Crafty Loops

Handmade handbag - Passion Flower Tote from Blue Calla patterns Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  I'm back to share a new handmade handbag I've made for my wee Mamma for Christmas.  Our wee Mamma loves handbags and she loves to change them for different Seasons, outfits etc.  So, for Christmas this year I wanted to make her a special bag.  I've made a tonne of Debbie Shore's tote bags in the past but I wanted to try an actual  handbag pattern that would challenge me a bit more but wasn't impossible to make for a novice like me.  Thanks to the good old YouTube algorithm, a video popped up on my homepage from someone called Blue Calla Patterns  .  I watched all 3 instructional build videos first to see if it was something I thought I could manage to make.  And as per my usual mind set, if I see it once......I think I can do it, lol.  So I went straight to their website and purchased the pattern.  And I am so happy that I did, because I am incredibly chuffed wi

HANDEMADE BUZZ LIGHTYEAR BACKPACK - USING DEBBIE SHORE'S TUTORIAL Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  I wanted to show you a little backpack I made for my 2 year old nephew, Alfie, who is Buzz Lightyear mad (LOOK TILLY....YOU WERE RIGHT, TEEHEE).  I made my other 2 nieces their own Harry Potter backpacks ( here & here ) and it was time for Alfie to get his own too.  He wanted Buzz Lightyear, so I purchased a few fat quarter bundles to make it (details of items below) again following the Debbie Shore backpack tutorial with a few Crafty Loops adjustments. As usual, we have the expanding side pockets that are perfect for water bottles/juice bottles etc The back straps are of course adjustable and will grow with Alfie.  I can't wait to see him rocking this to Nursery. I added a zip pocket to this backpack.  This isn't in Debbie's tutorial but she shows how to add zips in tonnes of her tutorials.  I thought it would be a handy addition as it's on the back of t

 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 mention this fabric.  Th

 A new Handmade Baby changing bag/Nappy Bag Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SCREENS!  This is not De ja vu....or is it?  Teehee.  I realise I shared a pretty similar bag to this around last Christmas. In fact, it's practically identical other than the size.  But I made another one for my brother, as he asked if he could have a matching Paw Patrol bag that was a bit smaller than the original one.  The previous bag was much bigger because you need to carry so many more items for a baby.  But wee Alfie is a 2 year old now and doesn't need as many items.  So I gladly made my brother another smaller bag.  I gave it to him yesterday and Alfie got very excited for the new bag for all his toys.  He sat with me on the floor and carefully placed his toys inside it.  He then got up, flung one of the handles over his shoulder and walked around the dining room table rejoicing that it was a bag for his toys, lol.  I couldn't have asked for a better review, tee

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 perfec