HOW TO DRESS IT UP

My favorite thing to do at a fabric store is to mix several types of prints together with different shades. I selected this combination of fabric with no project to create at the time, but I knew I just had to have it.

SOOOO this weekend with it being -10 degrees here in Northern Maine I knew I just had to bring some sunshine to a very cold weekend.

I knew I wanted to make a dress with these fabrics so I searched through all my patterns to create just the right look.

I started with a basic bodice from the book "Little Girls, Big Style" using the white print and then created the skirt using the grey fabric and measured the length I wanted by 19w.

For this one it was 2 @17L x 19W for the skirt part of the dress.  

I wanted just the basic straps as the dress would just be a pull over.

I added a ruffle as the hem of the dress by cutting the yellow fabric 2 @ 4 1/4 x 39 1/2, folded it in half and serged it to the bottom hem of the dress.

Now we could be gone with this cute little dress and it would still be just as adorable BUT!!! Lets DRESS IT UP!!!!

I used the yellow fabric next to make a peasant top to be placed under the dress for the colder season. The pattern I used for the undershirt is one I found on "Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops" by the designer  "Monkeybugs" "Sweet Petticoat Slip Dress".

I did however modify it by making it a shirt and not a full slip

Can you say ADORABLE!!

I also took some of the remnant from the gray fabric to make a pinwheel flower that was glued to a clasp pin so that I could take it off when I wanted to change the look.

 

Now we have the two items to combine them together for a new look. LETS DRESS IT UP!!!

Now how adorable it that!!

For one more look I had some beautiful black velvet ribbon that I made a sash to wear with the dress. I took off the flower and removed the yellow shirt and now it has a touch of elegance with just the sash.

So many looks from just combining several patterns or modifying some that you have to achieve the look you want.

LINKED PARTIES

TEDDY AND ME

Corduroy is one of my favorite fabrics to work with as it is very stable and easy to work with.

I received a SUV and I do mean a SUV full of fabrics, trims, notions and tools for sewing from my sister In-Law (Hubby's sister) the weekend of Christmas. Their mom passed away 10 years ago and she had been saving it in hopes to one day sew. She offered the materials to me this Christmas and I must say I was overwhelmed with JOY to receive such a precious gift.

Imagine all the material from a generation before me to create some pretty amazing and beautiful things.

Well I was so tickled pink that once I came home and sorted and placed everything in it's rightful  place I begin to IMAGINE and the creations started.  

This one is by far my favorite as it takes me back to when I was a little girl and how I just loved to wear matching corduroy outfits.

The pattern I used for the top is from McCall's easy stitch #6377

The pants is the pattern from Viola Lee patterns on etsy. This outfit is a size 3T

This adorable outfit can be worn together or just the top/dress with a pair of leggings or tights. Place a cute ruffled shirt underneath and it can be worn all year long.

COUNTRY CHARM PILLOWCASE DRESS

This pattern is one of the easiest and simplest patterns to make. It is the "SEW FLOUNCY" Pillowcase dress pattern from Foot Loose and Fancy Free.

She has several styles to create and the designs are endless once you know all the correct sizes. I did however adapt the measurements for a 4 tier ruffle instead of the 3 in the instructions.

I wanted to incorporate the bottom trim fabric that was given to me by my sister In-Law. It was my mother In-Laws fabric she had been saving. Once I saw it I new exactly what I wanted to make with it. I had the perfect fabric to match the trim.

I new the finished length from the Sew Flouncy instructions for a 3t and I was not changing the bodice measurements so it was only the two tiers I needed to adjust for the addition of the lace trim.

The 2nd and 3rd tier called for an 8" width for a total of 16"

My bottom lace trim was a 5" so that leaves 11 inches I need to make up. I cut the first and second tier at 5.5 width giving me my total width for the whole length of the dress.

I find many treasures at my local "MARDINS" surplus store and the 2" lace trim was just perfect for this darling little dress. I think I paid $.15 cents a yard for the lace trim.

What is so perfect about this style is that it doesn't just have to be worn in the summer it can also be worn in the other seasons by just adding some leggings or tights with a cute top.

LAST MINUTE GIFTS FOR HER

I made the investment into a serger. It is the one at the very lowest cost that is out there, but I wanted to be sure I liked it and I would use it before I made a larger investment. I heard so many bad and good reviews and the # 1 complaint for all sergers is the threading process. HELLOOOO its all color coded and a breeze to do.  I bought the singer serger profinsher at joanns on sale for $199.99. I LOVE IT!!!!

Okay so I have all this great sheer fabric that I bought for $1.50 a yard and really haven't done much with ut because it is a very hard fabric to work with. SOOOOO I decided why not just try it. YUPPERS HOME RUN!!!! I made some scarfs and we all know those scarfs are now becoming a #1 accessory for all our wardrobes. This took be literally 10 minutes to complete one. This is from cutting to finishing. Well I went to work and made some last minute gifts for some friends who I know just love to wear scarfs.

I cut the fabric the length of the fabric x 9". You can make it as long or as wide as you want.

The upper loop thread and right needle thread is set to 2 and the bottom loop thread is set to 4

Tension is set to fine

Place it in your serger being sure that your serger is set for a rolled hem. I have mine set for a 3 thread rolled hem. Let the machine do all the work for you. I just guide it as it is being serged.

Use different thread colors with the many fabrics to use. Give it contrast.

Now that you have completed your scarf you can wear it several different ways. Let your styling begin for all your outfits.

TODDLER CHRISTMAS DRESS

When my girlfriend asked me if I could make a dress for her very first grand daughter I off course said YES!!! I just love the fabric she picked out and the pattern was a very easy one to use. I also made the bloomers to match the dress. It is a size 3-6 months and it is just so adorable.

I altered the pattern slightly by making the bottom hem green print a double fold so that I would not have to hem the bottom. I also used bias tape for the arm trim and legs on the bloomers.

The flower is made from some left over material from the dress.

MY CHRISTMAS TREES

I just love the Christmas Season and decorating is one of my favorite parts. I decided to do some staging this year as I put up a second tree this year in the dinning room area.

I already had my big fluffy tree in the sun room all decorated when I just feel in love with a tree at Wal-Mart. It was just white lights and Glass red & Gold balls. I recreated it with my smaller tree.

I wrapped some empty boxes and stuffed some empty bags to place under the tree.

 I also decided to place all my cards on the tree so it has become a functional tree.

Underneath the tree in the sun room I used mostly gift nags this year and made all the hanging tags. The tags are made creating the rosette technique with strips of (2) 12 x 2" card stock scored every 1/2"

SANTA PLATES

This Christmas I made Santa Christmas cookie plate for the little ones that will be coming to Our Christmas gathering the weekend before Christmas. I just love how they came out.

I bought the plates at The Christmas Tree Shops for $.69 Can you say BARGAIN!!

I purchased the cut files from " My Vinyl Designer " and designed the plate in my SCAL software.

I personalized each one with the family name on the plates.

THANKSGIVING FAMILY TREE - WHAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR

This year I wanted Thanksgiving to truly signify what a family is about. A family stays strong by their roots and continue to branch out and grow, but are always connected. This bare tree also signifies that a family doesn't need to have the the leaves all the time to still be healthy and strong. Each season that we go through in life changes us and makes us grow. Even when the leaves fall they come back even healthier and stronger the next season because the foundation of the tree is strong enough to nourish the branches back to life every year.

I found some great branches from a birch tree and cut just the right sizes I needed. I then tied them all together and placed them in a crystal vase. I took some of my brown cardstock scraps and shredded them in the shredder and used it as filling in the vase.

I made hanging tags that open up and each of the tags has a special message to each of my family members who will be here for Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving is a very important day, it's a day to really remember each other and be grateful for each other and what we each represent to one another.

The Rosette was made from (2) 2 x 12 strips of carstock. I scored each strip 1/2 all the way to the end. I then used my fall punch to punch the edge with tiny leaves. The leaves I punch out I have set aside to scatter on my table. The second layer rosette is (2) 1 1/2 x 12 scored 1/2".

The second rosette was created from 1 1/2 x 12 strips and the second layer 1" strip. Follow same instructions as above.

PRIMITIVE PAPER STAR INSTRUCTIONS

I am a big fan of "PRIMITIVE DECOR" and I have been looking everywhere for just the right Christmas ornaments for my tree this year. I want to have as many handmade items added to my tree this year and as tattered and primitive as it can be. I searched all over. "I SEAM TO SEARCH ALOT" and I should know by now I always end up making it myself, so I have to so stop searching and begin designing right of :-).

I looked at one of my small tin stars I had and just knew there had to be a way to fold the card stock to create the star.

By Golly I did find a star online with the score lines drawn on it for folding, so I went right to work on how I interpreted it visually for others.

Begin with a star cut out by hand or if your lucky enough like me to have a cricut cutter cut out a star the size you want it to be. You can also make them several diffirent sizes.

"BE SURE IT IS A 5 POINTED STAR"

I cut mine out to be a 6" star

You will then score from one star point to a star hill as I call it.

Below is a star with the scoring marks done in pencil for you to see where to score

Once you have scored all you lines you will then fold up all the points.

I call this creating the hills.

You will then create the Vallie's

Now that you have all your score lines folded you will then fold them all together to give shape to the star.

Once all folded together squeeze it at the top

Open the star and push down in the center. Your star is now complete.

I sponged the edge of the star with Burgundy ink to give it a rustic feel and adhered it to a folded Rosette ornament with two dimensionals.