Clearance + 2nd hand + Stash = Simply Cute Dress

There are 2 dresses that Isabelle will wear any day and everyday if given the choice. That is the Valentine dress I made her and the Queen Bee dress made by Soren Lorensen Design. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why these 2 dresses appeal to her so much. Leave it to my Mom to solve the mystery -they are both fairly loose A-line dresses.

I decided that I had 2 options. I could either argue with Isa everyday about why she couldn't wear a dirty dress..again. Or I could make some more. I started shopping at our local salvage store for tees that I could cut up and reuse in the dresses - Isa really loves the graphics, bright colors, and soft material. I also scoured Target for clearance shirts. I bought tees or dresses that were either her size or bigger. You don't want to buy anything smaller than their current size since you are going to lose material when you cut these up and sew them again with at least a 1/4" seam allowance.

Soren Lorensen Design has hinted at producing sewing patterns in the future and I can't wait! In the meantime, I am making my design off the Leila & Ben's - Sweet Little Dress pattern with a few changes ( no elastic in the arm band, extra visible serged seams, etc). I used this pattern for her other favorite dress, the Valentine one, so I know it fits well and meets her design standards.

This week I made her a Mickey Mouse dress. The Mickey Mouse shirt was a St. Patrick's Day clearance item at Target. I used it for the front of the dress and I cut up the back to make new sleeves. The back of the dress is the back of a green pajama top from our local 2nd handstore. The red dress skirt is some jersey material I had kicking around in my garment fabric stash. It took maybe a 1/2 hour. We both love it!

If your princess has a Punky Brewster streak, this is an awesome way to make a ton of summer dresses for cheap and quick! This dress cost me around $5.00

I'd love to find some fun 80's music shirts to make into dress for her.. I can just see her rockin' a Rolling Stones dress!

Iron Craft #17 - Weddings

This week on Iron Craft, we were tasked with the theme of "weddings". Since our 6th anniversary had just passed, that was fresh in my mind. And then I was thinking of how I have multiple wreaths for just about every occasion under the sun, except for our anniversary.

I decided to make a wedding/anniversary door wreath. This would be great to hang at reception or for us during the month of our anniversary.

I was completely inspired by this Etsy item here. Isn't that super cute? And I had all the materials to make something similar.

Here is my interpretation...

It's just a piece of thin wood, vinyl letters, a nest, plastic eggs, and some little birds (which are way out of proportion to the eggs..but I'm hoping the distance helps reduce that..)

I absolutely love it! Right now I have it on our bedroom door. Yup, I hang wreaths from just about every door in the house.. It's an addiction. And I'll have another one to show you tomorrow..

**And please don't misinterpret the third egg in the nest. We have 2 kiddlets. No baby on the way, no bun in the oven - simply there for design purposes only! After my eldest locked me out of the house for 30 minutes in the rain on Monday.. I can just about guarantee that we are done**

Linking Up To:

Someday Crafts

Seven Thirty Three

Tea Rose Home

Lil' Luna

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Iron Craft #16 - Pinch Your Pennies!

This week on Iron Craft, the challenge was the theme of money. Well considering the economy and the resurgence in using coupons, I decided to sew a coupon organizer. I will be writing a review for this pattern on Sunday, so come back if you want to hear the nitty gritty! For now you get some pictures - being thrifty can be pretty darn pretty..

Want to learn more about coupons and deals? My Bestie is the Desert Deals Diva! She writes about both national and local deals in Tucson, AZ. I bet you'll start saving some money with her advice.

Iron Craft #15 - The Incredible Edible... Easter Basket!

This week on Iron Craft, we were challenged to make something with the incredible yummy Peeps! OK, I know lots of people don't like the gooey goodness - but I do! In fact a few weeks ago I made a Peeps wreath. I was actually stumped on ideas for more crafty goodness when it comes to marshmallows. I've seen so much out there in blogsphere and didn't want to copy. I finally decided to go the edible route. Cause culinary arts is crafty too, right??

I imagined a completely edible Easter basket! I've seen how to make chocolate bowls with balloons several times, but never had a chance to try it. Oh my goodness, Isa could NOT contain herself while I was working on these. She was beyond tickled that Mommy was making balloons for dessert. It was actually super easy! I just melted down some high quality chocolate in a double boiler. Place a big ol' glob of it on a greased cookie sheet and swirl the sides of a blown balloon in it. Place in the fridge till it's hard - and all done!

After my "baskets" were done, I got to work on the grass. I dyed some vanilla pudding green and mixed in some coconut shavings. I think this would be adorable with some of that edible Easter grass, but I was late in the game and could not find it anywhere! Top it off with a yummy Peeps and you're done! A completely edible Easter basket that will put your kiddos in hysterics. Not sure why it's so funny... But I think it's darn cute!

On a side note, I was thinking it would also be a hoot to make these as an embyro egg for maybe the scientist in your life. You can make basket into an egg shell by using white chocolate, keep the vanilla pudding white and a touch of yellow dyed pudding for the yolk, and lastly top it off with the baby Peeps chick!

Iron Craft #14 - Postcards

For this week's challenge on Iron Craft

we were challenged to make a postcard.

(We could enter it into a swap as well!)

I decided to do a quilted postcard,

big surprise, eh?

Did you know you could mail a fabric postcard?

You most certainly can.

Though I wouldn't want it to get ruined and

I would mail it in a nice cushy envelope.

For my theme, I choose Utah - where I currently reside.

I can't say it's my "home".

I guess in my mind I'll always be a Southern California girl..

Anyways..

What do you think of when you think of Utah?

Probably not what I think of.

Your perspective changes once settle in a place.

When I think of Utah, I think of BIG landscapes.

The Salt Lake is BIG.

The mountains are BIG.

The valleys are BIG.

During the spring, we will have miles of green valleys

below snow capped mountains.

And that's what I quilted..

Hope my swap partner likes it!

Fabulous Monday Morning

Wow!

What a great Monday morning.

While checking my favorite sites, I found that Iron Craft featured me today!

I adore Iron Craft!

If you haven't joined the fun, check it out..

This week the theme is postcards.

And my sewing machine is still hot from the one I made.

A sweet appliqued Utah landscape.. pics to come Wednesday morning.

Thank you Iron Craft for making Monday

a wonderful day!

Iron Craft 12

The challenge this week on Iron Craft was to create something

inspired by "lucky".

Since St. Patrick's Day had passed, I tried to think outside the box.

And lead me to a bigger box, Julie's bedroom!

Her room is over the top cute cowgirl!

Shades of pink and brown abound, with lots of Riley Blake fabric..

I decided that I would break out the Pazzle again

(it's actually starting to make itself at home on one of my craft tables)

and cut out some horseshoes.

I used Silhouette's brown velveteen vinyl.

So soft and yummy...but one teeny complaint..

It doesn't adhere as nice as the other vinyls.

Luckily the horseshoes around the clock have stuck!

There ya go partner - a little luck, country style!

Want to make it for your half pint?

Here are some FREE downloads for ya

(personal use of course)

Here is the JPEG

Here is the WPC

Iron Craft #11

For this week's Iron Craft theme of green,

I created a St. Patrick's Day tutu wreath.

Love this on our door!

Super easy peasy.

For this wreath I used a wire wreath form instead of the foam or straw.

It does create a less structured look, but I love the giant tulle poof.

I didn't make the "Lucky" - I bought it at this fabulous store, Tai Pan.

I didn't even paint or glitter the little shamrocks - those are courtesy of Joann's.

All you have to do is cut 6-7" strips of tulle and tie them on the wire.

I then added a few strips of ribbon for more color bursts.

The little shamrocks were adhered with my favorite fabric-tac.

Easy, cute, and quick!

Those are the best projects, aren't they?

Peek at Iron Craft

Just a wee peek at my entry for Iron Craft this week.

Full post this coming Wednesday!

Iron Craft #10 & Tutorial

This week on Iron Craft,

we were challenged to make something from a fat quarter of fabric.

Since I sit in front of my sewing machine daily,

it wasn't a huge challenge for me.

So.. I decided to try to make something with fabric that was no-sew!

I found this super cute fabric at Joann's

I knew instantly that I wanted to cut it up and make it into

a soft matching game for Isabelle.

All you need is:

fabric

felt

fabri-tac glue

Cut the fabric into individual squares (or any shape you desire)

Spread a light outline of fabri-tac glue on the fabric and paste on to felt.

(Fabri-tac is amazing! It's like a cold hot glue!!)

Once dry, use pinking shears and cut pieces off felt.

Here they are completed.

A super duper easy way to make a game for your favorite kiddo!

You can do this with fabric that has a clear repeating image.

I found another one at Joann's yesterday with cakes -

how cute would that be for a birthday party?

Sew up a little bag for the pieces and you'll have one happy camper.

LINKING UP AT TATERTOTS & JELLO

Iron Craft #8

The theme this week was hometown.

I was born and mostly raised in Southern California.

One of my most favorite parts of growing up in Orange County,

was being so close to the ocean.

((I apologize for the bad pics this week..

juggling the sick kiddos leaves mere minutes for picture taking..))

My quilt is a mosaic of sky,sea,and sand.

Each piece is cut, fused, and then free motion quilted.

I'm also going to be entering this into

AAQ's quilt competition.

Linking up to Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap up!

Linking up to Crafty Chica!

Iron Craft #6

This week on Iron Craft, we were challenged with

the theme winter.

Oh boy, here in Utah it is still very much winter.

And by the looks of the national weather report,

a lot of you are still seeing a ton of snow too.

I thought I would do another piece of specimen art.

There is something about it that calls to me.

Maybe it's because my dad is a scientist..

Maybe it's because I grew up near glass cases of delicate butterflies and beetles...

Maybe it's the OCD in me in that delights in the order of it all...

Not sure, but I think it is a fabulous mix of science and art.

And while I love specimen art, I do not delight in dead things.

My snowflakes are done in free motion embroidery.

My first attempt was drawn on with an invisible pen

and I embroidered over it.

Um yeah, my invisible pen was pretty darn visible.

Bummer.

So back to the drawing board.

I love the prim look and had fun trying to create snowflake images.

Iron Craft #5

This week on Iron Craft, we were to do a Valentine.

Since last week my Valentine was dedicated to my girls,

this week I made one for the love of my life - my hubs.

The man I love, the way a fat kid loves cake.

I'm not sure where I first heard the saying, but I *love* it.

And since for part of my childhood I was chubster,

I feel entitled to be able to say it without feeling like it is offense.

((That's my way of saying, I hope it doesn't offend you))

For this project I did free form cross-stitch.

Cross-stitch was probably my first needle craft when I was a youngster.

There is a lot of satisfaction and it's not technically difficult.

Unfortunately I look at it now and think it is so antiquated.

And I'm not a fan of subversive cross-stitch.

Odd, huh?

I would think subversive + crafty = right up my alley.

But it's not.. I typically find it crude.

I figured there HAS to be something in the middle.

Something between a bunny dressed as a bear and embroidered cuss words.

This is what I came up with!

I drew the words with a transfer pen - trying to emulate a child's writing.

I then dove in with my needle.

I had to make 1 change while stitching without a plan.

Lucky me I had some fabulous cupcake fabric in my stash.

I love food fabric, but rarely can come up with a good project.

I adore my little cake and fork on this mini quilt.

It's rare that I can think of a craft that my hubby will like.

He likes beer, hunting, and his girls (us..not some random girls..anyways..)

I know he will like this =D

And I hope you do too..

So go buy or stash hunt for some good ol' cross-stitch fabric,

and try it out without a pattern!!

On the Weekly Round-up At Tatertots & Jello

Patience For Piecing

I moved from sewing 2 sheets of fabric together and calling it a "quilt"

to real quilting last year.

I soon found about English Paper Piecing.

Here is some info at All People Quilt,

one of my FAV quilting websites ever.

I thought it was utterly relaxing.

I'm not one for hand quilting, I like immediate gratification.

However at the time it was summer and I didn't want to be tied inside the studio.

I could make these sweet pieces on the porch with my husband

or even camping out in the woods (true story!)

And then it got colder and sure enough

my patience was kaput and these sweet promises

of a beautiful quilt were placed in a ziploc and shelved.

Now.. Iron Craft challenged us to make coffee sleeve.

I love coffee sleeves!

They can be sewn, knit, felted, etc.

I was stumped as to how to make one stand out from the rest.

And then I got an AHA moment!

(I love those, don't you?!)

My English Paper Pieces didn't need to die a quick death

because I would never, ever have the patience to make a zillion.

I could use them for a small project.

Like a coffee sleeve...

I laid out my pieces and moved them until I was happy with the design.

I machine zig zagged them together

(Yes, I didn't have the patience to hand sew them..)

I then free motioned them on to a piece of matching pink felt.

Sewed some chocolate brown ribbons..

And tada..

I have cleared out an UFO,

created a pretty unique coffee sleeve,

and made a pretty gift!

Juliette's Nursery - The 2011 Hot Color Honeysuckle

It could be said that I go into craft overdrive when I'm pregnant.

Something about the hormones usually makes me create

another Etsy store..

And with Juliette, I create A Quiet Stitch

Here is a peek into her cowgirl-riffic nursery!

Want one of the fabulous wreaths for your new baby?

I now have them custom in the shop!

Iron Craft #2

For Iron Craft #2,

our challenge was to create a draft dodger.

Ah, serendipity at its best!

The hubby has been asking for awhile now, for me to make one for our

eldest daughters' room.

Miss Isabelle likes to peek out of from

the bottom of her bedroom door to see

if there is any light on in the house. And if there is, it's

"I'M AWAKE MAMA, I'M AWAKE!"

Needless to say we have had a rolled up towel

in front of her door for months now.

I was very excited about doing the project,

but perplexed as to how Isabelle and I could compromise on design.

At almost 3, she has very strong ideas

.... on everything.

I wanted it to be something she would embrace and not have a tantrum over,

but I really did not want to make a cartoon draft dodger.

In the end I went with a rainbow candy patchwork design.

She LOVES all the colors and spends some part of the

day looming over it, yelling loudly every color she sees.

In fact I was in quite a bit of trouble with her for

borrowing the draft dodger for the photo session in a better lit room.

I love it and it took less than 30 minutes!

And I also love not hearing my sweet Angel's voice till about 7am..

Wood You Turn Me On?

This year I'm opening my new and 2nd Etsy store

A Quiet Stitch.

I will be featuring my personally designed quilt patterns

and embroidery patterns that I have collaberated with another artist.

In addition, I will sell ready made gifts and DIY kits.

As I was working on my set of Valentine embroideries,

I came across The Iron Craft blog.

I love craft challenges - of course!

And this week I was able to incorporate their challenge of

"Lighting the Winter Gloom"

with a sample of one my embroideries.

This night light and collection of Valentine embroideries should be in the store next week.