secretly subscribed them to the catalogs)... and they humored me. It featured Kirsten, Samantha (me), Molly (Chelsea), our friend Bob who played  Molly's ficticious brother Johnny... anyway it was hilarious & this store and this picture represents all those fun memories.

Oooh American Girls, you have a special place in my heart! Not to mention that in this picture we look like we intentionally tried to match--which we didn't, but it's still cute.

Four Favorites Friday: 03.18.11

Happy Friday all! Here are some great things to sum up the week.

1. This site. You can create random word collages by just typing or pasting a bunch of words. The more times a word appears, the larger it becomes in the collage. This might be fun to do for a loved one or something. It's completely free! If you don't like the design it creates, just click "randomize" for a different one.

2. This coffee press. I got it on sale for a mere $20 (originally $40, but on sale on the website). My tried and true method for making the best cup of coffee is Alton Brown's found here.

3. This recipe via The Hungry Birdie. Meatless, again. Can you imagine the delectable aroma as you cook this up? Garlic, mushrooms, and scallions--oh my!

4. The Mumford & Sons Pandora station. Try it!

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Happy weekend friends! I'm going to a craft fair tomorrow, but nothing else too exciting planned.

A whole lotta GREEN.

Here are some fun green things, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, of course. Hope yours is filled with lots of green & maybe even some gold!

Emerald necklace

This keychain

Those apples remind me of this delightful perfume.

Doubly green with this tea.

Bike tee.

This green recipe for avocado hummus. Yum.

The warm weather means I'll be getting these out soon!

This cute little notebook.

This chunky ring.

Hope you're wearing green! Don't make me virtually pinch you (and since neither one of us know what that means... let's not dare to find out). Happy St. Patty's Day!