A funny thing happened...

...while on vacation.

I realized that I really love being on vacation. 

Surely everyone feels this way and eventually they pull their bootstraps up and get back to work, right?

But what if, dare I say it.... what if, I don't want to work?

*gasp!*

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my three co-workers have been doing this:

Yea, not very motivating.

Well, I've got one more month of vacation. Maybe I'll drum up some motivation somewhere along the way. :-)

I do miss you guys though!!

We're on Vacation!

That's right folks! 

This family...

is taking some time off...

We've got some major family time to catch up on so we'll see you guys next Spring!

So, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Love ya!

Camera Purse Tutorial!

I got a really sweet comment asking for some specs about the camera purse insert so I thought I'd just give you guys a tutorial! Hope you enjoy!

Materials:

Exterior Fabric - 1/4 yard

Interior Fabric - 1/4 yard

1" Dense Foam - 1/4 yard

Velcro - 16"

Cut List:

5.5" x 28" (1 each of exterior and interior fabric - 2 pieces total)

5.5" x 5.5" (2 each of exterior and interior fabric - 4 pieces total)

4" x 8" (2 pieces of foam)

4" x 3" (4 pieces of foam)

8" soft side velcro (2 pieces)

4" rough side velcro (4 pieces)

4" rough and soft side velcro

Lay out all of your cut pieces:

Pin the soft side velcro onto your interior fabric piece. The first velcro strip will be 2.5" from the left end.

The second velcro strip will be 4.5" from the right end.

 Sew these pieces down. 

Place the two 28" long pieces right side together.

Sew together, leaving an opening on the right end. Make this opening fairly big so you can stuff the foam through later.

Clip your corners to reduce bulk.

Flip inside out and iron if you wish. I didn't. ;)

Now do the same for the 5.5" squares.

Take the first 8" piece of foam and stuff it into the cover. Follow it with a 3" piece of foam, followed by the second 8" and finally the last 3" piece.

You'll want about a finger's width between each piece of foam. I like the line up the 8" pieces right under the velcro strips.

Stuff your last small pieces of foam into the 5.5" squares. 

Take one of your 4" strips of rough velcro and cut it in half lengthwise.

Pin both rough strips on the sides of each 5.5" piece.

You'll end up with these bad boys:

Now, take your last piece of velcro and sew the rough side to one end of the long piece.

Sew the soft side to the opposite end.

 

Smash those two velcroed ends together and you've got your frame!

Now you just position the two smaller pieces inside to fit your equipment and you're all set!

Now go make your own! :-)

Linking up to:

Bark Bow Tie

Looking for a gift for your dapper (barking) dude?

This puppy bow tie is so cute!

I had the best time making this little number.

The best part? The bow is detachable so you can mix and match with your other B&GB collars.

The entire ensemble (collar and bow tie) for only $19.95 in the shop! 

The Little Who's Birthday Outfit

Remember when I threw the Little Who's half birthday party because I just knew that we weren't going to have a party on her real birthday (Christmas Day)?

Yea.... Apparently, we're having two more parties for the little rascal. :-/

The party on her actual birthday is going to be one knock-down, drag-out Korean celebration - known as the doljanchi. The planning is pretty intense - the decorations will be even more so. I'll keep you updated on all those shenanigans!

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you the birthday outfit I made for my little Christmas elf. 

This will be the outfit she wears at her party on the 23rd with family in SC.

AL thinks the "1" looks like an "L" - either way, it works! :-)

Oh, this little one... she better not get used to having 3 parties a year!

Linking up to these parties -

Cyber Monday at Bark and Giggle!

Ditch work for a few minutes and head on over our way for 20% off your order today only!

Enter code "cybermonday" to redeem your discount.

Here are some already discounted deals to check out!

Two holiday collars for only $15! Go here to purchase!

Need just one collar? You can't beat $10 for any size, any length! Purchase here.

Happy Shopping!

Small Business Saturday!

Support your local small businesses by shopping with them today!

And we're just about as "small" as they come :-)

So, go on over to our shop and get your Bark and Giggle fix!


Enter code "smallbiz" for 15% off your order!

DIY Camera Purse!

Somehow I finally found the time to squeeze in a little project for me!

I've been lusting after these Jo totes for several months. Even though they're pretty reasonably priced, I still couldn't bring myself to buy one because I have so many purses already!

But I still had the problem of not being able to carry my fancy camera in a regular purse.

So I decided to "build" a camera bag insert to go inside the purse!

Of course, choosing a fabric combination was harder than actually making it. :-)

I made it so that you could configure the compartments by moving the two connector pieces around. They're secured by velcro. And the frame also comes apart.

It fits perfectly in my favorite purse.

I had to take the next photo with my phone...

And I can even slip my phone and money in the center slot.

One project checked off my to-do list. Now, just to tackle the 50 more. :-)

Happy Saturday everyone!

Linking up to these parties -

Fun Fabrics Friday!

We're sharing the latest Holiday Fabrics that were added to the gallery today!

 Holiday Trees

Holiday Argyle

Both of these fabrics are eligible for the BOGO sale as well!

You need to purchase this listing in order to receive the half off discount!

When duty calls...B&GB goes on vacation.

I don't put this out there that often but we're a military family.

And we love it. :-)

However, when duty calls... it never quietly knocks on the door.

It barrels through every thought out plan, scheduled event, and important date... and shatters everything else in its wake.

Whether it's the dreaded D-word (deployment) or just a busy, hectic schedule at home, duty always comes first. And while AL's duty lies within the Army, my duty lies in him.

When he needs me, I drop everything and tend to my man. :-)

So, even though I had every intention of taking orders right up until Christmas and planning a big anniversary event in January... duty came a'knockin'.

Which means B&GB will be going on an extended vacation. 

Orders placed by November 30th will still be filled but we'll be closed from December 1 through February.

I'm going to miss making all of your beautiful custom sets but I'm also excited to spend some quality time with AL, the little Who and the Sheebs.

Thank you for allowing me to take this time away to be with the ones who need their "Momma" :-)

Love you guys!