What NOT to do While Making Counting Bean Bags

...like these...

I recently discovered the cutest blog, Chez Beeper Bebe, and was immediately hooked!  Holly is the mastermind, and she  is constantly doing awesome tutorials with free downloads that totally get my creative juices flowing!  

Now, I'm going to show you what NOT to do while making her counting bean bags (tutorial and pattern found Here), tee hee! 

Let me start by saying...if you follow her tutorial, you'll do great...because it is wonderfully put together and very detailed ;) 

But, I am still getting the hang of sewing on my machine (and can't believe that I used to do everything by hand after using it) and I totally winged it by using supplies I had on hand.  Oh, and apparently I'm not so good at following directions, because if I was...I would have traced these the right way the first time (backwards that is)...

...yeah, not this way...

 

And, I would have used a different fusible web (this totally didn't work for me, hmmm)... 

Seeing as how I've never used it before and just grabbed what I saw at Michaels, I ended up having to hand-stitch the numbers to the fabric squares (since I'm not good enough on the machine yet)...

I also would have used a funnel to pour the beans (or made the hole a bit bigger), so this doesn't happen...

 

Lastly, I would pay attention while sewing so I don't sew all the way around (and have to take all the stitches out and start over ;)...

But, I'm hoping that even with all of my mistakes, they don't end up on 'Craft Fail.'  They turned out pretty cute, I think...

I gave them to ms. pre-schooler for her 5th birthday last week.  I thought she'd love to play math games with them...and she does...she loves them!  Although she thinks that throwing them at her sisters is even a better idea ;)

Soooo, check out Holly's blog if you need some inspiration...and if you just need to snag a cute gift, she sells her handmade items in her Etsy shop, Beeper Bebe, too!

And, as always...if you need more crafty inspiration, click on these buttons...

Happy crafting,

Jamie :)

Comments

[Jeanine]

Those are so cute!!! I have a grandson that will love those, eventually he is only 8 months old!!! I a new follower!!!

[Fran.]

Cute story! Sounds like something that would happen to me! LOL I just love your profile pic of you and your daughter! You look like a fun person! Keep on sewing! (Kinda like keep on trucking!) LOL Take care, Fran. XO

[Robin]

I think they turned out super cute Jamie! I like the look of the hand stitching on them.
Thanks for the low down though~I think I will make these for Noelle~♥

Robin~♥

[Holly]

despite all your "what-not-to-do's", they look pretty dang good to me. Nice work--and thanks for sharing and linking to me.

[Ruth]

These are so cute. You did a good job.

I am just like you with the instructions. I also think I can remember the next step or I jump ahead. I am also learning to use my machine. It has so many features that I have yet to figure out.

Ruth

[Theresa]

How adorable those bean bags are! Maybe your sweetie was COUNTING as she was throwing them at her sisters! LOL I wish I knew how to sew - sewing machines and I don't agree. Perhaps it's because I'm a lefty? Anyhow, great job and thanks for the how-not tutorial!!! :)
Theresa

[Gabrielle]

Great post, I love it when I get to write one about what NOT to do...:)

[Debbie in Nashville]

These are great! What a great idea to add numbers.

[Kim @ Everything Etsy]

Oh, these are so cute! I wish I would have thought of that when mine were little!

~Kim

[Jessica]

Jamie,

Too funny! I just finished making some for my kiddos. I am a total novice when it comes to sewing. I love it but it frustrates me to no end! My 4 year old is SO excited for me to make these for her-my motivation! I don't think I'd be able to do the cute lil' number though.

[Kim @ Everything Etsy]

Thanks for bringing your cute post over to the linky party! :)

~Kim

[Carole]

How fun! Love the colors.

[Grace]

I just love those bean bags, and I can relate to tracing numbers/letters on the wrong side of the fabric...ugh! ;) Your project turned out great!

Blessings, Grace

[kirsten]

Too funny! That's definitely something that I would do... every step of the way. Can't wait to make some for my niece!

[Lisa Graves]

Your bean bags turned out great!

[Catherine]

They turned out fabulous! I love your new take on the tutorial process - - I'll have to share some of my "fails" in the future. I'm a pretty new sewer, so I do a lot of oops stitch pulling out too. :)

[Karen]

so easy and such a good idea for teaching! I may steal your idea for my grandson.