The Libby Top - Sew Along with CINO

I participated in another sew-along with Jess from Craftiness is Not Optional. As usual, she created another beautiful garment along with a helpful, straight forward tutorial to follow. From the first picture she posted, I knew I had to participate! I was really wanting to add some fall tops to Cupcake's wardrobe and I loved the look of the Libby Top. I also just picked up some cute fall-ish fabric from Ikea a few weeks ago so I was all set!

I had fun with this sew-along, just like the last one! I like that I only have a few steps to do each day. It allows me to take the time I need to really get the steps down. It makes me a little impatient, though, making me wonder what the next step will be and how it will all turn out.

With this sew-along, Jess did not have a pattern to download, so for the Libby Top, I created my own. This part was a little scary, because I hadn't ever done it before. I did my best, using a shirt of Cupcake's and I think it turned out pretty well. In my head, I was hoping it would be a little longer, so she could wear it with leggings. I'm thinking it still might work out. Also, the bib on the original top was straight, rather than slanted like mine. The other thing I wish I would have done differently was cut the elastic for the buttons smaller, they are a little too long.

Awww! What a cutie!! Showing off her new top & sticker!

All in all, I love how it turned out. I like the fabric and my fellow Crafty Mamas helped me pick the coordinating fabric choice - thanks ladies! The fabric is on the stiffer side, so I think it will keep her warm on the cooler fall days. I am excited for her to wear it, I love fall! Thanks again to Jess for another fabulous tutorial!!

Hair Accesories Fun

I recently got my hair cut very short and ever since I have been a little obsessed with making hair accessories to go with my new style. I have always enjoyed making fun hair bows for Cupcake but now a whole world has opened up to me with options for me!

I thought I'd share my latest creations with you. I've pinned a lot of ideas on my Hair Accessories and Fabric Flowers boards on Pinterest and have just been going through the list and trying out all that I have the time and supplies for.

I started using 1/8" elastic and gluing the accessories to the elastic, but at the rate I was making flowers, I realized I would soon be out of elastic. So, I created one universal elastic band and started hot gluing the accessories to mini alligator clips. That way I can just change the accessory and keep the same band. I know, I know, genius right?!?

I recently purchased an envelope full of fabric scraps from Jess at Craftiness is Not Optional  and have enjoyed using scraps from her to create some of the accessories. I love that I can use just a little left-over fabric to create a cute little addition to my look! Last weekend, I made one (top right corner) using the left over fabric from Cupcake's birthday outfits (more on that in another post) to coordinate with her during the party!

Scrappy Flower Headband

Today, I tried out a tutorial from Nature's Heirloom that I absolutely love!! She guest posted the tutorial here. I changed the way she created it a little, using an old t-shirt. Using a t-shirt you don't have to worry about fraying and I like the way it rolls in after you stretch it out a bit. They are so easy to make and so cute! I've made two so far and look great on both Cupcake and myself.

Cupcake modeling one of the Scrappy Flower Headbands

 

Wraps Three Ways

Amanda and I were co-hosting playgroup this week and I suggested chicken wraps as our main dish. However, I wanted to do something a little special, so I decided to make up the fixings for three different types of wraps: Thai, Mexican, and Caesar. Giving options like this is a fun and easy way to make your simple lunch look a little more fancy. All three wraps had flour tortilla shells, chicken (shredded rotisserie chicken from the store), and lettuce. I placed a tray with the following ingredients: red peppers and cucumber strips (Thai), shredded Colby jack and onions (Mexican), and shredded mozzarella and tomatoes (Caesar). I made signs out of simple card stock suggesting which vegetables to put on each tortilla and placed them in front of the sauces. The sauce for the Thai wraps was a Thai Peanut Sauce, which you can buy or make. The sauce for the Mexican wraps was a sour cream and fajita seasoning mix. The sauce for the Caesar wraps was Ken's Lite Caesar Dressing and Dip.

It was simple and everyone seemed to enjoy it!

Black Bird Tunic

Good Evening, it is Jennifer here to share a cute little top I recently made for Cupcake! The tutorial came from Shwin & Shwin. There blog has so, so many tutorials for the cutest kids clothes (and other fun things, but mostly I drool over the cute kids clothes!). Every time they create a new post, I love seeing what they come up with.

A lot of their stuff seemed a little intimidating being so cute and somewhat complicated. Recently, they have been sharing a Sewing 101 series going through basic techniques that they use on a lot of their tutorials. Reading over a few of those posts and admiring all of their tutorials, I decided to go for it! I thought a top would be cute considering I hadn't made many tops before. I checked out the Black Bird Tunic and decided I had the perfect fabric for it!

Showing off her Black Bird Tunic

 I did the top a little differently, using bias tape instead of piping (still haven't tried piping yet!) and didn't line the circle collar (after doing it, I wish I would have!). I also added two buttons, instead of one big one, only because I didn't have a big enough one to look cute. The directions for the top were very straightforward and easy to follow! I loved the way the top turned out and so did Cupcake. Her favorite part was the pocket. When I put on the shirt to see how it looked, then told her we could take it off, she told me she wanted to keep it on. She then, excitedly said "pocket," as she put small trinkets in her new pocket.

 "Pocket!!"

Close-up of the two buttons

Tote Bag "For the Love of Andrea"

Hey all, Beth here and I wanted to post a little project a few of the crafty mamas worked on today. Some of my good friends from High School had a friend who was injured in the State Fair stage incident a few weeks ago and is still in the hospital. They have been working hard to raise money, prayers and awareness for her and her family during this time.

Anyway, a few of us got together and made this cute tote bag to sell at a fundraiser auction for Andrea. We used her signature hot pink and an awesome matching floral fabric. The tote is reversible and one side has a couple cute pockets sewn on. See Sara's tutorial for the Travel Tote that she made for DJ Ark here. It's very similar to this but with pockets instead of the map and it's bigger. We got the who thing done in about 2 hours with 4 kids running around so I would have to put the difficulty level pretty low.

If you are interested in bidding on this bag at the auction or want to learn more about Andrea and her road to recovery check out her blog. http://www.fortheloveofandrea.com/upcoming-events/

Ruffle Tie T-shirt

I have a confession, I am addicted to Pinterest.  If I am not working on a project during DJ Ark's nap time (or cleaning, laundry, etc.), I am on Pinterest looking for new projects, recipes, or just admiring people's creativity. Anyway, I found this ruffle necktie tee tutorial and just knew I wanted to try it.

Thanks for being the model, Megan!

While I was visiting my parents, my sister came into town and we decided that this would be a perfect craft to do.  It did require a quick trip to Goodwill (for the ties) and Wal-Mart (for the shirts).  If I would have been home I probably would have used an old shirt of mine, but I bought enough ties to make 3 or 4 shirts.

All of our shirts...so simple and fun to make.

My shirt ( I feel in love with the tie, too bad the shirt is too big.  I am going to work on trying to slim it down)

One of my sister's shirt, love the flowers and polka dots!

My sister's game day (Ohio State graduate) shirt

Soccer drawstring bag

Hello all, Sara once again.  I have been on a crafting blitz the last couple of weeks and haven't been able to post my projects.  I am trying to get as much of them posted so I am not so far behind.

DJ Ark and his buddies are going to be getting together to start soccer soon.  Yes, at 2 he can't really play soccer, but he can kick the ball well and hopefully listen to the coach and do some running around.  So in preparation for the first practice, I wanted to make a bag to hold all of his stuff.  I was going to make a bag with handles and extra pockets, but then I decide that a simple drawstring bag would be easiest for him and me.  I found a tutorial to use at The Purl Bee and had found some cute soccer fabric at JoAnn.  I even found cute ribbon at Hobby Lobby (I love whem it is 50% off!!).

Can't wait for the first practice!

Perfect size for all of his stuff

I even have fabric left over to make something else...we will just have to see what I come up with!