Valentine's Day Goodies

Normally I'm the mom the just shows up to preschool on holidays to volunteer with the party and maybe bring an item or two from the teacher's wish list (this timeI'm bringing frosting and convo hearts).

But some part of me this time went crazy.  I think it's because Bopper had missed so much school and some big class celebrations while we were gone.  I didn't go get the $5 Valentines cards that you can just write names on and pass out.  No I HAD to do something special.  So I fully expect to get those looks of "Oh so you are THAT mom with over the top goodie bags."  Not that it's my norm at all but Bopper (and Sweets) are pretty excited about them and that's what I was aiming for.

Now to the goodies all found from Dejah Vue Designs.

Lollypop holders in mustache and lip shapes.  How fun are these!?    I mean these were super quick.  6 stitched out in my 5x7 hoop on my embroidery machine.  Cut and punch some lollipops through.

Shake it Off: Look 2!

Yay themes!  They make me sew!   This is gonna be short and sweet folks!

 Paisley Roots is having her contest here and you should link up like I am! Here's my second look.

BaBAM!  Look 2 based on the hip hop break dancing people.  Lets be real: I have no idea what type of dancing they're doing there.  I can't do it...that's all I know.

I used the Aurora Tee by Hey June with a few small mods.  I tapered the sleeves more and lengthened the hem but removed the curve...I have enough curves.  Other than that, it was awesome!  Fast, simple and fun.   PEACE OUT!  (told ya it was gonna be a quickie :::That's what SHE said:::)

-Crystal-

The Invasion of the Hobby Horses

Last year I made one little girl's dreams come true earned her aunt a "World's Best Aunt" title with one little hobby horse (pattern from WhimseyWoo Stables on Etsy).  Since making that hobby horse... my kids won't stop pestering me about getting one of their own! So I decided to make them one for Christmas as well as my nieces.  So four horses total.  I started during the summer so I could totally finish by Christmas right?!

Well a monkey wrench got mixed up in my plans.  I managed to have my nieces' horses head done sans pole to take back with us in October and then finished them at my in laws house so they could be stored and hidden until Christmas.  Then I started on my kids' and lo and behold family emergency leading to going back home in November rather than December and my kids were without horsies come Christmas morning.

But not to worry!  I worked on them (reins, stuffing and pole addition to one, and just stuffing and pole addition to the other) as soon as we go home and it was like having a third Christmas, but in January!

"It Offin"- You don't know what that means

My title confuses you.  It should.  You are normal, don't worry (well, maybe some of you should, but that's a topic I don't get paid enough to cover).  My title comes from the 2 series I am sewing along with as a butt kick to keep me sewing.  Paisley Roots is having a "Shake it Off" competition and link-up on her blog and Scientific Seamstress/ SisBoom is having a "Knock it Off" theme for their "Just for Me January" challenge in their Facebook group.  Click on my links and take advantage of the opportunity to win free stuff.  Otherwise, we can't be friends.  If you don't like free stuff, you're not my people.  So here's my look!

We'll start with the Paisley Roots competition.  She challenged us to make SOMETHING inspired my the "Shake it Off" video by Taylor Swift using a pattern from one of the sponsors' patterns.  She had a bad 2014 and wants to shake it off and I'm with her.  EFF YOU 2014!  Anyway, I chose the cheerleader look as my inspiration.  It's peppy and fun and YES!  Perfect for shaking things off...like this awful cold I have.  I look like a damn fool in the following picture. I'm "dancing".  God help us all.

Along with the color scheme, I decided to pleat my skirt to mimic the pleats in the cheer uniform and chose some colorblocking to bring it all together.  The dress pattern I used was the Angie by SisBoom- More on that below.  The cardigan was made from Simplicity 2125.  No, Simplicity is not a sponsor, but I made it anyway since cardis are more like and accessory. (Yes I definitely look sick in this picture.  And my head is exceptionally round.  I blame the tripod...it can't argue back).

My dress is sooooo comfy.  I used interlock knit because I realized that nearly ALL of my store bought stuff is knit.  If I'm BUYING knit clothing, I should be sewing it.  The problem I faced was dealing with knit bias binding.  LORD NO. So I took the construction technique from the SisBoom Tortola and made a woven neck/arm facing to limit stretchy wonkiness and keep is nice and sturdy.  I Win!

Since this was a knock-off look, I clearly took inspiration from somewhere...here's where:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/151715081173501165/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/151715081173495164/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/151715081173499902/

Anyway, there you have my "It Off" looks.  PLEASE go make your own and enter them!  If for nothing else than motivation and Sew-jo creation. 

-Crystal-

Gabriella Fae by Sis Boom

Hi all,
I'm back from my extended leave.  2 months of being gone leaves this girl's fingers twitchy to get some crafting in.  That said while I was away dealing with some family business I didn't completely stop crafting thanks to sharing some of the same hobbies as my mother in law (the dear woman took me fabric shopping and let me commandeer her printer and her machines for my own use.  Then there was also the ever present knitting needles - never leave for a big trip without them!

While I was away I had the pleasure of testing Gabriella Fae by Sis Boom which is currently available as part of Pattern Revolution's Bundle Up.

Project Run & Play: January (Crystal)

Project Run & Play is back and with a new temporary format.  You can go HERE to read all about the changes because I'm too lazy to tell you myself.  Real talk, yo.  The basic thing that you need to know is that they are now doing a once a month dealeo with no pre-selected contestant...just us sew-alongers.  One past favorite contestant picks a tutorial from their blog and we change it up and link-up.  This year starts with  the Bubble Dress tutorial by Alida from Alida Makes!  Here's my change-a-roo:

I went pretty simple with the changes.  I made it a top, put the straps on backwards, and made them go through a couple of buttonholes and tie in the front.  I think it's super cute and will be awesome for the spring/ summer weather that will be here before I'm ready to deal with it.

I used a green floral lightweight satin that I picked up from a thrift store for a whopping $2 for 2 yards about a year ago.  Poppin' tags like a boss.  I interfaced the straps so the bow would hold up and not flop around like a limp...thingy.  It doesn't. I hope you giggled just now.

Maybe you just made this face...

So that's it.  My super fun and simple summer tank.

-Crystal-

Princess Rapunzel Dress

Hey folks!  I'm blogging today...no seriously.  It's been a while, but I finally sewed something and feel up to blogging.  Life has been crazy and my anxiety has been flaring up, so I've been quite anti-social lately.  I'm such a tortured artist.  Feel bad for me and send me chocolate ;)  My mother asked me months ago if I could sew a dress for my girl to wear to Disney on Ice.  Because she asked me 2 months ago I, of course, waited until I only had 5 days to make it.  I seriously finished it 25 minutes before my mom came to pick her up.  I'd say "never again", but we all know that's not true. Anyway, here she is!

Oh yes!  The frying pan and Pascal made it into the photo shoot.  What's Rapunzel without her BFF and her protection?  I mean REALLY!

The pattern I used was the Tori's Bustle Dress by Create Kids Couture.  I've really grown fond of them as of late.  The patterns are so pretty and they really have that princess feel to them.  The instructions are fantastic and there are cut charts for all of the rectangle pieces- no wasted paper!  WOOT!  I used various satins for the dress to give it a more luxurious feel (because 5 year olds are all about luxury).


*A little edit:  If you're wondering why the ribbon on the sleeves isn't sewn completely down, there's an answer.  The satin was made in the devil's factory and pulled and moved and made the world turn black every time I tried to sew it down.  I decided to tack it down in a few key spots and let it poof a little.  Not worth fighting the forces of darkness on this one*

The back is shirred.  I used to hate shirring.  I thought it was the easy way out.  What I've learned is that shirring is a great way to create the illusion of a perfectly fitting garment with room for the kid to grow into it.  It'll look fitted for much longer this way.  Also, it's just super comfy for the kiddos and I don't have to help her get dressed, LOL.  Lazy mom WIN! So, I was wrong in my initial thought about shirring.  That's my one time being wrong in 2015.  I'll be perfect the rest of the year.

 She loves her new dress and I love making princess dresses, so we both win.  I'm hoping to snap out of my creative funk soon.  I guess I'll keep pressing on and hope the slump wears off.  If not, I may have to get this little rascal to hit me with that frying pan...knock some sense into me!

 

May all your sewing be magical (even if a stupid cable line ruins your picture).

-Crystal-