Gracie's bag

So- it was my niece's birthday a bit ago. The day after mine, to be exact. I wanted to make her something wonderful- because I really just love any excuse to make something wonderful. Especially something that would be totally fit for a 5 year old....it's not like I have tons of opportunities to make stuff for 5 year olds. So anyway....I decided to make her a draw-string backpack! I've always wanted to make one- so I was super pumped. Especially after I realized the finished product looked like this:


I lined the inside, and used flat-fell seams for the entire thing. That way when you look on the outside it looks nice, and you look on the inside, and it looks nice too! Perfect.

So. Here are the easy peasy steps.

1. Decide the size you want your bag. I think I did about 14 1/4 in wide...which will make it about 13 inches for the finished product . Line the selvage up with one line, and the fold with another, and then cut the width.

2. If you are adding any ribbons, buttons, trims, ruffles, etc- NOW IS THE TIME! You want to do it before you sew the lining and the outside fabric together, so that you can't see any of the seams on the inside.


3. Put wrong sides together, and then wrong sides together...again. Make sense? You want to pin it so that it looks exactly like the bag will look when it's finished.

(see how I put wrong sides together, then folded the fabric in half- how it will be when finished)

4. Sew a 5/8 " seam on one side.

5. Press both seam allowances to one side.

6. Trim lower seam allowance to about 1/8 in.

7. Press top seam allowance so that it folds around bottom seam allowance that was just cut. You may want to pin after this step. I didn't, but if you've never done this before it might make it easier when sewing.

8. Sew close to the edge of the fold. And press once finished. ***Sidenote- I didn't do this but quickly realized I should've....when you do this, make the straps before this step and insert the ends of your straps inside the seams to the bottom of the bag. This would make a way more clean and professional look. I was planning on doing this, but forgot!

This is what it should look like after you've sewn.

9. Make straps. I just cut long pieces of fabric about 2 inches thick or so. Once you cut them, press them so edges meet in the middle.

Press again in half.

Sew close to the edge.

10. Make a button hole in the top part of your bag- about 3/4 in from top. See your sewing machine manual for instructions on this. Each machine is a little different I think.

11. Fold fabric over twice and press, so that the button hole is folded in half at the top of the bag.

12. Sew close to the edge all the way around top of bag.

13. Take a safety pin, and attach it to your strap.

This part was SO FRUSTRATING! You basically have to wrap the strap all the way around so that it comes out where it started. You want to make it so that when you pull on all strings, it scrunches together at the top.


14. Then, if you're foolish (like me) and forget to attatch the straps when sewing the sides together, just fold over ends twice and stitch back and forth in two spots. It isn't the prettiest, but not the tackiest either:)
And voila!
A cute lil backpack for any five year old. Change up the colors and trims and you could definitely do this for a boy...I'm kinda thinking of doing one for myself actually:)

I was very pleased to hear Rebecca say that the next morning after Gracie's birthday, she got up and RIGHT away put on her new clothes, filled her backpack, put it on, and told Rebecca she was ready to ride her bike (her big birthday present). She started complaining about how heavy her backpack was...keep in mind it's just cotton....and Rebecca opened it to find a book of mormon, and a friend magazine. HA! Rebecca said she must've been feeling rather spiritual that day:)

Well, I'm off to go make the last of the pillows for my bed. Wish me luck! Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have pics up of them!!! Be excited- they are awesome!

Birthday...........

So, I could totally upload a bunch of pictures of stuff I got...stuff I've been up to...but my back hurts and I'm just too lazy. Yeah, it doesn't take back work to put pictures on...but when my back hurts I am pitiful and just don't really want to do ANYTHING. But I can definitely talk about my birthday.

First, I got a gift card to JoAnns from my parents, which is awesome! I already spent $35 bucks tonight...but I'm gonna take back something cause I realized it just isn't quite right. Then Clay's parents got me an air compressor. Now before you go judging them for getting me a weird gift- I totally ASKED for that. The staple gun I use hooks up to an air tank...and before, I just used Patty & Paul's air tank that I had to keep going back and forth from their house to mine to keep refilling it. This way, I can just do the project with NO interruptions having to do with air! I've decided that I LOVE reupholstering things and so it's something I just need in life:) Then Clay got me a few things. First, I asked him to copy a print I saw online...and I'll just have to wait and show you after I take a pic- but it is AWESOME! I love it so much. Then he got me two cd's. Weezer's "Raditude"- which, is basically awesome. And Black Eye'd Peas, "The End". You should see me, or rather-hear me, when I'm driving and listening to Black Eye'd Peas. Seriously? You know those teenagers that pass by you in their car and you hear the loud BOOM...BOOOM....BOOOM....and you turn to your mom, or if your a mom you turn to your kid, and roll your eyes or shake your head...yeah. Well, that booming car is me. And I love it. I've gotta say- our car has a pretty nice bass to it, and when you listen to Boom Boom Pow (it's the name of one of their songs) it booms a lot. And I ROCK OUT to it. It's great. Don't get me wrong, I crank it with Weezer too- but it's really just two completely different experiences.

Anyway, he also gave me some play money too- which is meant to be spent at Home Fabrics. Which I plan on doing. SAWEET!

My work took me to Pita Pit for lunch (my fav), Clay's parents took us to Original Thai 2 (also a favorite) and then our friends met us at the local cheap seats to see "Dear John". It was aight. That's really all. Then yesterday Rebecca took me to Babe's bakery for lunch. It was delish. She offered to buy me a loaf of bread since I wasn't eating a treat. hahahahha. I told her, "its okay. but thanks!" I must say, it was pretty weird not having cake for my b-day.

I've definitely decided that I'm still holding out on treats until I've done it for 6 months. Meaning, July 1st, I will have a treat. I thought about planning it all out, what I would have that day...but I decided that I'll just make whatever sounds good that day.

Tomorrow is General Conference. Thank goodness. I am in desperate need of motivation in life. Hopefully this will do the trick. I know it will, as long as I honestly pay attention and try to gain knowledge. My poor husband has been on the receiving end of many mood swings. I don't know what's up but I feel like I've been a big big witch. With a capital B. I don't know. Anyway.

It snowed a lot last night. By the time it was 5:00 today you would've never known. All gone. I'm so sick of snow. I try and remember that it's a creation from God....you know. To help me love it. It just doesn't work. I think when I get in heaven I'm going to ask Heavenly Father if people really were meant to settle in Idaho. I'm not positive they were. I don't know. I just know that it's a trial in my life...who knows how long I'll be working on it.

People like to keep these things quiet, but I'm just gonna say it. I want a baby...so...freaking...bad. And they are everywhere I turn. I don't think we have any friends that we live by that don't have a baby. So it kinda feels like I'm the only person in the universe that's not a mom (which I know is not true so please refrain from the comments like, "oh there's so many people that don't have babies it just seems like it. I'm exaggerating....k?). Then it's like...if the babies are sleeping, we are talking about the babies...and then there's the fact that I don't really feel like I fit in as much as other people because I don't have a baby. It's like- all these people connect and share a bond that I just don't fit into. And conversations turn towards each other and then moms hang out with each other and I'm just here in limbo with like...no connections. All I have to talk about is sewing projects and...my dog. And then when I'm not around my friends, I'm thinking about or talking to my siblings who have kids or babies or about to have babies. I just know that women were meant to be moms. Because there comes a point, where you just need a baby. I know I'm only 22 years old...but I've almost been married 4 years. Which still probably sounds so soon to some people, but really- I don't care. I just know that my whole reason for existing in life is to be a mom. I know that for a fact. Which I think is why I've been so crummy lately because I keep feeling like my life is ridiculous. I'm an accountant. Woohoo. What a freaking exciting life. Not really. Blah. And I know being a mom isn't all glamorous so don't give me that soapbox either. Sorry.

Well, I am trying to sell my digital piano so I can buy a real one (a used old one of course). I hope it happens. There's lots on Craigslist for good prices...sooooo I'm just really hoping it happens.

Well- believe it or not- I totally started writing this thinking it'd be a good blog but it turned out depressing. I'm considering deleting everything...................but................you know what? I honestly like reading about people's problems because they make mine seem normal...or they make me feel like- oh, they aren't perfect (not that anyone thinks I'm perfect), or I can connect, or something. You know? Anyway-----hopefully I didn't depress anyone.

I really do know that I have a really good life. And I have so much to be grateful for. Sometimes I just feel crappy I guess. Love you guys.

Contact Me

I would love for you to e-mail me with any detailed questions or comments you may have for me!

Please contact me at:

daniellephillipp@gmail.com

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A way to start your morning off juuuuust right...

Here are the steps!

1. Gather supplies
2. Compile and blend
3. Toast homemade whole wheat bread
4. Enjoy

So- I used to be so young and naive in my cleaning ways....the blender. You're not supposed to put it in the dishwasher...it has blades...what to do? Well, my smart mother showed me this lil trick.

1. Rinse out with water.
2. Fill blender half full and squirt soap inside.
3. Turn on blender for about 10 seconds.
4. Rinse out and turn over to dry on counter.

Hello? Does it get easier than that? I often feel foolish that I never though of it myself.

So, I make these for Clay and I mostly every morning before work. It makes all the difference. If I don't do this, I seriously am STARVING until lunch time. And I miss it.

This morning, I definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Not literally, of course. But...I was just in a bad mood. I went to bed in a bad mood, and I woke up in a bad mood. That's never good. Usually- if I go to bed upset, I've already forgotten about it by morning. Not the case today. It wasn't even a particular item of business either. I was just feelin pretty sorry for myself...for various reasons. So I was hungry. And Clay woke up. And Clay said, "We should watch 2012 right now...it's not like we're gonna jump up and do stuff right away..." We rented 2012 last night...even after everyone in our life told us it was the dumbest movie ever. We are pretty optimistic about movies and DO NOT like to take the word of others. Because usually, we realize that we must have a much higher sense of appreciation for the arts than others:) And well, we like to form our own opinions...thank you very much. So I say to Clay, "How bout I make us some smoothies and toast first?" So I do this...and then suddenly, my day is about a bazillion times better. We both decided that these smoothies, alongside homemade toasted bread- could never get old. I think that smoothies, alone- could get old. And toast, alone- could get old. But the combination? Perfection. Clay and I BARELY EVER agree- on anything really. But this one thing, we do agree on. So you should probably just take our words for it.

Clay likes to eat all his bread before his smoothie is gone.

I like to take a bite of toast, take a swig of smoothie, and repeat. Until all is finished. It is quite wondrous.

2012- we actually really enjoyed it! I'm usually not really into that kind of thing, so maybe it was just being with my husband...watching a movie on a Saturday morning. But just this once, seeing the world coming to an end, but at the same time, seeing the main characters BARELY miss all the destruction...over and over and over again, and then being safe and happy at the end? It was quite nice. And I rather liked it. Even if it was cheesy. I totally could've ruined the movie by making fun of it the ENTIRE way through, which would've been really easy to do...but instead, Clay and I decided to get fully enveloped in it, and pretend we didn't know that they'd be fine in the end- and get really REALLY tense when they are about to die, and then exhale a TON of air after they make it. Pretty fun Saturday morning date if you ask me.

Just a random last thought. I keep cracking up everytime I think about this. Just cause this is a VERY typical kind of conversation between Clay and I. This happened just the other night as we were hopping in bed.

Me: "Hon, I do NOT like Lady Gaga."

Clay: "I like Lady Antebellum. And Sugarland."

Me: ".....okay. But I really cannot STAND Lady Gaga. I mean really..."

Clay: "I really like Lady Antebellum. And Sugarland. I mean, I've never really liked lady singers very much- but for some reason I really like their music. I can relate to it and...."

and he goes on. Oh dear. I had just finished watching Lady Gaga's music video, "Telephone"...just cause I couldn't TAKE it any longer. I HAD to know what all the fuss was about. And boy- did I finally decide that I am AGAINST the Lady Gaga era. She is icky and wrong. That's all. I was just trying to discuss it with Clay, but apparently he had is own agenda:)

Sometimes having a dog is real nice.

THE DAY WE GOT HIM...8 MONTHS AGO

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO

Cause he makes you feel real special. (Can you believe he was that small? So short a time ago? He was such a cutie. Now, as many people say, he's a small horse:)

Dante was downstairs cuddled up by Clay's legs. Clay is playing video games...I was doing all sorts of stuff around the house. Every once in a while Dante would come up and check on me...then go back downstairs. So I finally got done with everything and settled down at the computer...and up comes Dante...he looks at me...and he lays on his bed next to the computer, where I'm at:) The thing is, many people might not realize this...but it's a huge sign. I know he decided to come lay up here, by me, cause he loves me so much and realized, "if something happened, I would half to run all the way upstairs to protect her. If she's staying up here...I should stay here. Just in case something happens." No joke. This is how doggies think. And my doggie is so sweet like that. So he's just snoozin away on his lil bed just a couple feet away from me...and I promise. The second I get up from this chair, up pops his head, and he will follow me wherever. I guess some people would find this annoying- but I kinda love it. Unless I'm doing dishes or something...but usually, when he's tired- it's pretty nice cause you just feel like a really special person.

Anyway. Dante can be a huge pain in the bum. But really, he makes up for it in ways like this. We love our doggie.

It was a good day

I made two loaves of whole wheat bread today. They turned out fantastic. Why did I stop making bread? Why does anyone stop making bread? I decided, as I was forming my dough into loaves...running the homemade dough through my hands, that it was one of the most satisfying things in life. Making healthy homemade bread for your family. But I was wrong. The most satisfying thing in life is eating that bread. After coating it with butter while it's still warm. Mmmmmmmm. Satisfaction. I'm pretty sure I'll have satisfaction again tomorrow when I make us deliciously healthy smoothies, whilst toasting my homemade wheat bread and then taking them to work...and partaking of the goodness. Life can be very good sometimes.

Another thing I did today was gather lots of clothes that I will never wear again. Which is really sad because they are super cute, but I've BARELY worn them...cause they never really fit great to begin with. It was kinda like...I tried them on in the store...saw that they were cutting it close, or weren't quite right in some places....but got the item anyway because it was sooooooooo cute. So I basically bought it HOPING that it would look cuter when I actually wear it. Which leads to me barely wearing the outfit at all. So- to summarize...I gathered up clothes where the clothing was actually in GREAT shape- fabric in pristine condition...that I would never wear again. And I took them to my sewing room. I like to re-purpose things. Pretty soon I'll show you how I made a SAWEET pillow for my bed, out of an old dress Patty gave me that she hasn't worn for years. Today I took an old blazer that has shoulder pads and is really 80'sish that Patty also gave me (she cleaned out her closet a while ago and let me sift through it) and the fabric was GREAT- so I made it into a bag. Or...it's in the process of becoming a bag. So far- it looks GREAT! I can't wait to finish and show you guys. I'm just trying to figure out what to do about a handle. We'll see.

I also worked today. But there's never really anything fun to report about that.

Well...I'm thirsty...tired...and need to put the bread away. Till next time.

No sweets analysis

So I've been asked by lots of people how the no sweets thing has been going...how it's affected my life...any changes I've seen in my body, energy, etc....how hard it's been. So I figured I'd tell you.

I'm severely disappointed. I honestly have seen absolutely NO change in energy level or feeling healthy or anything really. So...I'm only continuing on the hope that I wont be so dependent on treats and so addicted to them once I'm done with all this.

The first two weeks were hardest. I thought of treats non-stop.

After the first month it was noticeable when I thought about treats and how bad I wanted them. Whereas before it was noticeable when I wasn't thinking about treats.

I've never been at a point where I'm even close to caving. I've like...made the decision and it's not hard to say no or to avoid making treats or anything. I just don't eat treats. It's a done deal and so there's no temptation there. I definitely crave treats and want them still. I mean....I remember the taste and everything. For instance, yesterday- I was in Rebecca's van...and she was eating cadbury mini eggs. The ultimate weak spot for me. I could smell them even through my stuffed nose. I was pretty sad about that. But, I wasn't tempted to eat one. So...this brings me to my next point-

I am often wondering lately....why I am doing this. It's like- I kinda feel like I've established this great force in me where I KNOW I can say no- and I KNOW I have power over my body's wants. You know? Like- I realize now that my mind is stronger than my body and I can resist the temptation. So I keep thinking- if I stopped now, would I be able to control myself? Or would I just go back to how I was? I'm super scared that once I go back, I'll just be exactly the same as I was. Lori (she is doing the same thing with me) says that we would be sick if we ate like we used to- now that we haven't been eating like that. I guess it just sounds so unbelievable that I could get sick from cookies...just cause before- that was like...impossible. That's how bad it was. My body was so used to eating so much treats that it was impossible to make itself sick. Anyway. I just am not sure anymore. I hate to admit that and it's really disappointing to me. I was hoping to have this life changing experience where I felt so much better...body and soul, and THAT would keep me going. BUT- that isn't how it is AT ALL! I think that's why I'm struggling. Since I'm not tempted right now, I fee like I could control myself if I went back. But then again, I feel like maybe I couldn't. I have no idea.

So- that's that. That has been my experience with the treats. Clay says that he will call me a wussy or a wimp if I stop before a year. Clay, who has continued to eat treats. Nice.

Anyway....................that's it! Hope I didn't disappoint anyone.