Search This Blog

Saturday, December 31, 2011

An Apron...as crafty as our Christmas got


Christmas 2010 was filled with a number of handmade Christmas gifts, but 2011 was a bit different.  I was sewing up until the last moment, but with blessing outfits, bow ties for church, and a little something for myself as well (which I am really excited to share with you).  Handmade Christmas gifts were in short supply.  

 I did manage to pull off a cute little wrap around apron for my Mother in Law.  I really like how the apron turned out, but unfortunately the pictures just don't do it justice. I had a small window of time to take pictures, and unfortunately it was a very dark day.


 The apron features a box pleated skirt, with slightly fitted bodice.  You can tell that I didn't sew darts into the bodice, this because I wanted the bodice to be fitted, but forgiving.  My Mother In Law and I don't have exactly the same proportions, so I wanted it to give if need be.

Do you ever find that you give gifts that you really want, but never take the time to sit down and make. I need a full length apron, but do I ever get around to making one for myself....no.  Maybe next year.

Don't forget to enter the My Memories digital scrapbooking giveaway.



Thursday, December 29, 2011

My Memories Suite Review and Giveaway


I was recently contacted by My Memories Suite, to review their digital scrapbooking software. I was really excited to get to know their product, and to see how it could work for me.  I've always appreciated a well kept memory album; but the cost of supplies, the set up and clean up, and the mess it makes have deterred me from "scrapbooking" in the past. My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software is rated number one on Amazon, for my full review and a chance to win your own software click here.



Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Blessing Day


Miles was blessed on Christmas day.  It was such a special day for all of us.  Miles has been such a joy and a blessing in our family.  Seeing a little baby dressed in white was a good reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.


He looked awful handsome and cozy in his blessing outfit.  The size of the bow tie ended up being a bit overwhelming. Next time I'd move it down a bit and scale it down a little as well.


Don't you love his sweet blanket.  Miles' grandmother knit it for him.


Christmas day was beautiful.  We had nice sunny weather, which made it really nice and comfortable for taking pictures outside, unfortunately the clear skies and noon day sun wasn't ideal for taking photos.

I hope that you all had a very merry Christmas.  I can't wait to share a few of the projects I've been working on lately.  I'm also trying to figure out a few series that I'd like to try out in the coming year.  Hopefully all goes well and I can post a bit more regularly in 2012.

On an unrelated note, if you're doing any after Christmas shopping be sure to check out Shabby Apple-you can get an extra 20% off their sale section-Wahoo!  Just enter WINTERSALE at checkout for 20% off, and free shipping.  The sale runs through the end of the week.
20% Off the Sale Section at Shabby Apple and Free Shipping with Code 'WINTERSALE'

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Light Onesie


After celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving with his pumpkin on his bumkin, I decided that Miles needed a Christmas onesie as well.  There's nothing plastered on his behind this go round, just a string of appliqued Christmas lights.


Christmas shirts are something that I get a kick out of.  There's a lady at our church that has a whole collection of festive attire.  At our last Christmas party she had a bright green sweater that lit up and played music. It was perfect....for her.  I myself prefer to make subtle references to the holiday through color choices, but to each their own.  


I do think that it's fun to dress up a chubby little baby in holiday themed shirts, especially if it is their first time celebrating that holiday.  If you noticed, my Christmas shirt for Clark is a bit more subtle (although he is still insisting that I add some Christmas lights to the front of the shirt). You can check out my holiday onesies from last year here.


Merry Christmas!
This little guy decided to roll over yesterday, it kind of breaks my heart to see him grow up so quickly. 



Sunday, December 18, 2011

Lil' Boy's Christmas Shirt: Mistletoe League



Pucker up Ladies! It's Kiss-mas time.  


Clark decided that he really needed a Christmas shirt this year, so I whipped up this little number.  I LOVE it (hopefully you do to).


The material for the shirt came from two t-shirts that I picked up at Wal-mart on clearance a few months back. I only paid one dollar a piece-that's cheaper than our local thrift stores charge for t-shirts.

I used the existing hems for both the sleeves and the bottom hem, doing so saves so much time.


I then created a simple little pattern for the text of the shirt.  I used a freezer paper stencil, a sponge stencil brush, and fabric paint to create the wording.



I also added a little number detail for the shirt as well.  Each number has a layer of red felt topped with some matching knit fabric.  I then stitched them to the shirt with a triple stretch stitch and some contrasting thread.


He doesn't really love the shirt.  He think that it needs some Christmas lights on it. I'll probably give in and add one to the back of the shirt, hopefully that will be enough for him.

Christmas is less than a week away.  I still have 3 Christmas project to finish up, and I'm hoping to make a new dress or skirt for myself before Sunday as well.  We'll see what I can accomplish.



Thursday, December 15, 2011

Wrapping up the Holidays: Ribbons and Bows

Here's a little bit of inspiration for wrapping up those holiday gifts, courtesy of Pinterest.
Source: stylisheve.com via Tricia on Pinterest




Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Tricia on Pinterest


















Source: taradennis.com.au via Tricia on Pinterest

Source: original-home.ru via Tricia on Pinterest





Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Miles Blessing Outfit


Aside from one small detail, I have Miles' blessing outfit finished. For the most part it is a refashioned outfit.  I went to my local thrift store and picked up two white sweaters.  The cable knit sweater I picked up for one dollar, and the ribbed knit  I had to pay three dollars for.  So four dollars of material for the sweater, cap, pants, and booties-Not too bad.


I used an existing outfit that we have to create a pattern for the little cardigan and the knit pants.  The booties are Sweet Pea Patterns Little London Bootie.  The cap was my own design...I almost added a little brim to it, and I'm kind of regretting that I didn't, but he'll look cute in it just the same.


I mentioned in a previous post that Miles was going to have a bow tie of his own.  He's going to be matchy matchy with his dad and brother on his blessing day.  I know that traditionally blessing outfits are solid white, but I really like the silver, and do you have any idea how difficult it is to find matching shades of white?  So call me a rebel, but he's going to sport a silver bow tie.


I'm kind of in love with the little onesie.  I picked up a plain long sleeve onesie at Wal-mart, and added a faux placket.  I simply cut a piece of white knit material that was the length of the onesie and three inches wide.  I made 1/16" pintucks in half inch increments from the center of the placket.  I then applied some fusible adhesive, adhered it to the shirt, and stitched along the edges.  I also added four buttons down the front.

I still plan on embroidering his blessing date on the onesie....any suggestions on the placement?  I've been thinking on the hip, but I suppose the back of the neck, or the hem of the sleeve could work as well.  What are your thoughts?


I know that the outfit isn't as formal as some blessing outfits, but I like that I'm dressing him as a baby boy, and not a full grown man. Here's a picture of Clark's blessing outfit.

I'll be sure to post some pictures of Miles in his blessing outfit.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Boys in Bow Ties


I really do love my boys in bow ties.  I grew up with my husband, and one of the things that I've always loved about him (before I ever fell in love with him), is his quirky sense of style.  He's by no means fashion forward, but he sure can work a bow tie.  

I started making bow ties for my husband and Clark last Christmas, and it seems that for every gift giving holiday I end up making them new bow ties.  Some of you may tire from seeing the same projects repeated with new fabric, but I do love how this batch turned out.   


Here are a few of my favorite things about this batch:

1-The stripes.  I love a stripe cut on the bias.  I love that the stripes end up running in the same direction when tied.

2- The fabric, particularly the silver fabric.  It is the perfect weight for a bow tie.  I think that I am finally figuring out the appropriate weight for the bow tie.  The green and blue fabric is too thick, but the silver is light weight, and pressed so nicely.  It also looks crisp and sharp when tied.  A silk weight or silk like fabric is best.

3-Adjustments. The mens bow tie pattern that I used is The David Bow Tie pattern from Burda Style (free on their web site).  The only problem is that it is a bit short when sewn together.  I've figured out how much I need to adjust the length so that the tie is easy to tie.  I also decided to use a continuous piece of elastic for Clark's bow ties.  In the past I've used two separate pieces that velcro together, this just adds unnecessary bulk under the collar.  

 4-Texture. This rust colored fabric has some definite texture to it.  The darker stripes are embossed and velvety.  It adds a bit of bulk to the fabric, but I still love, Love, love it.


Ahhh....Stripes. Retro Pointed Bow Tie by Cheri .

In case you are wondering...Miles is going to sport his first bow tie Christmas Day for his baby blessing.  I'll post pics of his outfit as soon as I finish it up.

So do you have any gifts that you repeat every Christmas?  I know that my husband can almost always count on a new pair of socks from my parents?




Friday, December 9, 2011

Candy Cane "Chenille" Striped Stockings: A Tutorial


I already gave you a sneak peek at our new Christmas stockings, and today I'm going to share a tutorial with you.  Hooray!  I've had a horrible time lately finding the time to sit down and write up posts, so I'm pretty excited to have this together.





Our Christmas stockings are a red and white faux chenille, much like this blanket that I made earlier this year. The Chenille look is created by layering multiple layers of 100% cotton fabric, and stitching and cutting them on the bias.  When the fabric is washed it frays up and exposes the different layered fabrics.  I thought it would be fun to go for a candy can effect with red, white, and gray.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tips Tricks and Techniques: Version 2- Reusable Patterns


I've shared ideas before on creating reusable patterns, but I'm really excited about this next idea. I made up some christmas stockings for our new family of four.  I wanted to make sure that I saved the pattern so that I could use it in the future (should our family grow even more). The pattern needed to be durable and easy to store.

I found a scrap piece of clear vinyl that I had laying around from past projects (see: magnetic bibs, paper and plastic card wallets, and wipeable changing pads). The clear vinyl is perfect because you can write on it with permanent marker, you can pin through it, and it folds up nicely.  My favorite part about using the clear vinyl is that you can see through it.  Because it is transparent you can easily transfer an existing pattern to the vinyl. You can also see the fabric beneath, perfect for matching patterns or centering designs.



 I am always jotting notes onto the patterns that I make.  For this one I wrote down the seam allowance along with the year-that way I won't confuse it with any other versions.



I'm still hoping to share a little tutorial for the Christmas stockings. I just need to get my buns in gear.


Monday, December 5, 2011

Wrapping Up the Holidays: Printable Gift Labels

I love the holidays.  I love the lights, the sweets, the music, the shopping, the family, and especially the gift giving.  One of my favorite parts of gift giving is the process of wrapping up a special gift.  For me gift wrapping is therapeutic.  Wrapping up a small simple gift in pretty paper and bows makes it seem that much more special.  I thought that I'd share some of my favorite gift wrapping ideas between now and the Christmas holiday.  I'll pop in whenever I find something new and share a few ideas with you.

How about some printable labels for those pretty packages?  Here are a few I've found: