Thursday, February 21, 2013

Multi Chain Forever 21 Knockoff Necklace

Hello friends! I miss you! I'm sorry I haven't been around too much. I'm hoping things will slow down a little soon so I can be around more. In the meantime, check out this fabulous necklace I just made!  The Multi Chain Forever 21 Knockoff Necklace  is great to wear with just about anything and I love the multiple chain look! 

The tutorial is up now on 30 Handmade Days blog. I'd love to know what you think!
Thanks for reading and we'll talk soon! 

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Handmade Valentines for Kids-Eye Love You!

I cannot take any credit for this cuteness. I first saw these I Love You Cards from the Kraze 4 Paper Etsy shop and pinned them immediately. They are so cute. I would have definitely just bought these, if I had thought about it early enough.
Instead of planning ahead, I didn't think about what I would do about valentines for my kiddos until the day before. Oops. So around 4:00 (before I left school) I tried some printables from my Valentine's board on Pinterest, but our color printer was acting up so that idea was out. Then I came across this idea I'd pinned forever ago. I knew mine wouldn't be as great as the original, but I grabbed some jumbo googly eyes from my classroom closet and took them home in hopes to recreate the idea somehow with whatever else I could come up with at home.
Of course, I didn't even start to make them until 10:00 that night. Ha. I was tired, but they got done and the kids LOVED them today. 
What did you do for valentines this year? Go handmade or store bought? I'd love to see your ideas! Leave your link in the comments and I'll check it out!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Thanks for reading and Eye Love You!! :)

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Color Block and Scallop Valentine Wreath

I know I'm really late in posting any Valentine projects, but I couldn't not post it. :) I have had this wreath mostly done besides the hand embroidery for the past week and a half, but have had a hard time finding the time to finish it! I've been trying to narrow down some vendors for my wedding and, of course, at school. I hope you know I would definitely rather be blogging!
So this wreath was so super fun to make. As soon as I saw this Scallop Felt Ghost Wreath by Tatertots and Jello, I just knew I had to make a wreath using those felt scallop strips. SO cute. I thought it would be fun to add in some extra color besides just my usual go-to color for valentine red. I love how the color blocking turned out and the scallops are precious.
The various garlands were so fun to make, too. Cuteness.

If you'd like to make one too, follow along! 
Materials Needed
straw Wreath Form (with plastic left on)
15 red strips of felt cut into scallops (25 x 4 inches for all strips)
5 pink strips of felt cut into scallops
and 3 white strips of felt cut into scallops
hot glue gun
coordinating embroidery floss and needle
various garland materials: more felt, ric rac trim, tulle, matching thread, embroidery floss
Cover the wreath in scallop strips.
Cut felt into strips and then cut out scallops using the template. You can print the template onto card stock, cut out tape together and it creates a long scallop strip about 25 inches long.  Pin the strip to a couple or 3 strips of felt at a time and cut around the template. 

Once strips are cut, start wrapping red scallop strips around the wreath form, making sure entire form is covered and scallops' hills and valleys are alternating. Use hot glue to secure. 
Cover about 3/4 of the wreath in red scallops. Cover about 3/4 of the remaining portion of the wreath with pink and then cover the remaining portion white. To end the wrapping part, tuck the flat end under some scallop hills and valleys and glue to secure so you can't tell where the end is. 

Create garlands and attach to wreath.
Heart Garland
To create the simple heart garland, just cut out hearts from two pieces of felt at a time to get matching hearts. hot glue one of the matching hearts under the ric rac and then the other matching heart on top. Continue until length of ric rac is full. I alternated Large pink hearts that  I later embroidered using a blanket stitch and smaller red hearts. 

Tulle Pom Garland
To create the tulle pom garland, cut a 10 by 6 inch length of tulle (I like to use these tulle rolls you can find at Hobby Lobby). 
Fold the tulle over itself three times and then up again once. 

Cut all the edges off the folded tulle to create a stack of tulle strips. Use a matching piece of thread to tie a knot in the center of the strips. Cut lengthwise cuts into the tulle up to the tied center on both sides. Trim the ends to make the tulle more square and ready to be fluffed into ball form.

Fluff the tulle into a ball. Fold the tulle ball over ric rac and secure wit hot glue. Continue for entire length of ric rac. 
Fringe Garland
The fringe garland should be pretty self explanatory-simply take a strip of felt and cut tiny vertical cuts into it all the way across. I used a running stitch across the top of this garland. 

Bow Garland
The bow garland was simple, too, and I did not take pictures. Simply make felt bows by cutting rectangles. Fold rectangles like a fan and then use a tiny rectangle of the same color felt to bind the fanned felt in the middle. Trim the edges with pinking sheers. Make enough bows (the same size) to create a garland. Glue the corners of the bows together with hot glue. 

XOXOXO
After all the garland is glued on, cut out some Xs and Os from felt (2 pieces per letter) and use a blanket stitch around the edges to secure the pieces together. Simply hot glue the letters on top! 

I hope you enjoyed this Valentine Wreath tutorial!! 

Thanks for reading!!
and Happy Valentine's Day!!!
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Monday, February 4, 2013

Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle Sale and Giveaway!



Today is the 1st day of the 1st ever Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle Sale and giveaway, sponsored by The Southern Institute and Fat Quarter Shop!


I am so excited about this pattern sale! I just bought mine and I am so impressed with these patterns! They are full of pictures and detailed instructions and all the projects are so fun. I can't wait to sew some of these up this week hopefully and I'm sure I'll be using them for quite awhile! Read on to find out more about this bundle. Giveaway is at the end of the post!

Over the past eight weeks a lot of behind the scenes work has taken place to bring you this amazing bundle of ePatterns from several of the top pattern designers and bloggers in the sewing and blogging world.  The result is a bundle of 18 PDF sewing patterns that you don't want to miss.
Buy Now
For one week only, ten pattern designers have come together to bring you 18 of their best PDF patterns, valued together at over $139.00, for the incredible price of $24.95!  That's over 80% off of the combined retail value!  Plus you can enter to win a dream of a giveaway valued at $390 from some really great shops! For less than $25.00 you will have a library of resources that you can use over and over again.  The designers that have joined this sale are experts in their craft.  They have been sewing for a very long time and are well known in blogland and elsewhere.  Each designer has contributed one or two of their favorite patterns to create a bundle that is sure to please!  Whether you are sewing for your own family or making gifts for others, these are patterns that you will love to use. If you've never sewn with a PDF pattern before, let me tell you how great it is!  After downloading your pattern instructions and your pattern, you will print out the pattern itself, creating pattern tiles, if you will.  Simply tape the tiles together to create the full pattern!  At that point you can cut out the size that you need and pin the paper pattern directly to your fabric or you can trace the pattern size that you need onto sewing paper or tissue paper and cut it out, saving the paper pattern for later when you need to sew another size.  Pdf patterns are so convenient because you can print them out as many times as you need!
Click here to buy the bundle!
Now let me tell you a little bit about the giveaway!  
The Sew Fab Giveaway is amazing!  One lucky winner will win a bunch of amazing prizes from Craftsy, Fat Quarter Shop, fabricworm, Jennifer's Jewels Custom Labels on Etsy, Green Bee Patterns, author Deborah Moebes, Mee a Bee, Gussy Sews, I'm Feeling Crafty, and Ball and Chain on Etsy. See the end of the post for giveaway details.  This giveaway is not to be missed!

I know you're dying to know "What is included in the pattern bundle?"

18 well-loved ePatterns from 10 well-known designers are instantly accessible to you by PDF download upon purchase of the Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle.  Here are the patterns that you will receive (click on the links below to see more details):
Goodship Dress by One Girl CircusMommy & Mia Apron by Sew Much AdoRuby Lou Doll by Sew Much AdoMini Maxi Dress by Seamingly SmittenMiss Mod Top by Seamingly SmittenLove Your Lunch Box by Ginger CakesModern Folksy Bunny by Ginger CakesBanyan Pants & Shorts by Figgy'sBanyan Top & Tunic by Figgy'sGo To Shift Dress by Go To PatternsGo To Gift Bags by Go To PatternsSidekick Suitcase by Sew FearlessMadeline Dress by Me Sew CrazyForget Me Knot Dress by Me Sew CrazyAlex & Anna Summer PJs by Peekaboo Pattern ShopAlex & Anna Winter PJs by Peekaboo Pattern ShopCommuter Cowl by luvinthemommyhoodScirocco Dress by Figgy's The Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle is only available for one week and will never be available again!  You can purchase the bundle from February 4th at 8 a.m. EST through February 11th at 8 a.m. EST and there will be no late sales offered.  Due to the nature of the sale there will be no refunds offered.
You don't want to miss this unique opportunity to purchase a ready made collection of 18 PDF sewing patterns from 10 of the best designers out there!
Buy Now

And now for The Sew Fab Giveaway!

You are not going to believe the prizes included in this giveaway!  Can't buy the bundle?  It's okay... purchase is not required to enter.  Take a look at what you have the chance to win:
A Sewing Themed Box of Goodies from Pick Your Plum Fabulous Wristlet from Gussy Sews (not necessarily the one pictured) The latest release, Stitch Savvy, by Deborah Moebes Sterling Silver Sewing Machine necklace from Ball and Chain on Etsy $50 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop $50 Gift Certificate to fabricworm A free online class from Craftsy.com The Scoop Tote Pattern from Green Bee Patterns 60 Custom Tags from Jennifer's Jewels Red Riding Hood Little Girl's Satchel from Mee a Bee Handmade Sewing Machine Cover from I'm Feeling Crafty

YES, ONE WINNER WILL WIN ALL OF THOSE GOODIES!!!

There are lots of chances to win and no purchase required to enter the giveaway.  Just use the Rafflecopter widget and enter to win this amazing prize package that will inspire you in your sewing as well as keep you stocked with fabric for many projects to come!

The Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle Sale!

Sew Much Inspiration right at your finger tips...

only $24.95!

Get your bundle now!

Graphic design by Andrea Panell.
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Friday, February 1, 2013

Pattern Sale Coming Soon!!

Soooo...next week I have something extra fun going for you! Read on to find out a little more..I'm so excited! 

From February 4th- February 11th...

the first ever

 
  For one week only, ten pattern designers will be joining together to combine 18 of their best PDF sewing patterns (valued together at over $139.00) and selling them to you for the incredible price of $24.95! That's over 80% off of the combined retail value! That wasn't a typo! For less than $25.00 you will have the chance to purchase a library of resources to get you started on several great projects that you can sew over and over again.  The designers that are joining this sale are experts at their craft. They have been sewing for a very long time and are well known in blog land as well as in children's and women's sewing pattern design circles. Each designer has contributed one or two of their favorite sewing patterns to create a bundle that is sure to please! 

 Whether you are sewing for your own family or making gifts for others, these are patterns that you will love to use. Figgy's Patterns, Go To Patterns, peek-a-boo pattern shop, Seamingly Smitten, One Girl Circus, Sew Much Ado, luvinthemommyhood, Gingercake, Sew Fearless, Me Sew Crazy... this is the lineup! But you have to wait until Monday to find out exactly which sewing patterns are included in the pattern bundle. I can tell you that you won't be disappointed!

  We are offering an affiliate program for this amazing sale too! If you think your blog readers, Facebook friends, or Twitter pals would be interested in buying this bundle of sewing patterns, why not sign up as an affiliate? As a Sew Fab Sale affiliate you can sell the pattern bundle on your blog and earn 40% of all of your sales! Contact Jenny at thesoutherninstitute@gmail.com for more details! 

Oh! And there will be a giveaway! The Sew Fab Giveaway is amazing! One lucky winner will win a bunch of amazing prizes from some of your favorite companies and online shops! I can't wait to reveal the giveaway package next week!

Don't miss the Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle Sale

starting Monday, February 4th!

Sponsored by
The Southern Institute and Fat Quarter Shop

We'll see you there!

The Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle is only available from 8 am EST February 4th through 8 am EST February 11th. Due to the nature of the sale there will be no late sales or refunds.

Aren't you guys so excited!! This is such a crazy deal for all these wonderful patterns. I can't wait to try them out! 
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