Sew Crazy Monthly Challenge: Cross Body Tote Bag

A few weeks ago, I was surfing around on the Net looking for...well...anything to keep me from doing the dishes that were piling up in the sink!  Ha! 


Anyway, I came across this monthly sewing challenge and thought I would give it a whirl.


I saw this option for a  Cross Body Tote and knew that I just HAD to make it! How cute is that?!

I've done ruffles, but always have trouble with them.  This tutorial is awesome!!  

Seriously, so easy to follow!  You should try it out.

I gathered my materials...which I swear took more time than actually making the bag!  Am I the only one that just stares at my piles of fabric and can't decide which ones to use?  =)



I finally made my decision...changed my mind...and started working on it.  I LOVE THIS BAG!!!  My daughter saw it and said she wants a bag just like it except bigger to carry her school books in.  Aww.  I love it when my girls love what I make. 

So this is my version.  I wanted to put my ruffle kind of close to the side.  And I added a ribbon down the center of the ruffle.  Other than that, I stuck to the tutorial.

This bag is super roomy.  I can fit LOTS of stuff in here! 


I really love how it came out.  Now I'm off to make one a little bigger for my daughter.  Maybe a blue cheetah print...her fave!!


I am really glad that I decided to do this.  I love the idea of learning something new every month.  Keeping my fingers crossed that I can continue to participate.  =)

Attack of the Killer…

House Centipede. 

Yep. That's right. Its a conspiracy. The Effingham Coalition of Bugs have decided to target me. Let me start from the beginning. A few weeks ago, I sat on my couch and this freaky little spider bit me. It felt like a wasp sting. Little sucker packed a punch!

Next day:

I go to the grocery store and what to my wondering eyes should appear? On my head…yep…another spider. Coincidence? I think not! 

But see then they get sneaky. A few weeks go by with nothing. Nada. So of course, I forget all about it. 

A couple days ago:

I'm driving home and there is a mosquito in my truck. Now normally you just smack it and bye-bye mosquito.  Not this time. Apparently this little booger had drank 5 cups of coffee. He's zinging around everywhere!  I'm just steadily smackin my windshield trying to get him. Unsuccessfully I might add. He bit me 3 times on the 15 minute drive home. I got some really crazy looks from the other drivers. They could see my craziness but they could not see the lil skeeter pingin around my truck like a pinball on steroids.  I might have scared a few of them.  No one wanted to drive close to me.  Hmmm...   :)

Last night: 

I'm sitting at my desk writing a letter. The baby is asleep. Radio on. Just a little relaxing letter time. 

Photo courtesy of www.treknature.com

Then THIS drops out of my vent onto my HAND!!! Aaaggghhhhhh!!!

Of course, today I'm thinking this had to be really terrifying for the lil critter. He's lolly gagging along enjoying the dampness of the vent shaft then aagghhhh…he's falling 10 feet.…which is 10,000 centipede feet. Then before he even knows whats happened, he's flung acros the room…another 6,000 centipede feet. At this point he was stomped and beheaded…the end of his story. 

AFTER being stomped...

So back to mine. Have you ever watched a silent movie? Well that is what proceeded. Attack of the Killer House Centipede: The Silent Version. I jumped up and down, squinched my face all up and did the heeby-jeeby dance. All silently. The baby WAS asleep after all.

To be continued I'm sure...

What motivates you?

Motivational Monday

A new day will come

I just wanted to share with you some quotes that motivate me. 

Be motivated too!!!

~~You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream
     - C.S. Lewis


~~With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts
     - Eleanor Roosevelt


~~I don't believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be
     - Ken Venturi

My Wedding Day

~~If you can dream it, you can do it
     - Walt Disney


~~Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward
     - Victor Kiam


~~In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can
     - Nikos Kazantzakis


~~The secret of getting ahead is getting started
     - Mark Twain


~~Who seeks shall find
     - Sophocles


~~You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do
     - Henry Ford


~~Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment
     - Buddha


~~It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves
     - William Shakespeare


~~In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure
     - Bill Cosby

And this is one of my all time faves:

Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.
     - Sai Baba

What motivates you?  Leave me a comment with your favorite quote!  =)

Etsy Handmade 4th of July!!

Since July 4th is right around the corner, I thought I would share some great patriotic items from Etsy!



These items are all handmade and one of a kind.  You can't give or receive better than that.

Jewelry:

There is some a-maz-ing jewelry on Etsy!  Here are 3 of my faves...

 Patriotic Earrings


 from Terri Jeans Adornments  

  Personalized American Flag Charm
       
  from Charm Accents                   






 Star Bangle Bracelet

 from Frosted Willow

Clothing:

Oh I just love all these!!!



Red White & Blue Tutu

from Cuties Boutique

  

Patriotic Bunting Shirt

from Sweet Little Jack

   

Patriotic Capri Set

from Born Again Creations

Accessories:

Because you can NEVER have too many accessories!


        Loopy Pom Pom Bow

        from Girly Kurlz

Red, White and Blue Shoulder Tote Bag

from Purses by Pippa

         Patriotic American Flag Scarf

         from Scarf Etsy

Hello big big world!!!!

A Little About ME...

 Well, I guess the only way to do this is to jump in and start typing...so here goes!!

  My name is Julie and I am...

• wife to my wonderful husband of 8 years
• mother to our 2 beautiful daughters
• daughter
• sister
• friend
• owner, creator at Dirt Road Crafter on Etsy

    About a month ago, I got this crazy strong urge to start a blog.  I have no idea why.  I know nothing about writing a blog!  So we are going to figure this out together.  Ha!  I'll try my best to keep it light, fun and interesting.  =)

   I opened my shop on Etsy in January and it has been a learning experience for sure!  I learn something new everyday.  I love it!  My shop is a hodge podge of crafts.  I have painted glass art, crochet items, jewelry, hair accessories, and office supplies just to name a few.  I have started sewing and I am working on getting some items ready to be listed in that section.  My craft space is crazy cluttered with so many different types of materials and supplies...my own personal Tornado Alley.

   So that's a little about me.  Nice to meet you!!!  Check back often and see what new things my crazy brain comes up with!!!  =)

Adios!