"Summer Social" Guest Post -- Make a Ruffled Laptop Bag Refashion!

 

Hi Tatertots and Jello readers! My name is Ellie G. And I am the president of the Tatertots & Jello fan club. {tee hee} Really, I just love Jen and this blog. I'm so honored to be here.

I blog at Less Cake {more frosting}. I get asked a lot if it's a food blog. And it's not. It's about all the things I love...so definitely food is included, but not exclusive. I also love things like: making stuff, Mod Podge, Diet Coke, graphic design, and frosting.

 

My husband and I are going on a trip for our 12th anniversary. (can I get a "WHOOT" for making it to twelve?) In the preparations, I decided that it would be nice to take the laptop with us so we can talk to our kids on Skype. But I don't really want to carry it, because I am without a cute laptop bag.

So, of course, I mentioned that I ought to buy a new laptop bag, for the trip.

And I was greeted with, "but we have a laptop bag downstairs."

 

 

THIS THING?? Seriously? This is what I have to carry? It's a super sturdy bag, and has lots of pockets that I love. But seriously? My husband is in advertising, and I just yearn for having something that isn't a promotional item! But, alas, my idea for a new bag was shot down. And I am stuck with this little beauty.

But never fear! I remembered what I did last Spring with my new camera bag and I decided I'd try my hand at making this bag less REI and more "Ellie G".

 

I started with some elastic lace. I actually have a whole bolt of this stuff from a FABULOUS trim and notions store in Phoenix. (that I was introduced to by Miss Whippycake herself!) So I have a lot of it on hand. I love it! It's super vintage-ee and looks like it's already been loved a couple times.

I sewed it on to the front flap of the bag in rows. Because of the elastic, it was pretty essential to pin before sewing. Plus it maintains nice straight rows.

When working with stretchy materials, you really have to compensate for the stretch. In this instance I DIDN'T want to use the elastic properties, so I tried not to stretch. But some stretching is inevitable. So don't do any exact trimming until after you've sewn each strip. You can cut the excess and get a perfect finish!

 

Manipulating a big heavy bag to go into my sewing machine was tricky, at times. But I really didn't want to disassemble it. This is supposed to be a pretty quick project! There were a few rows I just couldn't work out. So I just hand-stitched the last couple.

 

Then I used a loop of vinyl to make a cute bow. Just a rectangle, with a strip wrapped around the center to pinch. Easy peasy!

The key to working with thick materials is a really long sharp needle, and upholstery thread. They are essential!

 

I definitely will feel much more confident carrying this yummy, ruffled bag with me on the plane. I know, I know.....I shouldn't care that much. But I do. So sue me!

You can do this too. Even though you don't have this exact bag! Look at the bags you might want to get rid of, or look at thrift store bags with a fresh eye. You might be able to transform them into something fabulous!!

Oh my goodness Lara-- that is adorable!!!

I love it.

Ellie G. is one of my favorite blogging friends IRL too. We started talking through comments and I mentioned that a new Hobby Lobby had opened up near my house. It turns out that it was across the street from Ellie's house. So we went to lunch and became fast friends!!!

{Camera Bag Makeover}

Ellie is one of the most creative people I have ever met. 

I love her projects -- they are a mix of modern and colorful. 

 {Houndstooth Picture Frame}

Plus, Lara makes amazing printables!

Like this calendar for August

 {Like this Calendar for August}

And how awesome is this Teacher Printable? Perfect for the first week of school!

Check out Less Cake {More Frosting} and be inspired!! 

xoxo

PS -- I'm in San Diego. Have you ever been here? It's GORGEOUS!! I have a big crush on this town. We had a great time at the Clever Girls Party last night. So fun!!! #BlogHer

Great Ideas -- Ruffles!!

Check out this gorgeous Ruffled Burlap Chair Transformation @ Northwest Hospitality

 

 Ruffle Necklace @ A Law Student's Journey

Turn a Thrift Store Lamp into a Burlap Masterpiece @ A Little Piece of Heaven

 Ruffled Lampshade Redo @ House of Chic and Penoche

 Layered Ruffle Pillow @ Oopsey Daisy

 

Ruffled Basket Liner Tutorial @ Attempting Aloha

Make a Curvy Ruffled Pillow @ Throw Open the Windows

Beautiful Ruffly Scarf and you must see the bedroom reveal @ Dear Lillie

Make some Ruffle Curtains @ Frog 2 Fab

 Ruffled Floor Cushion @ Living with Punks

 Ruffled Diaper Holder @ Just Beckause

Check out this Hand-dyed Lace Ruffly Skirt @ Simple Simon & Co.

 

 Ruffly Zippered Pouch Tutorial @ Ameroonie Designs

100%

Ruffled Gift Card Holders @ Jacabean Designs

Ruffly Heart Pillow @ Pickup Some Creativity

Monogrammed Ruffly Cuffs @ Simply Homemade

Ruffled Apron @ Sugar Bee -- Craft Edition

Ruffled Birthday Banner @ Diary of a Crafty Lady

Make a Ruffly Scarf @ The Creative Collage

Add some Ruffles to a Plain Tee @ This Present Life

Make some Faux Windows with Ruffly Curtains from Patrice @ Lemon Tree Creations

Make a Sassy Ruffled Purse @ Ladybird Ln



Create a Ruffled Top @ Made it on Monday



Turn a pair of pants into a Ruffly Skirt @ Savin' Some



Create a Ruffly Dress from a tee shirt @ Coffee @ 3

Wow - there are so many fun projects linked up so far!!!

Come link up YOUR ideas and you can win a $20 to  Kace Face

{Another Great Idea feature coming up in a little bit}

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!! 




PS -- A big Happy Blogoversary going out to Michelle at A Little Tipsy. She's put together a really fun video starring some of your favorite bloggers {I might be in there for a minute} dancing it up :)  Check it out!!!

xoxo

Make Valentine's Day Ruffle Balls -- PLUS a giveaway every crafty person needs!!

I found some Decorative Ball Forms on clearance after Christmas, so I thought it might be fun to make some ruffled fabric balls. 



**This is a fast and easy project**

I went through my fabric stash and found any fabric that was pink or red.

I ended up using materials I already had on hand, so the only thing I bought was the forms.

And if you don't have any ball forms -- try this trick. Take some plastic bags and wrap some tape around them to form a round shape!

Here's how to make this fast and easy project:

Take your fabric, cut it into 1.5 inch strips. I didn't specify the length, I just cut a bunch of fabric and ended up with some left over for another project.

Then I ruffled the fabric. Here's a tip -- set your sewing machine to the longest width and the longest length stitch. Then when you sew the fabric stitch, the fabric automatically ruffles. It saves so much time!!

Once all the fabric is ruffled, it's time for the hot glue. And I just have to say -- I recently got this Hot Glue Gun Helper set. How did I ever survive without something like this for so long?? I have burned myself so many times -- in fact I almost always end up burning myself when I do a project that involves hot glue. Plus, the mat protects my work surface so much better.

 And, I have this TERRIBLE hot glue gun. I hate it. It drips hot glue everywhere and I always end up having to peel the dried glue off of everything. Well, the hot glue drips just ROLL off this mat. It is the coolest set. Seriously.

Ok, start at the top of the ball. Add a dab of glue and start winding the ruffle around the ball until you get to the other end of the ball. Easy peasy. Now, your ball may look a little crazy. That is alright.

All you need to do is get a pair of scissors out and trim it up.

So there you go, now you have a festive little assortment of balls to add a little Valentine color to your cold, wintry day. 

 

And, you can make ruffle balls for any occasion.  

I plan to make some to match my Ruffle Pillows and leave them out all year round!

 

And guess what???

I have an extra Hot Glue Gun Helper set 

to give away to one of YOU!!

I think this is the Must Have crafting tool. Everyone needs one of these. It comes with 7 pieces that are going to save your hands.

Each kit contains: 

3 fingers

1 craft mat

1 Press Wand

1 Paddle

1 tweezer

You will love it!! Plus - it's so cute {squeal!!!} And it proteects your hands and work surface up to 600-degrees. Wow - that is hot!!

Here's how you can win:

• Just leave me a comment telling me why you need this set. 

and if you want an extra entry: 

• Leave a comment on the Hot Glue Gun Helpers Blog. 

That's it! 

Have a Super Delightful Day!! 

xoxo

PS -- Do you know Little Miss Momma {a.k.a. Ashley??} She just started a new blog

which is really wonderful. It's a place where people can share their secrets in a supportive environment. Go on over and take a look - I think you will love it!

I'm linking to these super fun parties -- be sure to check them out!!