Shopping List

Look at what I just made: a shopping list for one of the stores I shop at weekly. I listed the items I always buy and made spaces to add other items I need. I formatted this in Word - changed the margins to .5 all the way around and used two columns. I designed it to be on one quarter of the page and just copied everything to the other side. To create the second column on my list, I made a text box - this is good so if you need to edit the first column, it won't screw up the second. The list will print just half a sheet, then you turn the sheet around and print again. I find printing like this to be better than formatting all four on the page - saves time too. So when I need a certain item, I just check it off my list and continue on. If there's something I need that is not on my list, I write it in. Easy Peasy! I have a couple more stores I shop at frequently and will do this with those stores as well. 

I am always writing my lists on a 3 x 5 card and I buy the sames things every week. I frequently lose my lists or forget them when I go shopping. I will probably print this on colored paper so I can't miss seeing them anywhere. Next is to devise a way to keep them contained (maybe bind them) in one place so I know where it always is. I'll let you know what I come up with. I've been meaning to do this for a while, and this morning I just went for it. I think it's pretty cool.

So, if you're like me and buy the same things each week, make up a list like this to help keep yourself organized.

What do you think?

I always welcome friendly critiques and comments or questions. I would love to hear what you think of this post or any of my other posts. Please feel free to leave a message here or email if you prefer. If you leave a message here, please be sure that your email address is sited so you can receive my response. Thanks!

Distressed Bag

So here it finally is, my Distressed Bag. When I saw this distressed dots fabric in the store, I knew I had to buy it and make something cool with it.

Back in June, but I made this bag: 

It's this same bag pattern of mine - except this time, I made it slightly bigger so it could hold my checkbook.  The problem was that I made it slightly too big - whenever the bag fell over, which was often, my cell phone and camera would always fall out. I also made the inside pockets of the matching pursellet slightly bigger and whenever it fell over, my cards and things would fall out too. It got to be too annoying, so I just decided to make a new one with the original dimensions. 

And here it is:

Outside zippered pocket,

Looking from the top. Inside pockets are cell phone, camera, pen, keys.

Cell phone pocket.

Camera pocket (I'm using my camera)

Outside back pocket for my coupons and papers - sooo handy.

In deciding what shade of gray to use for the side, I really wanted a darker gray, but my fabric store had been out of this darker gray for a while.

So I did what I do best and dyed my own dark gray fabric (take note of that dark splotch in the center).

After dyeing the fabric, I didn't think it was dark enough and was contemplating not using it, but I had no other choice.

I think it came out pretty good. The dots are distressed and the straps look pretty distressed too. I think that's what makes this bag cool.

Remember that dark splotch in the center of the fabric?

I used it for the bottom - no one will see it, but I know it's there and think it's a cool element.

I did have sizing issues on this too - I actually had to take this apart and sew the pockets smaller.

Here is what the finished pockets look like - see the center, the pockets were too big by 1/2 inch on each side. don't know if I can fit anything in there because of the snap - but that's ok, the pockets the right size.

 Not too bad huh? I just love it. 

Of course, if you know me, I am the matchy matchy girl. So I made a matching purselett.

I was thinking that maybe that center gray was too wide, but no, that is the feature of this set - the dyed fabric.

The beaded zipper pull - my signature design.

Here is the making of one of the inside pockets - my idea to put a smaller pocket in front for my extra keys, you should always carry your spare keys in your wallet or purse - just in case.

I made the boxed corner slightly larger - it was hard to get to my change.

The pursellet pockets were too big too, so instead of taking the entire thing apart, I just undid one seam and used embroidery backstitching.

 

Finished!

I dyed the wood bead the right color to match the zipper and the lining.

I even dyed white embroidery floss because I didn't have the right shade of rust.

So there is my my new bag and matching pursellet. I hope you enjoyed reading about my creative process. I'd love to know what you think about my new bag and pursellet. 

Thanks for reading!!

I always welcome friendly critiques and comments or questions. I would love to hear what you think of this post or any of my other posts. Please feel free to leave a message here or email if you prefer. If you leave a message here, please be sure that your email address is sited so you can receive my response. Thanks!

Pinterest and My Gluten Free Boards

I have been gluten intolerant since 2007. With the help of the Internet and wonderful Gluten Free (gf) Bloggers, and now Pinterest, I started collecting recipes and information regarding being gf - my collection is big! I decided to add a new board and thought I would share with everyone what I have.

Here are the different Gluten Free Boards I have =

GF Breakfasts

GF Baking 

baking tips and info

                                                                                                                                

GF Candy

GF Baking Flours

 gf flour recipes and info

GF Cookies n Brownies

GF Condiments - 

make your own sauces and dressings

GF Dairy Free Recipes/Being Dairy Free

GF Desserts

GF Drinks

GF Egg Free Recipes

GF Main Dishes

GF Recipe Collection

sites with more than one recipe 

GF Mug Recipes 

things you cook in a mug in the microwave 

(mostly cookies and cakes)

GF Paleo

GF Proof

GF Snacks

GF Soups n Stews 

includes chili's 

 GF Veggies n Sides

Most of my boards are in alphabetical order, except for my gf boards, they come right after the two boards about me. What I didn't know that I think is very cool, is that people can follow you and pin stuff they are interested in. I have 147 boards (18 just on gf stuff!), 14,387 pins (and growing), 610 followers, and I'm following 39 others - pretty cool deal huh? 

If you have been wondering about Pinterest, check out my links and see what it's all about. Honestly, if you are saving recipes or tutorials somewhere on your computer and spend a while trying to find them, then Pinterest is for you. It doesn't take long at all to pin things (most of my pins come from Facebook and when I Google things). You should always be sure that what you're pinning is not linked to spam (I always open everything I pin to make sure it's legit).

A real nice feature on Pinterest, is the Secret Boards - you can create several boards that are for "your eyes only" (I've got a couple, shhh! don't tell anyone). These boards are perfect for Christmas lists and things that you just don't want anyone else to see. So cool!

I have many more boards - too much to list here, you just have to check it out for yourself. So, if you've been looking for great gluten free recipes, need some household tips or want to read about pets, go see my pins and feel free to take any of them - I share!

Happy Pinning!!

I always welcome friendly critiques and comments or questions. I would love to hear what you think of this post or any of my other posts. Please feel free to leave a message here or email if you prefer. If you leave a message here, please be sure that your email address is sited so you can receive my response. Thanks!

About Little Me Crafts

My name is Faith and I have lived in Port Angeles since 1993. I am married and have 2 grown daughters, 3 cats, and  I love to make things. I have been crafting for many years and pretty much enjoy doing most crafts - I sew with fabric to make nice things. I also like playing with paper, rubber stamping, book binding, and working with small wood pieces. I also crochet, do little knitting make herbal products, candles, beading, plus a few other things. I don't do just one craft - I like to mix it up.

Sewing

I do not sew clothing - I sew useful, practical items. All of my patterns are designed by me, I do not use commercial patterns. I love bags and when I figured  out how easy it is to design and sew my own, it was a great feeling. Here are some other things that I sew:

o      Purses

o      Water Bottle Holders

o      Aprons

o      Checkbook Covers

o      Tissue Box Covers

o      Toilet Paper Roll Covers

o      Key Fobs

o      Pillows

I can do special orders on most of my items - i.e., specific colors, fabrics, size. This is something that would need to be discussed in detail. Please let me know if you’re interested and we’ll talk.

Herbal Products

 **I am not an herbalist - please do your research, the Internet has a wealth of information on herbs**

I have been crafting with herbs and essential oils for over 10 years. It started out as a need to find good things for my skin, as commercial products did not do so well. I took a class  at a local lavender farm and that  started my journey with healing herbs.                                      

I liked everything I made and thought others might as well, so I decided to share. There are no additives or preservatives in any of my herbal products.        

                                  

These are some of the herbal products I have made: Liquid Soap, Salves, Body Powder, Brown Sugar Scrubs, Herbal Infusions with oil and water, Air Fresheners, and most recently, Lotion Bars.

Most popular are my salves. I have learned about the healing properties of each herb and have combined them to make a great healing aid.

Other Stuff I Do

Fabric Dyeing - I dye with fabric paints and not expensive dyes to achieve excellent results.

Beading - I make necklaces from beads and have come up with some interesting designs.

Crochet and Knit - I love all the different types of yarns that are out there and I enjoy making things with them, I make scarves, hats, and small items.         

I love working with paper too - I make my own greeting cards from scrapbook paper, and attach paper to wood pieces to make key fobs and other nice things. The above piece has handmade Japanese on the frame.

So, that's the story of my crafting life and the things that I craft. You can connect with me a couple of other ways: I have an online shop at Etsy, where I sell my handmade items, and last year, I started a blog where I share my gluten free recipes and handy tips. I am also on Pinterest. Check out my online sites - I’m sure there will be something of interest to you. 

Thanks for reading and have a great day!!

I always welcome friendly critiques and comments or questions. I would love to hear what you think of this post or any of my other posts. Please feel free to leave a message here or email if you prefer. If you leave a message here, please be sure that your email address is sited so you can receive my response. Thanks!

Herbal Salve Pouch

Last week I met with my friend Tracey regarding my business. Tracey is a graphic artist and she is going to help me design a logo for my business and possibly change my business name. As we met during lunch, she was fumbling in her bag for my salve - she was having a hard time finding it amongst all her things. She commented that I should make a pouch for my salves so they would be easier to find in a bag, and it could also be sold as a gift set.. That got me thinking and I came up with this: 

Top view

I also made another one with a piece of my hand dyed fabric.

There is a slight problem tho that I thought might possibly happen. Because you have to press down on the snap, if you press hard enough, there is a slight indentation on the tin - I suppose if pressed hard enough, it can damage the tin. I don't want to use Velcro, because eventually, that loses it's effectiveness. So I did some research and came across something like this.

I decided to give it a try. I kind of did it wrong - should've put the zipper in first. 

   

I'm kind of thinking tho, that something a different shape like the squared pouch I made might be easier to find in the bottom of a bag. I might try making a simple square, zippered pouch to see how that will turn out. I just need to brainstorm and come up with something practical that won't damage the tin - maybe something with a button. I'm not sure what I'll do. I'll give the zipper a try and see how it goes. I'll let you know if I decide on something. 

Anyone have any suggestions on something that could work?

Comments or questions are always welcomed. I would love to hear what you think of this post or any of my other posts. Please be sure that your email address is sited so you can receive my response. Thanks!