Thimbleanna

It Happened

{Snap.} {Fizz.} {Ahhhh.}  Time to sew.  Finally!  Saturday’s weather was gorgeous and I sat out on the back patio with my diet pepsi, animal crackers, and Mama Bunny and sewed down a binding.  It was soooo nice.

Shopping Cart Liner

Last week, when we were on our way to move TheSecondChild, we stopped in and spent the night with TheFirstChild and SweetiePie.  (I know you’re wondering what this has to do with sewing, but hang in there.)  They live in a cool little big city apartment and they have everything at their fingertips.  The grocery store is a few blocks away and SweetiePie happened to mention that her first shopping trip involved the difficulty of hauling potatoes, milk and a bunch of other stuff home in her arms.  So, we popped into the hardware store across the parking lot from the grocery store and picked up a shopping cart on wheels for her.

Shopping Cart Liner

But that poor cart was looking a little naked, so we decided to make a liner for it.  SweetiePie pulled out her stash (Yes! she has a stash — I’m so proud!) and found some zebra and pink fabrics, but her little sewing machine was on the fritz, so I decided we could whip that baby out with hand stitches.  I felt a little like Cinderella’s wicked step-mother, making SweetiePie work on that seam.

Shopping Cart Liner

Yeah … that lasted about 15 minutes.  My eyes are bigger than my stomach.  We decided we’d rather have time to go to dinner with the boys, so I brought it home to sew on my machine.  Which meant I could add a monogram and play a little with it.

Shopping Cart Liner

I had to bite my lips and sit on my hands to keep from frou-frouing it up.  I really wanted to add some ric-rac.  But SweetiePie doesn’t like ric rac.  (We’re working on that, aren’t we, SweetiPie.)  Well, then, how ’bout a scalloped border under that monogram???  Nope.  So, I settled for a quick stippling job on the pink part to give it a little more body.

Shopping Cart Liner

I’m pretty happy with the way this turned out.  It looks just like SweetiePie.  And it was all from stash fabric (no peeking at the back side of the pink fabric — it doesn’t match).  The ribbons on the side were even rehearsal dinner favor leftovers from their wedding.

Shopping Cart Liner

I wish I needed a cute shopping cart. Mine would be all girly. I’d probably have to make it have the elements of this gorgeous pillowcase — bright colors and crochet and maybe those scallops I wanted — wouldn’t that be cute???

XOXO,
Anna

85 thoughts on “It Happened”

  1. What an awesome way to dress up a plain looking shopping cart. She better be careful not to leave it somewhere. I’m pretty sure someone would STEAL it but then they’d have to move to another state to actually go out shopping with it. LOL!

    You may have started a trend. Everyone’s going to want to make one! You know that don’t you? You’ll have to make a pattern for it and sell it!

  2. What’s up with these DILs; mine is just like SweetiePie, nothing too girlie. But you just got to love her stash; that is one hot shopping cart. And thanks Anna for another great link (my reader is on overload–lol!)

  3. Wow what an awesome shopping cart. Now you could always buy yourself one and go on an extra long walk to buy some things to put in it and exercise at the same time too. I love the fabrics she chose too, very girly but nothing too frilly!!

  4. I doubt that she’ll think of you as the wicked mother-in-law when she’s toting her groceries in that cute cart! Good Job by the both of you!

  5. Sweetie Pie is one lucky girl, its not frilly but it is girlie. I’m sure she has fun with the comments, gee are you prepared for orders?

  6. Who doesn’t like ric rac? It is like unAmerican or something. BUT, seriously….this cart is so chic! Ohlalala…I love it. You never fail to impress, Anna, you clever clever lady.

  7. i agree with dandelion quilts… who doesn’t like ric rac??… seriously… but this is too cute… i have a market nearby and now i feel like i need a cute cart!!

  8. I just love it! I do agree with comment #1 – ball trim would look great – but if Sweetie Pie doesn’t like ric rac, she probably doesn’t like ball trim either. Oh well… it’s still wonderful!

    S.W.A.K.

  9. Impressive! It looks good, and handstitched, too. Wow. I have an old white cart sitting on my patio that could use some sprucing up. Thanks for the idea.

  10. That is darling! It almost makes me wish I lived within walking distance of the grocery store. Almost! Those pillow cases are so cute, too.

  11. Oh man I want YOU as my mother in law!!!! Or my sister………….or my …………..whatever. I have one of those carts and it’s huge and naked. I need to roll it to Indiana with me so you can dress it. That is so darn cute.

  12. So, are we to understand that Sweetiepie is a giraffe? With pink hair? The grandchildren should be really cute! Just messing with you! I’m with SP on the no frou-frou rule…..Step away from the ric-rac please!

  13. Oh my gosh! I just love it! What a lucky girl that Sweety Pie is! I have so enjoyed your blog. I just discovered you and am having a great time looking at all of the creative and wonderful things you have made. Now I want an embroidery machine!

  14. Isn’t that adorable!! SweetiePie will be doing her shopping in style, for sure!

  15. Now that is sooooooo cute! You are just too talented for your own good. I can quilt but can’t do anything near to making anything like that.

  16. Oh wow, can’t believe you turned a boring old trolley into something so jazzy! It looks great, despite the lack of ric rac!

  17. Oh good lord woman you can even make a shopping cart cozy flippin cute. I LOVE IT and I bet sweetie pie does to. Heck that would even make grocery shopping fun. Seriously that is adorable and having a sweetie pie with a “stash”, be still my heart, LOL.

    Hugs – Karen
    BTW – glad you found some stitchin time – you deserve it :).

    BIG HUGS – Mrs. Farmhouse :)

  18. I’m with the comment that someone else might grab it for their own shopping. Once again Anna, you rock, oh-creative one.
    Always, Robin

  19. I love this! It is so cute. The colors are so girlie! I wish I needed a shopping cart but in suburbia there really is no need for me. Oh well, there are way too many ohter projects in progress as it is.

  20. How wonderful! It certainly looks more modern and updated.

    Just noticed your new banner…LOL Love the thimbles in the cupcakes..too cute!

  21. Oh I love that shopping cart. It is perfect as it is ( without ricrac )
    And I love your bunny- pincushion.
    Looks like a wicked, cool, voodoo- bunny (lol).
    You are so creative. You are astonishing.
    Hugs und liebe Gruesse
    Janine

  22. What a fabulous trolley. I can’t say in all honesty that I need one (I rarely go shopping in town and our supermarket is sadly not within walking distance) but oh, how I want to make one! I’m sure I can think of a use :-)

  23. My mom uses a cart like this to take things back and forth to the nursing home for my dad. I should make her a cute liner like you have. Her’s came with a liner, but nothing as pretty as the one you made.

  24. I love it!! I bet it’s the best shopping cart in town!

    You do seem to spend a lot of time moving your family ;o)

    There will be some more gratuitous Scotland shots soon on my blog – long, sunny (but not really warm) weekend in the East Neuk of Fife, in my cousin’s pink house by the sea! Fabulous!

  25. First off I love the cupcake with the thimbles. So original and lovely. The cart liner is very girly! The monogram makes it personal for her. She’ll be stylin at the store. Love it.

  26. Anna,
    That is the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time. You should publish a book with all of your wonderful ideas, although I’m so glad that you share many of them with us on your blog!
    Also, what perfect bliss to sit outside on a lovely summer day with a project to complete!

    Linda

  27. Mary Jane Smith

    Oh my word, Anna, you are SOOOOOOO talented!!! Love the cart liner! Have you checked out my new blog? I’m having a giveaway … better come see!!!

    MJ
    yellowbeachdog.blogspot

  28. OMG! I love it.I need to run out and buy a shopping cart, LOL. Couldn’t walk to the store with myself, not to mention push/pull the cart home full of Ice cream, cookies, candy bars,donuts etc…. Good Job Anna and Sweetie Pie
    (Ohhhhhhh Pie sounds good :)

  29. MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!! i used my cart today and it was GLORIOUS!!! No more stops on the way home to rest my arms :) Thank you so much again!!!!!!!!!!! I.love.it. (and you)!

  30. I love, love, love this basket liner! What a terrific idea and of course, you made it look splendid. :)

  31. What a wonderful idea. Those shopping carts didn’t look that beautiful when I was a teen and had to pull one home all the time. You two dis a wonderful job! :)

  32. You clever thing you!!! Now Sweetypie will shop in STYLE :o)!!
    Hugs,
    Joy :o)
    P.S …. How cute would it have looked with a pom pom trim???? Huh?? I’m just saying LOLOL!!!

  33. Oh wow Anna – what a gorgeous shopping cart! I love that you both gave up on the hand sewing – reminds me of the time I persuaded my m-i-l to make Minx an angel dress for preschool nativity. Rather than use my sewing machine – why? – she sat there and hand stitched the whole thing, complete with gathers and lace!
    Minx wore it once and the whole thing fell apart ;-)

    xxxx

  34. Yea Anna, you got some sewing time in and what good things you accomplished!! You know people will probably be stopping SweetiePie on the street and asking about her cart cozy, it’s so cute. (and what a sweet comment she left you ; ), I hope I have a SweetiePie like her for my son someday. And the pillowcase blog *such prettiness*. Thanks for sharing Anna.

  35. I never thought I “needed” a shopping cart but I am seriously reconsidering that notion. Oooo, and maybe my bike baskets want some sprucing up, too. Very lucky daughter-in-law!!!

  36. That is incredibly awesome and creative! And good for you exercising restraint on the ricrac, etc. I’m sure she appreciates it.

    Swankiest cart ever.

  37. Please Anna wont you adopt me??? I know I am too old to be your daughter but can’t I just fit into your family somewhere???? Please …. I’m on my knees!

  38. That is absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! She will be styling now. And no rick rack…:-)? !! My daughter would feel the same. I just love animal
    crackers. Great day to you!!

  39. Sweetipie will be the most sassy shopper ever! Too cute. Dingle ball trim would’ve been the cat’s pajamas on that cart liner. But if ric-rac is in question, I’m sure dingle balls would’ve been out too. I must say it looks pretty near perfect just the way it is.

    Nice work, Anna!

    Cassie

  40. ok…that’s so stinkin cute! i’m thinking i need one of these for my trips to the farmer’s market. then i can lug my veggies around in style!

  41. Wow, a comment from Sweetiepie herself!

    How lovely to be loved by one’s daughter-in-law. I imagine that’s quite a feat; what evidence of how lovely you are. I liked my MIL, was fond of her, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I loved her.

    And the shopping cart is so pretty too. But how about when she has to drag it through the snow..?

  42. Now. how did I know that a daughter in law of yours would have to have a stash?!!!!!!!!
    Would you like to come and play Fairy Godmother with my shopping bag please?
    Kimxxxx

  43. how very smart of both of you.
    It turned out Very Nice!!!!
    I love the zebra and pink fabric.

  44. Wow. That’s one gorgeous cart cover, Anna. You should definitely make one for yourself . . . who says you need to use it for shopping? Or who says you need to use the regular carts, et al, for shopping? Just think of the convenience: no hunting for a cart with well-aligned wheels at the store, no taking the cart back to the corral after you load your car, no worrying about plastic grocery sacks making their way out of the refuse truck and into the ocean where they kill sea turtles (whose poor eyesight makes them believe the bags are delicious jellyfish).

    Or you could use it for taking various accoutrements to knit night, book club, a hand-quilting get-together . . . I’m sure you can think up some reason you need one! ;o)

  45. Was going to wish Sweetiepie good luck with her new shopping friend! And then I saw she had already tried it, and was very happy with it! Wish them both a rich relationship! Clever job by you both.
    I had to laugh when I saw the photo of your sidetable…! I felt very at home! Especially the glass of diet Pepsi with icecubes! Very me! You even have the same shape on the icecubes as I have! LOL!!

  46. That shopping cart liner is so clever and so cute!! I’m so glad I stubbled across your blog!!

  47. That is one cool cart. Too good to shop with. It should be for carrying the crown jewels, or taking important papers into parliament. Or carying Paris Hilton’s dog…..

    Nah, take it to the market and buy the potatoes in style. Love, love love it.

    Although I think the bobble braid is a good suggestion.

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