Happy Straps

When I make something I like to be inspired and intrigued. I want to look at a potential project and then try to recreate it my way... not always the easiest, but always a learning experience. The first strap that I made was a camera strap for my best friend, Jamie. She is a wonderful photographer and I felt like she needed a unique strap to go with her unique aesthetic!

I found the yellow/grey and light grey exterior fabrics at Hancock Fabrics. I usually try to find an exterior fabric rather than a cotton fabric because it is more sturdy and easier to press. I bought an inexpensive standard black camera strap from Best Buy. Then I turned a boring black strap into a handcrafted present!

Here's how to do it...

Cut two identical pieces of the yellow/grey fabric about 1/2 inch larger than the strap on each side. Fold the edges under and press them flat so that both sides could be pinned closed around the strap on each side. Cut four identical pieces of the grey fabric 1/2 inch larger than the black triangular shapes at the ends of the strap. Cut a square hole at the small end of all four grey triangular pieces for the nylon strap to fit through. 

Side 1: Pin the larger end of one grey piece to one end of the yellow/grey piece, exterior fabrics on the inside. Sew a seam 1/4 inch. Repeat with another grey piece on the other end of the yellow/grey piece. REMEMBER: The exterior fabrics are on the inside, face to face.

Side 2: Repeat all of the steps from Side 1.

Put Side 1 directly on top of Side 2 with the exterior fabric on the inside (yellow/grey facing yellow/grey). Sew a seam 1/4 inch ONLY for the grey triangular pieces on each end. Turn the grey triangular pieces right side out. Push the nylon small straps through the square hole that you cut earlier. Repeat on the other side. (Your strap should be totally assembled except for the neck.) Pin the folded down edges of the yellow/grey exteriors to each other. Sew a seam down the strap on both sides to enclose the black strap.

This is a harder project that I tackled, but I hope that you will be encouraged to try to recreate and make it your own!

Personalized Photo Project

I saw a personalized photo frame that said "love" with letters that were found in nature. I loved it so much that I wanted to recreate it, but I wanted it to be my own. I wanted it to say my future last name- MONTGOMERY! I took my camera everywhere I went and soon I started to see letters everywhere.

The first "M" is a pair of my chacos overlaid on each other. The first "O" is a grate on the sidewalk in Albuquerque, NM. The "N" and second "M" are bicycle racks at Troy University and in Albuquerque, NM. The "T" is an information stand with a sun-setting at the Grand Canyon. The "G" is a design from Einstein Bagels at the Trojan Center at Troy. The "E" is a sidewalk design from the Grand Canyon. The "R" is a design in the iron gate fencing at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, NV. The "Y" is a light post from my hometown in Northport, AL. I printed the pictures in black and white.

I bought 10 inexpensive 4X6 frames from Wal-Mart and some matte black spray paint. I spray painted the frames and attached them with hot glue.

Since Montgomery is a very long name, I had to reinforce the back with a support. You can use whatever you can find- I used a yard stick. Nobody will see the back, it just needs to be sturdy.

I love the finished product and I hope that you will go out and try to recreate this personalized project just for YOU!