Easy Carry Picnic Blanket

I saw a beach blanket that had the coolest handle with straps on it.  I was thinking, what an awesome idea for a picnic blanket.  After all, I have that awesome Great Find picnic basket, I want to picnic this summer.....

I stopped at one of our local thrift stores and found this tablecloth.  It was priced at $8.00, but I happened to walk in on half price day (sweet), so $4.
For this project
1 tablecloth (rectangle)
1 package rug binding (white)
4 inches of hook and loop velcro
sewing machine, thread, scissors, pins


Instructions
1. Lay an H on the folded end of the tablecloth, these measurements are 17" for straps and 8" for handle.
2. Pin velcro on both ends of strap; hook up, loop down on the opposite side of the strap, opposite end.  Then sew around all 4 pieces of the velcro to the straps.
3. Double the handle to make it sturdier; sew two 8" pieces together.

4. Take finished pieces and form H onto tablecloth, pinning down, with the Hook side of the velcro straps up.  Leave the loop side (down)unsewn, (you may want to pin them out of your way.)

5.  Sew close to the edge, sewing over the handle, then stopping.  

6.  Sew all the way around the handle end forming a square, then sew corner to corner, to secure the handle. Repeat on the other strap.

Lastly, spray with fabric protector so it will last longer and it's easier to clean up.

Let the picnicing begin.

"pass the tator salad, please"

Happy Sewing!

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharing this Project At The Cozy Home Scenes Picnic Party!!!!

Parties Linked to:  Monday - Eye Heart - Anything Goes Tuesday - Debbie Does Creations - Toot Your Horn - A Stroll Thru Life - Table Top Tuesday -  Kammy's Korner -Trash 2 Treasure  -  I'm Topsy Turvy - Topsy Turvy Tuesday - The D.I.Y. Dreamer - From Dream to Reality -  Reasons to Skip the Housework - Tuesday Time Out - Boerman Ramblings - Tuesday Treasury Link UP  Wednesday Sew Much Ado: We Did It  Wow Me at Ginger Snap Crafts -  Will See It @ Fabric Bows and More  - exodus @ let birds fly - Homemade by you @ Pincushion Creations - Whimsy Wednesday @ The NY Melrose Family - Show & Share @ lil pink pocket - Wicked Awesome @ Handy Man, Crafty Woman - Spicy Link Up @ I's just called Spicy    Thursday - Share Your Cup Thurs @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olsen  - Catch a Glimpse @ A Glimpse Inside  Friday  Do something Crafty @ See Vanessa Craft  - Sweet and Simple @ Rooted in Thyme -  BFF Open House @ The Answer is Chocolate  - Flaunt it Friday @ Dotted Line Crafts   Saturday -  Saturday Show Case @ Bowdabra Blog  - Project Party Weekend @ Bubbly Nature Creations

Happy Mother's Day, Mother!

A few years back my Mother came to visit me here in Calabash.  She was the first one I took to the ever changing simply amazing Brookgreen Gardens.  While we were there I took pictures with her in them.

My Wonderful Mother
And she took pictures with me in them. 

Yeah, that's me (totally blond).
 So for Mother's Day that year I sent her this photo.

I love PhotoShop.
When she got the picture she says to me,
"I don't recall us taking a photo together".  hehehe

Come on you got give it to me, it's hard to tell it's photoshopped.

"Side by Side

Or miles apart

You, dear Mother, 

Are always close to my heart!"

Happy Mother's Day, Mother!

A Gift for Mother

We have a Garden Tea Room here in Calabash, NC.   Across the way they have a little shop where they sell tea accessories.  I love walking through this little shop. The last time I was in there I saw this TIN TEA CUP, I didn't really know what I was going to do with it until I saw this tea cup pincushion at mmmcrafts.  
I did mine a little bit differently. Here's the tutorial.

The tea cup has a lid; nice if you take your pincushion from room to room, or in Mother's case, she just has one in every room.

I want the pinning surface to be stronger then just stuffing.  I bought a package of 2 circular Styrofoam pieces at the dollar store, for $1.
Place the cup slightly over the edge and traced it.  With an exacto knife cut around the traced circle.  Then cut a smaller one to glue to the bottom of the first circle.





Cut a circle from the fabric I was using for the pincushion.
Approx 7" around.

Put a little stuffing and the styrofoam pieces on the fabric.

Sew all the way around the outside of the fabric and pull the string tight. 









Stitch around several times to get it as tight as possible.

Use hot glue to secure the pincushion to the bottom of the tin cup.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you for stopping by.

Parties I Linked to:  Sunday-  ...Don't Mess With My Tutus...,  It's so Very Cheri,  Sew Chatty    Monday- be colorful,   Homemaker on a Dime,  Sew Happy Geek,  Cherished Bliss, The House in the Roses Tuesday- Debbie Does Creations, A Stroll Thru Life,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  The D.I.Y. Dreamer, Claiming Our Space, I'm Topsy Turvy,  It's just called Spicy  Wednesday - Ginger Snap Crafts, Pin Cushion Creations,  The Shady Porch   let birds fly  Thursday -  The Taylor House, Katherines Corner, Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olsen  Friday -  Rooted In Thyme  Saturday - A Vision to Remember Saturday Showcase at Bowdabra Blog

Hanging Around

Living in condos, it seems like people move in and out often.  Some people leave in a big hurry and find that they can't take everything they own.  I love it when that happens.  Some of my great finds are right here where I live.
I found this frame by the dumpster a while back and I made a bulletin board with it.

I've seen so many awesome ways and designs done before, here's my tutorial.