Stop staring and start sewing!

Knot cute

This is one of the cutest and easiest little goodies you can add to an outfit.  You just have to know how to make a french knot (great tutorial with pictures here!).  You need a button with 4 holes too.  This looks really nice with silk ribbon embroidery also but I just used regular floss on this one.

Isn't it cute?

I tried a new embroidery stitch on my machine which turned out cute but doesn't show up well on this beautiful fabric.  I'm going to try it again on white because I think it's a cute design (and I love orange) and it deserves to be seen!

Can you see it?  Just barely, huh?  I love the way this Ginger Blossom print looks with the Mary Engelbreit prints.

Here's the whole outfit.  I'm kind of on an apron kick right now.

For the dress I used New Look 6396 which is out of print but definitely worth hunting for.  The hat pattern alone is worth the effort, it's so cute and easy.

I used Simplicity 3740 again for the pants but added 2 inches of fabric to the bottom plus all the appliques (I love the way the butterfly turned out) and buttons, etc.  Really easy and the denim fabric is really soft too.

I've been working on an Emmeline apron (I told you I was on an apron kick) for about 2 weeks (no, it won't take you that long). It's so pretty and I've really wanted to try one of the Montessori by Hand patterns (I'm doing the reading pillow next).  I just keep getting distracted but if I can part with it I will give it away in an upcoming drawing (so be ready!).  Fun!

The greenbird of happiness

I had intended to make a wreath to decorate my front door in time for Easter.  I finally got it done today and I'm so glad because my autumn wreath was starting to depress me and it gave me an excuse to scrub the dust off the door.  I'm not much of a flower arranging type and I'm terrible with a glue gun (got the blisters to prove it).  But it's done and it looks springy so there you go.

Here's the door before.

Here's after.  Fresh!  Although now I see my need for a new doormat.

Here's what I used.  I think I spent a total of 16.00 because I didn't have any Michael's coupons and I didn't have time to run to the Dollar Tree (love their crafty stuff), because remember,  I was going to finish it for Easter.  I had to dust off my green basket of flowers outside because it was just coated with dust but I was glad to recycle my faux hydrangeas (and whatever those purple things are supposed to be, lilacs maybe?). 

The cat kept sneaking up on the little bird and smacking it with her paw but I managed to save him and isn't he cute?  I think he'll be safe here.

That's enough crafting for now.  I'm going back to the sewing room where I don't need glue guns.  I feel much safer around scissors, needles, and steam irons sitting on wobbly ironing boards.  Whew.

Practice makes perfect halfway decent

I've had a hankering to do some embroidery lately but, like anything, it's good to practice a little when you're rusty.  It's not like riding a bike (at least for me).   It's more like a use-it-or-lose-it kind of thing.

The first one (on the left) was awful because I realized, after the fact, that I needed a better needle and the floss I was using was some cheap stuff from a kit so the bullion stitch wouldn't slide through easily.  It wasn't soft and smooth like the DMC floss and it made a huge difference.  By the time I did the one on the right I was getting the hang of it again.

Here's the next one I did for the ruffle on this skirt.  I think it turned out sweet!  I also did some cute little french knots on the green "vines" but unfortunately you can only see a hint of them (but they're really cute, take my word for it).

And I was so shamed by my friend Kelci's post about using the fancy stitches on her new machine that I decided to try some of my own (seeing as I've had my machine 2 months longer than her!).  I'm so tickled with the results!  Look at the little apron!  It so weird watching the machine do all that pretty work in such a perfectly straight line.

Here's the whole outfit (Holy smokes!  It already has a bid!  No way!).  I added these cute sleeves to the tank top (more machine embroidery!) and it was so easy I will take pictures of the process next time because I think it's a great way to add some "flare" (or is it "flair"?) to a plain little top.

Thanks for the nice comments on the girls Easter outfits.  I promise to get some full length pictures up soon.

Oh, and I just put in a nice order with Free Spirit for some more delicious fabrics!!  Yippy!  And Sandi's Ginger Blossom fabrics are really flying out the door so don't wait to long to get some!

2 dresses, 1 skirt and no nap

It wouldn't feel like Easter if I were able to sit in church without my head slowly nodding down and then suddenly snapping back up as I try to fight off the need for sleep.  This year I did better than most and was only up sewing until 1:00 since I figured the girls are all old enough to snip their own threads and iron their outfits in the morning.

But everything turned out quite lovely I think and I was able to appease that little "why don't you sew for your OWN kids?" devil that sits on my left shoulder most of the time (gimme that pitchfork you little creep).

Peety's dress took most of my energy (both mental and physical) as it was a new pattern and needed some altering in the bodice back to narrow it.  I like this pattern but didn't want the shoulders to tip out so far so I angled them in a little and was very pleased with the outcome.  She found this fabric at the thrift store for 99 cents and got the pattern (Simplicity 3777) for 1.99.  Woohoo!

Here's the pattern (What's with the look on the model's face?  Did somebody forget to mention she was modeling for Simplicity, not for Victoria's Secret?  Sheesh.)

Here's a peek at the finished dress.  The bag, the nails, she didn't miss a beat!

I used my favorite skirt pattern for Olivia's skirt.  It's McCalls's M4783 and it's so simple, cute, and stylish.  It has a short zipper in the back but it's so easy to install because you just have to attach it to the two small yoke pieces and the rest of it is a breeze.

I snuck a picture during church which was easy to do since we were in the absolute last row.  That's what happens to people who show up late on Easter Sunday, they sit in the row of shame (and snap pictures while nodding off).  It was a gorgeous use of Sandi's Lily Pad print (and I love the vintage lace peeking out from underneath).

Fortunately I saved Sofia's dress for last.  It's real easy and I've made it before so I could kind of sew on automatic while trying to keep my eyes open (it helped that I had a quasi-scary movie on too).

Here's the pattern.  It's McCall's 3134.  I think it may be out of print but I did see one on ebay.

Here's the outcome.  She picked this perfectly Springy fabric from the Sun Drop line.  She's even got cute little Trash Tie buns in her hair which is nice since she would've preferred a cowboy or pirate hat if given the choice (there are days when I just have to put my foot down, and Easter is definitely on of them!).

I wore an outfit I made for Easter 3 years ago.  Since then I turned 40 and had a baby so I was just pretty darn tickled I could zip it up (and breathe!).  It's from Butterick 3597 and it's a great pattern with a decent selection of options to make it interesting.

Here's a peek with my matching shoes (still thrilled I was able to find these!).  Boring toe nail color I know.

I have to show off the guys too.  They all looked so handsome and the baby got a lot of attention with his little clip-on tie (which is so tacky it cracks me up).  Walmart is actually a great source for basic white button down shirts for boys (at any time of year).  And since they don't wear them too often it's nice to not spend a fortune on them.

 

So cute!

Now I'm heading down to the fridge for more ham, deviled eggs, carrot cake and banana cheesecake (which my guys made.  Go guys!).

Ahhhh...Sweet Spring (Ahh.....Choo!)

We've had a beautiful, cool, wet winter here in the Phoenix area and as a result the desert is teeming with wildflowers (you got snow, we got rain).  It's so pretty even if the allergies are awful.  I'm planning on getting out and taking pictures before everything dries up but in the meantime my backyard will have to suffice.

After reading this tutorial by Isaac Bailey on Heather's blog I decided to take my camera outside a play with it a little.  It's just a simple little camera (Canon Powershot A610) but I got it for only 125.00 because it was the floor model and after taking a class from my sweet and talented friend Sandi Bradshaw I feel pretty comfortable with it (best 50 bucks I've ever spent!).

Here's a closeup with blurred background (which is great because you think that's grass when actually it's weeds).  Not bad.  Not amazing, but not bad.

Here's my little (18 pounds) Marmalade being a willing and handsome model (I edited out the little booger he had in his nose, aren't you glad?).  He's a really perfect cat.  Sweet, snuggly and not too smart.  I'm happy because he's focused and the background is blurred, which was the goal.

His sister Diamond (8 pounds of fur-enclosed bird terror) wanted in on the action.  She's sweet too (they were both bottle-fed orphans so they think they're people) but not as dumb as her brother.  She keeps our backyard bird population in check (and on my carpet sometimes, ugh).  See the blurred background?  Woohoo!

I have to include this picture because it cracks me up.  I really love this cat.

On to something crafty.  My friend AK made this gorgeous clip to go with the dress I made using the lily pad print from the Ginger Blossom line.  Isn't it amazing?  Look at how well it matches the fabric.  I swear she could make an Eiffel Tower replica out of ribbon.  And her little Lu is so cute.  Brilliant.

The kids are working on some terrific crafty stuff too, which I will post soon!

I hope you're having a beautiful Good Friday! 

We interrupt this blog for Oliver + S!!

I'm so excited!  My sweet Prince UPS stopped by again today and brought me a box filled with Liesl Gibson's long awaited Oliver + S patterns.  These are so cute!  I had the opportunity to sew a couple of them last week (the bubble dress, and the tea party sundress) for Liesl's trunk shows (which she mentions in the Oliver + S blog here). 

I highly recommend trying these patterns.  They are simple but have some really neat techniques you don't find in your typical pattern.  Very fun.  PLUS you get a paper doll and dress on nice card stock with each pattern!

I'm selling them in my etsy store right now and the first 15 buyers get a beautiful complete paper doll sheet with all of the clothes in this collection.

Oh, and be sure to join the Oliver + S flickr group if you make any of the dresses.  Serious fun! 

Lily Pads of Loveliness

I couldn't help myself.  I had to play with some of this Ginger Blossom fabric.  It's so soft and the colors are so great.  I used an old pattern (oldie but goodie) that I've had for over 10 years.  It's out of print now but I bought one on ebay recently (I see there's one listed now) because I wanted the smaller size ranges too.  It says it takes 2 hours to make it but after you've made it once you can probably do it in less than an hour, it's so simple.  The dress and blouse have 4 pattern pieces: 1 front piece and 1 bodice lining, 1 back piece and 1 bodice lining.

This lily pad print is so great on it's own I thought it would be a shame to use it in a "busy" outfit.  I think it turned out perfect.

I really love the little backpack too.  It's really fun to make and darn cute. The pattern only has a few pieces: an outside piece and lining, then a pocket and two straps.  Easy Peasy, just a bunch of rectangles.  I keep meaning to make a copy of this pattern but in a bigger size because I think it would be fun to have one for myself.

Cute!  Oh, and I found the cutest blog today.  Look at her sewing room!  The shelves, the chair...heavenly.

Oh another thing, I recently changed email servers and it looks like I lost some of your emails in the process so please don't think I'm ignoring you.  Because I like  you!  I really like you!

It looks like we've got it worked out now.

Something for a wee lass

My dear friend Erica just had a little girl (her 5th!) two days ago .  I've been waiting and wanting to call but didn't want to be another "have you had the baby yet?" phone call (hate those!).  So as soon as I got the email that her oldest daughter sent out to everyone, I ran to my sewing room to figure out what to send.  Erica is Irish and when I say that, I mean she's from Ireland (not just one of those people wearing a "Kiss me!  I'm Irish!" t-shirt.  You know who you are.).  So of course I picked something green.  I used the newborn size on the pattern and then made it even smaller.  It still seemed a little big but I wanted little Michaela to have something to wear on St. Patrick's Day (which is Monday!).

Isn't it cute?!  I love the little panties and she'll be a bonnie lass in it!  I also made some burp rags to go with it but didn't have time for pictures since I stuffed everything in a priority box and got to the post office 2 minutes before closing.  It's going all the way to Virginia so I'm crossing my fingers that it gets there on time.

I had a real nice treat today when that darling UPS guy showed up again (love him!) and dropped off another box of Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom fabric.  I was totally not expecting it and have just been grateful I got the first shipment since I didn't think I'd get any at all.  They are just gorgeous and I've already got them listed in my etsy store.

I got this picture taken before trouble showed up.

Get the heck off my fabric!

He had already tried to take a crayon to them as soon as I opened the plastic wrap on the bolts.  He totally knows what he's doing so don't think it was one of those cute things babies happen to do.  Apparently he likes the flannel best (who can blame him?).

Now he's trying to get all dramatic on me.   Seriously, go away.

He just bit his brother on the top of the head (how do you do that?).  Around here that's code behavior for "I need a nap right away".    Things are quiet now.  Ahhhhhh.

Here's something fun I noticed.  Look real close at the petals on the Ginger Tile print (I love these colors together!).  Now look at the pink fabric next to it.  The petals have the same pattern in them!  Brilliant!  Do you think Sandi knows?  I should email her!

She's a genius I tell ya!

Oh, and I'm thinking of listing 1/2 yard combo packs (1/2 yard each of 2 coordinating fabrics together).  What do you think?

Back to work

Well I've enjoyed my 15 minutes of fame.  Thank you all for the sweet comments, it wouldn't be half as fun if I had to celebrate alone.  But now I need to cease my princess-waving and get back to sewing.

I decided to finally try out this pattern that I've had for a long time.  It's darn cute and very easy.  Unfortunately it's out of print so if you like it you may have to go to the Simplicity site to get it (fortunately it's pretty cheap too).

I thought I'd try some of my slower moving fabric because it drives me nuts to see it just sitting there with the plastic wrap still on it.  I think I may have to take my own pictures of the fabric because the more I look at it the pictures in my etsy store, the more funny the colors look on the pictures I downloaded from the manufacturer.  But anyway, these Sun Drop prints by Dena Fishbein were beckoning and I love the springy way this outfit came out!  Isn't it sweet?  I think I'll use the blouse pattern with a twirl skirt next just for fun (oh, and money!).

I really had a lot of fun making this next dress though.  I saw this fabric and my heart skipped a beat.  I will reward my blog readers with another super secret source on this one (remember, my blog is like Vegas.  What happens here stays here).  This is my own pattern and it's actually very simple because I just finish the front and back separately and then stitch them together down the sides and hem it.  I thought it looked like a party dress so I added the bows to make it more festive.  Really fun!  My 16 year old daughter wants me to make a dress for her from this pattern so I think that's a good measure of it's cuteness maybe.

I love this cow and I finally got to use a little more of my fun stash of trims.  I love this blue polka dotted eyelet!  "Fabulous" is a good word for it I think.

Now I better get cracking on some Easter clothes for my family or I'll never get over the guilt (they'll make sure of it!).

Gonna buy five copies for my mother!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  I was too busy sobbing with joy.  I went over to Heather's to get a copy of The Magazine (they sent her a bunch) and there on the COVER were some of the totes I made!!!!  Look!!

Closer!!

Here one even closer!  I made 10 in different fabric combinations and they are all just as lovely.   I love the design of these totes (and fabric and everything) and I think Heather might be planning a pattern so don't fret.  Oh, and see that blue button??   I stitched that on too (well I did).

My personal favorite creation though is this outfit that I made (the pretty pig is Heather's and again, a pattern may be in the works).  I've never smocked so fast in my life and I'm so happy to see it in the magazine even though the smocking is hidden behind the pig (dumb pig). 

Here's a clearer look at the whole outfit (I snapped a few pics before it left the house).

Closer!!

And my crafty daughter Peety got to be the assistant-to-the-assistant and make necklaces for the chickens.  Fun!  The pattern for these chicks is in the magazine so you can make some to decorate your Easter table (that's what we're going to do)!

There are alot more pictures in this article worth drooling over but you'll have to go get your own if you want to see them!   I adore Mary Engelbreit and they way she uses her magazine to showcase so many creative people and ideas and I'm just thrilled to have played a small part in that.   I went to bed last night with a big smile on my face.  Thank you Heather!!

Now go get your magazine!  Run!  Now!