Crafty Loops

 Mini Tim Burton Character backpack - Penelope backpack pattern from All Sew Petite Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  Long time no see!  I am sharing a cute little make with you today from a pattern made by Monika at All Sew Petite called the Penelope backpack .  This is such a cute wee bag and was very easy to make, especially since Monika kindly shows you step by step in her video tutorial for it.  And as a visual learner, the videos are definitely my preferred method of making patterns.   Now, my poor wee Janome QXL605 sewing machine did struggle a wee bit with the top stitching at the very end (why is it always  at the end when the struggles begin??)......but she still managed it ok with a bit of hand cranking from me.  But that wasn't the patterns fault, it was more to do with the fabrics and interfacing I used.  I'm eagerly awaiting the day that I have saved up the funds to get myself the Janome HD9........someday HD9....you wi...

Handmade Quilt - Shadow Boxing from Jordan Fabrics Whatabout ye Folks, it's Lee here.  Firstly, Happy New Year for tomorrow.  Let's hope 2023 is a little kinder to us all.  Secondly, apologies for the photos.  This quilt was extremely difficult to photograph.  The simple reason is, I have a super tiny house.  So to be able to get the whole quilt in the frame, meant having to move WAYYYY back......and I just didn't have the room to do this in my teeny house.  I was practically sitting on the cooker for this 1st photo and my poor Scrubby was standing there with his arms up, holding this quilt and trying not to move whilst I took rapid fire photos, lol.  And the one I took on the bed....well, I would have needed to be outside my bedroom window to get it all in properly.  So, sorry.....I did the best I could in my tiny house, lol. This quilt is called Shadow Boxing and is a free pattern from Jordan Fabrics on YouTube .  I am over the moo...

 HANDMADE APRON My beautiful assistant, ie, my Scrubby, is modelling the Apron like a professional, teehee Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  I'm back to share a really quick project with you that is the perfect handmade gift for Christmas.  This is an apron that I have made for my wee brother who is almost 22.  I know I've shared this before (as I am an immensely proud big sister) but Corey got his pilots licence when he was just 19 years old.  He was the youngest pilot to get his licence in the quickest time.  To say that my wee brother is a genius would be an understatement.  He's currently studying Aerospace Engineering at Queen's in Belfast.  He is just the sweetest, funniest, smartest person I know and just being able to call him my wee brother makes me so proud every day.......did I mention that there is 21 years difference between us?  When I say I'm his oldest sister........I am wayyyyyyy older, teehee. I just wanted to quickly ment...

Handmade Large Tote bag - using Debbie Shore's Tutorial It's my lovely Mother-In-law's Birthday in early September and she'll be heading away for 3 weeks to beautiful, sunny Cyrus. So, I thought a nice tote bag would be perfect as no-one wants to lug their handbag around with them when going down to the pool. The bag itself has plenty of storage for your ipad or a book or 2, in fact the tote has a tonne of useful storage. I gave this bag to Lorraine, last weekend and she loved it.  I am so chuffed.  HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY LORRAINE!  xx As per usual, I followed Debbie Shore's tutorial for her large tote bag , with a few modifications by me.  Honestly, if you are new to sewing, Debbie Shore's tutorials are so incredible.  I was just about able to thread my machine when I first made one of her bags and it turned out great.  Her instructions are so easy to follow.  Definitely, give any of her tutorials a go, they're so simple and easy but very effective and ...

It's all about the bee's knees - DIY Handmade Large Tote Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  So I made another one of Debbie Shore's large tote bags...well, it has been a wee while since I last made one, lol. I've made so many now that I could probably sew them in my sleep, teehee.  Here's the link to the bag in case you want to have a go...  Debbie's Large Tote Bag . As usual, I made a few modifications which I'll share below.  I think this is the first one I've made where I didn't make many of my wee "Lee mistakes" as my wee Mamma affectionately calls them, lol.  This one is going to my Auntie Fiona, or Fifi as she's affectionately known.  She loves bees and this fabric was a dream to work with.  No issues at all. I wasn't sure which fabric Auntie Fifi would prefer as the main body so my Wee Mamma let me know that the Honey Yellow was the way to go.  The bag has a really good sized zip pocket on the outside. And both sides of...