Secrets revealed

You guys are awesome, I loved reading your guesses on my secret project. I got a bunch of great ideas without even trying and I wish I was half as amazing as some of you think.

More than a few of you were spot on. Some of you were close. In the near future I am going to work on a new pattern, a bunch of skirts, a new dress or 5, a tutorial is in the works, pants… yep, a few quilts (maybe even one for me), and a ton of baby stuff for November.

Somewhere around November 19th give or take.

Baby #6 is on the way. I am so excited and can’t wait for this little one to join our family! Don’t ask me about it in person though, I’m a little touchy about the “Don’t you know what causes that?” and “Are they all yours?” and “You’re going to have your hands full!” comments so I might just take you down. We were completely expecting to be expecting so we are thrilled.

So on to secret #2. The prize. So what did you enter to win? This-

A little something I made to draw attention away from my root beer belly. I’m not sure that was such a good idea because I think it draws attention to my growing double chin so I’m passing it on. Who am I passing it on to?

Using my random comment generator, also know as my trusty rusty colander and Mary’s cute little hand, the winner is JWB! Congrats and I’ll send it over after I get it wrapped up and cutified.

Have a fantastic weekend!

A little Vitamin C

It’s my Creative Team Monday at The Button Shop blog and I could hardly stop biting my nails this morning. I couldn’t wait to show you what’s been pent up in this noggin of mine for over a month. I chose Tessa Ann’s Orange Tree buttons, oh my gosh are these things adorable! And completely detailed. The branches are awesome. Here’s what I came up with-

A comfy and sweet newborn outfit set. I made the hat from my own pattern (a Pyrex bowl was involved, I’m such a pro) using white stretch jersey and a little inspiration from my mom circa 15 years ago. I made the booties from my own pattern out of cotton and embellished a store bought newborn shirt. The shirt was an after thought but I was having so much fun I couldn’t stop. If I would have given myself more time I would have made pants to go with it all, I had 2 buttons left ;). If you’d like to see some close-ups you can visit Tessa’s blog here.

I have another project in the works that I can finally share on Friday. All these secret projects are killing me… and my poor nubbins for nails. I hate secrets so how about a giveaway to pass the time? A secret giveaway. Make a guess about my newest project and you’ll be entered to win something related to it. Edited to add *here's a clue- it's girl or boy*. You don't have to answer correctly to win though, just leave a comment. I'm a sucker for comments.

Good luck and I’ll pick a random winner Friday.

Button Shop Giveaway

Monday was another great Button Team creative feature on The Button Shop Blog with a tutorial by Rachel. Some really creative stuff going on there let me tell you, I hope you’re checking it out each Monday. I also wanted to let you guys know that Tessa is having a giveaway at the bottom of that post so you can have a chance at winning a grab bag of her buttons!The winner will be announced 4/24, it’s not something you’ll want to miss.

I’m having a blast with my buttons. In fact I’m having a blast with them today, my feature is next Monday and I can hardly wait to show you so stay tuned.

Lovin’ Weeds

This is Weeds. I love this girl. She’s sassy, scrawny, super funny, and her own little person. For a 3 year old she’s pretty dang smart if I do say so myself.

I was flipping through all 6 channels on my t.v. last night and Cops must have been on because we came across a police officer arresting a woman. I flip channels pretty fast so I didn’t think anyone noticed. Kaci did.

Kaci- “Mom, is that lady going to jail?”

Me- “Yep”

Kaci- “She did a bad thing huh mom.”

Me- “Sometimes when grown ups do bad things they have to go to a big grown up time out for a while.”

Kaci- “Is she gonna get a trial?”

Seriously- she’s 3. Where do they get this stuff?

I love the smell of burning fabric in the evening

*I’ve been having serious blog issues with my posts so if you’re looking for the Apron Top tutorial I posted Tuesday it ended up on Wednesday and in the archive for February (??) and the link is here. Still scratching my head on that one* Anyhoo, on with melting things-

I bought an eggplant colored dress when we went to Seattle and I loved it when I tried it on in the store but when we got home… not so much. I hate it when that happens! For some reason it shrunk in my suitcase or I grew a couple inches because it was about 3” too short at home and the color wasn’t as eggplant as it was “Barney” in my lighting. I love the ruffled top and the fit. It is super comfy and stretchy. I can’t return it. So I did what anyone else in my position would do.

I added two rows of ruffled black jersey to the bottom and melted the heck out of some Silkessence fabric to make these-

I’m running out of options for my church attire so I threw it together one Saturday night out of desperation and wore it the next day. I’m not completely loving the ruffles on the bottom but I do like the flowers and they were a ton of fun to make. I would post a tutorial on them but seriously- you just cut wonky circles and melt them over a tea light. That’s it.

For some gorgeous melted roses you should check out DuhBe . Hers are a completely different look that I can’t wait to try, seriously awesome.

Have a fantastic weekend!

The New and Improved Apron Top Tutorial

I know, finally!! I successfully made a 2 day re-do tutorial take over a month. After the entire mishap with my first one and the drag it turned out to be I just couldn’t bring myself to look at it for a while. A long while. I torture you no more and this one is here to stay!

If you make one or mention it please link back and give credit. If you’d like to sell what you make from my tutorial -do it- and I hope you make millions. Please don’t sell or steal my tutorials or the patterns from my tutorials. Only bad people do that and I’m sure the blog police will hunt you down or the stores will be out of chocolate the next time you really need some.

The pattern for the yoke is a little girls size 4/5 to 8/10 and can be reduced or enlarged for other sizes. I’m just going to give the measurements for those sizes today because that’s what I’ve figured out so far.

You’ll need-

Chevron yoke pattern (it should print 4” wide for all sizes)

3/4 yard fabric for main body front and back

1/4 yard fabric for the top yoke and straps.

1 piece of 1/4” elastic

A ruler and fabric marker/pencil and basic sewing supplies. This tutorial works best using a 1/2” seam allowance.

*Cutting Measurements*

For all sizes cut 2 strips of fabric 1 1/2” x 22” for the straps and cut out 2 yoke pieces out of your 1/4 yard fabric. Cut your elastic half the length of the largest measurement of your Body Back fabric. For a size 4/5 you would cut your elastic 11” long and so forth.

For the main body front and back you’ll cut two rectangles according to the size you need below from your 3/4 yard fabric choice.

Body Front Piece cut Body Back piece cut

Size 4/5 - 16” x 22” 13” x 22”

Size 6/7 - 18” x 24” 15” x 24”

Size 8/10 - 20” x 26” 17” x 26”

1. Take your front body piece and fold it in half lengthwise. Using your ruler measure and make a mark 1 1/2” from the middle of the fold down. Cut your fabric from the mark to the top corner on the outside edge of the fabric. When you open your fabric back up it should have a slight “v” cut out of the top like so-

2. Sew a gathering stitch along the top edge of the front piece (along the “v” cut out edge). Mark the center of your “v” of the front piece with a pin. Pin one yoke piece right sides together to the body piece matching the center of the “v” to the bottom point of the yoke. Pin the bottom edge of the yoke to the top edge of the body piece and pull the threads to gather. Evenly distribute the gathers and pin some more.

3. Sew along your gathered edge. Turn right side out and press the gathered seam towards the yoke. Looking good so far! Fold one top strap piece right sides together and sew up the side seam and one end to make a tube. Do this for both straps. Turn right side out and press each flat. Pin the straps with the raw edge meeting the top edge of your yoke with the right side facing you about a 1/2” from the outside edges of the yoke.

4. Take your second yoke piece and place it right sides together with the other yoke piece, sandwiching the straps in the middle. Pin in place. Mark (or use a pin to mark) on the wrong side of the second yoke where your body piece seam is gathered underneath on each side. Sew 1/2” seam around the outside edge of your “sandwich” starting from your mark along the top edge of the yoke, make sure not to catch the loose strap bits in your stitching. Stop when you get to your mark on the opposite side. *You do not want to sew the 2nd yoke piece to the gathered body front piece at all yet- just yoke to yoke*.

5. Turn the entire yoke right side out and press. Fold up the bottom raw edge of your inside yoke piece about 1/4” and press towards the inside. Your inside yoke piece edge should cover the gathered inside seam of your body piece.

6. Fold the outside edges of your body piece 1/4” to the inside and press. Fold the hem over again another 1/4” and pin. Make sure your side seam of the Body fabric matches the seam sewn into the yoke so the inner yoke covers it but doesn’t go over the outside edge of it. Pin the side seams about 1/3 the way down from the bottom of the yoke to the bottom of the shirt. We’ll sew that up in step 9 so just leave it for now.

7. Pin the folded edge of your yoke on the inside over the gathered seam of the body front piece. Flip your top over right side out and topstitch along the inside edge of the yoke top, making sure to catch the inside yoke underneath.

8. Grab your Body Back piece and fold the top edge over 1/4” and press. Fold over again 1/2” and press. This is your casing for the elastic. Thread your elastic through the casing and pin at each edge. You can sew your elastic down at the very outside edges if you’d like to make it easier to do the next step.

9. Pin the body back to the body front matching bottoms and side seams with the elastic edge near the top. Sew the sides from the bottom to the top of the elastic. You should have your pressed edge the rest of the way to the yoke from step 6, refold that if you need to then sew that edge. Everything should be nice and tidy but if it isn’t don’t stress, it’s the armpit section anyway. Turn under the bottom edge 1/2” and press then turn under 1/2” again and press to finish the bottom hem. Stitch.

Done!

I love adding a contrasting band of fabric to the bottom, and normally I do but this one just didn’t want it. Feel free to play with it and make it your own. Embellish away and change up the length, this is tunic length so shorten it to get a shirt type top or lengthen for a dress. I’m making a few dresses next… I think. As always… if you make one show me!

Go take a break with Hiccup

I’m taking a sewing break tonight.  My eyeballs are getting fuzzy and I’m seeing spots, not sure if it’s the polka dot fabric or something more permanent.  I thought I’d tell you about the fun movie we took our kids to last weekend in case you need a break to.

 

 

How To Train Your Dragon was such a good movie.  It’s not easy finding a movie 6 people from 3 to 30 will watch but this one is one of those that’s fun for everyone.   It’s a keeper and I can’t wait for it to come out on video.  I loved it!  I don’t say that about very many movies at all.  I’m not one for language, innuendos, or crude humor in kids movies so I get disappointed a lot.  I loved how clean it was, for the most part.  Of course I recommend checking out the Internet Movie Database and checking out the Parents guide before you take your kids to any movie.  And no, I don’t get paid to write recommendations- I just loved the movie.

Tonight Cody is taking me on a movie date, which I’m a little scared about since I don’t think there are any chick flicks out right now so I might be ducking in to watch it again.  Heaven forbid he takes me to watch a sports themed movie.  I’ll be seeing more than spots, it might kill me.  Which brings up a good question, is the “Blind Side” really a good movie?  My mom swears I’ll like it but I think I won’t.  It’s football- yuck.  Anyone else hate sports movies and loved it anyway?  I’m trying to decide if I want to waste 2 hours and $1 to see it or not ;).

Have a great weekend!

Kicking it into high gear

It’s spring (or at least it’s supposed to be) and for me that kicks in the urge to clean, purge, and make.  I’ve purged what I’m willing to purge, I’m in the middle of the clean bit, and now I really want to start the make part because cleaning stinks. That’s why I had 5 kids remember?  Put ‘em to work.   If we had horses I’d have them wrangling chickens, baking bread, cleaning draperies and bringing me lemonade all day while I sit by my fabric and fan myself.  Kidding… but if you know anyone that has miniature horses let me know.

Last night I changed things around and tidied up my blog sidebar a bit.  I listed all my full tutorials, not just the 3 most popular.  I like it so much better.  You can see all the other posts with tutorial references in them by clicking on “tutorials” in my tag cloud.   There’s some good stuff there to.

Today I’m throwing this stuff together-

Not all on the same project, that would be tacky, or super creative.  I’m going to work on a little something for a sweet little baby that really needs some love from her 2nd cousin-in-law once removed.  Consequently that means a little something for the rest of you, stay tuned…

My mission- just say no to April Fools Day.

I can’t stand April fools day.  I’m a baby about pranks but for good reason.  It’s great fun unless your birthday is the day before April Fools.  Heaven help the child actually born today. No birthday gifts were safe as a kid.  I had one day to play with my new stuff safely and then I had to find a really good place to hide my loot for the coming day.  Being the oldest of 6 there were plenty of little criminals just waiting for me to drop my guard.  Sure I was bigger and meaner but I was out numbered and they were quick.

I had a slumber party the year I turned 13.  Huge day in our family because that meant make up.  Sheer lip gloss, nude colored eye shadows, barely there blush, and all in a caboodle.  I was so cool.  I also got my first underwire bra, you know- brand new teenager stuff.  I had been waiting to be a teenager for months.  My sister (hi Wendy!) had some of her friends over as well and they were busy that night.  When I woke up the next morning my gifts had all been frozen, for April Fools day.  Even the bra.  My new clear mascara was ruined.  I cried and left clear mascara streaks all over my face.  Sad.  Ever since then I refuse to acknowledge April Fools day.  Doesn’t exist in my house.   I don’t turn my calendar to April until April second. 

So, in my mission to make April Mean Fools Day extinct and bump all those prank idea posts filling your Google reader here are some other things to look at.  Just say no to pranking.  Say yes to a 20 lb box of breakfast.

No, not for the kids.  I make them eat healthy stuff.  My mom doesn’t live here anymore so I can eat whatever I want.

 

Rather than saran wrapping your potty (and cleaning up a gross mess later) why not check out Muffinpie dolls?  This little red head is mine.  I couldn’t resist those tiny lips, her little hat, and her Tyra Banks “smile with your eyes” look.  I love her.

Who wants to waste time and energy making your loved ones fear for their lives and cooking a weird dinner?  Nab a take and bake pizza and peruse the site of Don Gray instead.  He paints cool stuff.  Stuff that I see everyday.  I’m getting a print of this painting as an inside joke, I guess not so much a joke but an inside story.  It’s actually a great painting and I have lemons in my kitchen so it will look great in there but the kicker is it’s called “Lone Lemon”.  When I was little I had a joke book called the Lone Lemon and I tortured everyone with it for years.  Years.  My aunt still shakes violently when anyone mentions joke books. 

Cody also snagged this print.  We used to live on the other side of the building in the painting and I would see that chair everyday.  We used to have a chair like that growing up and I told Cody how much I wanted it.  He tried to buy it from the guy that owned it as a surprise for me but it wasn’t for sale.  I thought it was so sweet of him to try for me and forgot about it.  Then Don Gray painted the exact chair I wanted.  So I didn’t get the chair but I’m getting an awesome print of it to remember how sweet Cody is.

I had a great day yesterday, got some great stuff, and Wendy better not come anywhere near my house today.  

Have a fantastic Thursday!