Leather pouch for treasure collecting; Handmade Holiday

Today I made Kaleena this sweet leather pouch for her to bring along on hikes, to keep all the treasures she gathers.

Inevitably when we go out into nature she finds treasures of all kinds and they usually end up in my pockets, as well as her own. I thought this bag would be a lovely little bring along pouch to keep safe all those lovely finds. It was really easy and quick to make, and now I am excited to make a smaller one for Keenan and perhaps one for the dolls as well.

We have here in town a lovely store, that among many other crafty items and natural fibers, sell leather scraps by weight,  I got a rather large piece for a couple of dollars, gotta love that:)

I cut it into five pieces, the back and lid one piece, two side pieces, one front piece and one bottom piece, as well as two smaller strips, not pictured for the belt loop in the back  

with this lovely tool I punched holes all the way down the bottom, the tool easily punches through the two layers

(before that I did sew on the cross for the belt to slide through)

then sewed it together using a hemp string

then added the front piece to the bottom, and then the two side. Only the corners were a little tricky to make nice. Then I sewed up the sides and

 added two wooden buttons to the front, and cut little slits in the lid to close it.

The only thing I will do but haven't yet is to add a shoulder strap, because for now I doubt she will wear it on a belt...

 After christmas she will have a lovely pouch for gathering all her treasures in, made with all my love

~may your sunday be full of joy~

Handmade Birthday

Keenan's 4th birthday is almost here, and besides practicing form drawing with Kaleena, and teaching her to knit, I have been busy getting Keenan's presents ready.

I made a big basket full of blocks for him. Blocks are of his favorite indoor toys, and I have long been wanting to make some more home made ones.

I found some Black Locust logs as well as some Wild Cherry branches and cut them into different sizes and shapes. Then I sanded them all. This was a big job, loud and dusty. Last time we made blocks I sanded them by hand, but this time I had too may to do it like  this and used a hand held power sander

I added a coat of all natural Linseed oil to help protect the wood, I love how the Locust comes alive with the oil, the locust is really my favorite and they will last forever, the wood is so extremely dense.

I also really love all the odd pieces, I know these will be some of the favorites

and here is the basket full of blocks, for his birthday I will drape a silk over it.

I think he will love them!

I am also making him a Birthday Banner, it is not quite finished yet, I still need to sew it together and add beads, perhaps tonight:)

Keenan was very fascinated with the pencil holder I made for Kaleena, so I thought I would make him one and put some new crayons in it

and of course the Birthday Book, here are just a few pages of the one I made for Keenan.

So now with both birthdays taken care of, I can get started with the christmas presents:)

~a lovely evening to you!~