Perfekt Cheeks!

I love this cheek color from "Perfekt".   It goes on so smooth, blends right in to match your skin, and lasts all day.  Awesome!  It's $28 but lasts forever because you only use a dab.  It comes out VERY bright, but don't let this scare you off!  I think it blends a lot better than other cheek stain type products I have used in the past. And its paraben free, yay!
Give it a try!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P273805&categoryId=B70

Easy Fabric Flower 4th of July tank top

In one week its the 4th of July!  I am a little freaked out by the holiday coming this year, as I have taken on the task of heading up our big neighborhood bike parade and ice cream social.  But of course, I have to look cute in a patriotic way while doing it :)  So, I made this.

1. Find an old tank top in red white or blue, or buy a new one.
2. Cut out 5 squares of patriotic fabric- I did two each of the star fabric, and three each of the blue. (don't worry about having perfect squares, unless you're one of those people like my husband who has to do everything precisely.)

3.  Using the longest stitch on your machine, sew along the open edges only.  Don't cut your thread in between, just keep going.  It will look like a bunting when you're done.

4.  Gather up your triangles and they will start to look like petals.

5.  Hand sew your petals together, you can use this step to make it all look just right.

6.  Sew a button or other embellishment on the top to cover the ugly parts.

7.  Pin onto your shirt!

You can use this on a handbag, headband, etc. so you look ready for the 4th.  No cheesy t-shirts for us!

Check out this Tutorial from "Me Sew Crazy"

This is one of my favorite blogs...check out this CUTE and easy-looking project!  I am definitely giving this one a try!  Might be good for my Christmas Challenge!
http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2011/06/knot-tote-tutorial.html

Beets,please!

I really loved my mom's sweet pickled beets as a kid.  At some point she stopped making them, but when I saw some nice looking beets at the farmer's market this weekend I was inspired to make them for my daughter!
I looked up several recipes online, and none of them were just perfect for me, so I kinda just winged it.

LJ's Sweet Pickled Beets:
1. Take three nice sized beets and clean them.  Cut off the top (you can find recipes for the beet greens too!)
2. Boil the beets until fork-tender.
3.  Under cool running water, use your hands to get the skin off (it will come off really easily)
4.  In a regular Mason jar, place about 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 TBSP salt, 1/2 TBSP mustard seeds, and 1 tsp peppercorns.  Shake it with the lid on.
5. Slice your beets about 1/4" thick and put in the jar, being sure to move it around so they are all covered.
6.  Wait at least one hour to serve, but I like to wait one day.  Keep them in the fridge!

Serve in your salad, with cottage cheese, or even on a sandwich.  They are tangy and sweet and beautiful and good for you!

Toddler Faux-Petticoat Skirt

So we have a two year old's birthday party tomorrow night, and I wanted to whip up something personal to add to her gift.  The result?  A cute Faux-Petticoat circle skirt.

-I made a circle skirt for the top layer (floral fabric).  I left the top edge raw and hemmed the bottom.
-Then I took a long strip of the pinstripe fabric, folded it in half and ruffled it.  I then attached this to the raw edge of the floral fabric.
-I then folded the top over to make a casing for the elastic and threaded it through.
-I also made a bow and attached it at the hip!

Voila!

I did not do a full tutorial because there are a ton of circle skirt ones on the web- google it and see!!!

Fabric wish list

So, I am not opposed to buying fabric full price if it is one that I LOVE and I have a specific project in mind so I know what amount I need.  But usually I buy fabric on sale that I like and keep it for whenever, or I repurpose something old or something vintage I find.  (I guess this must be why I have a pretty big stash to work with!) 
Anyways, here are some fabrics that I am currently eyeballing/ using as inspiration!  (All are from FabricWorm.com)

For LJ:

Echino Nico Spring 2011, Cable Car Pink
http://www.fabricworm.com/ecnisp20caca3.html

Kokka Large Trefle Cotton Birdie Alphabet Natural
http://www.fabricworm.com/kolatrcobial.html


For Me/My Friends:

Alexander Henry Pocket Pixies, Dandelion Green/Yellow
http://www.fabricworm.com/alhepopidagr.html

Anna Maria Horner Loulouthi VOILE, Clippings Forest
http://www.fabricworm.com/anmaholovocl.html

For Boys:

Monaluna Organic Anika, Foxes

http://www.fabricworm.com/mooranfo.html

Jay-Cyn Designs for Birch Fabrics Organic Avalon His Cruiser
http://www.fabricworm.com/jadeforbifao.html

Kids Napkin Set Tutorial

Welcome to my first tutorial!  Please send your feedback, as I would love these to be useable and easy to understand. (Was it too detailed?  Were pictures helpful?)

To make a set of two kids napkins with a napkin "pocket" you will need:
Scissors
A sewing machine

An iron

2 cotton or linen fabric scraps measuring 14.5" x 14.5"
2 coordinating fabric scraps (same material as above) measuring 14.5" x 14.5"
2 fabric scraps (can be one of each of above or both from the same fabric) measuring 14.5" x 10"

matching or contrasting thread (your choice!)

Okay, it's go time!

Step One:

Prep!  Be sure your fabric is pre-washed.  That is a must.  You can iron it too, that always makes things easier but I admit that sometimes I don't!

Step Two:
Measure out your 14.5" squares.  I use a tape measure and a sharpie to mark dots, then connect them with a straight edge.  You can layer if you want to save time.

 Step Three:

Cut out your four 14.5"squares.  If you want to save time and do it in layers, then be sure to pin them together before you cut to avoid shifting.

Step Four:

Place contrasting fabrics right sides together and pin.



Step Five:

Sew around all four edges using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Be sure to leave a gap in the middle of one side. (You need to be able to turn it right side out!)  When I do this, I simply stop sewing and move the fabric a couple inches, then resume sewing.  You can clip threads later.  Some people use double pins to remind them to leave the gap, as you see in the photo below.  I try to do this because I hate wasting time with the seam ripper! (Although mine gets plenty of use!)

Step Six:

Clip your corners so it looks nice and neat when you turn it right side out.

Step Seven:

Repeat with other napkin.  Then turn them right side out (pay attention to your corners!) and set aside.

Step Eight:

Cut out your 14.5" x 10" pieces for your napkin pockets, then fold in half lengthwise. (you can skip the next few steps if you do NOT want an applique or embroidery.)

Step Nine:

Fold them in half again to see where you want to place your embroidery or applique.

Step Ten:
Cut out an applique from your contrasting fabric, place, and pin. (OR use a purchased applique, a tiny doilie, a monogram...)  If embroidering, mark out where you want it, get out that hoop and go to town!



Step Eleven:

Use a blanket stitch, zigzag stitch, or other stitch that encloses edge of fabric and set it as narrow as you think looks best.  (I used a 2.5mm blanket stitch)

Step Twelve:

With fabric folded in half lengthwise, and right sides together, sew each edge forming a tube.  Sew the folded edge too so they look the same when turned inside out.

Step Thirteen:
Turn the tube right side out and repeat with other napkin pocket.

Step Fourteen:
Gather up all your pieces and head to the ironing board.

Step Fifteen:

Iron all the edges of the napkins.  Pay close attention to the gap where they are not sewn and iron carefully.

Step Sixteen:

Iron the napkin pocket tubes then fold in half and iron again.



Step Seventeen:

Fold the tops of the napkin pocket inside the tube (so there is no raw edge) and iron.  Be sure that they are all even.  Oh, and pardon my "manicure" in the photo.  It is courtesy of my 1.5 year old.

Step Eighteen:

Topstitch your napkins.  You will need to make a seam that is smaller than 1/4" to be sure to catch the opening left from when we turned the napkin right side out.  I do this by lining it up barely on the inside of the presser foot.

Sew slowly on the corners to make it pretty.

Step Nineteen:

Stitch the tops of your napkin pockets closed.  Use a decorative stitch if you wish.

Step Twenty:

Stich the sides of your napkin pockets.  Use a tiny seam allowance, again lining it up evenly using your presser foot.  Be sure to backstich at the bottom and top.  At the top I backstitched a couple of times to give it more durability.

Step Twenty-One:
Fold up your napkins the following way to fit inside: In half lengthwise, then accordian folded.  Then place them inside the pockets and have a tea party with topless Barbie and Pooh.

For a nice gift, you can place in some matching kids flatwear.  Hmm, this would be great for some of LJ's little toddler buddies for my Christmas Challenge!  This would make a cute party favor too, especially if you use themed fabric.











Inspiration...

I see a headband for LJ in my future!  Check out this great project from the blog Craftiness Is Not Optional.

http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/06/ric-rac-flower-tutorial.html

Coming tomorrow- the kids cloth napkin set tutorial!!! 

Christmas Gift Adventure/ Little Boy Napkin Set

So, I have really worked on being more "green" this year, and one idea I had was to make my Christmas gifts.  I have a crazy stash in my sewing/craft room and I want to use all that good stuff!  I will be buying things as needed, but my goal is to reuse as much as possible.
Please send me your reusing ideas as I mention projects! 
I will not say who each gift is for, because some recipients read this blog...have fun guessing!

Here is my first scrap project- a cute cloth napkin set for little boys!  I used some leftover fabric from making a toddler bed sheet set for my nephew.  I will post my very first tutorial for this simple project in the next week.  Keep an eye out- even if you are a beginning sewer (or have never sewn) you can do this project, it's that easy I promise!

Spread the word!

Okay you fearless few who are actually still out there on my followers list after 2 years off!  I am bringing this blog back to life with a new purpose! (okay, purposes)
-I don't have a job outside the home and I feel the need to contribute my brain to something outside the home too.
-I have made a promise to myself to handmake something for each and every person on my Christmas list this year and thought it would be cool to document.
-Lots of people ask me about the things I sew, bake, etc. so this will be an easy way for my friends and family to see how to do it themselves...and hopefully some new friends too!

So basically I am asking that you help spread the word if you think anyone you know would enjoy my silly musings and crafty ideas.  I will also share other cool things I run across from time to time.  THANKS!!!!