Cute Fox Applique Insulated Lunch Sack using Crafters Edge Crossover II

   After 5 long years I am finally dusting off the blog and will embark on chronicling my crafting and diy journey. Like some of you out there I did not have a crafty influence growing up so Pinterest, Instructables, YouTube and many more online platforms helped to teach me in my crafty and DIY ways. It has been a struggle. There have been many tears and manic after midnight laughter when a project goes sideways. I have made some very silly and embarrassing mistakes (but that is a post for another day 😅) and I am sure I am to have many more along the way.

   For a long time I have wanted to restart this blog. How this first post came about was truly unexpected but it was push I needed to jump into blogging. To make a long story short a few weeks ago an artist friend of mine told me about Crafters Edge. I reached out to them and sent pictures of projects I have made over the years. I was lucky enough to receive a Crafters Edge Crossover II to try out and create a project using their machine. I had to decide on a Fabric Die to select with so many cute fabdies I had a hard time deciding until I found the Cute Fox Fabdie. As some of you may know my sons name is Fox and I am a sucker for anything Fox related.

     

Currently the Crafters Edge Crossover II is 30 % of for the month of August

   

   With the Crossover II and cute Fox fabdie in my possesion it was time to decide on what to do for my first project. I wanted to make something I had never made before, so a pencil pouch was out. I am not quite at backpack making level so after lots of Pinterest research I decided on an insulated lunch sack. This is an easy back to school project. Most of the pictures in this post are from my second time making the lunch sack. My son has been using the lunch sack all week and it has been holding up so far.   

   This project is beginner level but does require some special materials such as 975 Insul-Fleece to insulate the lunch sack and Pellon Wonder Under 807 to turn the Fox into an iron on applique. You can also sew on the applique it's up to you. This lunch bag is easy to make and you can modify the size to your liking  a pocket add more than one Fox go wild! Now without further ado lets dig in!

Materials for the Fox Applique

Crafters Edge Crossover II

Cute Fox Fabdie
3 different fabrics you can go traditional Orange, black, and cream colored cotton fabric or you can use whatever color or prints you like I'm not the boss of you!
Pellon Wonder Under 807

Materials for the insulated lunch sack

1/2 a yard of your outer fabric 

1/2 a yard of lining fabric (you can also use vinyl for easy clean up)
1/2 a yard Insul Fleece
Quilt Basting Spray
Nylon Webbing (optional for the straps)

Velcro 

Scissors

Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat 
Ruler 
Chalk 

   I just have to say I have never used a Die Cutting machince I was a little intimidated. I am always scare I will break any new machine I use. Happily I can report I did not break the Crafters Edge Crossover II it is actually ridiculously easy to use. It has adjustable pressure so you can cut anything from paper to Faux leather. I have tested both and it was a breeze. 


Instructions for Fox Applique:

   Grab your Pellon Wonder Under 807 and the metal adapter plate. You will be usuing the plate as a template to cut the Wonder Under slightly smaller than the plate. 

   Take the fabric you have selected for your Fox and place the fabdies on top of the fabric to determine how much is needed for the corresponding die pieces, make sure that the width is the same as the Wonder Under.

   Once your fabric is cut go to your ironing board and place the ugly side of your fabric against the rough side of the Wonder Under. Iron for 5 seconds make sure it has adhered nicely. Once it has cooled take it over to the Crossover II.  

   Now we are going to make a sandwich. Place your metal adapter plate on top of the base plate. Next put the fabric on top of the metal plate. Place the die with the cutting edge down on top of the fabric and cover with the clear plastic plate. Adjust your roller pressure as needed. Remember the less fabric the smaller the pressure needs to be. I have been keeping the setting at 5 for this project. Run the sandwich through the machine and reveal your perfectly cut pieces. Peel the paper backing of the Wonder Under. If the paper does not peel away easily take it to your ironing board and iron for a few seconds. Set aside the pieces for now.

Instructions for insulated lunch sack:

   Decide the size you want the lunch bag to be and add an inch for seam allowance. You will be cutting 2 outer pieces and 2 pieces of Insul-Fleece the same size. I cut my pieces 13 inches wide and 16 inches long. Iron the outer pieces once they are nice and wrinkle free, we are going to grab our little Fox pieces and arrange it in the center of one of the outer pieces. I place the iron for about five seconds lift up and move to the next section. I don’t move the iron around until I am sure it has adhered to the outer fabric.  

   Place the Insul-fleece shiny side down use the quilt basting spray on the white side of Insul-fleece, make sure your room is well ventilated or go outside when using the spray. Place the ugly side of the outer fabric on top of the white side of the Insul-fleece. 

   If you want to add handles to the lunch sack, it’s now or never! Cut 2 pieces 8 inches long of the nylon webbing or whatever you want to use for the straps. Arrange them to your liking on the bag. Make sure that you place them at least two inches down from where the opening of the lunch sack will be. I like to use the back stitch to secure.   

                               

   Once both handles are attached pin them down away from the top so that they don’t get in the way later. Next place both outer fabrics pretty sides together and sew down the sides and the bottom. At the bottom of the sack center your seams and pull away from each other. You should now have a triangle. Pin 3 inches down grab a ruler and at the 2.5 inches down make a line across with the chalk.

Repeat on the opposite side. Backstitch on the line trim the excess and flatten the sack. Get your lining fabric and lay it on your cutting matt. Place your outer piece on top and cut your lining fabric the same size as your outer piece. Lay the outer piece once more on the lining so you can mark where the stitches on the outer piece are onto the lining. That way they match perfectly, and it makes it so much easier once you put it together. Turn the outer piece so the pretty sides are showing.

   It is time for Velcro we are almost at the finish line guys! Cut your Velcro in 8 in long strips. Sew on the pretty sides of the lining fabric one inch down from where the opening of the sack will be. I like to backstitch all the way around. Once the Velcro is sewn on, place the pretty sides of the lining together. Pin along the sides and the bottom. Sew the same as our outer piece leaving a 4inch gap in one of the sides of the lining. Place the outer piece inside the lining.  

Picture is from the previous bag I made I forgot to take pictures of this step the 2nd time around 😅

    Make sure the lining with the Velcro is facing the pretty side of the outer piece. Match the seams pin in place and sew around. Remember that gap we left in lining seam well let’s head on over there so we can turn the sack rightside out. Gently pull the outer piece through the gap. Sew the lining closed and push inside the sack. Now you can stop here if you want but if you want a more finished look you can topstitch all around the opening. Viola now you have your very own insulated lunch sack!

  If you enjoyed this project please make sure to check out craftersedge.com the Crafters Edge Crossover II is 30% of for the whole month of August! I really enjoyed using the Crafters Edge Crossover II and I am excited to create more Fox projects in the near future.

1st Lunch Sack I made. My son has been using it all week.

2nd bag I made for this tutorial.

                                    

   Thank for joining me today I hope you found this post helpful. To see what projects I am working on before a blog goes up you can follow me on instagram @lunaperdida. I will have plenty to share as Halloween gets closer. We have some pretty lofty ambitions for this years costumes! Hope you all have a magnificent day!

Interview with Alesha Escobar Author of the Gray Tower Trilogy

       

Alesha Escobar is the author of The Gray Tower Trilogy. She is a native of Los Angeles and began writing short stories at a very young age. Alesha earned a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Education.  Her debut novel The Towers Alchemist, book one in the Gray Tower trilogy, was first published September 28th 2011 and the final book in the trilogy Circadian Circle was released November 1st 2013. Her writing is breath of fresh air with strong capable female characters. I first met Alesha at the 2013 Latino Comics Expo and was delighted when she agreed to let me interview her. It was a pleasure to ask her about her books and some fun bonus questions. I hope you enjoy the interview and please check out her website http://www.aleshaescobar.com/

LP: Your series The Gray Tower Trilogy is a historical fantasy set in World War II tell us about it and how you came up with the idea? Did you always intend for it to be a Trilogy? 

AE: The idea of a paranormal fantasy with a female spy was an intriguing one, and my husband suggested setting it in WWII. We had seen interesting documentaries that covered the Nazis' obsession with the occult. I began asking, what would it look like if they employed the use of dark powers to win the war--and how would the Allies fight back? From there I began developing the world of the Gray Tower Trilogy. I always knew I wanted it to be three books, because I didn't want to drag the story through twelve or twenty volumes. I will say though that I'm interested in writing a couple of short stories and maybe even a prequel.

LP: Your main character Isabella George is a female spy who uses alchemy, in your book how is alchemy used and why did you decide to have your main character use it?

AE: Alchemy is one of several magical disciplines you can study if you're admitted to the Gray Tower. If you have the ability to taste, smell, and manipulate metals and elements, then you have a strong chance of becoming an alchemist. Some people are stronger in some areas of magic, and may have secondary abilities, but they try to sort you into your designated group quickly. I think I decided to make Isabella an alchemist because it's a cool magical ability that you don't always see explored in fantasy books. It was also fun doing research on it because of the historical "alchemy" carried out by the precursors of chemical science. So this also gave it a real feeling, as if someone like Isabella could really study alchemy in the real world.

LP: I love your series! Isabella and several other supporting female characters hold their own against their male counterparts both intellectually and in combat. I must say it is refreshing to see those type of female characters being written and written well. Your characters are engaging even the villains, which do you enjoy writing more villain/villainess or hero/heroines?

AE: Thanks! This is a great question. I secretly like writing the villains more because I'm such a sweetie and good-doer in real life. All of my pent up "mean" energy needs to go somewhere, right? I also enjoy writing my villains as smart people. Bumbling, cartoony villains are boring--but a smart person, a calculating person, perhaps a person you could see yourself going out for a drink with--except she's cold-blooded killer--is the type of villain that's both scary and interesting.

LP: I found myself getting emotionally invested and really felt for Isabella as she went through her tumultuous journey. What is your favorite thing about her?

AE: I love Isabella's resolve and independence. She really believes in what she stands for, and she's not afraid to question or challenge things. She's also human--she falls in love, she makes mistakes, she laughs and cries.

LP: The last book in the Trilogy Circadian Circle came out not to long ago, how does it feel to have a trilogy under your belt?

AE: It feels amazing! I am so happy I committed to writing these books. Every time a reader tells me they've enjoyed the series and even wished it were a movie, I'm left in awe. I remember writing stories as young as seven, so this is something that I love doing and that I'm passionate about.

LP: Will you be revisiting this world again? I don't think I am ready to move on yet!

AE: I will! There's no harm in dallying in the Gray Tower universe a while longer.

LP: What other works do you have out there right now  and what projects are you currently working on? Can you tell us a little bit about some of them? Where can we buy them? 

AE: I've just published a short story with HDWP Books in their New Myths anthology. The theme of the collection is sharing mythology with our readers, whether completely created by ourselves or giving a twist to an older myth. My short story is called "The Black Dagger Gods," which is reminiscent in some ways of American Gods. The anthology is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

http://www.hdwpbooks.com/books/theme-thology-new-myths/

LP: How do you juggle being a writer with being a mother and wife?

AE: It's tough. I do a lot of writing at night after I put the kiddos to bed. I think it helps that my husband is very supportive and joins in on the creative process. Sometimes I'm great at balancing it all, and sometimes I'm lousy. When I'm lousy at it, I just remind myself to take a step back and get refocused.

Bonus questions: 

LP: When did you start writing stories? 

AE: At the age of seven--they were detective stories. When I think about it, I wonder what the heck did I know about detectives and solving crimes at that age?

LP: When did you know you wanted to write professionally?

AE: In high school, when I became editor of my school's newspaper. I went to college for journalism (with a short flirtation with biochemistry before running back into the English Writing program).

LP: What inspires you?

AE: People, events, songs, beauty...you name it. I take different things in life, different experiences, and draw from those. 

LP: Favorite music, movies, TV shows, books and why?

AE: My music taste is all over the place--R&B, Rock, Classical, etc. I'm also a huge fan of that a capella group, Pentatonix. Their skills are amazing! I enjoy watching Dr. Who, Sleepy Hollow, Lost (I will watch it over and over), and I just started watching Grimm. As for books, some of my favorites include The Dresden Files, Game of Thrones, and Wheel of Time series. I am a huge sci-fi & fantasy junkie--gimme more! 

Make sure to check out The Tower's Alchemist (The Gray Tower Trilogy, #1) it is free to download at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. This definitely for readers  who enjoy fun and smart writing with great characters a bit of magic and a world that will draw them in. This is definitely the  book to get! If you love it don't forget to check out the rest of the trilogy and Alesha's other works. You can also follow her on her blog http://www.aleshaescobar.com where Alesha also does book reviews and author interviews. I for one cannot wait to see what Alesha Escobar has in store for us in the future!

http://www.amazon.com/Alesha-Escobar/e/B005R1MUK0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-towers-alchemist-alesha-escobar/1106791795?ean=2940045126779

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/261256

 

Book Review The Towers Alchemist

This fine evening I have books on my mind so I have decided to do a book review! So I have decided to review The Towers Alchemist, the first book in The Gray Tower trilogy by Alesha Escobar. 

Unfortunately I was not aware of before the 2013 Latino Comics Expo, which is where I was first introduced to the trilogy and its talented author.Such a shame because it is a wonderful read. This historical fantasy is set in World War II albeit not the one taught in history class.  Isabella George, the books protagonist, works as a spy for a clandestine agency known as the SOE based in England. Not only is Isabella a talented spy but also a skilled alchemist who once attended The Gray Tower, an institution for training those with various magical skills. In the world  Isabella inhabits, dealing with wizards, Nazi wizard vampires, spies, time travel, and of course alchemy is commonplace. The general public is not aware of the additional danger and atrocities that these magical and supernatural elements play in the war, but for Isabella a battle weary spy she is only too familiar and it has finally taken it's toll. 

If it sounds like there is a lot going on thats because there is but it is not overwhelming or confusing the story is expertly woven. I felt it was true to the era when it described the day to day injustices of being a woman during World War II, you can tell the author took great care to when doing her research. When it touched upon issues of sexism and race I feel it was done from the perspective of someone from that time. The characters are engaging, and amazingly relatable. The main character Isabella is a woman who has decided to take action as the world is tearing itself apart, using her alchemy and intelligence to try and hold the darkness at bay. We are introduced to Isabella while she is in the middle of a mission. Upon her return she agrees to take on one final assignment extract the dangerous Dr. Heilwig from Paris and bring him back to England. 

Right away you get the impression that she is not in any way a damsel in distress. She handles herself with confidence and  even when she is fatigued she just pushes through it. I admire her incredibly strong character, she is quick thinking and a force to be reckoned with wether it be physical or magical combat, against enemies both male and female, magical and non magical alike. What's so lovely about this female character is that she does not have to sacrifice her femininity to be strong. She is feminine and strong, she longs for a normal life to meet someone and fall in love but that is also not her main objective. Yes there is romance and a bit of a love triangle, thankfully it does not distract from the story or become the books driving force. I feel the romance actually worked to make Isabella more relatable. Not everyone can relate to being an alchemist/spy during a World War, but almost everyone can relate to being in love. Isabella is by far my favorite character but the book has no shortage of well fleshed out endearing supporting characters like the dashing Brande a Gray Tower wizard, or Renee the frenchwoman doing her part against the Nazi's. The book is full of great characters and it is no small feat that Alesha was able to give most of them a satisfying if small back story.  

The Towers Alchemist packs a punch there is quite a bit of action in the book as the main character of course is a spy on a dangerous mission fighting off the Nazi's and various villains with her alchemy. The action scenes are expertly paced is superbly done. Your adrenaline will definitely be pumping when Isabella first encounters a Cruenti (a warlock who feeds off the blood of other magic users to strengthen their power through blood magic).  Hero's and villains alike are complex, allies can be just as frightening as enemies in The Towers Alchemist. Alesha Escobar grabs the reader by the hand and says run, and you will enjoy every second. It is a fun action packed, supernatural, spy caper, romance, and it is done beautiful and perfectly balanced. This book is a definite must read. 

The Towers Alchemist is free to download at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. You can also keep up with Alesha and her work on her blog  http://www.aleshaescobar.com. 

I was lucky enough to get to interview the talented Alesha Escobar, she is as gracious as she is talented. I will be posting the interview soon.Thanks for stopping by until next time!