I love Sandy's 4 Reluctant Entertainers blog! She has tons of tips for entertaining (not to mention gorgeous photos) - no matter your age, space constraints, or budget. Here is an exerpt from Sandy's blog:
"With the best intentions, many of us think about entertaining, but never get around to it. For many this blessing of gracious living for both the host and her guests never takes place because of fear … fear of failure, unable to cook, unwilling to share their lives with others, fear of deepening friendships … they are intimidated and think the meal has to be perfect, or … they don’t have the lifestyle that says, “welcome.” I believe in connection. I believe that Americans need to lower the expectations of perfection and open their homes to heart-warming dinners and in doing so, open their lives to LOVE!"
If that isn't motivating enough to go check out her blog, then you should also know that she is having a giveaway! Go check out her blog to learn more about how you could win a lovely Cheery Cherry Apron and more!
http://www.reluctantentertainer.com/
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Diaper Bag for a Friend
Yippee! It's finished! My friend just had a baby and wanted a customized diaper bag. We looked at different pictures and designs and came up with this:
She wanted a sturdy bag that could hold its shape, so I used heavy duty stabilizer. The strap is adjustable and has some polyester batting inside for comfort.
It's a messenger style bag, so we took advantage of the flap and added a zipper pocket for extra storage.
The back has a large flat pocket and the sides have bottle pockets.
The inside has pockets lined with clear vinyl. The bottom has clear vinyl too for easy clean up and spills. I decided to add a zipper pocket, because my friend wanted 'lots of pockets' :).
She wanted a sturdy bag that could hold its shape, so I used heavy duty stabilizer. The strap is adjustable and has some polyester batting inside for comfort.
It's a messenger style bag, so we took advantage of the flap and added a zipper pocket for extra storage.
The back has a large flat pocket and the sides have bottle pockets.
The inside has pockets lined with clear vinyl. The bottom has clear vinyl too for easy clean up and spills. I decided to add a zipper pocket, because my friend wanted 'lots of pockets' :).
I hope she likes it - I can't wait to give it to her!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Faith, Hope, Love
I think this quilt pattern by McKenna Ryan is gorgeous. I love the message, the colors, the design, ahhhh...everything. It looks like tons of work with lots of applique, so I don't know if I'm quite ready for this type of project. Also, the price tag isn't quite so gorgeous - about $100 for just the patterns!!! I think I'll just drool over the pictures for now :).
More pics here: http://www.pineneedles.com/SuperStore/SuperStore-Assortment.asp?AssortmentID=48
More pics here: http://www.pineneedles.com/SuperStore/SuperStore-Assortment.asp?AssortmentID=48
Friday, June 6, 2008
To infinity...and beyond!
I've always wanted to make an infinity dress. For those of you who don't know what it is, its a halter top style dress with very long straps that can be wrapped and knotted numerous ways. If you look at the pic below, the straps are attached at the waist and then come up over my shoulders, cross in the back, then they cross again around my waist and are tied in the back. It's fun experimenting with all the ways I can wrap this shirt.
Originally, I wanted to make a dress, but in my search for ideas, I found someone who paired a shirt with a skirt. This way, I have the option of wearing the top with pants, other skirts, or the matching skirt. Fun stuff!
Here's the tutorial I based my infinity shirt/dress on, but I did change a few things like the length of the dress as well as the length of the straps. I also added extra fabric in the band for modesty and I left the fabric square to get the hankerchief hem. http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/2006/06/one_seam_conver.html
Here it is as just a top. The straps are quite wide so I can scrunch them up like a tank top or spread them out to get a cap sleeve.
Here is the infinity top with the matching skirt. I'm debating how often I will wear the matching skirt - does it seem a little 'too' formal to you? I was hoping to wear it to church, but I may save it for weddings or formal occasions. Hmmmm.
Thanks for looking, and I'd love to read your comments!
Originally, I wanted to make a dress, but in my search for ideas, I found someone who paired a shirt with a skirt. This way, I have the option of wearing the top with pants, other skirts, or the matching skirt. Fun stuff!
Here's the tutorial I based my infinity shirt/dress on, but I did change a few things like the length of the dress as well as the length of the straps. I also added extra fabric in the band for modesty and I left the fabric square to get the hankerchief hem. http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/2006/06/one_seam_conver.html
Here it is as just a top. The straps are quite wide so I can scrunch them up like a tank top or spread them out to get a cap sleeve.
Here is the infinity top with the matching skirt. I'm debating how often I will wear the matching skirt - does it seem a little 'too' formal to you? I was hoping to wear it to church, but I may save it for weddings or formal occasions. Hmmmm.
Thanks for looking, and I'd love to read your comments!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Baby Silhouette Canvas with a Tutorial
Peanut isn't exactly a baby any more *sniff, sniff*, but you get the idea. I wanted to capture this moment in time with a fabric silhouette. I got the idea from this blog http://blissfulliving-domesticbliss.blogspot.com/2008/05/fun-little-projects.html.
Hmmm...I'm thinking this might be a great gift idea for Father's Day or simply a personilized gift for a loved one. So, here's a write up of what I did:
Materials: 2 types of fabric, a canvas (bought mine at Walmart), Heat'n'Bond (a double-sided iron-on adhesive, I bought mine at Joann's), tacks
1. I took a side view photo of Peanut (I had him look out the window. He loves the outdoors, so this was an effective method for us :)).
2. I uploaded the photo onto my computer and just traced his profile right off the computer screen. Seriously! I put a piece of paper on the monitor and traced away. It worked great!
3. I cut out his traced profile carefully. I will use this later as a stencil.
4. I ironed my selected fabrics (I used two fabrics - a brown sateen and a green cotton gingham to match Peanut's room). I made sure the brown piece was large enough for the silhouette and the green gingham was a few inches larger than the canvas.
5. I cut out a piece of Heat'n'Bond large enough to fit Peanut's profile. Then, I ironed the piece of Heat'n'Bond onto the back of the brown fabric. Leave the paper backing on the adhesive - you will use this to trace the silhouette.
6. I traced the profile stencil from earlier onto the paper from the Heat'n'Bond. (Note: if you care about which way your silhouette is looking, make sure you trace the profile in the opposite direction)
7. I cut out the profile. You'll want to cut the silhouette out carefully with sharp scissors (preferably sewing scissors) because you'll see mistakes on the fabric if you cut too far.
8. I peeled off the paper backing from the silhouette and laid the silhouette, adhesive side down, on my gingham fabric. I spent a bit of time making sure the silhouette was centered on my fabric.
9. Then, I ironed the silhouette onto gingham fabric. I started ironing in the center and worked my way to the edges to avoid wrinkles in the fabric.
10. I let the silhouette set for a few minutes until it was cool. Then, I centered it on the canvas.
11. I used tape initially when I was stretching my fabric over the canvas. The gingham was tricky to work with because I wanted the checkers to line up correctly.
12. Then, I flipped the canvas over and tacked everything down. I started with a tack in the middle of each side and then I tacked each corner. You might have to fiddle with corners a bit to get them to look nice.
13. And voila! There you have a lovely canvas silhouette!
If you use this tutorial I'd love to hear from you - this is the first tutorial I've written. Please let me know if any of the directions are confusing or if you have any questions. I'd also love to see your silhouettes, so please share!
Enjoy!
Hmmm...I'm thinking this might be a great gift idea for Father's Day or simply a personilized gift for a loved one. So, here's a write up of what I did:
Materials: 2 types of fabric, a canvas (bought mine at Walmart), Heat'n'Bond (a double-sided iron-on adhesive, I bought mine at Joann's), tacks
1. I took a side view photo of Peanut (I had him look out the window. He loves the outdoors, so this was an effective method for us :)).
2. I uploaded the photo onto my computer and just traced his profile right off the computer screen. Seriously! I put a piece of paper on the monitor and traced away. It worked great!
3. I cut out his traced profile carefully. I will use this later as a stencil.
4. I ironed my selected fabrics (I used two fabrics - a brown sateen and a green cotton gingham to match Peanut's room). I made sure the brown piece was large enough for the silhouette and the green gingham was a few inches larger than the canvas.
5. I cut out a piece of Heat'n'Bond large enough to fit Peanut's profile. Then, I ironed the piece of Heat'n'Bond onto the back of the brown fabric. Leave the paper backing on the adhesive - you will use this to trace the silhouette.
6. I traced the profile stencil from earlier onto the paper from the Heat'n'Bond. (Note: if you care about which way your silhouette is looking, make sure you trace the profile in the opposite direction)
7. I cut out the profile. You'll want to cut the silhouette out carefully with sharp scissors (preferably sewing scissors) because you'll see mistakes on the fabric if you cut too far.
8. I peeled off the paper backing from the silhouette and laid the silhouette, adhesive side down, on my gingham fabric. I spent a bit of time making sure the silhouette was centered on my fabric.
9. Then, I ironed the silhouette onto gingham fabric. I started ironing in the center and worked my way to the edges to avoid wrinkles in the fabric.
10. I let the silhouette set for a few minutes until it was cool. Then, I centered it on the canvas.
11. I used tape initially when I was stretching my fabric over the canvas. The gingham was tricky to work with because I wanted the checkers to line up correctly.
12. Then, I flipped the canvas over and tacked everything down. I started with a tack in the middle of each side and then I tacked each corner. You might have to fiddle with corners a bit to get them to look nice.
13. And voila! There you have a lovely canvas silhouette!
If you use this tutorial I'd love to hear from you - this is the first tutorial I've written. Please let me know if any of the directions are confusing or if you have any questions. I'd also love to see your silhouettes, so please share!
Enjoy!
While hubby's away, why not play!
Last weekend, I bought some fabrics to make a quilt for Peanut. I realized I love to sew, but I haven't made him very many things. Also, whenever we go visiting in the evenings I never have a blanket for him (if any of you have had us over in the evening, you know that I always ask to borrow a blanket because I don't have one with me :)). I decided to make a quilt just for him that we can take with us when he needs to sleep.
I cut and pieced on Wednesday, then quilted and bound yesterday. I was amazed how quickly it went - TWO DAYS! I think using a pattern helped, because I didn't have to waste so much time figuring out the math. Also, it's a crib size quilt, so it's a nice small one.
A close up of the fabrics and binding. I cut the binding strips on the bias to get the diagonal stripes.
Just sewing and crafting
I recently realized my family blog was turing into a crafting blog. Since my family doesn't necessarily care to see all my crazy crafting projects AND I'd like to be able to share my crafting with the blogging world, I decided to start a blog just for sewing and crafts.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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