Excited about Bags!

A new friend, Michelle, recently asked me to make an iPad tote for her daughter, whose birthday was coming up. She chose an adorable owl fabric. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I think the striped green fabric is the perfect accent.

I added a 4-layered crocheted flower and a little owl "bling." Cute, huh?

This matching cell phone case coordinates nicely with the bag. And...I'm so happy to say that the bag and cell phone case were a huge hit! Michelle's daughter emailed me and thanked me for taking the time to make them. Shortly after that, Michelle told me that her daughter had replaced her Vera Bradley bag for my iPad tote. How cool is that??!! Eat your heart out, Vera!

So after I made this set for Michelle, I was inspired to finally make something for me. It's pretty pathetic that with all of the hundreds of Cozies I've made in the last 2 years, I've never made any for me. So, because I wanted to and because I really needed one, I made a new bag to carry all of my school things back and forth. (Trust me...as a 4th grade teacher, I am always bringing papers home to check!

I used two of my favorite Michael Miller fabrics from the collection called "Gypsy Bandana." I've been saving this fabric for a long time because I knew I wanted to make something out of it--I just didn't know what.

I added 3 crocheted flowers to the top and used metal rings to attach the handles.

After using this bag for the last 2 weeks, I am so happy that I broke down and made it. It's sturdy and it's the perfect size. I get a lot of compliments on it, too :)

Busy with Christmas Orders!

I have been so busy with Christmas orders!!! (But I love it!) Santa himself would be impressed! My sister and husband have stepped up to the plate, too. Linda, my sister who crochets all of my little flower embellishments, has been helping me assemble and edge the Cozies. She's done a lot of my mailing, too. Even my husband John has been cutting batting and muslin for me. I'm sure they are going to find some super-special presents from Santa under the tree this year :) They have been very, very nice!

So...what have I been sewing? Check out these pics :)

Xyron Cozy in a lovely blue/brown fabric.

2 e-Reader Cozies for a good friend in Florida

I made this e-Reader Cozy for a friend I work with. Her daughter picked the fabric.

Super-cute Imagine Cozy!

Rock star E2 Cozy!

HOT, HOT, HOT!

Ah...wish I was at the beach, basking in the sun :)

This sewing machine Cozy wasn't made for my machine--but it should work for Sheila :)

Again...very HOT!

Kindle Fire Cozy for a co-worker's daughter. I hope she likes it!

Something a Little Different

When Becky and I started to plan her Cozies, she had a lot of great ideas. She chose this lovely black and pink damask fabric and wanted to use black as a coordinating color.

Usually, I would make the 2 end panels black, but Becky asked for them to be made from the damask print.

She also asked for a narrow black band to be sewn into the end seems.

The result was BEAUTIFUL!!! This pink and black damask fabric looks so elegant with all of the changes Becky made.

This is Becky's matching iPad Cozy.

If I had a design team for my blog, Becky would be on it! :)

Cricut Mini Cozy

I got my new Cricut Mini machine this week. So far, I haven't used it to cut anything out, but I'm impressed with it's design. It's small, streamlined, and fits on my desktop nicely. I like the fact that it will cut an 8 1/2 x11" piece of paper, too. No, it's not as great as the 12x12" machines, but it's better than the other small Cricut models.

Getting a new machine meant that I had to make a new Cozy pattern. Honestly, I didn't think it would be too difficult because the shape of the Mini is pretty simple. So, I did what I always do when I have to make a new Cozy pattern--I procrastinated! :)

First I checked out iTunes for a while and downloaded a great new Christmas album by Phil Wickham. (My favorite Christmas carol, by the way, is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel.) Then I ate a donut. It was a cream-filled, powdered-sugar-covered beauty! Then I answered a few emails.

Finally, I knew it was time for the inevitable. I had put it off long enough. I had to make this Cozy! For the longest time I just stared at the machine. Then I got out my measuring tape, jotted down a few notes, drew a picture of my plan, and set out to start the Cozy. After cutting, sewing, basting, quilting, assembling, fitting, ripping out seems, cutting again, assembling again and sewing on the binding, this is what I came up with. (Drum roll, please)

THE NEW CRICUT MINI COZY!!

Don't you just love this green argyle fabric???? It's my new favorite. I wanted to make this a "fun" Cozy because the Cricut Mini is just so cute!

If you want more information on the Cricut Mini, you can find it here.

New Product Reveal: Gypsy Clutch

A new friend recently asked me to design a Gypsy Clutch for her. I loved the idea of making a Gypsy Clutch, but I did what I usually do when I have a new pattern to make--I procrastinated. Fortunately, Erica didn't give up on me and waited patiently. This is what I came up with :)

Erica has a few other Cozies in this cute Mary Engelbreit fabric.

Notice the little pocket that holds 4 extra styli. (I just love that word!)

A pocket in the top holds a few Cricut booklets.

The bottom pocket holds a Gypsy comfortably.

It stays closed with a ribbon that wraps around the back, tying in the front. The entire Cozy is quilted and all of the trim has been hand-sewn. I can't make to make one of these for me!! :)

Flippin' for Flip Cozies

Not sure if you all knew, but making Cozies isn't the only thing I do. I'm actually a 4th grade teacher. I teach in the same school I attended when I was a little girl. It's in a small, rural school district in Pennsylvania where everyone knows everyone else. I now teach the children, nieces, and nephews of some of my former classmates.

Apples really don't fall far from the tree :)

One of the other teachers in my school knows that I make Cozies. Her daughter, who is in 5th grade, asked me to make a Cozy for her iPod Touch. She told me that she loves the colors purple and teal. I gave my photobucket link to her and she picked out the beautiful purple fabric. I chose an identical teal fabric to go with it, added a crocheted flower, and this is what the finished product looked like. My friend's daughter was very happy with her new Cozy.

Another new friend in Canada requested some Cozies for Christmas presents. Like all of my other Cozies, these are fully quilted. They will fit an iPod Touch, a Flip Video Camera, and most cell phones. They close with a Velcro closure.

I made the pink Zebra Cozy to hold my niece Krystina's Christmas gift card. The red Cozy is for my mother-in-law's Flip Video camera.

My mother-in-law also gets a matching Cozy for her new iPad 2.

Quilted Christmas Stockings

For some reason, I am LOVING cardinals for Christmas this year. Not the baseball cardinals...the bird cardinals :) Just last week I purchased 24 feathery little red bird ornaments for my Christmas tree. (I'll post pictures after I finally put it up!) So, when I found some cute cardinal fabric at my local craft store this year, I did a happy dance!

After sewing Cozies day in and out, it was nice to work on these stockings. I drew a pattern on some poster board, did a little math, added a coordinating cuff on top, and this is what I came up with. They are fully quilted, hand-finished, and measure approximately 16 inches long. Not bad, huh?

I can't wait until they're brimming with little gifts to and from the ones I love :)

I know I won't have time, but I would LOVE to make some of these in a miniature version and hang all over my Christmas tree. Maybe next year...

Winnie the Pooh Cozy

Welcome to our hop! If you just came from Amy's blog, you are on the right track.

We have a GRAND PRIZE for this Blog Hop donated by ContainYa Crafts! You can have YOUR CHOICE of a Scrap'n Tote or a Scrap'n Easel! Each blog in this two-day hop has a special letter and when all of the letters are put together they spell out a secret phrase.

My letter is h.

Once you have stopped at each blog in the hop and collected all of the letters, simply email the phrase they create to bloghopcontests@gmail.com. All entries must be in by midnight on Monday, November 21st. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 22nd at http://craftychicsblog.blogspot.com.

But...that's not the only prize you can win on today's hop. Don't forget to check out the bottom of this post for your chance to win some more great blog candy.

See if you can figure out what I created for this month's hop before you get to the last picture. Here are some clues...

Just like all of my Cozies, this one has a little love sewn into it.

Tigger makes an appearance on it...

As does Eeyore...

And who can forget that huggable Pooh? Here he is chillin' with Piglet.

Here's another shot of this cute fabric.

Have you guessed what it is yet? Maybe this will help. The hand-crocheted flower on the front matches Pooh perfectly!

Give up? It's an Expression Cozy featuring everyone's favorite bear :)

The background of this fabric is a light blue cloud that contrasts nicely with the brightly-colored characters. The purple stripe and ends coordinate perfectly. Wouldn't this brighten up any craft room?

BLOG CANDY!!!

You can win this Expression Cozy (or an Expression 2 or Baby Bug Cozy--your choice) if you leave a comment on this post. A lucky winner will be picked on Monday, November 21st and will be notified by email. If you would like a chance to win, just leave a comment, along with your email address. For an extra chance to win, you can also leave a comment on my facebook page (Kathy's Cozies).

Be sure to check out my Etsy, shop, too!

Your next step on this hop is Amy at

http://www.lovetocrop.com/. You will find a wonderful project there because she is an amazinglyl creative lady. :)

Just in case you missed any of today's stops, here's the entire list. Happy Hopping!

Shawn

http://craftychicsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/disney-pixar-blog-hop-november-day-one.html

Melissa

http://disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/disneypixar-blog-hop-day-1.html

Tami

http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/disney-pixar-blog-hop-4.html

Ellen

http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/2011/11/fantabulous-disney-pixar-blog-hop-nov.html

Madison

http://funkycards.blogspot.com/2011/11/disney-pixar-blog-hop-4.html

Cathie

http://www.creativecutter.org/2011/11/disney-blog-hop-day-1.html

Cindy

http://www.snoflaks.blogspot.com/

Lori

Lori http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

Amy C.

http://amychomas.blogspot.com/2011/11/disneypixar-blog-hop.html

Kathy (Me)

http://kathyscozies.blogspot.com/2011/11/winnie-pooh-cozy.html

Amy V.

http://www.lovetocrop.com/2011/11/disneypixar-blog-hop-day-one.html

Linda's Crocheted Flowers

When I have time, I love to crochet. I learned how to crochet when I was about 8 years old. My mom, grandma and several aunts and cousins all crocheted. I would love to sit near them and watch the doilies being completed in a whir of fingers, metal hooks and thread. The finished products were so beautiful--many of which I still treasure today.

My mom crocheted doilies, (Her favorite was the pineapple stitch.) but she also occasionally made an afghan. One afghan, in particular, was a multicolor/black granny-square afghan. I loved that afghan. I would sit with it on my lap, using a pen or pencil to mimic her motions with a crochet hook. In my mind, I was crocheting. :)

But soon, as I grew, "fake crocheting" didn't prove to be very fulfilling. I wanted to be part of this elite "crocheting club," so one day my cousin showed me how to crochet a chain. I crocheted during every spare minute and I swear that first chain must have been a mile long! Soon after, I learned about single crochets and double crochets. I made tiny hats and dresses for my dolls. Once, I even got in trouble in third grade for crocheting when I should have been reading. The nerve of that teacher to take the semi-finished dress for my Baby Chrissy doll away from me until the end of the day. (Don't worry, Miss S. I've forgiven you!)

So, while I love crocheting, I prefer the thick yarn. I like making blankets. It's my sister, Linda, who actually makes the beautiful, delicate flowers for my Cozies. She can whip one of them out in a matter of minutes. I swear she has every color of crochet thread that a person can buy! I love watching her crochet, too. Her fingers race just like my grandma's fingers. Before I know it, there's a "garden" growing on my sewing table.

Recently, a friend of mine posted a card she made with one of Linda's flowers. (Check out Stephanie's blog here.) Nice, huh?

Thanks, Linda, for being the best sister in the world, all-around nice person, a lover of God, and a flower-crocheter extraordinaire :)

This is one of my newest Cozies. I call it "Bright Blooms." It features an aqua-colored flower attached with a red button.

If you are interested in purchasing any of Linda's flowers, check out her Etsy shop, "Charming Crochet."

Disney Pixar Blog Hop

Welcome to Kathy's Cozies--your last stop on today's Disney Pixar Blog Hop. If you just came from Chomas Creations, then you are at the right place. :)

In case you're not familiar with Kathy's Cozies, it's a blog that features quilted covers for most of your scrapping machines. For today's blog hop, I created something special that goes with our Disney-Pixar theme. Can you guess what it is?

I know what you're thinking...and no, it's not that! :) Actually, the picture above shows the product inside-out. Try this shot:

If you guessed a Mickey Mouse scrap bag, you're right! Who doesn't need at least one of these?

Each scrap bag is fully lined and contains interfacing, which enables the bag to

stand on it's own.

The bags measure aproximately 11 inches tall, 5 inches wide and 4 inches deep. They can be cuffed to adjust the height.

I will be giving away 2 of these handy little scrap bags in honor of today's hop. One winner will be picked randomly from all of the comments left on this post. Just tell me who your favorite Disney character is.

Another winner will be randomly chosen from all the posts I receive on my Facebook page. Enter both places to double your chances of winning!

For more information on Kathy's Cozies, you can check out my Etsy shop, Facebook page, or Photobucket site.

In case you missed one of the stops on today's hop, here's the full list. Happy Hopping!

http://craftychicsblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/disney-pixar-blog-hop-day-one.html
http://disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/09/3rd-edition-of-original-disneypixar.html
http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com/2011/09/disneypixar-blog-hop-3.html
http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/2011/09/disney-pixar-blog-hop-september-24.html
http://funkycards.blogspot.com/2011/09/disney-pixar-blog-hop-3.html
http://www.gettingcricky.com/2011/09/disney-pixar-blog-hop-plus-giveaway.html
http://www.creationswithchristina.com/2011/09/disney-pixar-blog-hop.html
http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/2011/09/welcome-to-disney-pixar-blog-hop.html
http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/2011/09/disneypixar-official-blog-hop-3rd.html
http://www.capadiadesign.com/2011/09/fabulous-fall-frame-disneypixar-blog.html
http://amychomas.blogspot.com/2011/09/disneypixar-blog-hop.html
http://kathyscozies.blogspot.com/2011/09/disney-pixar-blog-hop.html

Variations on a Theme

So how many ways can you make a black/white/pink damask Cozy? At least 3!

This is a brand-new damask fabric that combines a black outline with a hot pink center. It's elegant, but fun. The embellishment is a beautiful filigree button.

This Cozy features a black and white damask print, trimmed in pink. The black strips on either side of the middle strip add an eye-popping contrast to the Cozy.

This Imagine Cozy features a larger damask print. I normally would have made pink ends for this Cozy, but a new friend requested printed ends, with a narrow pink band on the seam. I love this look!

Have a great day!