The Big *100*!!!

Wow! 100 posts already! I can't believe it... It's been a fun year or so and I've met so many fun and inspirational people on here - thank you! I am truly in awe of so much of the talent that is in the homes of so many - I had no idea when I started blogging last year :)

In the spirit of today, I'm giving away a bunch of fun goodies! The drawing will run through Sunday night (12/2) and I'll post the winners on Monday (I'll need the winners to send email addresses to gather your shipping info.). You must post to this entry to play! You won't see your post right away - I moderate the comments to avoid those horrible SPAM messages!

If you are having problems leaving a post, just drop me a line at kristen@monkeyfootdesigns.com and I'll enter you into the drawing ;)

To the FIRST THREE people to respond to this post, you will receive a new, sealed in plastic Reversible Skirt Apron Pattern from Hoodie's Collection:

I'll also randomly draw TWO people to receive a fat quarter bundle chock-full of fun Japanese fabrics, including these (and a few more!):

Lastly, ONE lucky winner will be drawn at random for this fun (and timely) book!


PS: My website sale ends on 12/15! Click on THIS LINK to receive 15% off your order :)

Bag Love (and a website coupon link!)

Yey! I was *actuallly* able to start and finish a bag on Saturday! Ben has been super fussy in the evenings so we hung out together last night and got this little bit of gorgeousness done. Probably should have saved the last step (binding) to this morning...hindsight...

(and a sneak peak at the chocolate walls & new door hardware in our bedroom!)

To backtrack, the pattern I used was Betsy Ross' One for All Shoulder Bag - the first pattern by them that I have tried (but not my last!). The pattern is rated is a "One Star", meaning that it's for beginners and an easy project for an afternoon.

The bag instructions are only for the outside and binding, but it's easy to extrapolate a bit and add an interlining, lining, pockets, etc. These days I need as much help keeping organized as possible, so I went with adding a few things: lining, interlining, large divided pockets on both sides, interior bottle pockets with elastic, key clip, and magnetic snap closure. If I add up all the time between nursing and burping sessions, I'd say the bag probably took me 3 hours (cutting to completion).

All in all I liked the pattern - aside from the things that I added, the other change that I made to the pattern was to make the handles longer (I'd recommend cutting the large binding piece at 1.5 times the size of the pattern piece). I'm definitely going to make this one again - need more practice with the binding!

Inside Shot:

Initially I was going to use the Amy Butler Forest Woodfern as the outside fabric, but the Aqua Primrose was begging to be seen :)


This morning I finished up a small zippered waterproof pouch and keyfob - now I'm all set to use the new bag on Monday!

PS: Click on THIS LINK to receive 15% off everything at www.monkeyfootdesigns.com

Happy Turkey Day everyone! ~ Kris

Hi everyone! I'm still here :) Just haven't had the time lately to sit and post anything. I've missed it! Ben is a month old already and we're starting to get into somewhat of a routine (I think...). Overall he's a great baby - sleeps 6-7 hours sometimes at nights, is pretty relaxed during the day, and takes lots and lots of "help" from Sydney without many complaints. Poor kid has some bad acne and gas right now, but I keep telling myself that it's just a phase... He is going to wonder, though, why there aren't any pictures of him from the age of 2 weeks - 3 months...

I'm slowly getting back to sewing again (just in time for the holidays!) :) House renovations continue, but we have moved my sewing stuff back upstairs to the middle room. I'll take pics of the rooms sometime soon. I still have to make some new bedding and accessories for our room and the guest room/office/sewing room, but the 2 bedding sets that I found on Overstock.com will tide me over for a while:

For our room (with chocolate walls and ivory curtains) - stock photo:

For the middle room (with sage green walls and white curtains) - stock photo:


I've got some fun projects on the horizon, like this bag (I'll add a lining and pockets), and this bag (trying to decide between the Forest Water Lotus, Spinach Water Lotus, or one of the primrose prints, and these placemats (I'm hoping these are easy to make - perfect for Christmas gifts!).

And check out this AMAZING bag that Lynn made - I have always wanted to make this bag, but now I think that I *need* to make it. GORGEOUS!!

I finished up some gifts, like these PJ's for Alex (the son of a friend in NY)


And some new scrub hats for hubby: (who doesn't love Charlie Brown?!)


We finally got to see the new Spiderman movie, so when I saw this fabric in Walmart last week, I had to snatch it up - it had red Spidey (left) *and* black Spidey (right)!


And in light of the recent HUGE win by the Sox, Syd got herself a new coat :) I used the Wonder Jacket pattern by Sew Baby and it was pretty easy! I think that I might take it apart and make the lining out of flannel though... A touch more cozy would be nice (and warm!)

I planned on posting more about new patterns and bags, but that will have to wait 'til next time!

Oh! I have posted one new Sweet Life Bag (Nolita: Dark Green) in my Ebay store:


I love this one! Perfect for your day-to-day goodies or as a project/knitting bag. Mention code MONKEYFREE at checkout and receive FREE SHIPPING! (just send me a request for the updated invoice).

I've also updated my website with a SLEW of new belts, so pop by and check 'em out :) I'll be posting a coupon link soon, so check back here within the next day or so!

Hope everyone's been well and are thinking yummy Turkey Day thoughts! ~ Kris

Happy Halloween!