I almost forgot!

A few weeks ago I entered my Tote Bag Tank in a tutorial contest at See Mommy Sew. Go check out all the fun tutorials and vote for your favorite (umm, and I would love it if mine was your favorite :)

Happy Friday!!

The "Lillian" Pillow

Remember when I said HERE that I had plans for my grandmother's jewelry?? Well, here is the first project I've done with one of her old earrings. The center of this lovely flower on this Amy Butler pillow pattern is the perfect place for my grandma's rather large cluster of pearls earring. I love the way it turned out and I made it with someone specific in mind...my mom! I knew she would love the pillow and the extra touch of grandma (her mother) would be a something extra special. I gave it to her over thanksgiving and she loved it!

Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Bubble Skirt!!

Here it is!! The BUBBLE SKIRT TUTORIAL!!! This is such a fun and playful skirt! You can make it as a skirt, or make it for the skirt of a dress...it's easy and super cute!

This skirt can be modified a ton of different ways. This is just one BASIC way to make a bubble skirt. You can also do it without the elastic in the hem by cutting the top fabric wider than the underskirt and gathering it before sewing it to underskirt. You can also play around with the waist and add a knit waistband instead of the traditional casing with elastic. And you can embellish it as much (or little) as you want....have fun!!
Materials needed: skirt fabric, underskirt fabric, elastic, sewing supplies (thread, sewing machine, etc.)

1.) Cut skirt fabric to length needed for child's age. The width is the width of the fabric (approx 44". If you are making this for an older child, you may need to piece fabric together and have two side seams instead of one seam in the back). For the length, I measured from my 2 year old daughter's waist to her knee, then add 6". So, hers was 12"+6"=18"

2.) Cut underskirt fabric 4" LESS than the total length of the skirt fabric. The width will be the width of the fabric (approx 44", again if you're making this for an older child, it may need to be pieced". My daughters was: 18"-4"=14"
3.) With RIGHT sides together, sew down the width of both fabrics (44") with 30" of 1/4" elastic on top of layers. Stretch elastic gently as you go. You want to try to have the elastic end up about the same length as the fabrics. If you have any excess, just cut it off.
4.) Separate layers. While stretching out elastic, topstitch right next to seam on whichever side the elastic is underneath.
5.) Match up wrong sides of fabric, lining fabrics up at waistband edge. Serge or straight stitch close to waistband edge to keep fabrics together.
6.) Fold skirt in half width-wise, with RIGHT sides together. Line up side seam and sew from top to bottom, making sure to adjust for the stretch of the elastic as needed. Cut off extra fabric if necessary. Serge or zig-zag edge.

7.) Make casing at waistband. You can either fold over serged edge and iron. Or you can iron 1/4" down, then fold over again another 1-1 1/2". Leave 2" opening at back seam for elastic.
8.) Thread elastic through opening in waistband casing. I use approx 20-21" of 3/4" elastic for my 2 year old. Cut your elastic according to child's waist. Sew elastic ends together and sew closed opening (insert tag or ribbon to show what side is the back).
9.) Embellish with flowers, sashes, whatever you want!!!

And that's it!!! You have a super cute,
BUBBLE-LICIOUS skirt!!!


PS: If you use this tutorial, send me a picture of your finished skirt...I would love to see it!!


PPS: Have you tried PICNIK yet? Can you tell I LOVE IT!!!

Rooty "TUTE" Tuesday - Blog Help!

If you can't tell, I'm totally obsessed right now with blog makeovers. I think blogging is soo fun and I want a fun blog to reflect that! I really considered paying someone to give my blog a face lift, but I'm pretty cheap and honestly, I want to know how to do it myself...in case I want to change anything later, you know? I started off knowing pretty much nothing, and now I know just a little more than nothing! There are TONS of free tutorials out there on how to fancy up your blog. Here are just a few of the ones that I've actually tried and that work great! If I can do it...than so can you! Give 'em a try...give your blog a makeover!


PICNIK: This is a photo editing site and it is AWESOME! It is super easy to figure out and you can do a ton of stuff with it! This is where I made the header for my blog. You can make a collage or a single picture, jazz it up with a border, and add some text...super easy.

Oikology 101: This is the site I used to learn how to make a button. I used PICNIK to make the button look cute, then used Photobucket to upload it to use it as a button. Check out this site for step by step instructions on how to put the button on your blog. One tip though, you can put the actual button picture and the HTML code in the SAME "add a gadget" on your layout, they don't have to be separate like she says to.

The Cutest Blog On The Block: This site has TONS of free backgrounds and other freebies. It also has some free blogger secrets. I've used these to do little touch ups on the blog.

I Love the Way She Blogs: This is just one of many blogs that has tons of blogger tips. This one has everything layed out so it's easy to find and easy to understand. Check 'em out!


There you have it! That's just a few of the sites I've actually used, but I've looked at WAY MORE! Watch out, fixing up your blog gets a bit addicting (if you're me at least). Have fun and let me know if you give your blog a makeover, I'd love to see it!!!

I wish I knew what I was doing...

Have you noticed that my blog keeps changing?? That's because I'm trying to give my blog a new look but I have NO idea what I'm doing!! My friend suggested her blog (I didn't even know she had this blog) may help with some of my problems...she was right!!! Check out her awesome blog here! She has tons of great ideas and has organized her blog with even more fun ideas and helpful hints to transform any blog! Now, I just need to get crack-a-lackin' and get my blog all beautified! What do you think of my new header? I think I like it...but who knows, maybe that will change again. I made it in this cool program...super easy and free (unless you want to upgrade)...I'm going to be using this program ALL THE TIME!! Okay, now I need to go work on making a button...wish me luck!



ps. I haven't forgotten about the bubble skirt tutorial...I'm having problems fitting it in with all the holiday sewing! I'll get it done soon...promise!

WINNERS....a bit late!

Sorry, I'm a day late on announcing the winners of the "A Vision To Remember" giveaway! Thanks to everyone who entered! Here are the three winners of the $10 gift certificates:

Chacoy said "I love the Stripe Rag Quilt:) All of her stuff is great, she is very good at what she does; I want to learn:)"

Linda @ Craftaholics Anonymous said "Love all her baby tents!"

Kristi said " I love the car seat canopy Rockstar Tent one. Very cute!"

CONGRATULATIONS ladies! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

Please Excuse the Mess!

I'm trying to figure out how to give my little blog here a makeover! Sorry about the mess! If you have any great tips on making over a blog, they would be greatly appreciated :) I think I may be in over my head!
Wish me luck!

***Giveaway winners to be announced tonight!***