Sewplicity

TUTORIAL REVIEW: Lunch Bag

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

I needed to make another lunch bag (I made one a while ago - you can see that HERE). Of course I am always looking for new tutorials to try out. When I came across this one by Pink Penguin, I knew this was the lucky winner....

Why? I knew I wanted one with a drawstring top which is easy for kids to open and close....and I wanted something on the smaller side (this is for a child). Actually, this is very similar to the one I made previously, but this one is constructed differently.

So here is my final product.....

I'm very happy with the results, and the directions were super easy to follow....although I did make some changes.....

I really wanted this bag to be insulated. It will be sitting in a school cubby all morning so it needs to maintain a cooler temperature. Without insulation, that wouldn't work. So, I added a layer of insulbright to the lining (I serged them together, but you could just baste)

To accommodate the moisture that may accumulate from an ice pack, I used PUL instead of cotton or canvas for the lining. While I wouldn't use PUL (or any type of vinyl) for something that is going to touch food, I felt perfectly fine using it for the interior of the lunch bag. Food items will not actually touch the fabric since this was specifically made to carry a bento box and juice box.

The other change I made (obviously) was to add a little personalization. This was done with my embroidery machine. I kept it simple by just embroidering a piece of canvas, tucking the raw edges under and sewing it directly onto the front of the bag.

I centered it about 2" down from the top.

I also choose to keep the handles simple by using 1" cotton Belting.

I found this tutorial to be super easy to follow. The directions were clear and the photos were excellent! If you plan on using this for foods that need to be kept cold, I HIGHLY recommend making the alterations I did. If you don't have access to PUL, you can use a laminated cotton....although PUL can be put in the washing machine and dryer - laminates cannot!

Oh, and if you are looking for the perfect accompanyiment to this bag - you should check out this awesome little Bento Box from Amazon. It is the perfect size for little ones and keeps everything neat and tidy!

This makes a super gift, especially if you personalize it! Have fun!

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Dainty Blossoms

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've done a Fabric Inspiration post....and I've found the perfect line to share with you!

Check out this brand new line from Riley Blake. It's called Dainty Blossoms and it is beautiful!

It comes in 3 different colorways....

Think of all the wonderful things you could make with this collection!!!

Etsy Love: Memories

2012-01-27T05:50:00.000-05:00

If you are a parent, I'm sure you are very aware at how fast the growing years pass by. Some days I look at my 6 year old and think....wow - how did she get so big? When did that happen? Now I find myself doing that with my 3 year old!

Sadly, I haven't taken time to put baby albums together for them....thankfully I do have a bunch of pictures (which haven't been organized yet) and an excel spreadsheet noting many of their important firsts (yeah - how sweet right....let's pull out the Excel sheet and see when you said your first word)....but I do have high hopes that at some point I will get time to put lovely albums together for them and myself.

I realize, however that it may be some time before I get to do this, but I am constantly inspired by the creative ways that people have come up to preserve these precious moments. I wanted to share some of my favorites...best part: if you are short on time like me, these lovely folks will do these things for you - find them on Etsy!

Preserved Childhood Drawings

by Curlybirds

Can you stand this? I can't. Curlybirds will take your child's art and embroider it to be preserved in thread forever....

Click Here to Read More »

GIVEAWAY WINNER! Sewing Tools & Fabric

2012-01-26T11:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who entered my Fabric/Seam Ripper/Rotary Cutter Giveaway. The winner selected by Random.org is.....

#110, Alicia Crenshaw!

Alicia gets the following sewing tools:

And a total of 2 yards of fabric from this selection (1/2 yard increments)

CONGRATULATIONS!

RECIPE: No Bake Peanut Butter Puff Bars

2012-01-23T05:13:00.000-05:00

Forget rice krispy treats....these are just as yummy and are made sans sugar! They are a great non-guilt snack.

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups puffed cereal (I use 1 box Kashi 7 Whole Grain Puffs Cereal)

1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

1/2 cup Agave Nectar

Click Here to Read More »

GIVEAWAY! Sewing Tools & Fabric

2012-01-19T14:00:00.000-05:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

It's been a while since I've done a giveaway, so here we go!

One lucky winner is going to get the following...

Clover Rotary 18mm Cutter

This little rotary cutter is great for cutting small shapes. I use it with my circle template and when I need to get into tight corners....

AND

Dritz Ergonomic Large Seam Ripper

This seam ripper cuts through many layers of fabric with ease...great for buttonholes!

AND

A total of TWO (2) yards from any of
the following Michael Miller fabrics

(minimum 1/2 yard; maximum 1 yard per bolt)

Take a closer look at the fabrics....

HOW TO ENTER

I'm keeping this giveaway simple.

There are two ways to enter .....

One for following this blog with Google Friend Connect

AND the other for Liking Sewplicty® on Facebook

IMPORTANT

Make sure to leave a comment for each entry!!!

THE DETAILS
The winner will receive the rotary cutter, the seam ripper and their choice of a total of 2 yards (minimum 1/2 yard; maximum 1 yard per bolt) from the above pictured fabrics.

This giveaway is open to everyone 18 years and over.

Contest ends Wednesday 1/25/12 at 11:59pm (EST)

Entries made AFTER this time will NOT be included in the drawing.

Make sure there is a way for me to contact you!
The winner will be selected via random drawing (random.org), and will notified by e-mail. The confirmed winner will be announced on my blog.
The winner will have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Weekend Sewing

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

This three day weekend consisted of family, fun and work. I had some time to chip away at some of my smaller outstanding orders....

A bright and cheery bib....

A colorful wipes cover....

A baby set including wipes cover, bib and changing pad....

A personalized Baby Essentials Set....

Love the name "Quentin" by the way...


All wrapped up to go!

And "Zoom" ....oops....
well, my daughter wanted to get in on the photo shoot set up....this was her idea!

I hope you enjoyed your weekend as well!

Sewing Lessons

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

My 6 year old watches me sew on a daily basis. She often asks questions and has shown a lot of interest in what I'm doing. I knew at some point I would show her how to sew, and now that she is 6, I thought it was a great time to start.

She received a kid's sewing machine from her Grandparents for Christmas and has been begging to use it since, but we just haven't had the time. This weekend I set aside several hours just for her. Hubby took my little one out so we would have dedicated time to sew.

Sadly, I could not get the kid's sewing machine threaded and lost patience after 20 minutes of fiddling with the bobbin, so I pulled out my old Singer which I purchased way back when I was in high school.

Thankfully I was able to get this threaded and working in a few minutes. Well, let me tell you - this girl has learned a ton just from watching. As soon as she started and learned how to lift and lower the presser foot and needle she was off. Her first stitches were as straight as an arrow (Proud Mama here!).

Her first project was to be a simple little pillow for her Barbie and when I asked her how she thought she should start, she immediately took two little squares of fabric and put them together right sides together!!!! Go girl. Then she said she needed to sew 3 sides and leave one open to turn. I was SHOCKED! I showed her how to turn the fabric and she was off with little instruction. She successfully finished her little pillow, stuffed and all, in 10 minutes.

After that I showed her some zig zag stitches and let her "play". At one point she turned to me and said "Mommy, after I practice a bit more, can I get my own website too?"

Oh boy.....

TUTORIAL: Simple Pet Bed

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

Every pet should have a cozy place to call their own. Here is a super easy, super quick way to make your pet happy. You'll need some scrap fabric, a little fleece or minky, some batting and about 30 minutes (maybe less). Really!

This pet bed is a circle with a plush lip all the way around. The ones I made were for guinea pigs, so they were quite small with an 11" diameter, but can easily be modified to fit your pet. Read on after the jump to find out how to make one for your furry friend!

Click Here to Read More »

A New Home for Pumpkin & Buttercup

2012-01-11T04:30:00.001-05:00

I am an animal lover and so is my husband. Between the two of us we have owned our share of cats, dogs and small furry creatures throughout our lives. As a matter of fact, when we first got married our joined household consisted of 3 cats (1 mine, 2 his). Sadly, our three cats were in their later stages of life and passed away one a year due to kidney failure and diabetes. By that time we had just welcomed our second daughter into the world and just were not up to adopting another kitty.....so we have been a pet-free home for about 3 years now.

We've had many discussions about eventually getting a dog, but just have not been up to the challenge and responsibility. Then, add in all the skin problems of my youngest daughter and we have avoided the issue for over a year.

Click Here to Read More »

RECIPE: Whole Wheat (Freezer) Waffles

2012-01-10T04:30:00.000-05:00

Are you a fan of freezer waffles? I know my family practically survives on them during the week. I typically purchase Whole Wheat Eggos...yes, I know...probably not the best option, but we are a working family, and breakfast is where convenience trumps nutrition (at least we choose whole wheat). Anyway, given our lifestyle change, I had to find another option....so I took some time this weekend to make my own freezer waffles.

This recipe is a quick and easy waffle recipe that freezes real well....and the best part - it has no soy, and as a bonus....no artificial ingredients. Get the recipe and freezer directions after the jump.

Click Here to Read More »

Soy....Who Knew?

2012-01-06T12:31:00.001-05:00

Who knew one little legume is so prevalent in all of our foods? Next time you pick up a cracker, a package of bread, some chocolate, a granola bar, goldfish, pretzels.... take a peek at the ingredients...chances are you will see the word "soy" or some variation of the word on there.

So? What's the big deal? Well, nothing until you find out that your 3 year old has a pretty strong allergy to it....

Click Here to Read More »

New Iron...Yes, AGAIN!!

2012-01-06T05:04:00.003-05:00

It's true....I bought ANOTHER iron! My irons get used sooooooo much, I go through about one a year. Crazy right? Most people think it's crazy, but when you sew for a living and your iron is in use or on 20-30 hours a week, well....it is what it is.

Let me give you my iron history.....for years I relied on Rowentas, but most of them eventually leaked or spit which was very annoying. I then purchased my Singer Iron Press, which I still have and love, but it has specific uses....you can't use this for creating bias tape, seam presses, or detail ironing. This is the go-to when I have serious ironing to do (bolts of fabric, yardage, etc).

Then I traded in my Rowenta for a Reliable Velocity. This iron out-performed all of my previous Rowentas and is still kicking. I will continue to use it for quick ironing jobs....but my new iron has arrived, and this one is one serious machine.....

Introducing the Reliable J420 IronMaven....

This iron is not an ordinary iron - it is a steam machine. The one thing that always drove me crazy with all my irons is the amount of times I had to stop working to fill up the water reservoir. I use steam constantly. It's so annoying to run out of water 10 times a day.....it just interrupts the workflow.

This machine is professional iron and made to be a workhorse. Instead of the water being stored in the iron, it is stored in a boiler which the iron stands on. This not only allows for a huge water tank (5 cups), but makes the iron itself lighter to lift.

Another benefit is that you can move the plate that the iron rests on to your ironing board, so you don't have to place this large tank on your ironing board.

What I really love is that this boiler creates DRY, PRESSURIZED steam which you control with the touch of a button. Let go of the button and the steam immediately stops (very nice for avoiding burnt fingers when working on seams and bias tape). You can even lock the steam button in place for when you are working on a large piece of fabric.

And as for wrinkles.....Can I tell you how amazing it is at ridding fabric of those pesky things? Take a look at this....

Before

One pass and all the wrinkles are gone. And the steam is amazing. It takes some getting used to, because the pressure is so great it changes the way you iron.

Now I can get through 1/2 -3/4 day work without having to fill the iron up!

OK, now that I'm done gushing, let me tell you the few things I'm not too crazy about....

The Cord:
The steam cord takes some getting used to. It's a bit awkward at first, but I'm learning to work with it.

Initial Warm Up:
The iron takes about 10 minutes to heat up. Really, not too big of a deal - I just put it on when I start my day and leave it alone....but if you are just needing to iron one thing, you are better off using your regular iron.

Small Footprint
This iron is definitely smaller than what I am used to. It's not bad, just different....

So there you have it. Between this, my Singer Iron Press and my reliable "Reliable Velocity" I'm pretty set in the iron department.

Who would've guessed that a girl who absolutely hates ironing would be the owner of three!

2012 Quilt Shows: Start Planning!

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

The holidays are over....the new year has begun. If you are like me, you will spend the next month or so trying to remember to write 2012 on your documents instead of 2011! I know I have caught myself about a dozen times already!

Image from QKO Notebook

This year why not get a head start on planning. If you are a fabric/sewing fanatic, you may want to think about attending some Quilt Shows. Sadly I haven't had the opportunity to go to one of the big ones yet (it's just too difficult to get away without the kids), but I dream about going to one soon....

Maybe this is the year?

Image from Alidiza

Here are the dates:

International Quilt Festival/Cincinnati
April 13-15, 2012
Preview Night & Classes
begin April 12
Cincinnati, Ohio
Duke Energy Convention Center
International Quilt Market/Spring
May 18-20, 2012
Classes begin May 17
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City Convention Center
*Trade show only - Not open to the general public
International Quilt Festival/
Long Beach
July 27-29, 2012
Preview Night & Classes
begin July 26
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
International Quilt Market/Fall
October 27-29, 2012
Classes begin October 26
Houston, Texas
George R. Brown Convention Center
*Trade show only - Not open to the general public
International Quilt Festival/Houston
November 1-4, 2012
Preview Night October 31
Classes begin October 30
Houston, Texas
George R. Brown Convention Center

You can learn more about these shows, order tickets and view classes HERE.

Family Vacation

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

As you probably know, I took some time off between Christmas and New Year's. The day after Christmas we loaded up the car and the kids and drove for about 10 hours for what seems to be turning into our annual road trip to Myrtle Beach.

We spent 4 days at the Dunes Village Resort. We love this place. It is always clean, provides us a kitchen, living room, dining room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and all the convieniences of home....the best part is it has two indoor water parks full of fun for the kids (and hot tubs for us adults).

Myrtle Beach is great during the off-season. The hotel prices are unbeatable, there are no crowds, and there are plenty of things to do. Although it wasn't swimming weather, every day we headed out to the beach to enjoy the sand.

We also visited the local aquarium...

And each morning, I grabbed my cup of coffee and headed to the beach by myself to sit in silence and enjoy the stunning sunrise.

Oh...and the sunsets were just as fabulous!

We had a wonderful time and look forward to whenever we get a chance to go again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-01T05:17:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2012!

Wow, this past year flew by.....and I must say, overall it was quite a good year! This year we celebrated my daughters' 3rd and 6th birthday, my husband's and my 8th anniversary, hubby landed a job which is not only challenging by he likes....Sewplicity® has maintained a steady stream of customers and I was finally able to find some balance between life and work.

In 2011 the readership for this blog has significantly increased, and I have gained many new followers. My top 3 tutorials have consistently remained:

Quick & Easy Dish Mat

iPhone Case

Fabric Flower

For 2012, I plan on offering more great tutorials like these as I continue to feed my creative soul. I will also be sharing a bit more on the personal side as I have made a promise to myself to take more time for my family and self in an effort to maintain that precious work/life balance!

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to visit Sewplicity in 2011. I am looking forward to this upcoming year and hope you will continue along this journey with me.

Best wishes for you and your family in 2012!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-25T11:09:00.001-05:00

Just a quick post to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Santa has come to our house and enjoyed his milk & cookies....the reindeer also enjoyed their treats....

And we spent the morning enjoying all the surprises it had for us!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday as well....

RECIPE: Wiener Schnitten

2011-12-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

Time for another family favorite recipe. These cookies have been a part of our holiday baking tradition for as long as I can remember! I even have a special rolling board that belonged to my Grandmother that I take out only to make these cookies! This is probably the most highly ~~begged for~~ requested cookies that I make. So this year since most of my friends and family are far away and cannot enjoy my homemade yumminess, I am sharing the recipe here.

I forewarn you that this recipe requires a bit of work, however, I can promise you that it is well worth the effort. I also warn you that these will disappear very quickly, so you may want to consider making 2 batches!

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 lbs room temperature butter (3 sticks - I use salted)
4 cups flour
4 egg yolks
1 Jar Raspberry Jelly (seedless)
Confectioner's Sugar
Meyers Rum (VERY important...do not substitute with any other type of rum!)
Milk
Non-Pareils

MAKE THE DOUGH:
Cream the sugar and the butter til smooth
Add 2 cups flour (1 cup at a time), beating between each addition
Add in 4 yolks , beating between each addition
Add remaining 2 cups of flour a little at a time. You may need to hand knead the last 1/2 cup depending on the strength of your mixture.
The final dough should be a "cookie dough" consistency.

Split the dough into 4 even sections and roll into a short, fat log. At this time you can wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for several days until ready to use. When ready to make the cookies, let them reach room temperature before molding the cookies.

FORM THE COOKIES:
Preheat the oven to 325'

Take one log and split in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a long log about 10"-12" in length and 1" - 1.5" in width.

Place this log on your cookie sheet (I line my cookie sheets with Parchment Paper to make clean up easy).
Take your thumb and gently press a channel all the way down the center of the log.

Repeat with the rest of your dough. You will have strips of cookie when finished.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown. Be careful, these can easily over-bake, and if they do, they will be impossible to cut without breaking!

To help with cutting later, you may want to score your cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. To do this, lightly press a knife at 1/5 intervals on a diagonal along the cookie. Be careful not to cut through!

Let the baked cookies cool completely before continuing.

ADD THE TOPPINGS:
Heat the jelly in a microwave safe bowl (or stovetop) until it is watery and pours easily.
Spoon the jelly into the channels of each cookie strip.

Let the jelly cool.
Mix 1.5 cups of confectioner's sugar with 2 tbls. of milk and 1-2 tbls. of Meyers Rum. Mix until it reaches a runny, but not watery consistency (almost like Elmer's white glue). Add milk 1 tbls. at a time until you reach the proper consistency. The sugar should flow easily off the spoon,

Drizzle the sugar mixture on each cookie. Add non-pariels and let sit until the sugar hardens. If you cut these before the sugar sets, you will have one runny mess!

Finish by cutting the strips into cookies. I cut them about 1.5" in width on an angle. Gather the family around for the cutting so all broken pieces can be eaten.

Enjoy!

Officially on Vacation!

2011-12-22T04:22:00.000-05:00

Whew....Things get so hectic around here this time of year, and this year even more so, because we are hosting Christmas Eve....that means about 15 people to cook for and entertain! I have officially stopped production of custom orders to free up time for me to get the house clean, wrap presents and prepare....
I've also been doing a ton of research for one of the planned Christmas gifts for my girls..lots more on that later....it's a big surprise!
I am then extending my production break through January 4th to spend some quality time with my family. I should be able to squeeze in a few blog posts between now and then, but I'm pretty sure they won't be sewing related....this upcoming week is all about family - as it should be this time of year.

I hope all of you have some time planned for your families as well!!!

Holiday Baking....In Full Swing!

2011-12-20T04:09:00.001-05:00

This past Sunday was spent in the kitchen.....baking, baking, and, well....baking! My counters were a disaster, dishes everywhere and all types of sugary items were to be found in and on every available space!

This year we tried a new treat that the kids were able to do with little help (always a plus)

Chocolate Pretzel Bites

Super Easy....

Super Yummy!

I made my chocolate topped toffee, although this year instead of nuts I added pretzels!

I also made Pfeffernuse, which I make every few years....I love the flavors!

And finally, my staple Christmas Cookie...the one that is the most requested, and the first to disappear.

So, that is how we spent our Sunday here at the Sewplicity household....

I still have a bit more baking to do, but this is a good start and will fill many holiday gift baskets this week!

There's still time! Last Minute Teacher Gifts.

2011-12-18T05:42:00.000-05:00

You have a few days left...are you still wondering what to give your kids' teachers?
Most schools have a $10 limit on teacher gifts so why not get creative and make one this year. Here are a few of the gifts (along with tutorials) that I've made for teachers over the years.

Trimmed Tissue Case

Fabric Wrist Cuff

Coffee Cozy

Add a $5.00 coffee gift card!

Quilted Make Up Bag

Travel Jewelry Pouch

All of these projects are quick and easy....and so much nicer than any $10 gift you can purchase in a store! Happy Sewing!

Busy Busy Busy Busy Busy

2011-12-16T05:01:00.000-05:00

BUSY! Yes....and I am sure you are too! This time of year just wipes me out....The decorating, the purchasing, the workload, the baking, the cleaning, the craziness of it all.....fa la la la la.....

I really can't wait until December 25th because that is when I can stop, breathe and actually enjoy the holiday. And this year, we there will be no travel the night before making it all so much better! I've decided there is absolutely nothing better than waking up to the squeals of joy from super excited children realizing that Santa has made his trip down the chimney, ate his cookies and left some goodies under the tree and in the stockings.

And this year, I have a brand new stocking....you see everyone in my family has a stocking with their name on it hanging over the fireplace....everyone except me. Until this year that is!

Why? I don't know....I just have always been too busy to worry about putting my name on a stocking, so each year all four of our stockings hung in a row....mine bare and plain without a name.....But not this year! Added to my to-do list this year was to make myself a stocking....of course it needed to be embroidered, and of course it needed to be patchwork!

So, this year, when Santa comes down the chimney maybe he will leave a little something special for me now that he knows who's stocking it is!

By the way - everyone in my family now wants one of these :) Maybe next year...

Getting in the mood.....

2011-12-13T05:13:00.000-05:00

We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to bring you a little holiday cheer.....

Fa La La La La.....La..La...La....La!

(Taking a little break from sewing/working to decorate.....coming up in the near future....baking!)

Weekend Recap

2011-12-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Amidst all the holiday craziness and work, we do manage to find some family time and fun on the weekend. This weekend offered some milder weather so we spent some time outside on Saturday romping around in the yard....the girls, my husband worked and I took pictures....

Then we headed out to a birthday party where the girls went wild on inflatables...

We finished off the day with a holiday party in the evening. On Sunday I pampered myself with a little holiday fun with my friends - a girl's spa day! Lovely Weekend!

Holiday Madness

2011-12-11T05:34:00.000-05:00

It's official...the holiday madness is in full swing! This is the time of year where orders for personalized items and custom requests come flying in. I spend a lot of time working on things other than high chair covers.....

Here are a few of the things that I've been making lately....

Applique bibs have been extremely popular...

This lovely tote was a special request....I have a few more of my "Must Have Totes" on my to-do list.

These were also a special request, as I don't offer these in any of my shops.

Another popular gift item is my crayon totes. These are a time intensive, but they are lovely when finished!

Now, I have to find some time in-between these orders to get my own handmade holiday gifts done! Tick Tock....Tick Tock....no pressure!

TUTORIAL: Gathered Pocket

2011-12-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

Are you tired of slip pockets? Try something different...add a gathered pocket!

These pockets are especially great for diaper and gym bags. They make excellent bottle holders! Make them a bit tighter and they can secure smaller items like keys and cell phones without the hassle of a zipper. The best part - they are pretty easy to make!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
2 pieces of fabric
1 piece of interfacing
1 piece of 1/2" elastic

Get the full tutorial after the jump...

Click Here to Read More »

Quilted Wine Bag Carrier

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

With the holidays upon us, I have been coming across some awesome tutorials the lend themselves to the gift-giving season. This one is no exception!

Needle and Spatula has come up with an awesome Quilted Wine Tote Tutorial that will prove priceless (for me at least) this Christmas.

Image from Needle and Spatula

The tutorial is pretty easy to follow although you may find that the process used for making the handle holes is a bit tedious as written. To simplify, simply cut all your rectangles (interior, exterior and batting) the same size. I'm not sure why they would be different sizes as the tutorial indicates.

Place the exterior and lining fabric right sides together, trace the hole opening with a marking pen onto the back of one of the pieces and sew along that line so the lining and exterior are sewn together. Now cut out the inside of the sewn oval, leaving about 1/2" of seam allowance and clip/notch all around the oval without cutting the seam. Cut the hole in the batting rectangle exactly the size of the template (no seam allowance), place the batting on top of the sewn pieces and pull the lining through the exterior and the batting, sandwiching the batting in the middle. Iron flat and proceed as the directions indicate.

The results are awesome! Add a bottle of wine and your gift is ready to give!

Winter Craft Fair

2011-12-06T04:14:00.002-05:00

This past weekend my daughter's school held a wonderful event. A Winter Craft Fair!
Not only did it feature handcrafted vendors, but it had fun sing-alongs, book readings, kids crafts, a hot-chocolate bar and a kid's only shop where children could secretly shop for gifts for their parents!

I thought I'd share some pictures of some of the wonderful handmade items....

Delicious Cupcakes - I love the display!

Lovely pencil cases from fellow Crafter A Happy Stitch

Aren't these just stunning?

I love these!

From Yours Truly....

This particular fair was only 3 hours long. I love that my kids came and were kept busy by all the fun activities but got to stop in and "help" me. They typically just see me sewing away in my studio and don't really have a good grasp of what it is that I work insane hours for. This gave them a "glimpse" into the "other" world I live in. The best part about this particular fair was that it was local so I knew many of the shoppers and vendors and was able to connect with many new people in my community. Since 99% of my business is done online, my physical presence and existence within my town is next to nothing....it's always a good thing to get out wearing my "Sewplicity" hat and let people know I am here!

Amy Butler Nappy Bag Revisited

2011-12-04T05:18:00.000-05:00

Tis the season.....for gift making!

This bag was a special request. It's been several years since I made the Amy Butler Nappy Bag. I had totally forgotten about this adorable pattern until just the other day.

I wrote up a review on it way back in 2009, (which you can view HERE) so I won't review it again, but I will share with you the fun modifications I made this time around.

For this bag I chose to eliminate the little flap cell-phone pocket that the pattern calls for. These days everyone is carrying smart phones, and I thought that tiny pocket would be useless. Instead, I added a nice size cell pocket in the interior nested on top of the large center pocket.

And...instead of the making the bottle pocket the way the pattern calls for, I chose to make a gathered pocket - which works better for holding a bottle snugly.

I also added a little clip so keys can be attached and not get lost in the depths of this large purse.

Once again, I chose to eliminate the canvas that the pattern call for to weigh down the bag. Last time I replaced this with fusible fleece, but wasn't ecstatic with the results, so this time I used a home decor weight fabric for the exterior. I did use a medium weight interfacing for the lining. This combo worked out perfectly! If making this bag, I would highly recommend going this route.

To finish the bag, I used a triple stitch in a complimentary thread color for the edge stitching. The stitching really pops out, giving this bag a little more character.

And finally, since this is going to the Mom of an infant, I made a coordinating wipes cover.

Overall, I'm real happy with the outcome of this bag. It always pays off to make a pattern more than once - you can change around the things you didn't like the first time!

TUTORIAL: Fabric Flower

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick and easy feel good project for you....create a fabric flower in about 15 minutes that can be used to adorn that new bag you just made, or make for an adorable headband or create a few and make a fun fabric bouquet!

WHAT YOU NEED:
> Fabric Scraps (I like to use two different fabrics, but you can use one or more depending on what you like!)
> Hand Sewing Needle
> Thread
> Button

Get the full tutorial after the jump:

Click Here to Read More »

A Bit Crazed Around Here!

2011-11-29T05:57:00.001-05:00

I'm still here...just a bit crazed. The time between Thankgiving and Christmas gets very hectic here at Sewplicity. Between the increase in holiday sales, a very busy calendar and my own holiday to-dos I haven't had time to post this past week. Please bear with me over the next few week - my posts may not be as frequent, but there will be posts - I promise to try and make them good ones!

Today I will leave you with a few lovely holiday fabric options.....

Holiday Hoot (Alexander Henry)

Chandra in Green (Westminster / Freespirit)

Lalit in Red

Deck the Halls (Michale Miller)

Funky Christmas (Michael Miller)

Snowy Woods in Blue (Saffron Craig)

Have a wonderful day!

PATTERN REVIEW: I'll Have One Of Everything Bag

2011-11-25T05:19:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity review the book Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner. If interested you can read the review HERE.

As part of my review, I wanted to make one of the patterns from this lovely book. I choose to make the the "I'll Have One of Everything Bag".

First, let me say that this bag is PERFECT for anyone who has a bunch of scraps they want or need to use up (and that is most of us). I choose to make this bag bright with orange as my main color. Fun, right? The bag is actually quite simple in design - there are no pockets, snaps or zippers to get hung up on. It would make for a good craft or knitting bag....

For the most part, this bag is a quick and easy sew. The most tedious part is choosing the fabric and cutting the panels. The exterior of the bag came together quickly and easily. The lining is just one fabric, so that was simple.

The straps are braided strips of ripped fabric which gives it a true scrappy feel....

And the optional hanging strips of fabric finish the bag off...

Overall, I am happy with the finished product. I did, however, have a challenge with the construction of the bag. The last step of adding the scrappy tassels was extremely confusing. I must have read and re-read the directions about 15 times and still could not understand how I was supposed to attach them. I finally gave up on the directions and winged it. It would have been helpful if the book offered a diagram of how to do this (there are very limited construction diagrams in the book).

This was my one criticism of this book....since the book is geared towards the novice sewer, I find it odd that the diagrams are so limited. Someone new to sewing may find it difficult to follow the directions without the help of detailed images.

CONSTRUCTION TIP:

Strap Channels: When creating the strap channels, make your life easier by basting the ends together before adding them to the bag to prevent slipping. Also, get them centered correctly by folding them in half lengthwise to mark the center. Line that fold line up with the center of the exterior panels and pin from there. When adding the strap channels to the exterior pieces,

OPTIONS:

Top Stitching: You may want to add a bit of edge stitching on the panels. You can choose to do this on one side or on both sides of each seam. It will add a bit more interest to the bag.

Stability: Switch out the interfacing for thin batting or fusible fleece....it will add some more dimension to this scrappy bag. If doing this, you will want to top stitch!

Handles: Make the bag a bit more sophisticated by skipping the scrappy braided handles and choose leather, bamboo or metal circular handles!

Tassels: Opt for leather or fun purchased tassles...or skip them completely!

As for my bag....well, my daughter adopted it before I could even get pictures of the bag. She begged me for it as I was making it, and of course I gave it to her!

For her, this is a nice large bag - like mother like daughter I guess!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:18:00.000-05:00

GOBBLE GOBBLE

From my family to yours....have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Click the picture to get the tutorial for this cute bird!

TUTORIAL: Quilted Make Up Bag

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sharing this tutorial because it makes a GREAT gift for any woman on your holiday gift list. It can be made using your scraps and it can be made in under an hour!

The bag is a simple design, but the quilting is what sets it apart from the ordinary.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
2 8"x10" scraps of cotton (exterior)
2 8" x 10" scraps of cotton (lining)
2 8" x 10"pieces of fusible fleece OR thin batting
1 9" zipper (or longer cut to size)

1/2" Seam allowance unless otherwise noted

Ready to Start? Click to see the full tutorial (after the jump)

Click Here to Read More »

Busy Weekend!

2011-11-21T05:00:00.001-05:00

This weekend was filled with fun activities for our family. On Saturday we hopped on a train and headed to a large arena to see Disney on Ice which was amazing. It was so much fun to watch the girls in awe of the show.

On Sunday we attended the final game of the soccer season where my daughter received her trophy....

And finally we spent some time doing yard clean up....

And of course playing around...

I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well!

Be sure to stop by for a new tutorial. (I will be skipping Fabric Inspiration Tuesday in lieu of the tutorial so you can get a head start on some holiday gift-making).

Last Minute Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

Tick Tock....tick tock....we have less than a week until Thanksgiving! Are you finding your home a bit lacking in decorations? Here are a few last minute ideas that you can throw together this weekend!

"Thankful" Canvas

Pockets full of Sunshine

"Give Thanks" Banner

Little Birdie Secrets

No Sew Thankful Book (great for kids)

She Wears Flowers

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings

Merriment Design

Coffee Filter Wreath

Little Big Nest

Have Fun!

TUTORIAL: Diaper Bag Goes Camera

2011-11-16T05:02:00.000-05:00

Ever since I purchased my DSLR camera I have been hunting for the perfect bag. I have some nice small ones that are good for a quick trip where I only need to pack 1 or 2 lenses, but I really needed something to fit EVERYTHING for when I need to pack it all up. I have been looking for something that didn't scream "CAMERA BAG", that was nicely padded (I had one "oops" already and don't ever want to scare myself like that again)....and oh, and did I mention I didn't want to spend a fortune for it?

After months of searching I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to find what I needed. I started playing around with the idea making one of my own but got a little overwhelmed given my schedule. But....when packing up for my craft show this weekend I came across this diaper bag that I made several years ago....

This diaper bag was a BEAR to make (you can read about it HERE)....and it has been sitting in the back of my basement since I finished it because honestly, the thing ~~pis~~ annoyed me so much I really wanted nothing to do with it. But...that was years ago, and this bag is HUGE, trendy and made with a ton of buckram so it is amazingly sturdy! PERFECT!

I spent about an hour transforming this bag into a well-padded protective case for my gear. While this isn't an official tutorial (I just didn't have the time to set up and plan for a full out tute), I threw together some guidelines on how I did this. See my how-to after the jump!

Click Here to Read More »

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Kona Solids

2011-11-15T05:25:00.000-05:00

This week I'm keeping it simple. No fancy designs, no modern prints....the focus this week is on solids. Kona Solids to be specific!

Kona Cotton Solids come in over 200 colors. 200! That's a lot of color.

The colors are bright and vibrant. They don't run and they are high quality
(4.3, 4.35oz per square yard).

Another great fact about Kona®, is that it has been successfully tested according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 and satisfy the requirements of its product class. This means you can be confident that it does not contain any harmful chemicals.

Whether buying by the yard, or bundle (fat quarters, charms, roll-ups, etc), you will be pleased with this brand - if you haven't tried it yet, why not pick up a bundle?!

I did!

Happy Birthday!

2011-11-14T05:43:00.000-05:00

We finished off our busy weekend with a pool party for my daughter. Tomorrow before dawn she will officially turn 6 years old. SIX!

I don't know how it happened, or where the time went, but somehow the time has managed to fly by.

"You are my little angel and no matter how many years pass, you will always be my sweet little angel. I wish you faith, courage and determination to succeed in all walks of life. May you have a great and rocking life ahead. We are always there to support you. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!"

Happy Birthday Monkey. I love you!

One Down.....

2011-11-13T05:46:00.001-05:00

Yeah! My first show of the season is over! For whatever reason the first one always gets me the most stressed. Here are a few shots of my table...

I lucked out with an end table which allowed me to place my basket of pillows and my coat rack (with all my bags and totes) in a good spot.

I try to organize things in baskets to create a nicer looking table. You will notice I have a lot of bibs, that is because for whatever reason they sell really well at this particular show.

Here is the other side of my table where I have my table runners and little stuff.

All in all the day was pretty good. Would I liked to have done better? Yes - isn't that always the case? But I am satisfied with the day overall AND am happy that it is over!

Now I can focus on my daughter's birthday party today!

Sewplicity® High Chair Cover Review

2011-11-11T07:14:00.001-05:00

Check out the latest review of my Chicco Polly high chair cover on Makobi Scribe!

Makobi Scribe is currently hosting a giveaway for one of my custom wipes covers OR a set of bibs. Be sure to check it out for your chance to win!

Craft Show Prep

2011-11-10T02:36:00.000-05:00

My first craft show of the season is this Saturday. For me, these shows are a lot of work to prepare for...why? Well 90% of my business is custom....made to order....that means my inventory is extremely small. Not only that, but the little inventory I have is mostly high chair covers....something that is not good for craft shows! So I spent extra time over the past few months building up my show inventory and earlier this week I laid everything out on my cutting table to see what I had.

This not only allows me to inventory the items I'll bring with me, but it lets me get an idea of how I want to lay everything out, what kind of signage I need and how I want to tag my items. I choose to use signage for all the smaller items. I typically only tag the bags and totes. It makes for less work!

Here are all my table runners....these will probably sell well.....

Here are my "little items". These are always popular sellers (key fobs, checkbook covers and tissue covers)

And you can never go wrong with wristlets and make up cases!

In addition to this I have my door signs, a lot of bibs (which are typically my best sellers at this particular show), baby changing sets and a few larger bags which I will display on a coat rack. I also have a bunch of pillows which will sit in a large wicker laundry basket on the floor in front of my table.

I will be sure to snap a few pictures of the actual table once at the show!
I look forward to Saturday night when I can relax for a little....

TIP: Organizing Fabric

2011-11-08T05:28:00.000-05:00

While I didn't get a chance to post "Fabric Inspirations" this week, I would like to offer up a fabric organization tip!

Do you have extra yardage hanging around your house in random piles or hiding away in plastic bins? I used to, but not anymore.....
I now have my decent size scrap pile nicely folded up on a shelf for me to easily access and more importantly SEE!
The trick? Fabric Organizers.

These Organizers come in two sizes (10x14) and (5x14). Take a look at how they work:

Fold your fabric into 4ths so you have a long piece of fabric that is about 11" wide. Place the end into two of the tabs and the fabric underneath....

And wrap!

Now your fabric is ready to be put away in a neat an organized way!

You can find a list of retailers HERE. And if you don't want to spend the cash and have some time on your hands....try making them yourselves with some cardboard!

Weekend Work & some Tom Sawyer?

2011-11-07T05:57:00.000-05:00

If you've ever read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, I'm sure you remember the part where Tom gets Ben to whitewash his Aunt's fence by convincing him it was "fun", right?

Well....we kinda did that this weekend (although we didn't head off to go fishing)!

The girls had a blast helping us paint our garage....we donned them in hubby old t-shirts, gave them each a brush and a little paint and let them have fun. It was better than any easel they've ever had access to! Of course, we had to re-paint a lot of what they did so I'm not sure how much of a "help" it was, but they had so much fun doing this.

On a side note, my posts this week are going to be a bit patchy....I have crazy week ahead between the kiddos being off from school, my parents coming in for a visit, prepping for a craft fair this weekend and my older daughter's birthday party. Yikes! I'll be checking in but I don't know how much sewing I can squeeze in.

Next week I should be back to my normal schedule....until Thanksgiving! Ha! It's a busy time of year!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Daylight Savings Time

2011-11-05T05:52:00.000-04:00

Wow....it's that time of the year! Don't forget to set your clocks BACK on Sunday at 2am. For those of you without children, enjoy the extra hour of sleep in the morning.....

For those of you with young children...hang in there....it typically takes about a week for them to adjust to the new schedule. You can find some tips for dealing with sleep challenges HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend!

TUTORIAL: Crazy Patchwork / Crazy Quilting

2011-11-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

Crazy Patchwork....Crazy Quilting...

Whatever you may call it, it's basically a free-form way to piece together fabric scraps and give you a reason to use all those fancy, fun decorative stitches on your machine!

Ready to learn how to do it? Grab a bunch of your fabric scraps, a piece of muslin, a straight edge and some fun colorful thread.....

Click Here to Read More »

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Meet Me at Sunset

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Meet Me At Sunset
Dear Stella

Oh! I'm in love! Have you heard of Dear Stella? Dear Stella is a brand new and unique fabric brand that offers absolutely gorgeous modern prints. I had a hard time deciding which of the collections to share today, as I really love them all!

I finally decided on "Meet Me At Sunset" because I just love the way orange and pink work together. Take a look:

Lovely, isn't it?

Look at this beautiful quilt made with this collection...

Do you want to see more? Check out their website. I'm sure you will be seeing more and more of this brand working its way into the market!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T04:47:00.000-04:00

From my family to yours.....wishing you a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Enjoy the day!

WINNER! Giveaway

2011-10-30T07:14:00.000-04:00

Thank you everyone who entered my latest Giveaway!

I'm happy to announce the winner is

Kristen with comment #40

Congratulations Kristen!

LAST DAY TO ENTER!

2011-10-28T05:14:00.000-04:00

Have you entered my Giveaway yet????

It ends tonight!

My Thread of Choice

2011-10-27T05:41:00.001-04:00

When it comes to thread for your machine you have many options. Cotton, polyester, rayon, silk, blends....you have a choice of thickness, color, and then you have a choice of brand. It can be overwhelming.

After trying many different types and brands I have settled in on Gutterman Sew-All Thread for the majority of my basic sewing needs.

This thread is 100% polyester and comes in different spool sizes. I've found that this premium thread outperforms many of the other threads I have used (and I use a lot of thread).

Why I love this thread:

It is strong....I've found that many other threads shred more easily
It offers a cleaner sew - While all threads create lint, this one seems to produce less than others. I know when I use Coats & Clark my white machine tends to collect a film of lint the color of the thread I am using - not so with Gutterman Sew-All
The reel it comes on is tall and is cross-wound - this offers a smooth and even pull off during machine sewing which ensures consistency in machine sewing
The reel has a tie-off facility so you can wind the loose end of thread around it- no loose threads hanging around, and if that thread gets lost in the tie-off, you can pull it off to get to it!

This particular thread is ideal for both hand and machine sewing. You can get it in just about any color you want.

Depending on the color, it can be purchased in 100m, 250m, 500m and 1000m spools.

If you are new to sewing, or if you haven't played around with different types of thread, I highly recommend you do. Once you start paying attention, you will find that there is a difference between threads. Don't just default to the cheapest thread, or whatever Jo-Ann places on the front display. Find what works for you, it can make a huge difference in your final product!

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Lark

2011-10-25T06:37:00.000-04:00

Lark Collection
by Amy Butler

Just released this month is a brand new collection from Amy Butler! Known for her bold and bright patterns, Ms. Butler has done it again with the Lark Collection.

These stunning fabrics are available in Quilting, Home Decor and Laminate Fabrics.

While I haven't found any Etsy sellers using this yet (it's just too new), here are a few images from Amy Butler's site.

Ohhh...the possibilities!

RECIPE: Jelly Pancakes

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here is another family recipe passed down from my Grandmother.....Jelly Pancakes.
(CLICK HERE for my Grandmother's Blueberry Tart Recipe)

I can remember weekend mornings when my Grandmother stood at the stove whipping these up as fast as she could to keep up with the demand for their yummy goodness.....

From the looks of them (and the taste), you would think they are difficult to prepare....

Oh, but the wonderful thing about these are they are soooo very simple...

A little mix of the batter, a pour into a hot buttered pan....

A quick flip to reveal that lovely golden brown color....

A thin smear of jelly (preferably homemade raspberry or strawberry)...

A quick roll and a sprinkle of powdered sugar and you're finished!

My Grandmother would be so happy to know that both of my girls request these every Sunday...and just like my Grandmother - I struggle to keep up with the demand!

INGREDIENTS

(makes about 5 pancakes)

1 cup flour

1 cup milk

1 egg

Tsp. butter

Jelly

Powdered Sugar

DIRECTIONS

Whisk flour, milk and egg. Batter will be runny, if it isn't add a little more milk.

Heat large non-stick pan with the butter (you only need to do this the first time). Pour batter into the pan while twirling the pan with your other hand to spread a thin layer of batter across the bottom of the pan (this may take a little practice). The thinner the pancake the easier it is to roll (and it tastes better too). After a minute or two, flip the pancake over. Cook until a nice golden brown color.

Transfer to plate and spread a thin layer of jelly on top and roll. Sprinkle with some powdered sugar and serve immediately.

WARNING: These are addictive!

GIVEAWAY: Select Custom Item OR $25.00 High Chair Cover Credit

2011-10-22T05:21:00.005-04:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

The holidays are coming....how about a little handmade for someone you love? Maybe something from Sewplicity®??

I'm giving away one of the following custom items made just for you! You can choose either a $25.00 Sewplicity® credit that you can use towards a custom high chair cover, OR have me make you one of the following items in your choice of fabrics or color palettes!

A quilted dish mat to match your kitchen

A set of two (2) quilted OR personalized bibs

A "Welcome" or "Autumn Blessings" door sign

And yes...if you want, you can get a $25.00 credit towards a custom high chair cover!
(no wait list; you will be invoiced the balance)

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Comment on this post for a chance to win!

For extra entries: (separate comment for each entry, please. Three entries max)
2. Like Sewplicity® on Facebook AND Tweet about the contest

3. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect (link on sidebar)

THE DETAILS:
The winner may choose one item from the above list to be custom made by me OR $25.00 credit towards a regularly priced high chair cover. If a high chair cover is chosen, the winner will be invoiced the balance via PayPal. Any payment due will be required before construction begins. The winner will also receive free shipping.

This giveaway is open to everyone 18 years and over.

Contest ends Friday 10/28/11 at 11:59pm (EST)

Entries made AFTER this time will NOT be included in the drawing.

TUTORIAL REVIEW: Sprocket Pillow

2011-10-21T05:00:00.000-04:00

I shared the link to this tutorial for the "Sprocket Pillow" from Cluck Cluck Sew a few days ago in my Pillow Love post....I couldn't get it out of my head, so I had to make one!

I have to say, it came together much more quickly than I had anticipated. You simply download the pattern piece (there are two pieces, one for the large pillow, and another for the small pillow). I cut, sewed and stuffed this pillow in about 45 minutes.

I used a holiday layer cake and it worked perfectly. I simply folded each square in half to get two of the pillow pieces. I used a rotary cutter and cut 6 pieces at a time which sped the whole thing up.

I used white linen for the rest of the pillow.

This one (as much as I would like to keep it) is slated for a holiday craft show.

So, I wanted to let you know that if you had any reservations on trying to make this - don't! It was super simple, and it really is a "WOW" piece.

Oh, and while I was in the pillow-making mood, I whipped up another linen pillow.

Happy Sewing!

Pillow Love

2011-10-19T05:27:00.000-04:00

I love pillows! They can quickly change the look of an entire room, they can add a pop of color in a neutral space, or a pillow cover can update an out of date pillow/dirty/old pillow. The best part of pillows is that they can be as simple or as complex as you want to make them.

An avid quilter may choose to create an intricate design, a beginner can choose to one nice fabric and there is a ton of stuff you can do inbetween.

I scoured the net for really neat pillow/pillow cover tutorials for you guys.....Get ready to be inspired - there is something here for everyone....and if you personally don't need a new pillow, they do make EXCELLENT gifts!

(Click the pictures to go straight to the tutorials)

GET IT DONE!
Quick and Easy Tutes:

by Sparkle Power

by Kirin Notebook

by Maureen Cracknell Handmade

CREATIVE &EASY
Fun and Crafty Tutes:

by Floral Showers

by Cicada Daydream

by Sandi Henderson

LABORS OF LOVE
A Bit More Challenging Tutes:

by Alisa Burke

by Warmth in the North

by Craft for Home

by Cluck Cluck Sew

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Secret Garden

2011-10-18T05:18:00.000-04:00

SECRET GARDEN
Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller

For this Fabric Inspiration Tuesday I wanted to share with you a brand new line of Laminates that is soon to be released. If you are a fan of Sandi Henderson you are going to be thrilled!

A few prints from Sandi's Secret Garden collection were chosen and I must say they are beautiful. There are so many wonderful things you can do with laminated cotton, and it is quite easy to work with (although you really can't iron it and you will want a teflon presser foot to make life easier). It's great for coolers, lunch bags, umbrellas and anything that you want a wipeable surface for.

Take a look at what Sandi made:

Doesn't this make you just want to run out and pick up a few yards?!?!

This fabric isn't available just yet, but it will be soon, so start planning your projects!

Project Costume Finished!

2011-10-14T05:16:00.000-04:00

Yeah! This weekend I was able to finish up my daughter's costume. Did you guess what it was from my teaser photo?

Yup...Strawberry Shortcake!

I'm really happy with how this came out, especially since I pretty much winged the whole thing! Believe me, I had my fingers crossed as I was cutting up that pink polkadot fabric (I only had a yard).

While I didn't take pictures of the construction process, I will share with you how I did it, if you are an intermediate sewer, you will be able to do this pretty easily. Find out how after the jump....
Click Here to Read More »

A Halloween Bunting Just For Me!

2011-10-13T05:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the folks over at Things Crafty, I had the opportunity to review an issue of Simply Handmade. (You can read the full review HERE).

I was so excited to find a tutorial for making a Halloween Bunting (our Halloween decorations were a little lacking).

While I didn't follow the tutorial EXACTLY (I used fabric instead of ribbon, and didn't have any lace to work with) I did construct it as directed.

This took me about 45 minutes and it totally added the Halloween spirit we were missing!

The best part is that it cost me next to nothing....I used fabric scraps and picked up the little trinkets for under $2.00! This will now come out every year - it's found a home on my mantle!

If you have some Halloween colored fabrics lying around, you should whip one of these up for your home!

Fun Stuff! Happy decorating!

TUTORIAL REVIEW: Angry Birds!

2011-10-12T05:00:00.004-04:00

Do you see this guy hiding from the Green Pigs? He's secretively scoping out his next move....

I know you know someone who loves this game!!!! In my family it's my husband and youngest daughter, although I think my husband is seriously addicted.

Well, whoever it is that can't put this game down, will completely appreciate a plushie bird of his or her very own.

Head over to Obsessively Stitching to get your free pattern download and tutorial!

How cool is that? This little guy is made from a little bit of felt, and is super easy to put together. The directions are easy to follow and you can have this guy finished in 30 minutes.

And if that isn't enough, be sure to check out her other tutorials....

Green Pig

Blue Bird

Yellow Bird

This is an awesome stocking stuffer...or better yet - add a bit of string and use them as tree ornaments!
Love it!!!!

Autumn Esty Finds

2011-10-11T05:49:00.000-04:00

We interrupt the usual "Fabric Inspiration Tuesday" to bring you Autumn Etsy Finds! The lovely colors of the season are being celebrated by Etsy sellers everywhere....I'm sure you will find some fall project inspiration here.

Fabric Leaf Wreath

by janejoss

Autumn Harvest Satin Fabric Hair Pins

by Nomsa

Ornament Kit (Autumn Leaves)

by ornament girl

Quilted Fabric Postcard

by Postquilts

Autumn Fabric Flower Pin

by amheider03

Happy Fall!

Fall on the Farm

2011-10-10T05:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday was an awesome day. The sun was bright and the air was warm. A perfect day to go pumpkin picking on a farm. We packed up the kids and headed out first thing in the morning.

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!

Play tractors

The annual pumpkin shot

Farm animals

Our take-home....

I hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as we did!

Halloween is Coming!

2011-10-08T05:00:00.002-04:00

Halloween is a great time to show off your crafty sewing skills....and if you have kids, well, a handmade costume is a MUST!

I know, I know - I almost fell victim to the "soooo easy way out" when I saw the exact costume my daughter wanted in the store for $19.00. Sure - it's cheap, but far from original. If you need a little encouraging, make sure you visit these links for FREE tutorials. I've found simple, complex and inbetween costumes that you can make for the price of materials (and a little time and love).

I'm sure you can find the hour or two you will need to make an original, one of a kind, compliment earning costume!

Modern Tinkerbell Costume

by Mod Kid Likes

Cat in the Hat, Hat

by Craftelf

Pink Owl Costume

Cookie!

by Make Baby Stuff

Owl Costume

by Craft-Craft

Superhero Cape

by Creative Kismet

And if this hasn't convinced you to go the handmade route, I can tell you that my most memorable costumes from my childhood are the ones my Mom made for me!

I just started making my youngest daughter's costume....I'll do a full post on it when it's finished, but here is a sneak peek....

I'm sure you can figure out what it is....stay tuned for the full reveal!
Now get sewing....you still have a few weeks!!!!

A Skill Building Project for the Kids

2011-10-07T05:00:00.000-04:00

First, let me tell you I did not come up with this idea.....I saw it somewhere on the internet, but can't seem to find it now that I'm looking for it! Anyway, we've been having a lot of rain around here lately and my kids have been bored. What's a Mom to do, but start hunting for fun, easy and not too messy projects to keep them occupied.....

Next time you are in a hardware store be sure to pick up a handful of paint swatch strips (make sure you have 2 of the same strip for each color). You will also need a bag of wooden clothespins.

Grab some scissors and a glue stick from your craft drawer and sit your kids down for some fun.
Separate the duplicate paint swatch strips and set them aside. Now take the other stack and cut a thin strip of each color - you need each strip to be about as wide as the clothespin. (If you have older children, let them cut - it's great use of fine motor skills)

Have your children glue each strip of color on top of a clothespin (color side up). Another great use of fine motor skills....

When all the strips are attached, let your kids have fun matching colors - it's not as easy as you think it may be!

Once they do that, you can make up games...my 5 year old was very creative in giving out points for each correctly matched clothespin.

The best part of this project is that the total cost will be under $1.00!

Have fun! And if you know any pre-school/kindergarten teachers, be sure to pass this idea along!

TUTORIAL: Quick & Easy, Binding-Less Table Runner

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

I love table runners, I think they add such a nice finished look to any table-top. I love that they change the look of your table to suit the season too!

What I don't like about table runners is that most of the tutorials out there for them require you to bind them. While I like the look of binding, I don't like the time it takes.... quick and easy folks...that's me! I've taken the best table runner construction techniques and simplified everything to come up with my own:

Quick and Easy, Binding-Less Table Runner Tutorial
(Now that's a title and a half!)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
> Fabric strips (number and size will depend on your runner size)
> Batting (polyester or cotton or blend - your choice)
> Fabric for backing (size will depend on your runner dimensions)
> Walking foot (not necessary, but makes life easier)

DETERMINE RUNNER SIZE
The size of your runner is based on your table and personal preference. To help you figure it out, you may want to use an already existing table runner, or use some newspaper and cut it to size on the table you will be making the runner for.

For this tutorial, I made a 36" x 16" table runner which I find looks nice on most rectangular medium-sized tables.

Ready?

Click Here to Read More »

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Hometown

2011-10-04T05:00:00.002-04:00

Hometown
Sweetwater for Moda

This line takes blue, red, yellow and grey colors and creates patterns and designs that remind you of "home"....hence the name. From the fabrics with that spell out towns and cities all across the US, to the fun, simple prints that most peple will find in their houses, this collection has something for everyone.

There are so many wonderful prints in the collection...you really need to take a look and enjoy...

Let's take a look at what others have done with this line... (after the jump)

Click Here to Read More »

Autumn INSPIRATIONS

2011-10-02T05:00:00.001-04:00

The cool morning air has gotten me in the mood for a little fall crafting - how about you? If you are looking for something to do this weekend, why not check out these links!

Maple Leaf Coasters

The Long Thread

Autumn Oak Leaf Wreath

Rhythm of the Home

Pumpkin Patch Pillow

Better Homes and Gardens

Scrap Buster Fall Pillow

Cluck Cluck Sew

Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

Thompson Family Life

Happy Autumn Sewing!

Welcoming Autumn

2011-10-01T05:00:00.003-04:00

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

~Albert Camus

I woke up this morning to that lovely crisp, cool air. Took a moment to enjoy the warmth of my comforter and joyfully put on my slippers which have been tucked under my bed all summer. Switched out my daily iced coffee for a steamy, hot cup of Joe and officially welcomed Autumn.

Fridge Nightmare: An Update

2011-09-30T07:14:00.001-04:00

As many of you know I have been in appliance hell with my new fridge. I am happy to say that after the technician came out earlier this week and confirmed that this refrigerator was junk, the store agreed to replace it. And, thankfully, they let me choose another make and model (because there was NO WAY I was going to purchase another GE, which apparently has a reputation for selling poorly designed appliances along with abysmal customer service).

Based on the technicians advice, I decided to stay away from the french door models with water in the door (which I so very much wanted)...apparently all the manufacturers are having issues because the water/ice dispenser in this type fridge has not been perfected yet....

I could have gotten a french door model without the dispenser in the door, but with a house full of water drinkers, I really need the filtered water dispenser. There was one model which makes an in-fridge dispenser but the ice-maker takes up so much space in the already small drawer style freezer. I finally decided to go back to the side-by-side design. So, I won't be able to put large platters in there, but I get almost double the freezer space.

My new KitchenAid side by side will be delivered next Wednesday. I've done my research and have found that almost every make, brand and model have bad reviews so I decided to go with the one that had the most positive. The tech recommended Whirlpool for customer service, and consumers reports backs this up. Kitchenaid and Amana are both made by Whirlpool. I made the salesman promise that the fridge I ordered is a tried and true model. So here we go again.....Fingers crossed!

Thank you for all your kind words and support. I've spent way too much of my time stressing and dealing with this....I just want a working refrigerator!!!!

TUTORIAL: How To Sew A Zippered Pocket

2011-09-29T05:00:00.001-04:00

Take your bags to the next level by adding a zippered pocket! Come on - I know you are tired of those simple slip pockets..... Don't fear the zipper....once you do this a few times, you'll be adding these beauties to all your bag creations.

Ready?

Click Here to Read More »

Edit Me Challenge Week 20

2011-09-29T04:00:00.001-04:00

This week's Edit Me Challenge over at My Reflection of Something was super fun for me. I don't spend much time editing photos of babies (probably because I don't have any babies to take pictures of). The fact that this photo had a blank canvas for a background gave me a chance to really have fun with it.

I started out by playing around with the levels until I got the base of the picture where I wanted it. I then applied "Cute Baby Action" by M-a-e-e to soften and brighten the baby. I then added a hue/saturation mask on that adorable bow, which I changed to blue to emphasize it a bit more.

Next I used a curves mask to warm the basket color a bit and did some fine tuning around the eye clarity.

I then added a damask background with a blue tone which I thought really made the photo. Finally I cropped the photo so baby's face would be the focus.

So much fun!

Photo editing is so cool! It's truly amazing what you can do with/to a photo!

Quarterly Top Five

2011-09-28T18:28:00.001-04:00

So with all the fun shots I took of the kids this summer, I was so excited to find this linky party! The idea is to post 5 of your favorite shots of your children from July - September. The best part is that this is NOT A PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST! The winners are chosen randomly so there is no reason for you not to enter!
This was so hard! I had a hard time narrowing down my top 5....really hard - but here is what I came up with...

I just love the innocence that shines through in this photo....

This photo captures my girls truly enjoying one another's company.

A total personality shot!

A cherished moment with Dad and his girls.


Currently, my all time favorite shot. I had this printed on a canvas!

Weekend Charity Walk

2011-09-28T05:00:00.001-04:00

Every year we (my family) participates in a charity fundraising walk sponsored by the Embrace Kids Foundation. Embrace Kids Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1991. The organization supports the non-medical needs of kids with cancer or a blood disorder and provides funding for a variety of services for patients and their families supports research initiatives and faculty development. This past weekend was the 22nd annual Heel to Heal walk. Last year the walk had over 1200 participants, and I think this year was a little less, but the event raised over $100,000.

We walked as part of the Austin's Power Team.

We found that last year was a bit tough on the girls, so this year we brought the girls' scooter and bike in hopes that they would find it a bit easier to complete - of course hubby and I ended up carrying the muddy things for at least 1/2 mile, making this a bit more challenging. But we enjoyed the day, and are happy to be a part of a community of people who make an effort to help others in need.

After we got home from the walk, we were treated to this wonderful surprise in our backyard....

I know for many of you a deer in the backyard may not be anything to write home about, but here in the suburbs this is not typical....at all. The kids were so amazed....it was a very nice way to end the afternoon.

2011-09-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

Indian Summer
Riley Blake

I'm not quite sure what it is about this collection, but it had me at first glance. Perhaps it is the muted greens and oranges? Maybe the creme and pink mixed in? I'm still not sure, but I can tell you that I love it! If I had unlimited funds, I would purchase the entire line!

Let's take a look at what others have done with this line... (after the jump)

Click Here to Read More »

Bib Mania!

2011-09-26T05:00:00.002-04:00

This weekend was a bib weekend. Seriously - I've made more bibs over the past few days than I have in quite a while. Typically my bib orders trickle in....a few here, a few there, but for whatever reason, I had a slew of orders last week!

I did some embroidered bibs with baby's name:

I had a bunch of personalized pocket bib orders:

And I started making some bibs for my upcoming craft shows.... I paired some up in bright colors and even added a cute little snail to one....

I quilted a bunch for a different look (I really like these!)

This was a nice change of pace, and I must say, I give those of you who embroider small items a lot of credit....embroidery placement takes lots of time and patience!
I hope you all had a nice weekend!

TIP: Coordinating Fabrics Online....Before Buying!

2011-09-24T05:26:00.000-04:00

Let's face it - today's fabric buying options are quite slim...quality fabric shops are hard to come by (I don't consider Jo-Anns a quality fabric shop) - so unless you are one of the lucky few who happen to live near one, you are pretty much limited to purchasing your fabric over the internet. Unfortunately, it is not ideal, since most people want to touch, compare and experience the fabric (impossible online). So, today I'm going to share with you a few tips on how I manage this not so ideal situation.

Have you ever wanted to make something that requires two or more fabrics and you just weren't sure how to go about doing so when you can't put the fabrics side by side?

Option 1: Purchase from within the same collection
Okay, this is the obvious choice. Designers collections are made to coordinate.
This is the easiest way to go by far, but maybe you aren't crazy about the collection, or you are just looking for something "different"....if that's the case, keep reading....

Option 2: Use Retailer Tools
Some of the larger fabric retailers have created some awesome tools to help....Here are some of my favorite:
Fabric.com
Design Wall

This tool lets you put any of the site's swatches onto a design wall where you can move the fabrics around to see what you like. Then, when you decide, there is a quick order tool on the left of the wall where you can input your yardage. Couldn't be easier!

"You May Like" suggestion bar: When you click on any fabric it will make some suggestions for you. I've found many fabrics through this bar!

Hawthorne Threads is another great site with awesome tools.
When you click on any fabric, the site shows you:
Coordinating Prints from the same collection

The collection in other colorways:

If available, handmade items made with the fabric:

And you can then click a bar with the color from the print you want to coordinate with and it will bring up fabrics with that color (NOT just from that collection)

And even better, if you click on one of those color bars, you can search colors by dominance in the print!

This offers the best tools for coordinating that I have come across....If they offered a design wall, it would be perfect!

Option 3: Do an Etsy search
This is another great option. There are so many creative folks out there....see what they are up to! Simply head over to Etsy and type in the fabric name or color (under handmade). Hopefully some images will come up and you can browse the creative minds of others. The only challenge with this is that you may find a fabric combo you love, but the seller may not have listed the names. In this case, you may want to contact the seller and politely ask what they used....compliments go a long way!

I hope these tips help you out with the task of online fabric purchasing. Good Luck!

Edit Me Challenge Week 19

2011-09-24T04:00:00.000-04:00

This week's Edit Me Challenge over at My Reflection of Something is seasonally appropriate:

I took this already gorgeous shot and put and masked the leaf so I could play with its color a bit

(I love red leaves). I then desaturated the background so the leaf would stand out a bit more. Added some texture to create an aged feel and added the quote.

Fun stuff!

Oh Pretty Fridge, Why do you Torture Me So?

2011-09-23T05:00:00.004-04:00

I was so excited to receive my brand new french door refrigerator yesterday....I've had a very old, yellowing side by side since moving here....it was a good 20+ years old. I was sooooo psyched to have a built in water filter and room to put trays!

I patiently waited as the delivery guys removed 3 doors (yes, 3) and struggled to get this baby in my narrow old-house doors. When they left I painstakingly took about an hour to remove all of the blue tape and styrofoam off the fridge. I lovingly cleaned each and every shelf and enjoyed putting all the food into its new home.

My joy lasted about 3 hours. I soon found that water was puddling around the bottom sides of the freezer. My initial thought was that I didn't close the door and condensation was collecting. After 3 more cleanups I realized that wasn't the case.

After multiple calls to the store from which this came, and a return visit from the installer, the problem was determined as a leaky door (the one the water dispenser is in). Nothing that can be fixed by the installers.

Ok, so first order of business - turn off the water feed to the fridge, right? Ha ha! Well, that would have been easy except it wouldn't turn off....broken. Ugh. Given the leaky situation, it required an emergency visit from my plumber to replace the pipe to the tune of $200+. Ok....water feed is now off....hmmmm...fridge is still leaking. How? Don't really know. It's not as bad, but it is definitely still leaking.....I think I've found a portion of the gasket that is wrinkled...seems to be creating condensation in that area which is probably causing the leak....

A few hours later I can barely open the freezer because of all the leaking water that froze the door track. Nice! I finally get the freezer door to open to find that the light works only some of the time....oh, and the little button is not pushed in - I checked that.

And if that isn't enough, the cold air from the ice maker is leaking out of the water dispenser creating a ton of condensation that is dripping into the dispenser run-off pan. Now I find that I have to sop up that water so it doesn't start running down the front of the fridge. I KNOW that isn't normal! This fridge is obviously a dud. I know that, I'm sure the store knows that - but as a business owner I understand that they need the official tech to come out and say that. Ok - I'll play....

Now I have spent the last 12+ hours trying to remedy this situation. The service company the store uses tells me the 1st available tech appt. is NEXT Thursday...."No, sorry, that doesn't work for me....you see the leak has caused my freezer to freeze shut....I have water on my floors...." Ok, they somehow magically move the service call to Monday. "Fine, but will they bring a replacement door?" No? They just come out to "assess" the situation. "Then what?" If a new door needs to be ordered it will be up to 10 days for the part. "No....Not acceptable." And what about the condensation issue? The freezer light? A new door does not fix that...

Another call to the store....

Next solution: The store will deliver a temporary fridge for me to use from their floor model selection and have mine fixed and sent back out to me in a few weeks.

Let's think about that..... Now I have to unload and load fridges another 2 times...not to mention take out all the time for delivery and remove my doors each time? Oh....and endure the 24 hour wait for the fridges to reach temperature... I don't have time for that! I run a business, have a family, have a LIFE! I've already spent more hours than I would like to think about tending to this nightmare. Even if I do all this, I paid over $2000 for a new, working fridge....now I'm going to get a broken, repaired one for that price. If I wanted a "repaired" one I would've purchased a refurbished model at a fraction of the cost! "No....not working for me either."

Now, I am waiting for a call back from the store as they try to convince their GE sales rep to replace the fridge. I was promised a call back by days end. Guess what - I didn't get that promised call. I'm upset. I really upset.

I'm at the point of wanting to just return this piece of garbage and purchase from another store which would take the fridge back no questions (like Home Depot did a few years ago with a different dud appliance). But guess what - this store will charge me 25% for the restock. $500 I do not have. So I am stuck in this nightmare. I really hope this family-owned business gives me a reason to praise them in the end. I bend over backwards for my customers, especially those with problems...it is how small businesses build the strong positive reputation that is required to survive in this world of monster retailers....I have my fingers crossed that this small business will make this right. I would be thrilled if I could write a follow up post that is positive.

Needless to say, I have not gotten much work done in the last two days!!!! Grrrr.....
Sorry, for the vent session....I need to blow off some steam!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

Craft Show Tips

2011-09-21T05:00:00.000-04:00

Craft show season is right around the corner.....Are you thinking about maybe doing one this year? If so, I thought I'd pass along some tips that I've learned over the past few years.

KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER & COMPETITION
Whether you do one show or 20, you will want to take into account the type of customer and types of vendors each show will draw. Ask yourself the following questions:

What is the demographic of the people attending? Older folks tend to like less flashy, more classic items, while younger people may like brighter, more modern fabrics.
What other vendors will be attending? By knowing who will be there, you can cater your inventory to stand out. Lots of handbag vendors...you may want to focus on home decor. Lots of jewelry companies....why not sell some jewelery pouches?
Is there a show theme? Christmas, Chanukah, Fall, Easter? Be sure to offer things that fall into the theme of the show. Church Bazzar? Street Fair? The type of show and theme will give you an idea of what the people may be expecting or looking for.

KNOW YOUR VENUE

Christmas themed show at a Church

Will a table be provided? If yes, know what size so you can bring a table cloth (make sure it is long enough to hide all the stuff under the table - sheets work well) and you can figure out your layout prior to getting there.
Will there be electricity? Most small craft shows do not provide electricity, so don't rely on having a plug for your computer, lights, etc. If bringing something that relies on electricity, be sure to have charged your batteries beforehand and always have an extension cord.
What is the price of admission? Know what you are expected to pay. Is is a percentage of sales? A donation of goods? A flat fee? At minimum, you want to sell enough to cover your show cost!

KEEP IT SIMPLE
This is the biggest lesson I've learned. I brought a TON of stuff (variety and quantity) to my first few shows. Way too much stuff. It not only overwhelmed my table and my customers but it was torture to carry back and forth! Remember, storage is at a minimum and too much stuff can actually hurt your sales potential.


Find creative ways to show off your goods.

Offer a small selection of items. Don't bring everything you make....keep in mind the people shopping and bring only a few of the things you think will sell well. Offer a good variety of choices in color and design.
Table Layout. This should be simple too. Don't squeeze everything you bring onto the table. Make sure each product is highlighted and there are a several choices to look at. This allows the customers to actually see your products without being overwhelmed. If you see someone admiring a piece, strike up a conversation and let them know you have more of a selection with you....perhaps they would like to see it in blue?
Don't mark all your pieces with prices. It isn't attractive. Instead opt for one or two signs that clearly state your prices. Besides, if people ask for prices it gives you an opportunity to talk to them. Talking sells...
Creativity Sells. Think about how you will layout your productts. I have lovely wooden coat rack for my bags, and use baskets to help pretty up my table display. I also prop small boxes under the tablecloth to display items at varying heights.

PREPARATION
Start preparing way ahead of the show. You do not want to be crafting under stress. Trust me.....it is not enjoyable and your products will show the "rush job". Take your time and enjoy making your pieces....I have already started crafting for the holiday shows. The night before the show, gather all your things so you can enjoy your cup of coffee before heading out the door in the morning.

A test run set-up on my cutting table

PRICING
If you sell online, keep in mind that the prices you fetch on the web are not even close to what you will get at a show (unless you are participating in a very high end show). People are looking for fun, easy, and affordable options at these shows. Things that sell well....keychains, clutches, bibs, etc. If I sell a bib for $8.00 on my Etsy shop, I will sell it for $5.00 at a show. There is a reason that costume jewelery and cheap CD vendors sell a ton a these shows! Do keep in mind your cost of goods though....you still need to be able to make a profit. While you don't want to price too high, you can't undersell yourself either. Shows are also a great way to get rid of that stuff that you can't sell online. Mark it to sell. Get rid of it!

Use signage....it's nicer and easier than 100 individual price tags.

Round your prices to the nearest dollar. It makes change giving easy and keeps coins out of the equation. If you collect sales tax, include the tax in the sale (check with your state to see if this is allowed - some states do not allow this). There are reverse calculators online which can help you figure out the sales tax and product price based on the final total.

PAYMENT
Most craft shows are primarily cash sales. Have a cash box and a receipt book (you can get one at Walmart for a few bucks). I always bring $50 in change, at least $30 in singles. Know how much you start with so you know how much you made at the end of the day!

If you are going to allow credit card sales, be sure to make sure your customers know which cards you accept and if there is a minimum purchase required. I put this on a sign on the table. Be sure to write up receipts for all credit sales.

WHILE AT THE SHOW
Talk: Strike up conversations with customers and vendors. Talk to customers about your products, yourself and be sure to hand out business cards. This is the key to future sales! Talk to vendors too - I've gotten some great referrals for other shows and I've also ended up with some great barter deals. I scored the cutest handmade knitted kids hats that I traded for a bag.

Schedule /Plan for Back Up. Craft shows can be long....5-8 hours. You will need a break. While you can have lunch at your table, you will need a bathroom break. If I'm close to home I typically have my husband bring the kids by about 1/2 way through so I can go to the restroom and grab a drink. If I'm far from home, I typically rely on a neighboring vendor to watch over my things and will do the same for them. Bring a few snacks and/or a lunch to keep yourself energized.

Bring Something To Do. Every show has a down time. I always bring a book or magazine just for those times. Or take advantage of a lull in activity to check out your neighbors stuff and chat.

Enjoy! Most importantly, have fun. I know it can be stressful, especially if you are doing your first show - but a craft show is typically a laid back experience. It's fun and you get to meet a ton of new people!

Combining Sewing and Art

2011-09-20T05:00:00.003-04:00

This week I (sadly) did not have time to get a Fabric Inspiration post written, but, I do have something very neat to show you.

Now, I consider myself a pretty good seamstress, but these people take sewing to the next level. These folks create ART with their sewing skills.

Susan Powers Design
Custom Wall Art

Susan will take any photo you send her and create a sewn piece of art. She charges $25 per square foot. Absolutely lovely, don't you think? She also has some pre-made pieces in her shop.

quiltsbySEW

Whisper to A Scream Quilted Wall Hanging

Sue Wilcox obviously puts her talent to work by creating these amazing pieces. This one is made from grey, black and white cotton. This is a fantastic piece.....I'm beyond impressed! Be sure to check out her other artful quilts in her shop.

Kaslooper

Custom Hyper Realism Photo Portrait Quilt

There really are no words for this. This is beyond unbelievable. Kathy Looper is one extremely talented individual. The depth and detail of these quilts is undeniable. Kathy only offers this one item in her shop. A custom quilt based on a portrait you send her. Each quilt is made from thousands of pieces of fabric, the face of the quilt is detail quilted and she uses several different multi-colored threads to secure each piece of fabric. This commissioned artwork does not come cheap at $2500.00 (.25/square fabric) but the piece is definitely a piece of art that will be cherished for many generations. By the way - she will turn the piece around in about a month. Wow....wow.

A Weekend of Holiday Crafting

2011-09-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

I FINALLY found some time to get started on my holiday inventory. Every year I do a few craft shows, and every year I find myself stressed out to make enough inventory. My challenge is that the things that sell at craft shows are not the same things that I stock my Etsy Shop with.

Last Year's Table

I've found that people like holiday themed, small and inexpensive stuff. Every year I tend to go overboard and have too much of a variety, so this year I'm keeping it simple. I'm focusing in on a few things that I think will sell well and have more quantity of those particular items.

LESS IS MORE!

The plan this year (I thought) was to get a head start by starting to prepare in early September. Well, here we are more than 1/2 way through and I just started this weekend! Oh well, it's better than October, I suppose.....

So here is a sample of I was doing all weekend...

Wall/Door Signs

Quilted Patchwork Bibs (awesome scrap-buster)

Patchwork Dish Mats

Pin-tuck Pillow Covers

Holiday Signs

These were my "prototypes", and I'm pretty happy with the results. So now I just need to focus my energy on quantity!

The Taste of Fall

2011-09-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things about Fall (aside from the morning chill which requires a hot cup of coffee), is the yummy produce that accompanies the season. Every Friday from June - November my town has a Farmer's Market.....this time of year I watch the summer produce start to dwindle, say goodbye to the zucchini and berries and Hello to the squashes, onions and apples. This week was the perfect blend summer and fall produce....there was still some corn and cilantro to be found, but the acorn squash, eggplant and apples were appearing at all the tables.

And what to do when you come home with such great produce?

Make a salad of course! Fresh Romain, green olives, heirloom tomatoes topped with fresh organic mozarella and basil and some crispy olive bread, all drizzled with some sweet balsamic vinegar and a few drops of olive oil.

Can you say "YUUMMMMMMM!"

I sure did!

Welcome Fall!

TUTORIAL: Photo Wall Quilt

2011-09-16T03:07:00.000-04:00

This was one of those projects that just popped into my head and I needed to make immediately. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the results! This is such a cool way to combine my old and new love; sewing and photography.

I was recently asked by the folks over at Things Crafty to review some printer fabric for the site. When the fabric came honestly, I had absolutely NO idea what I was going to do with it. It sat on my desk for a few days and yesterday the image of this just came to mind. I dropped everything and got to work.

This came out so nice, I knew I wanted to create a tutorial for it.....

This tutorial shows how to create the hanging pictured. If you wish to alter the dimensions, I highly recommend using paper to layout your design first. This will help you guage how much fabric you will need and how to cut the pieces.

WHAT YOU NEED:
> 1 sheet Sew-In Printer Fabric (I used Tailor Computer Fabric for this)
> 1 Fat Quarter (Main Fabric)
> Muslin (or scrap fabric for backing)
> 16 x 12" Batting (I used 2 layers of thin polyester batting, but cotton or blend would work well too)
> Fusible Interfacing
> 1 12" Wall Hanger (this one is by Classic Motifs)
> 2 digital pictures (with print quality resolution) size 8" wide x 5" high

Notice my paper template? This helped me get it right the first time!

Click Here to Read More »

Photo Editing Challenge

2011-09-15T05:00:00.002-04:00

As you know, I've been having fun playing around with my photos lately. This week's edit challenge on My Reflection of Something is this photo:

I knew immediately I wanted to add some texture and give it a vintage feel. I started by brighening and deepening the blue sky then added two texture layers (one canvas and one watercolors) and came up with this:

While I was happy with the texture, it didn't feel vintage - so I played around with the curves and added a bit of golden undertone until I came up with this:

Yes! This is what I was looking for! I had fun with this edit. I must say, these challenges over at My Reflection of Something are a fun way to increase my knowledge of Photoshop! (I hope all you sewers find this interesting! )

Busy Week, Busy Month!

2011-09-14T08:56:00.001-04:00

About a month and a half ago I had big plans for the extra time I was going to gain by slowing my custom order business down a bit.....HA! Let me fill you in on where I have gotten so far....

Gain Some Sanity - Yes!
I am happy to say that slowing things down has reduced my stress level significantly, although I do feel bad constantly turning business away.....

Baby Books - No :(
I had great intentions here, and I did start sorting through the thousands of digital pictures I have, but I am finding this more difficult than originally thought. I really want to put thought and feeling into this project. I suppose this will be more of a long-term project.

Holiday Inventory - No :(
Ok, this one is bad. I really thought I'd have a stack of stuff for my holiday craft shows by now. Ugh. I have a total of 3 items completed. This is not good....

Make Time for Family - Yes!
This makes me happy. My kids are happier, I am more content and my family unit is functioning more smoothly. My oldest daughter started Kindergarten a week ago and I have not been frantic trying to adjust to the new schedule - and believe me there are many adjustments being made - I think she is adjusting better than me!

Ghat's my progress thus far...and....I do have some other fun stuff going on...

Craft Swap: I am currently participating in the Quilted Dish Mat Craft Swap over at Craftster. The swap has started and some people already finished their projects! I, of course, did not. I'm actually waiting for a new shipment of fabric to come in which I expect sometime in the next week. I can't wait to start, my partner has given me free range to create from my gut. Fun! And if you didn't get a chance to get in on this swap, stay tuned because the organizer is planning a holiday edition swap!

Etsy Shop: I have been making an attempt at stocking my Etsy Shop with pre-made covers, although I'm finding that the listings go pretty quickly, so this is a more difficult task than anticipated. I am making a bit of headway though....I'll keep at it.

Things Crafty: Finally, I was invited to be contributing artist on a brand new Craft site called "Things Crafty". The newly launched website focuses on all things craft-oriented with a section dedicated to each of the arts. It's a fun site with lots of opportunity for interaction through forums, tutorials and inspiration. Obviously you will find my posts under the "Sewing" section. I am currently in the process of reviewing a fun quilting book for the site - to be shared soon! So, if you feel like doing a little exploration, be sure to stop by and say "hi!".

With all of this going on, I've been a bit pre-occupied to say the least, so please forgive me if the posts aren't as frequent until I get all of this under my belt!

FABRIC INSPIRATION: Cocoa Berry

2011-09-13T02:20:00.000-04:00

Cocoa Berry
Michael Miller

Bright colors (pink, lime, orange and purple) coordinated with cocoa brown....throw in some dots, stripes, florals, guitars, ponies, peace signs and that that's pretty much the theme of this collection from Michael Miller.

Let's take a look at what others have done with this line... (after the jump)

Click Here to Read More »

All-Time Favorite Tutorials [Bags]

2011-09-12T05:00:00.000-04:00

Last week I focused on some of my favorite "for-purchase" patterns and pattern-makers, this week I thought I'd focus on my all time favorite freebie "bag" tutorials.....

BAGS

The Buttercup Bag

Made By Rae

This free pattern is very well known among the sewing community. Made from a fat quarter, this bag packs some style and is quite simple to make. My first attempt while not so great, was followed up with the "redemption" version which I was very happy with. My mistake though was entirely my own fault though.

The Gathered Clutch

Noodlehead

Super cute, super easy! I love this tutorial and I love this clutch. I have made a bunch of them for gifts (and a few for myself) and they are always a big hit. My full review can be found HERE.

For Pleats Sake

U-Handbag

Once you get past the pleats, this bag is an easy sew and the leather handles give it that "store-bought" look. I had made this bag for a craft show originally, but when it didn't sell I kept it for myself (bad, I know), and I've gotten tons of use out of it! You can read my review of the tutorial HERE.

I encourage you to try these freebies out!

I'll be sharing some more tutorial favorites in upcoming posts: Stay Tuned!