Friday? Finally!

This has been a tricky week. I have a project I've been trying to complete that's been much more difficult than I anticipated...so my to do list is virtually unchanged from when I started Monday. Plus, I have four kids who need a mama.  I've had a few George Bailey moments when I wonder, "Why do we have to have all these kids?"  But look at them!

With February coming quickly, I wanted to let you know one of my projects was included in AllFreeSewing.com's Valentine's Ebook. If you're new around here, I came up with a really fun take on a Valentine's banner last year. You can read all about it in the ebook,

or you can see the tutorial here on the blog.

I love how the hearts are strung along the bias tape through button holes.  I thought it was pretty innovative.  I'm hoping to make a mini version for my wreath.  I promise if I get it done, I'll share a tutorial. 

Thanks again for all the kind comments and encouragement I receive. When I feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, I appreciate hearing some happy thoughts.

p.s.  You'll never guess what we saw at the park yesterday...a lynx!  Yep, here's the proof:

Here's to hoping your weekend does not include close encounters with wildlife. 

Dolly Jammies for my Baby's Baby

Baby had her second set of ear tubes placed recently, and she was such a trooper. After she finally settled down for a nap, I wanted to do something special for her. I had a pattern on hand (an ebay score!) for doll clothes that I've used before. I had enough scraps from Baby's Christmas jammies to make some matching ones for her dolly, Baby Ann.  With everything on hand, I thought this would be a simple project. 

Thankfully Baby took an extra long nap (and I had some extra fabric!), because the first effort was an epic fail.  The pattern called for ribbed knit cuffs and binding, and I tried using strips of woven cotton fabric instead.  The sleeve openings were too small for the doll's fists, and the bum area was too tight for her plump posterior.

I wanted to show you all that I'm as prone to making mistakes as the next person.  The point is to not let a failure get in your way of doing what you want.  Figure out what you did wrong, learn from it, and just try again.  The second outfit worked much better. 

I loved the wrap style of this top.  It fastens with velcro, which is easy for Baby to open and close.  Dollies need frequent wardrobe changes in our house.  Her footie pajama bottoms have an easy pull on elastic waist.

For those of you are curious, this dolly is a vintage Madame Alexander Baby Huggums.  I found her on ebay a few years ago.  She was made in the late 1970s.  She has a soft, bean bag type tummy with vinyl arms, legs, and head and sleepy eyes.  The newer dollies have fabric arms and legs.   Baby has recently fallen in deep love with being a mommy to Baby Ann, just like I did when I was her age.  I finally have a girl who loves dolls like I did as a child.  Huzzah!

Sharing with Creation Corner, Freckled Laundry, and Be Different Act Normal.

Valentines Love Pouches? check!

It took me a lot longer than I planned to finish these up, but it's still January, so I'm not too late, either!

Each pouch started with 9x10" rectangles, the flap is 8x7".  Fully lined, I did the reverse inset hearts and then regular applique initials for each child.  The outer fabric is white twill I had on hand for an abandoned project.  The lining fabrics are different for each child.  Two of them are Moda from last year's Sandy Gervais Valentines line.  One is a Michael Miller print, the last a fun gingham look that I also used for Kirsten's hat.

I had to try them on the chairs, and Baby was so excited to see them.  She pointed out all the letters and kept opening the pouch and peering inside.  

Here is a Big Brothers, to give you an idea of how the boy version turned out:

See my previous post on how to make the inset heart, for details on the tutorials I was inspired by.  I've wanted to make something like this for my children for a years...so happy I have it finished.  I will warn you that this was not a quick project, especially making four of them, but I think the effort was well worth it.

I won't be decorating for Valentines, yet.  It's still January, and we have a special little boy's birthday to celebrate before the month is over..and he doesn't appreciate all the pink and hearts around on his birthday.

UPDATE:  If your curious about what I've put in their pouches, I've shared two ideas HERE and HERE.

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Creating an inset heart with finished edge tutorial

{Warning...wordy intro, please indulge me!}

I am finally lucky

After feeling like I never won anything, I've been lucky enough to win (or be given) some really great things.  I was so excited, I had to show you.

First up, a lovely print from Tollipop, which I won through Sparkle Power.  Isn't she adorable?

It took me a little while to find an appropriate frame.  I finally found one at Goodwill.  I decoupaged the paper to the matte.  She is now happily installed in my girls' room.  Perfect for my older girl who loves to jump rope.

Second up, a fabulous pillow cover from Stacey at Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy.  I love every fabric she chose.  It really brightens things up. 

Now I need some more fun throw pillows!

Third, these darling name letters from my sister-in-law.  I love the papers she used. 

A hearty thanks to each of them.  I feel incredibly lucky.

Guest feature at Polly Want a Crafter

Hi everyone!  Just letting you know my new rounded bunting tutorial was featured at Polly Want a Crafter today.  How fun is that?

Rounded Bunting Tutorial

I have had so many lovely comments about my rounded bunting/banners on my wreath and even more recently, on my mantle, I thought I'd share the how-to if you'd like one for your own home.
I like mine so much, so far I've made a fall themed mini bunting, a Christmas bunting, and the wintry featured in this tutorial.

Let's get started.  You'll need to download your template from HERE.  I recommend printing it on cardstock so it will stand up to repeated use. 

Gather your sewing goodies.  You'll need:

• Scraps of fabric, at least 5" x 2" for the smaller size, 8" by 3" for the larger size.
• Matching double-fold bias tape, about 60" for a wreath, or 108" for a mantle. 
• Matching thread
• Fabric marking pen
• Sewing tools; including scissors, seam ripper, pins, and sewing machine. Optional, and very helpful, pinking shears.

Step one.  Trace the template onto your fabric, and cut out the number of rounded pennants that you need.  For the wreath, I made 20.  For the mantle, I made 18.  You can adjust this depending on the length of bunting you require.

Step two.  Sew the pennants together.

Fold the pennants in half, right sides together.  Carefully sew a 1/4" seam from the fold, around the curve, up the other side. 

Step two.  Trim the pennants and open the top.

I used my pinking shears to trim and clip curves in one step.  If you don't have pinking shears, you will need to cut small notches around the curve to allow for a smooth appearance once the pennants are turned right side out.  You will also need to cut a small sliver of fabric off the top of the pennant to open up the top edge.  This will allow you to turn them right side out.

Step three.  Turn and press.

Use your fingers to push the fabric out as much as possible.  At this point, you may notice a few seams may need to be adjusted.  Easy peasy, turn the pennant back wrong side out and resew the seam.  No worries. 

This will really help the pennants stand out and look nice.

Optional step.   Topstitch.

I was concerned with how well the larger size pennants would stay pressed, so I topstitched each one 1/8" from the edge.

Step three.  Baste the pennants to bias tape.
Open up the bias tape, and starting from the center of your tape, place the pennants at equal distances.

I used a safety pin to mark the spaces between the pennants, and pinned as I went.

Baste the pennants to the bias tape, removing the pins before your needle gets to them.


Step four.  Finishing bias tape, and sewing it all together.
I like to add a decorative fold to the ends of my bias tape.  To make it, I first fold in the end about 1/4".  Then I fold each side into the center to make a triangle. 

I fold the bias tape back in half, and then pin in place.  
Once the ends are folded and pinned, continue pinning the bias tape into it's original folded position, with the basted pennants tucked inside.

Sew the entire length of bias tape with a 1/8" topstitch.

Once your bunting is complete, you can thread it through your wreath, or hang it on your mantle.
Enjoy!

Featured on:
One Pretty Thing, Someday Crafts, Craft Gossip, Polly Want a Crafter, IShareCrafts, and How Does She!

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Polly Want a Crafter, Blue Cricket Design, Somewhat Simple, Tatertots and Jello, Along for the Ride, and Creative Jewish Mom.

Goodbye winter gloom.

It has been cold, cloudy, and now rainy.  We needed something cheerful in our family room, and an update for the wreath on our front door.  I dug through my scraps, and decided I had enough to make a couple wintry banners.  I'll share a tutorial and template next week, but I was so excited to get them done, I had to show you, despite the horrible lighting (where or where is the sun???)

I went with a white/ aqua/ green with touches of brown color scheme.  There are some of my favorite fabrics in there, including Nicey Jane stripes, Anna Maria plaid, Momo floral, and even some Riley Blake snowmen.  The rounded pennants are a little longer than my previous ones here and here.  The template I used for those was worn out, so I tried something new.  I think I like this a bit better. 

The turquoise bias tape was left from a previous project.  The white fabrics are all different textures.  Since we don't have any snow at the moment, I wanted something to remind me of it. 

You can see the sheers from the outside in this photo.

While I was picking out fabrics, I thought a similar idea in a bit larger size would be perfect for my wintry mantle.  Forgive the poor lighting.  I tried really hard to get some decent natural light...the weather would not cooperate today.

 I tried again tonight with our overhead fluorescent lights on.  Not a lot better, but at least it's a little more clear.

My mom and I made those big snowmen years ago, from warm and natural batting.  We saw something similar in a craft store and totally copied them.  Mom even made the carrot noses from sculpey.  See where a lot of my creativity comes from?  The sock snowman in the bowl was made by Big Brother in cub scouts last month.  The snowballs in the funky crystal vase were made last year.  I got a little teary looking at that post.  I  miss my mountain views. 

And just one more for the fun of it.

So there you have it, two happy little banners to help banish the winter gloom.  Tutorial and template to make your own banners coming next week!

Sharing with Freckled Laundry, Creation Corner, Tatertots and Jello, and Along for the Ride.

New Sheers, take one.

So way back in October I showed you this picture:

I bought this filmy stuff wanting to make some sheers for the sidelights of our front door (we had to get rid of those hideous mini blinds) and the master bedroom.  Then all the craziness of the holidays set in, and I got sidetracked.  I know I have adult ADD.  I just get so easily distracted these days.  Anyhoo, I did get the sheers made for our front door.

These were my inspiration:

image via Pottery Barn

I found cheap hardware at Wally World which I spray painted ORB, and then got going on the drapes.

My son took this photo without me knowing!

You love my painting outfit?  Those jeans are smeared with paint and caulk from our old house.  Ahh, the memories. 

Almost ready...

Halfway there...

Here is a close up of the drape before I hung it.  All the sides were narrow-hemmed, with a casing at top and bottom for the curtain rods.  Then, at equal intervals, I added small seams which alternated by row to create a smocked effect.

Hung up, with mixed results.  I've learned a few things.  First up, I need to add a lot more smocking.   I think next go-around I'll shirr the fabric on the rod and then mark where I want the smocking to go.  Second issue, these are WAY too transparent, as you can see.  So, they work for now, but definitely not a final solution.