Free Patterns Are Now Up On My Website

The free patterns on my website have been changed today.

They are ready for instant download. Enjoy!


Prudence Pumpkin Doll



Sunflower Make-do

Recycled Jeans Hanging Veggie Bag Tutorial

I am always looking for a new way to recycle old jeans. Here is my tutorial for making hanging veggie bags from the leg and waistband from jeans.

Finished bag size = 20 inches long


Supply List

Pair of old jeans
Thread
Shoe Lace
4” round plastic lid
Potting soil
Plant


Cut off one lower leg from the jeans, 20 ½ inches long up from the bottom hem. The bottom hem will be the top of the bag and the cut part will be the bottom.





Turn the leg inside out. Taper the side seams by measuring in 1 ½ inches at the bottom and tapering up. Red line is the sewing line.



Make a ½ inch buttonhole 1 ¼ inch up from the bottom.



Fold the hem over ¾ inch. Zig zag stitch the hem, making sure your seam allowances both fold over to the same side so it will be easier to thread the shoelace through the casing.



Attach a large safety pin to one end of the shoe lace and pull it through the casing.






Strap:

Cut off 28 inches of the waistband for the strap, carefully cutting off the belt loops.
Optionally: Cut a 5 inch wide x 28 inch long piece of denim for a strap. Fold over lengthwise and zig zag the sides closed. Stitch to the pant leg in the same way as the waistband.




Stitch both sides of the strap to the top of the bag evenly. Zig zag along the bottom the of strap and then stitch around the stap and crossways.



Cut a slit in the plastic lid and a quarter size hole in the middle



Place the lid around the plant stem.



Very carefully gather the leaves together with your hand and place the plant inside the bag from the top and out the bottom.

The plastic lid will help to hold the soil in when you water.




Gather the bottom up as tightly as you can and tie off.




The easiest way to fill the bag is to hang it over a door knob. Fill the bag a little at a time with potting soil making sure you pack the soil tightly so there are no air holes in the soil.



You can plant flowers in the top of the bag if desired.

I used a couple of long nails to hang my plants from the house eaves. You can use large hooks if desired. They can be hung from a tree limb, a tall fence post. Wherever they will get maximum sun exposure.

I used regular potting soil in the first ones I made and I add plant food every two weeks to the top of the bag.
The last one I made I used Miracle Grow potting soil that has plant food in it so I will see which one works better.
You will have to water every day if it is very hot out.

This is a picture of my first tomato in the first bag I planted. I started the tomatoes from larger plants and it took about three weeks for the first tomato to appear. Notice how the plants grow up toward the sun.



My cucumber plants were very small and they are just now starting to flower. The plants are still very small so we will see how they do.



© 2009 Bette Shaw--------All Rights Reserved

Kate Handbag Epattern

Here is my newest purse pattern. Similar to the Marie tote but in a smaller size.
Finishes at 10" tall by 13" wide.

Free Patterns Are Now Up On My Website

I have added two new free patterns to my website. A rag quilted tote and a mammy sitter doll. They are ready for instant download. Enjoy!

New Pattern Released for Diaper Bag

I finally finished this pattern for a diaper bag and changing pad that has been put on hold for quite some time.

Free Dress Sachet Pattern

Hope you enjoy this little pattern. It is a perfect little gift or craftshow filler.



Dress Sachet

Finished size 5 1/2"

Supply List

9” square of fabric
scrap of 1/8” wide ribbon
6” of ½” wide lace
9” of ¾” wide ruffle lace
Matching thread
4 ¼” Wood hanger
Handful of Potpourri - optional

Click on the pattern picture below and print it out.
Cut out one skirt, one waistband and two straps from fabric.
Yellow lines indicate stitching lines.

Straps:
With wrong sides together, fold the straps in half and press. With right sides together, lay a piece of lace along the open edges of the strap and stitch. (left picture) Fold the top of the lace over to the inside and topstitch the strap. (right picture)



Skirt:
With right sides together, stitch lace along the bottom of the skirt.



Fold the lace over to the inside and topstitch along the bottom of the skirt. Sew a gathering stitch along the top edge of the skirt.



With wrong sides together, fold the waistband in half. Gather the top of the skirt to fit the waistband and pin together.
Stitch across in a ¼” seam.



Fold the waistband up and topstitch on the outside.




Place the straps on the inside of the waistband following the placement on the pattern. The lace edges will be against each other.
Stitch across along the edge of the waistband.



Fold the dress in half and stitch the side in a ¼” seam.





Sew a ribbon bow to the lower waistband in the middle.

You can either fill the dress with potpourri or make a small pillow and fill it with lavender or sweet annie buds and tuck inside.

Paint the hanger to match the dress and you are done.

Click on the patterns below to print the pattern out.

Pattern Dimentions:
Skirt -- 4" x 8 1/4"
Waistband --- 1 3/4" x 5"
Straps --- 1 3/8" x 3"

BUNNY SHOP HOP ON ETSY

Trinkets 2 Treasures Team is having a special promotion on Etsy Feb. 15 to Mar. 28.

Look for our special promotional graphic in the participating T2T Etsy Team shops.

Each shop that contains the Bunny graphic is offering a special deal just for you.

All USA buyers are eligible to win this great basket full of goodies valued at over $200. The winner will be picked on Mar. 24 from customers from all the participating shops.

The basket contains these gifts from the participating shops.

Ewe N Me Printables---CD collection of printable tags, bookmarks and printed tags.

Willmas Wimzees--Shabby N Chic Bowl Fillers

Ragdollz---Bunny and Chenille Egg

Snugglebug Blessins---Primitive mouse

The End Peace---Charm Bracelet

Folk Art From The Heart---$20 gift certificate

Tomorrows Treasures---Easter Basket and Eggs

Bead and Knit---Fingerless Gloves

Silicone Bulb Shoppe----Easter Silicone Bulbs

Sassy Soaps N Such----Bunny Bowl Fillers

AuntieB56---Framed Punchneedle Picture

Mamaws Creations---Bunny In A Carrot

Print and Sew---Americana Feedsack Bag

To see a listing of all participating shops and their special promotions go here.

http://bettestomorrowstreasures.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=28

The CPSIA Law and How It Can Affect YOU!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:To the Parents of Young Students:Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.To the Avid Reader:Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322To the Lover of All Things Handmade:Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.To the Environmentalist:Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.To the Second-Hand Shopper:Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.To the Antique Toy Collector:Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.htmlTo the American Economy:Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbeshttp://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.htmlAnd for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Lawhttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.htmlDid you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Exciting News For Me Today

I've been featured on Etsy's blog.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/my-top-10-lovely-primitives-3304/


Etsy is my favorite place to shop and sell. There is just so much wonderful handmades to see and a great place to find crafting supplies.

I have added two new patterns to my free pattern page on my website.

Shabby Sachet and Shabby Pillow

They are ready for immediate download on my website.

http://www.bettestomorrowstreasures.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=11

I was surprised with a feature of some of my free patterns on The Craftgossip Blog Network today.

CraftGossip is your place to hear about the latest gossip in crafts and DIY ideas put together with the help of a dedicated team of editors.

Be sure and check them out. http://craftgossip.com/

Special Customer Appreciation Sale on my Website

I am having a first time ever, buy one get one free e-pattern sale. This is available only on my website,

http://www.bettestomorrowstreasures.com , and only applies to emailed pdf patterns.

It is a great opportunity to stock up on your patterns for next year's crafting.

Next year will be the start of my fifth year that my website has been open and I will be adding some new doll bodies and shapes and lots more patterns.

As always, I am open to suggestions for patterns. If you need a pattern for something you can't find, leave a comment and suggestion here.