I picked one and sent it off to be printed...but here's a couple of rejects...
Monday, November 9, 2009
Christmas Cards
About 5 months ago I started digital scrapbooking- LOVE IT! Paper scrapbooking takes up soooo much space (and I think it costs more too). So I've been experimenting non-stop with the design of our family Christmas card. My husband asked me, "why do we need more than 1 Christmas card?" So I stopped after the 5th one...maybe someone will let me create their family Christmas card so I can design some more???
I picked one and sent it off to be printed...but here's a couple of rejects...
I picked one and sent it off to be printed...but here's a couple of rejects...
Corset Tutorial
...because every girl needs a corset...
Materials:
1/4 yd fabric (you will have plenty of extra)
1 1/2 yd 1-inch eyelet lace
Ribbon (1/4 to 1/2 in wide)
Sewing machine...yada yada...
1) Measure around the waist and subtract 3 inches. This measurement will be "x."
2) Cut 2 rectangles: 6 inches wide and "x" long.
3) Cut 8 pieces of ribbon 3 inches long. Cut 2 pieces of lace 1 inch shorter than "x."
4) Layer fabric, ribbon/lace, fabric like so:
The bottom layer is the fabric right side up. The middle layer is the lace/ribbon. There should be 1/2 inch space between the lace/ribbon and the edge of the fabric.
Fold ribbon pieces in half and equally space 4 along one side and 2 along the other side. The top layer is the fabric right side down. Pin all 3 layers into place.
5)Sew according to diagram. Use 1/4 inch seam allowance.
6)Turn right side out. It should look something like this:
7) Take the last 2 ribbons and pin in place at the fabric opening. Top stitch around the entire corset, using 1/8 inch seam allowance.
8) Enjoy your finished corset...my girls were the cutest pirates for Halloween (of course, b/c of the corset)...
Materials:
1/4 yd fabric (you will have plenty of extra)
1 1/2 yd 1-inch eyelet lace
Ribbon (1/4 to 1/2 in wide)
Sewing machine...yada yada...
1) Measure around the waist and subtract 3 inches. This measurement will be "x."
2) Cut 2 rectangles: 6 inches wide and "x" long.
3) Cut 8 pieces of ribbon 3 inches long. Cut 2 pieces of lace 1 inch shorter than "x."
4) Layer fabric, ribbon/lace, fabric like so:
The bottom layer is the fabric right side up. The middle layer is the lace/ribbon. There should be 1/2 inch space between the lace/ribbon and the edge of the fabric.
Fold ribbon pieces in half and equally space 4 along one side and 2 along the other side. The top layer is the fabric right side down. Pin all 3 layers into place.
5)Sew according to diagram. Use 1/4 inch seam allowance.
6)Turn right side out. It should look something like this:
7) Take the last 2 ribbons and pin in place at the fabric opening. Top stitch around the entire corset, using 1/8 inch seam allowance.
8) Enjoy your finished corset...my girls were the cutest pirates for Halloween (of course, b/c of the corset)...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Baby Blanket
My sister-in-law has waited a long time to become a mom...and come November, she's expecting a boy! I just finished this baby blanket and hopefully it'll make it to Utah before the baby shower this Saturday. Perfect for the baby blessing, don't you think?!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Paper Shoes
I serve in the YW program at church...and Excellence Night is less than a month away. We're busy preparing for it- I was in charge of making the invitations. We're playing on the scripture in D&C 18:10 Remember the worth of "soles" is great in the sight of God...so everything is shoe-themed. I made these great paper shoe invitations & I just added some candy in each shoe (after the pictures were taken) and ta-da- instant cuteness.
I got the template HERE.
Giveaway Gift
So I finally got my act together and delivered Lesley her gift for winning my giveaway contest...I had never made a bag before and when I saw this tutorial HERE I knew I had to try it! So I ran off to buy this fabric I had been eyeing at Hobby Lobby- such a cute, retro print in Fall-ish colors. The handbag turned out great...lucky Lesley...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Canned Pork Recipe
My project this past weekend was canning pork for the first time. I had found a recipe online that claimed to taste exactly like the Cafe Rio pork...so of course I had to try it!
The verdict- it's good...but it ain't no Cafe Rio. I will make more though to add more variety to my food storage.
For those that want to try it, here's the recipe:
Pork roast- I bought 2 pork roasts and had extra sauce left over
3 8 oz cans of tomato sauce
2 cans of El Pato (can be found in the Mexican food section at the grocery store- look for little, yellow cans)
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
Cut roast into small chunks (I tried to trim off as much fat as possible), like so:
Mix remaining ingredients in a pot on med. low heat. Fill (pre-washed, hot) jars with meat. Add sauce...leaving 1-inch headspace. Process in a pressure canner at 11 lbs for 75 minutes (pints) or 90 minutes (quart). Mind you I live at sea level...you may have to adjust the lbs depending on your altitude.
Ta da- they look like this after the jars have been processed. (That's canned chicken in the back...I didn't realize when taking the picture I had inadvertently included the chicken.)
When you're ready to eat...just warm in a pot over the stove and shred meat with a fork- easy!
The verdict- it's good...but it ain't no Cafe Rio. I will make more though to add more variety to my food storage.
For those that want to try it, here's the recipe:
Pork roast- I bought 2 pork roasts and had extra sauce left over
3 8 oz cans of tomato sauce
2 cans of El Pato (can be found in the Mexican food section at the grocery store- look for little, yellow cans)
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
Cut roast into small chunks (I tried to trim off as much fat as possible), like so:
Mix remaining ingredients in a pot on med. low heat. Fill (pre-washed, hot) jars with meat. Add sauce...leaving 1-inch headspace. Process in a pressure canner at 11 lbs for 75 minutes (pints) or 90 minutes (quart). Mind you I live at sea level...you may have to adjust the lbs depending on your altitude.
Ta da- they look like this after the jars have been processed. (That's canned chicken in the back...I didn't realize when taking the picture I had inadvertently included the chicken.)
When you're ready to eat...just warm in a pot over the stove and shred meat with a fork- easy!
And the Winner is...
I used a very high-tech method of drawing a winner...I wrote all of your names down on paper, cut it into tiny pieces, and drew a name. And the winner is:
LESLEY L.
Congrats to Lesley and thanks to everyone who entered! And Lesley, give me two weeks to deliver your surprise winnings...I still have to make it, ya know...
LESLEY L.
Congrats to Lesley and thanks to everyone who entered! And Lesley, give me two weeks to deliver your surprise winnings...I still have to make it, ya know...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Contest!
Enter my first (and probably only) giveaway. What am I giving away? It's a surprise...but it'll be something handmade by me. Here's how to enter:
1) Simply leave a comment.
2) For an additional entry, become a follower by clicking on the "Follow" link off to the right side.
3) For an additional 3 entries, mention my contest on your blog w/a link to my blog. Just leave a comment saying you mentioned my contest on your blog (I trust you, no need to send a link as proof...unless you want to).
The contest ends on OCTOBER 8th. Why the 8th? Because it's National Depression Screening Day & I want to do my part to spread some happiness about. I'll announce the winner that day...probably around nap time (my kid's nap time, not mine...I wish...). Good luck!
PS. Really, odds are in your favor...this is only my 13th post ever on this new blog and I think there's only like 2 people reading it- so you just might win!
1) Simply leave a comment.
2) For an additional entry, become a follower by clicking on the "Follow" link off to the right side.
3) For an additional 3 entries, mention my contest on your blog w/a link to my blog. Just leave a comment saying you mentioned my contest on your blog (I trust you, no need to send a link as proof...unless you want to).
The contest ends on OCTOBER 8th. Why the 8th? Because it's National Depression Screening Day & I want to do my part to spread some happiness about. I'll announce the winner that day...probably around nap time (my kid's nap time, not mine...I wish...). Good luck!
PS. Really, odds are in your favor...this is only my 13th post ever on this new blog and I think there's only like 2 people reading it- so you just might win!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Reversible Apron Tutorial
Materials Needed:
1 yd (45-inch wide) fabric for apron (or if you want the apron to reverse to a different fabric like what I did, get 1/2 yd of each fabric)
2/3 yd (45-inch wide) fabric for apron ties
1 pair of 1-inch D rings
Rotary cutter/mat
Sewing machine
Iron/ironing board
Use a 1/2 in seam unless told otherwise.
Apron Ties:
1) Lay out 2/3 yd fabric on cutting mat. Cut 5 4-inch wide strips.
2) With 1 4-inch strip: Using an iron, press edges toward center of strip- about 1/2 inch wide. See Figure 1.
3) Iron one end like so...see Figure 2.
4) Fold strip in half and iron. See Figure 3.
HINT: you can use pins to help keep fabric in place if you're a perfectionist. I'm not, I'm lazy...so I didn't bother with pins.
5) Topstitch around all 4 sides of the strip, using an 1/8 inch seam.
6) Cut the strip into 2 lengths. Starting from the finished end (the one you ironed) cut a 24 inch piece & then a 5 inch piece. Set aside for now.
7) With remaining 4 strips- sew 2 strips together to create one looooong strip (it'll be close to 90 inches long. Repeat with the other 2 strips. Press open seams with iron.
8)Using an iron, press edges toward center of strip- about 1/2 inch wide. See Figure 4. Iron ends also (like in Step 3). Set aside for now.
Apron:
1) Cut 1 14 inch x 21.5 inch rectangle in each fabric.
2) Cut 1 trapezoid in each fabric to the following dimensions. See Figure 5.
(And yes, my trapezoid is not the prettiest trapezoid you've ever seen but you get the idea.)
You should now have 2 rectangles and 2 trapezoids.
3) Put 2 d-rings on 5-inch strip. See Figure 6.
4) Place 1 trapezoid right side up. Fold 5-inch strip in half and pin 1 inch away from edge of trapezoid. Pin unfinished edge of 24-inch strip 1 inch away from other trapezoid edge. See Figure 7. Place 2nd trapezoid on top, wrong side up.
5) Sew trapezoid along the top 3 sides...leaving the 15.5 inch side unsewn. Snip the corners. See Figure 8. Turn right side out and press w/iron. Top-stitch around edges*. Set aside.
6) Putting right sides together, sew rectangle along 3 sides...leaving 1 21.5 inch side un-sewn. Snip the corners. Turn right side out and press w/iron. Top-stitch around edges*. Set aside.
* Top-stitching is optional...I think it makes the apron more cute- but it's your apron, not mine! (It should be noted that for this tutorial, I didn't top-stitch... again b/c I'm lazy.)
Putting it together:
1) Lay down one long strip (wrong side up). Using the pressed open seam as a guide, place trapezoid bottom edge against folded edge of strip. Place 2nd long strip on top of trapezoid (wrong face down). Pin in place- do NOT skip the pins this time...it'll be a nightmare to sew! See Figures 9,10, & 11. Sew 1/8 inch from edge of strip.
2) Repeat Step 1 with rectangle. Make sure unfinished edge of rectangle gets pinned to the strips. See Figure 12. Sew 1/8 inch from edge of strip. Sew ends of strips closed.
Phew! You're done...now you better go cook something. Hurry, while you're still motivated...
PS. I didn't realize how involved and difficult it is to effectively communicate in writing what I'm thinking in my brain. So let me know if something doesn't make sense...maybe I can edit it and make it easier to understand. B/c honestly, it all makes sense to me...but I could be weird that way...
1 yd (45-inch wide) fabric for apron (or if you want the apron to reverse to a different fabric like what I did, get 1/2 yd of each fabric)
2/3 yd (45-inch wide) fabric for apron ties
1 pair of 1-inch D rings
Rotary cutter/mat
Sewing machine
Iron/ironing board
Use a 1/2 in seam unless told otherwise.
Apron Ties:
1) Lay out 2/3 yd fabric on cutting mat. Cut 5 4-inch wide strips.
2) With 1 4-inch strip: Using an iron, press edges toward center of strip- about 1/2 inch wide. See Figure 1.
3) Iron one end like so...see Figure 2.
4) Fold strip in half and iron. See Figure 3.
HINT: you can use pins to help keep fabric in place if you're a perfectionist. I'm not, I'm lazy...so I didn't bother with pins.
5) Topstitch around all 4 sides of the strip, using an 1/8 inch seam.
6) Cut the strip into 2 lengths. Starting from the finished end (the one you ironed) cut a 24 inch piece & then a 5 inch piece. Set aside for now.
7) With remaining 4 strips- sew 2 strips together to create one looooong strip (it'll be close to 90 inches long. Repeat with the other 2 strips. Press open seams with iron.
8)Using an iron, press edges toward center of strip- about 1/2 inch wide. See Figure 4. Iron ends also (like in Step 3). Set aside for now.
Apron:
1) Cut 1 14 inch x 21.5 inch rectangle in each fabric.
2) Cut 1 trapezoid in each fabric to the following dimensions. See Figure 5.
(And yes, my trapezoid is not the prettiest trapezoid you've ever seen but you get the idea.)
You should now have 2 rectangles and 2 trapezoids.
3) Put 2 d-rings on 5-inch strip. See Figure 6.
4) Place 1 trapezoid right side up. Fold 5-inch strip in half and pin 1 inch away from edge of trapezoid. Pin unfinished edge of 24-inch strip 1 inch away from other trapezoid edge. See Figure 7. Place 2nd trapezoid on top, wrong side up.
5) Sew trapezoid along the top 3 sides...leaving the 15.5 inch side unsewn. Snip the corners. See Figure 8. Turn right side out and press w/iron. Top-stitch around edges*. Set aside.
6) Putting right sides together, sew rectangle along 3 sides...leaving 1 21.5 inch side un-sewn. Snip the corners. Turn right side out and press w/iron. Top-stitch around edges*. Set aside.
* Top-stitching is optional...I think it makes the apron more cute- but it's your apron, not mine! (It should be noted that for this tutorial, I didn't top-stitch... again b/c I'm lazy.)
Putting it together:
1) Lay down one long strip (wrong side up). Using the pressed open seam as a guide, place trapezoid bottom edge against folded edge of strip. Place 2nd long strip on top of trapezoid (wrong face down). Pin in place- do NOT skip the pins this time...it'll be a nightmare to sew! See Figures 9,10, & 11. Sew 1/8 inch from edge of strip.
2) Repeat Step 1 with rectangle. Make sure unfinished edge of rectangle gets pinned to the strips. See Figure 12. Sew 1/8 inch from edge of strip. Sew ends of strips closed.
Phew! You're done...now you better go cook something. Hurry, while you're still motivated...
PS. I didn't realize how involved and difficult it is to effectively communicate in writing what I'm thinking in my brain. So let me know if something doesn't make sense...maybe I can edit it and make it easier to understand. B/c honestly, it all makes sense to me...but I could be weird that way...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I Can't Stop Crocheting...Help!
I haven't crocheted anything since making the above blessing dress, bonnet, & booties for my 3rd daughter last year. It was such a time consuming, over-the-top project for me that after it was done I decided I needed some space and "broke up" w/my crochet hook...
Ahhh, but the crochet bug has bit me again and even though the weather here will never get cold enough to get much, if any, use out out of these beanies...well, I still love them and think they are oh, so darling. My husband see's my non-stop beanie-making and just rolls his eyes. I'm starting to crochet some cute flowers to go with the beanies. If you want to make your own here's the website of the patterns I used HERE. I can't believe how talented this lady is- she has tons of crochet patterns.
PS. Apologies for my daughter not being appropriately dressed...for those of you unaware, my daughter is very opposed to clothing. Now I'm so used to seeing her without a shirt on that I don't realize it until after I've taken a picture- oh well.
Tutu How-To
First of all, the title of this post "Tutu How-to" is so much fun to say...say it a few times, you'll agree.
Materials
1/2 inch wide elastic
At least 5 yds. tulle (more if you want a fuller look)
Rotary cutter & cutting mat
Sewing machine (or you can use needle & thread)
1) Measure your child's waist. Subtract 2 inches & cut your elastic to that length. (Example: My child's waist is 18 inches. Elastic measurement is 18 inches-2 inches= 16 inches.)
Using a zig zag stitch, sew elastic ends together like so (or you can hand sew this together using needle/thread):
2) Cut tulle into 6 inch wide strips like so (& don't stress if your strips aren't exactly 6 inches wide...no one will notice...I pinky promise):
3) Stack your strips, making sure to keep the folded ends on the same side. It should look something similar to this:
4) Decide how long you want your tutu...Long? Short? I wanted mine to go a little longer than my daughter's knees. Starting at her waist line, I measured down just past her knees and it measured at a length of 15 inches.
5) Cut your strips to the desired length. IMPORTANT: Measure your length starting from the folded edge. See picture:
Once cut, your strip should unfold & double in length. My strips opened up to 30 inches long. In case this isn't painfully obvious, I've included a picture to illustrate:
6) Slip each tulle strip through the elastic and even up the ends so that each side has an equal amount of tulle. Tie a single knot...I used to do a double knot (or a square knot to be politically correct) but have found that a single knot is less bulky, less work, and still stays tight on the elastic.
Hint: For some reason it helps to hold the elastic down with your foot as you tie the tulle.
7) Continue tying the strips of tulle around the elastic until there ceases to be any more strips. Tada..hoorah...yippee...you're done!
This is what 5 yds of tulle looks like...if you want a fuller look add more strips of tulle.
After cutting my strips to 15 inches in length, I had leftover tulle. I tied some of the leftover pieces on and it created a shorter layer- if you look closely maybe you can see it. Just an idea of what to do w/your leftover tulle.
Be creative! Use different color combinations/patterns, different lengths, add ribbon, etc!
Materials
1/2 inch wide elastic
At least 5 yds. tulle (more if you want a fuller look)
Rotary cutter & cutting mat
Sewing machine (or you can use needle & thread)
1) Measure your child's waist. Subtract 2 inches & cut your elastic to that length. (Example: My child's waist is 18 inches. Elastic measurement is 18 inches-2 inches= 16 inches.)
Using a zig zag stitch, sew elastic ends together like so (or you can hand sew this together using needle/thread):
2) Cut tulle into 6 inch wide strips like so (& don't stress if your strips aren't exactly 6 inches wide...no one will notice...I pinky promise):
3) Stack your strips, making sure to keep the folded ends on the same side. It should look something similar to this:
4) Decide how long you want your tutu...Long? Short? I wanted mine to go a little longer than my daughter's knees. Starting at her waist line, I measured down just past her knees and it measured at a length of 15 inches.
5) Cut your strips to the desired length. IMPORTANT: Measure your length starting from the folded edge. See picture:
Once cut, your strip should unfold & double in length. My strips opened up to 30 inches long. In case this isn't painfully obvious, I've included a picture to illustrate:
6) Slip each tulle strip through the elastic and even up the ends so that each side has an equal amount of tulle. Tie a single knot...I used to do a double knot (or a square knot to be politically correct) but have found that a single knot is less bulky, less work, and still stays tight on the elastic.
Hint: For some reason it helps to hold the elastic down with your foot as you tie the tulle.
7) Continue tying the strips of tulle around the elastic until there ceases to be any more strips. Tada..hoorah...yippee...you're done!
This is what 5 yds of tulle looks like...if you want a fuller look add more strips of tulle.
After cutting my strips to 15 inches in length, I had leftover tulle. I tied some of the leftover pieces on and it created a shorter layer- if you look closely maybe you can see it. Just an idea of what to do w/your leftover tulle.
Be creative! Use different color combinations/patterns, different lengths, add ribbon, etc!
Bread and Bracelets
I made bread today- I even got out the wheat grinder to grind my own wheat. Is this not the most perfect looking bread loaf?! I've never made such a cute looking loaf of bread- so I had to take a picture to memorialize the moment:
At our church craft night I learned how to make bracelets. My girls thought it was soooo cool and begged for their own. So the next day we spent way too much money at the craft store and made our own:
At our church craft night I learned how to make bracelets. My girls thought it was soooo cool and begged for their own. So the next day we spent way too much money at the craft store and made our own:
Monday, September 21, 2009
Itty-Bitty Dress
It seems to be raining babies at the moment- so many of my friends have had babies recently. I found this dress tutorial HERE and just had to try it!
My version turned out quite cute...I ended up sewing another one (a pink/brown number). Then with extra fabric I made some flower hairclips...although I think it looks great clipped on to the dress too!
PS. And isn't it lovely that my carpet looks clean today? It's not every day I can say that...
My version turned out quite cute...I ended up sewing another one (a pink/brown number). Then with extra fabric I made some flower hairclips...although I think it looks great clipped on to the dress too!
PS. And isn't it lovely that my carpet looks clean today? It's not every day I can say that...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Napkins & Placemats
I made these about a month ago for a family reunion raffle/auction...they turned out cute. I love this Moda line- so retro!
If you want to try and make your own it's very simple:
Napkins- cut 2 squares of fabric(I think mine were 18x18). Sew right sides together, leaving a small opening...turn right side out...sew opening shut...topstitch around the whole napkin and ta da- a napkin!
Placemat- cut 2 rectangles of fabric (I think my dimensions were 15x22???). Just like the napkin, sew right sides together...but add a thin layer of batting on top (so you're sewing all 3 layers together)- then follow the rest of the napkin instructions- ta da again!
If you want to try and make your own it's very simple:
Napkins- cut 2 squares of fabric(I think mine were 18x18). Sew right sides together, leaving a small opening...turn right side out...sew opening shut...topstitch around the whole napkin and ta da- a napkin!
Placemat- cut 2 rectangles of fabric (I think my dimensions were 15x22???). Just like the napkin, sew right sides together...but add a thin layer of batting on top (so you're sewing all 3 layers together)- then follow the rest of the napkin instructions- ta da again!
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