4.28.2011

One Month to Win It!

I recently auditioned for the online craft
competition called One Month to Win It.

And I'm in!!!

I love being pushed from my crafty comfort zone and thinking up crafts per a theme.
Head over there now and see who's participating.


Week one begins this coming Monday and I am SO excited!
So get your voting skills all ready to roll!

4.27.2011

Pattern Review: Simplicity 4711


I chose this pattern for the multiple options and I really wanted the bias tape detail along the bottom edge.  I wanted this to be a simple, no-brainer pattern I could whip up in no time....but it wasn't.  I did enjoy using my new Bias Tape Makers...I'm in love with them, but not with this pattern.  I had to re-sew the neckline and, although it turned out cute, that was simply luck.

Score: ★★☆☆☆
Skill Level: Easy
Direction Clarity: No bueno.
True to Size: Size numbers ran true to size
Changes Made: I added the "boy" sleeves to the dress and a sash.
Overall: I consider myself and Intermediate level sewist.  This pattern's directions were very unclear.  I cut out a used a piece of pattern and I still have no idea what it's intended purpose was.  This should be such a simple dress to make, but it was not simple at all.
Recommended: No.

Happy Sewing!

4.26.2011

Pattern Review: McCalls 5966


This was Evangeline's Easter dress. I went with McCalls 5966. I chose this pattern because I love the faux wrap style top and like the short, half or long sleeve option.  I always look for patterns I feel can look completely different when made again and again (saving money) and this one completely fits the bill.

Making the wrap top was much easier than I anticipated and I love the finished look, although I might try to raise the V just a bit for more modesty.  The puff sleeves were a cute touch.

Score: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Skill Level: Easy
Direction Clarity: Very good.
True to Size: Size numbers ran large, but if you go by measurements (which you always should) it sewed up perfectly.
Changes Made: I added a wide sash to the waist.
Overall: I really like this pattern. I bought it in Ella's size as well and will definitely use it again.
Recommended: Yes
Happy Sewing!

4.24.2011

Easter Dresses x 3

Well, I got all three of the dresses sewn for the girls in time for church on Sunday.
Just barely.

Easter is the perfect time to realize that being a Mommy of three girls is sublime. Allowing sewist to geek out and plan crazy custom dresses for all three girls. It's pretty much femme-bot heaven.

I found this large floral fabric on clearance for $1/yd at JoAnns three months ago and knew it was just right for Easter.  I grabbed a white fabric with tiny dots and accented with a deep hot pink (both also from JoAnns).

Over the course of this week I will review the patterns I used.  Two good ones and one dud.  I used three different patterns because I want to have coordinating dresses rather than identical.

But for now, feast your eyes on the cutest kids in the entire world...

Bianca rocks her mostly white dress with floral and pink accents.

Evangeline got a wrap top with a wide pink sash.

Evangeline opted out of a bow and wanted a simple knot instead.  Love.

Ella got three tiers for optimal spinning powers and a large rosette accent.

All three girls in their dresses by Mommy.

Hope you had a Happy Easter!

4.23.2011

4.21.2011

Quilting Bee Blocks

Here are my final two blocks for my Stitch Six Quilting Bee.

Block for Michelle

Michelle's block was so fun to make and the fabrics are very interesting. I am dying to see the finished project since the blocks are each slightly different.
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Block for LeeAnn


Isn't this Bento block divine?  And I ADORE these fabrics.  This block will eventually be cut into fours and matched with other block quarters to create new blocks.  Then sashed and quilted.

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Whew!  I am finished with all the blocks for The STITCH SIX bee!
And it was so much more fun than I even imagined.
I found quilting to be relaxing, yet exciting.  Seeing pieces of a puzzle come together through shapes and angles was truly exhilarating.  I am thinking the stitch Six Bee may have to have a Round 2.

Have you ever been a part of a Quilting Bee? 
Virtual or Face-to-face?

4.19.2011

Paislee Press Sneak

I just LOVE digital Design Kits by Paislee Press. The owner, Liz, has given her team permission to Sneak Peek her newest kit, Sorriso, the day before its release. Here it is...isn't it glorious?


I really love that this kit is feminine, but has darker colors. Many girl/baby kits are much too cutesy for my taste, but Paislee Press always makes it classic and yet modern.

Here's a layout I made using this kit and a recent picture of Ella.


Now be sure to visit other Paislee Press Team members' blogs to see their layouts made using this kit. 
The team is FABULOUS and you are sure to be inspired!



4.18.2011

Dress to Skirt Re-Fashion

I love the Goodwill. We have a really great one by our home that seems small and I think that is why it is always filled with hidden treasures...less traffic. I have found so many amazing deals there. Like this...


This dress was spotted at the Goodwill for $0.75 last month. I loved the tiered skirt with its bold mix of prints, but that bull dog on the stained t-shirt top had to go.  So I set out to make it a skirt for Ella and I love the results.


I had my husband time me and it took under 20 minutes, and that included threading my machine with black thread. 






And here's my beautiful model showing it off.  She wore it to church today and there was much twirling and primping to be had.

4.15.2011

featured...



i was featured on the very cool and totally inspirational eighteen25 blog today.
they showcased my ideas from our recent Despicable Me party.
and now i really wish i had made those cupcakes cuter!
so much for "embracing imperfection".
sheesh!

make sure to stop by and check it out!

4.14.2011

my recipe box: monkey buns

I mentioned monkey buns on this blog once and about a million of you asked for the recipe. Well, I finally got my act together enough last night to take step by step photos to post here. This has been a tradition in my family for 30 years. It is delightfully sticky and caramel-y and completely bad for you, but oh, so good.

You start this process the night before you want to have your sticky buns.

1. Generously grease a bundt pan with cooking spray or crisco. Make sure you grease all the way to the top and the middle flute.


2. Add 16 frozen Rhodes Roll balls evenly in the bundt pan.



3. Melt 1/2 c. butter in the microwave.



4. Add 1/2 c. brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon.



5. Add 1/2 package of Jello brand Cook N' Serve butterscotch pudding from the small box. I usually just eyeball what is half.



6. Whisk together and pour evenly on top of rolls.



7. Grease underside of plastic wrap and place lightly over bundt pan.


8. Place on counter top and let rise overnight.

9. In the morning, these will have risen to the top of the pan (and sometimes ballooned slightly over the top). Gently remove the plastic wrap and place bundt pan into a cold oven on the second to bottom rack.

10. Turn on oven to 350* and let bake for 15 minutes.

11. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes in the pan. Invert carefully onto a plate (larger than the diameter of the bundt pan) and go crazy! Pull off buns from the ring...careful!....they're hot! Lick your fingers and get ready to come away a sticky, but happy, mess.


MONKEY BUNS
16 Rhodes frozen rolls
1/2 c. melted butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 pkg. cook n' serve butterscotch pudding (small box)

1. Generously grease a bundt pan with cooking spray or crisco. Make sure you grease all the way to the top and the middle flute.
2. Place 16 rolls in bundt pan.
3. Combine melted butter with other ingredient in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
4. Pour over rolls and cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise overnight.
5. Uncover and place in cold oven on 2nd to bottom rack. Turn on oven to 350* and set timer for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. Invert onto serving plate.
Caution: buns will be hot! 

You can also print out the 4x6" recipe card by clicking below to enlarge. Then right click and choose 'Save Picture". Print and cut along grey cutting guides.

4.13.2011

Digital Designs


Patterned Paper: Dialog kit by Paislee Press
Embellishments: Dialog kit by Paislee Press
Months of the Year Stamp: Memorandum by Paislee Press
Font: Bebas



Patterned Paper: Open Road kit by Paislee Press
Embellishments: Open Road kit by Paislee Press
Months of the Year Stamp: Memorandum by Paislee Press

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Purchase PAISLEE PRESS digital supplies here.