Biker chicks and their handmade bike baskets...

The past few years have brought an onslaught of biking in our family.  First, little E found her tricycle legs and needed a bike basket that would hold all her biking treasures.  Enter Noodlehead's bike bucket tutorial.

It yields the perfect size and shape for tossing in keepsakes of all kinds - chalk, bits of nature, even cast-off tights one hot spring day! 

Michael Miller "Lil' Kingdom Princess" fabric

The only problem was that the tutorial has you make one broad attachment for the handlebars.  At the time, there was a split in the tricycle handlebar.  So, I cut the width measurement in half, and followed the directions from there (except, if you are sharp-eyed, you'll notice I put one on upside down - still works).  

This year, little A, now 2 1/2 has found her passion for biking.  So, it was another bike bucket for her.

Anna Griffin "Bailey Jungle Animals" fabric

This time, I didn't line the handlebar attachments as the tutorial suggests.  They are still sturdy, but easier to work with. 

With the girls outfitted with fancy bike buckets and getting better on their bikes, it was time to make something for myself.  I wanted a smaller bag that would zip - just big enough for my phone, house key and ice cream money (what's the point of biking if there isn't ice cream at the end?). 

Anna Maria Horner "Good Folks: Fortune" fabric

I found this make up bag tutorial through Sew Can She and really liked the resulting size and shape of the bag. And, with a few added velcro straps (made generally following directions from the Noodlehead bike bucket tutorial), it's the perfect handlebar bag.

  

Now, all three girls are ready to ride off into the sunset.  I wonder if hubby needs a pretty handlebar bag, too?

 

Wishing you an outdoor adventure this weekend! 

Doggy love sunhat

 First off, thank you for all the lovely comments about my spring top.  I didn't win, but I honestly feel like having it be a finalist was such an honor!  There are two more weeks, so maybe my color block top will find its way into the judges favorites, or I'll get my act together and actually sew one of the MANY ideas floating around in my head. 

I also wanted to share a quick project: another Oliver + S sunhat.  This time, it is a bit more "boy" - for a little friend who turned ONE yesterday!  Happy Birthday, little man!

The party theme was dogs so I thought this print was perfect!  The blue is Robert Kaufman Whiskers and Tails "Dog Park", and the green magically coordinated (from Joann's).

I love the pop of red - I think that white dog does too - sniff sniff! 

Hope you have a tail-wagging kind of day!

Whaddya know?

I just got an email telling me one of my spring tops is a finalist this week!  Amazing - especially when you see the other tops and the people behind them!  I'm a little in awe to be included (but very, very happy!).

Check them out HERE.  (I'm the last one, letter L.) 

Wishing you some good news today!

Happy Easter!

Spring!

I wait for this tree every year.

Sunny sailing days spring top

Here is my second spring top for Rae's sew along. 

 

It is entirely inspired by a Tracy Reese shirt I saw featured in Real Simple.  I couldn't find black and white striped fabric, so I used this mustardy yellow stripe from Joann instead.  It is a polyester spandex knit.  Just a little fancier than cotton knit, there is a slight shimmer to the fabric.

 

While I didn't have expert photographer hubby helping with photos this time, I did have an apprentice take this shot for me.  Not bad for a five year old whose fingers barely reached the shutter release!