Ruby Star Wrapping Button~Down Shirt Bag : :

Today is my stop on the Ruby Star Wrap-Along!

I chose to make the Button-Down Shirt Bag -- a smart, simple, and seriously quick sewing project!!



Ruby Star Wrapping : : Creating Packaging to Reuse, Regive, and Relove, is the brand new book by the lovely and adorable Melody Miller and Allison Tannery. My friend Sukie is hosting a Wrap-Along, invited me to join in, and I'm so glad she did!

This book is full of fun and thoughtful ideas! Each teaching you through step-by-step instructions how to create amazing, thrifty, easy-to-make unique and beautiful projects for gift giving that are really special and lovely! And what's really, really awesome -- it shows you how to do just that by re-purposing and recycling many items that we all already have or have access to!



I decided right away to use a button-down shirt I bought a few years ago, that never fit me right, but I loved the details and decided to hold onto it in case I ever became a tall, thin, modelesque woman -- yeah right!



I actually plan to make two bags out of the shirt I'm re-purposing! This first one is for my daughter and she loves it! I used a heavier ticking fabric for the lining, to add some sturdiness since the shirt I chose is a very thin cotton. For the bag straps, I decided to keep with the up-cycling theme of this project, using one of the belts that came with a pair of the boys cargo pants from the Gap or Old Navy. It worked great!!



I think it turned out super cute and it's definitely the quickest bag I have ever made!!







You can find all the details, prize info, and the list of blogger's participating in the Wrap-Along in Sukies post right here! You can pick up the Ruby Star Wrapping book at Roostbooks, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Random House.

Be sure to add your own Ruby Star Wrapping projects to the Flickr Group! And, don't forget to link up your Wrap-Along projects at Amy's blog for a chance to win great prizes -- You can link up right HERE!

Thanks again, Amy, for having me on the Ruby Star Wrap-Along! For more great ideas, be sure to check out the rest of the blog stops : :

11.7.12 - Anna of noodlehead

11.9.12 - Amanda of A Crafty Fox

11.12.12 - Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson!

11.14.12 - Brooke of Pitter Putter Stitch

11.16.12 - Erin of Two More Seconds

11.19.12 - Jennifer of BettyCrockerAss

11.21.12 - Rochelle of Lucky Lucille

11.23.12 - Sukie of Sukie - don't you know who I am?

11.26.12 - Elizabeth of Don't Call Me Betsy

11.28.12 - Gina and crew of Bolt Neighborhood

11.30.12 - Ellen of the Long Thread

12.3.12 - Katie of Swim, Bike Quilt

12.5.12 - Faith of Fresh Lemon Quilts

12.7.12 - Lee of Freshly Pieced

12.10.12 - Maureen of Maureen Cracknell Handmade

12.12.12 - Sara of Sew Sweetness

12.14.12 - Colleen of The Busy Bean

12.17.12 - Amy of Diary of a Quilter

12.19.12 - Monica of The Happy Zombie

Sew Mama Sew! is also participating in our Wrap-Along by hosting a Ruby Star Contest! They are sharing all the details right HERE today!

So... get those Button-Down Shirt Bags made and join in the fun to win some fantastic prizes!!!





And finally, I have some BIG NEWS to share : Tomorrow I'll be back with an AMAZING GIVEAWAY Event that I am a part of! I'm so, so excited about this one -- you all know how much I love a good Giveaway!! If you can't wait until tomorrow -- visit my friends Rachael &  Lindsay today! ♥,  Maureen

Ruby Star Wrapping : :

Have you seen that the ridiculously talented and adorable Melody Miller and Allison Tannery have a new book? Oh yeah! Ruby Star Wrapping : : Creating Packaging to Reuse, Regive, and Relove! My friend Sukie is hosting a Wrap-Along and I absolutely could not resist joining in the fun!

Melody has a wonderful post all about her new book here, on her blog Ruby Star Rising. Through so many fun and thoughtful projects, this book teaching you that super creative, thrifty and frugal, easy-to-make Anthro gift giving style that I just love! Last year I spent a small fortune on wrapping paper, tags, and ribbons, thinking I could use them to dress up those special handmade gifts. Well, this book really has it all! All those unique and beautiful ideas for gift giving that I find so special and lovely! And what's really, really awesome -- it shows you how to do just that by re-purposing and recycling many items that we all have or have access to!



When I joined in the wrap-along, my first choice project was to create a handy tote bag out of an old button down shirt. So, that's what I'll be doing for when it's my date to share in December! I have just the shirt, and a few dozen others, in mind that I think will be perfect!!

You can find all the details, prize info, and the list of talented blogger's participating in the Wrap-Along in Sukies post right here! To be ready to join in the wrap-along and contest, you can pick up the Ruby Star Wrapping book at Roostbooks, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Random House.

But first, be sure to visit Sukie for a chance to win one in her Giveaway!!

photo by Sukie

I'm adding my Ruby Star Wrap-Along button to my sidebar and I really, really hope you all follow along, join the flickr group, and the link-up party!! You'll have a chance to win some really great prizes, and Sew, Mama, Sew will also have a link-up party at the end of Wrap-along on their site so you’ll have twice the chance of winning something fun!

Don't forget to enter Sukie's Giveaway for a chance to win this amazing book!!

Happy Halloween, friends!  ♥ Maureen

Zakka Style Sew-Along : :

Last week I signed on to be a part of a Zakka Style Book Along and I am very excited!! Rashida’s book is so completely lovely and jammed packed full of the most beautiful projects! Have you ordered your copy yet?

Amy and Lindsey have put together a sew along/blog hop that will include 24 fabulous bloggers and you! I really hope you join in!! There are 24 projects in the book and the group of us will be sewing right through it from start to finish!

The sew along starts Monday, April 2nd with the first project in the book and will continue through Monday, September 10th with a new project  introduced each Monday. Each blogger will sew a different project and will be sharing their finished project and inspiration each week!

The Schedule : :

• April 2nd :: Zig Zag Tote with Sew Fantastic 
• April 9th :: The House Pouch with During Quiet Time
• April 16th :: Zakka Pincushion with Pink Penguin
• April 23rd :: Sewing Kit with Monkey Do
• April 30th :: Patchwork Pencil Case with VeryKerryBerry
• May 7th :: Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets with Little Bluebell
• May 14th :: Raincloud Mug Rug with Quilt Dad
• May 21st :: Zakka Block Quilt with I like Orange
• May 28th :: Stem Messenger Bag with Sew Sweetness
• June 4th :: Zip Organizer with Spotted Stone
• June 11th :: Orchard Path Tweed Pouch with Don’t Call Me Betsy
• June 18th :: Happy Couple Handwarmers with A Cuppa and a Catchup

• June 25th :: Patchwork Potholder with Sew Take a Hike
• July 2nd :: Water Bottle Holder with One Shabby Chick
• July 9th :: Elephant Bookmark with Cut to Pieces
• July 16th :: Patchwork Ribbon with {House} of A la Mode
• July 23rd :: Delightful Linen Bag with Sukie
• July 30th :: Bread Basket with Patchwork Notes

• August 6th :: Sweet Sugar Cookie Sack with BettyCrockerAss
• August 13th :: Little Pocket Pillowcase with Freshly Pieced
• August 2oth :: Sweet Memories Photo Frame with Noodlehead
• August 27th :: Pleated Coin Purse with Shape Moth
• September 3rd :: Happy Garland Message Board with Maureen Cracknell Handmade
• September 10th :: Nesting Boxes with From the Blue Chair

I made my week bold, because I wanted you all to laugh at just how predictable I am!! Me...Happy Garland...YES! Of course!!

Be sure to keep an eye on Lindsey’s blog for more details. You'll need a copy of the book to participate. While we will be sharing tips, hints, inspiration & ideas,  we won’t be sharing the  patterns or any templates.

Check your local book store or Library for a copy of Zakka Style, or Lindsey has so kindly compiled a list of some places you can purchase it online and it also comes in e-book form.

E-book:

• C&T Publishing
• Google Play
• Diesel E-Book

Paperback Book:

• Signed Copy directly from Rashida!
• Amazon
• Amazon UK
• Sew Mama Sew
• Overstock
• Barnes & Noble
• Create for Less

There will be some lovely prizes offered each week! We are so thankful to have the support of : :

If you are interested in participating as a sponsor please email Amy, thank you!

Feel free to join in the flickr group and be sure to grab a button!