Whew..it's been awhile since I've blogged. Have you ever had one of those months where you're super busy ...but it doesn't seem like you've accomplished much? I had one of those months!
I managed to finish two toddler custom order cowboy hats yesterday.. both size 6-12m, both tan. Right after I finished them, I realized one was supposed to be dark brown 6-12m and the other light brown 0-3m. Really!?!? I was so mad at myself...I'm going to re-do them both this coming weekend but this time, I'll do them right! So I will either be selling the two tan ones on facebook or at Italy Ava..they are super cute.
This past weekend was rough- my wonderful Grandmother passed away on Sunday, January 27th. I had the pleasure and honor of spending a few of her last hours with her the night before..many family members were there as well and I'm so glad I made the trip over to be with her...those are moments I'll never forget. My Grandma was a quilter...she made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren...they are the BEST quilts in the world. I was really saddened on Sunday when I received the phone call that she had passed away... I moped around quite a bit. Monday morning I woke up and had the urge to make quilts... I had a feeling it was Grandma visiting me ;) So, I got out some quilting material and made the cutest little girl rag quilt...and then today I started on the cutest little boy rag quilt. There is just something about making quilts that is soothing. I put all of my attention in each piece I make regardless if it's a hairpiece, quilt, hat, etc. but I will admit that much more than my attention goes into my quilts... lots of love go into those..I am so stinking picky when I make those...they must be perfect and I mean absolutely perfect. I guess it's like my materpieces when it comes to sewing..something that relaxes me and makes me forget about lifes challenges. I have a feeling I'll be making a lot of quilts over the next few months:) If you haven't purchased a little rag quilt for the little one in your life, I recommend it... between the costs and time put into the quilts, they are a steal at between $60 and $75..and the best part, they are a keepsake...an heirloom.
I recently posted that I took the plunge and ordered some beautiful little girl headbands that I will sell. It'll be the very first thing that will not be handmade by me that I will be selling. My intention behind that is to have more available for my customers and not be so limited in what I can offer to my customers. I'm waiting (impatiently!!) for them to arrive. If all goes well, I do plan on opening it up to ordering clothing as well .. I think it's a good fit for me. Suggestions are always welcome... I want to make sure I'm ordering things that people love. Pretty exciting!!
I'm still fairly busy with existing custom orders but am really trying to get caught back up so I can resume taking new orders. I am also trying to keep things stocked up in my facebook album entitled "Available for Purchase" which are items that are available for immediate purchase. I also have a selection of items at Italy Ava as well ...and the nice thing about going to Italy Ava is that you can not only get a cute baby gift, you can also find many things for yourself...pamper yourself with a new outfit:)
Well, that's it for now. I'm off to hunt for a new DIY project to share with all of you!
Take care and be well!
Amy
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
DIY CUTE owl applique
Visit http://mallorypaige.com/owl-applique/ to download the PDF pattern:)
*If you’re new to appliqué be sure to check out this Appliqué 101 post for extra tips and instructions.*
1. Start by tracing the pattern (provided below) onto your adhesive paper (Heat n’ Bond lite was used for this project) and cutting apart pattern pieces.
2. Place your adhesive paper cutout on the back side (wrong side) of your fabric and press with an iron for about 2 seconds. Then cut along the lines of the traced pattern pieces.
3. Peel the paper backing from the fabric pieces.
4. Layout the design before ironing. For this project I embellished a tea towel. Since I wasn’t too concerned about the placement being exact, I just folded the towel in thirds and eye-balled the design placement onto the front of the towel. If you’re embellishing a child’s shirt, a pillow, or something where you want the placement to be precise, use a ruler and mark where the design should go before ironing.
5. Iron the pieces into place (follow the time recommendation on you adhesive paper instructions). Be sure to iron the beak on before the eye mask – that way you can layer the mask on top of the beak.
6. Consider the personality of your owl before ironing the eyes.
7. Sew along the edges of every piece. After washings and normal use the adhesive paper may lose its stickiness, so be sure to sew through each individual pattern piece.
8. Depending on the look you desire, you can use matching or contrasting thread when sewing.
10. Snip all the loose threads on the back and front of your design.
11. You now have a completed owl!
Not only does this project leave you with an adorable owl, but it only takes a couple hours to complete – great for last minute gifts.
Click to download your free pattern:
If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help out. Also, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any projects, patterns or freebies.
Owl Applique (Step-by-Step and Free Pattern)
*If you’re new to appliqué be sure to check out this Appliqué 101 post for extra tips and instructions.*
1. Start by tracing the pattern (provided below) onto your adhesive paper (Heat n’ Bond lite was used for this project) and cutting apart pattern pieces.
2. Place your adhesive paper cutout on the back side (wrong side) of your fabric and press with an iron for about 2 seconds. Then cut along the lines of the traced pattern pieces.
3. Peel the paper backing from the fabric pieces.
4. Layout the design before ironing. For this project I embellished a tea towel. Since I wasn’t too concerned about the placement being exact, I just folded the towel in thirds and eye-balled the design placement onto the front of the towel. If you’re embellishing a child’s shirt, a pillow, or something where you want the placement to be precise, use a ruler and mark where the design should go before ironing.
5. Iron the pieces into place (follow the time recommendation on you adhesive paper instructions). Be sure to iron the beak on before the eye mask – that way you can layer the mask on top of the beak.
6. Consider the personality of your owl before ironing the eyes.
7. Sew along the edges of every piece. After washings and normal use the adhesive paper may lose its stickiness, so be sure to sew through each individual pattern piece.
8. Depending on the look you desire, you can use matching or contrasting thread when sewing.
10. Snip all the loose threads on the back and front of your design.
11. You now have a completed owl!
Not only does this project leave you with an adorable owl, but it only takes a couple hours to complete – great for last minute gifts.
Click to download your free pattern:
If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help out. Also, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any projects, patterns or freebies.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
New DIY Baby Leggings!!
A cheap, easy and SUPER adorable way to make baby leggings! I was going to personally do my own tutorial but thought it would be easier and quicker to find one on the internet and share it with you!
Here it is- great tutorial and EASY way to make some leggins for your baby or toddler! Feel free to let me know how they turn out and post a photo of them:)
Here it is- great tutorial and EASY way to make some leggins for your baby or toddler! Feel free to let me know how they turn out and post a photo of them:)
Baby Leggings made easy...
This is a quick and very easy project to make baby leggings from a pair of knee-high kids socks. They’re great for chilly spring mornings when outside and when you're little one is in a baby sling and his/her cute little legs are hanging out... what a great way to stylize him/her!
materials:
one pair of knee socks sized approximately for a 4 year old (I used size L from crewcuts)
7-8″ piece of 1/2″ elastic matching thread.
Step one: cutting the socks
Stack the two socks evenly on top of each other and cut off the toe and heel gusset. You will use the center foot portion, which should be about 3″ long, and the leg.
Step two: sewing the elastic
Pin the 7″ piece of elastic in a ring with 1″ overlapping, making sure not to twist the elastic. If your baby has extra chunky ankles, then use a bit longer piece of elastic. Sew closed with a wide, long zigzag stitch.
Step three: assembling the cuff
Turn the 3″ foot portion of your sock inside out and slide it onto the leg portion until the opening edges meet, right sides facing. Slip the elastic ring you made in step two about an inch from your opening, just enough so your sewing needle won’t catch it when your secure the seam.
Step four: pinning the legging cuff
Fold the foot piece over the elastic, meeting all the cut ends together. Pin in place.
another view looking into the legging:
Step five: sewing the cuff
Using a wide, long zigzag stitch carefully sew around the entire cuff making sure to catch all three layers of fabric and not to catch the elastic.
Voila, baby leggings!
The original cuff at the top will go around the baby’s thighs, and the new cuff that you added goes around their little ankles, keeping the leggings from slipping over the baby’s feet.
I’m not so sure about these purple leggings, mom.
However, on a chilly day, pulling the elastic cuff down over those little feet during play time isn’t a bad idea at all!
Thanks for tuning in!
Stay Well!
Amy
materials:
one pair of knee socks sized approximately for a 4 year old (I used size L from crewcuts)
7-8″ piece of 1/2″ elastic matching thread.
Step one: cutting the socks
Stack the two socks evenly on top of each other and cut off the toe and heel gusset. You will use the center foot portion, which should be about 3″ long, and the leg.
Step two: sewing the elastic
Pin the 7″ piece of elastic in a ring with 1″ overlapping, making sure not to twist the elastic. If your baby has extra chunky ankles, then use a bit longer piece of elastic. Sew closed with a wide, long zigzag stitch.
Step three: assembling the cuff
Turn the 3″ foot portion of your sock inside out and slide it onto the leg portion until the opening edges meet, right sides facing. Slip the elastic ring you made in step two about an inch from your opening, just enough so your sewing needle won’t catch it when your secure the seam.
Step four: pinning the legging cuff
Fold the foot piece over the elastic, meeting all the cut ends together. Pin in place.
another view looking into the legging:
Step five: sewing the cuff
Using a wide, long zigzag stitch carefully sew around the entire cuff making sure to catch all three layers of fabric and not to catch the elastic.
Voila, baby leggings!
The original cuff at the top will go around the baby’s thighs, and the new cuff that you added goes around their little ankles, keeping the leggings from slipping over the baby’s feet.
I’m not so sure about these purple leggings, mom.
However, on a chilly day, pulling the elastic cuff down over those little feet during play time isn’t a bad idea at all!
Thanks for tuning in!
Stay Well!
Amy
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