old skirt meets new skirt…

Category: DIY | October 30th, 2009

I heart before and afters….

b.e.f.o.r.e
before

sweet molly girl wanted in on the pic.

a.f.t.e.r
after1

molly wanted in on the action too.

molly panda

hehe. I love her….and the skirt.

stick action

nice action shot…lol

patiently waiting

patiently waiting for the stick…in she shade

action shot

her hair’s blowing in the wind. : )

close up

trying to show the pockets with molly’s slobber all over me.

still playing

that’s all for the photo shoot. (my husband so kindly takes time out of his busy, busy work day to take these random pics of me so I can put them on here…much love)  also wanted to give a shout out THANKS to Jessica at Happy Together for her fun recipe that she shared. I made it for work and it was gone in 15 seconds. (that beats your two days Jessica) ; )


yay for FRIDAY!!! have a great weekend.
peace and love
xox

* hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.  -Author Unknown

serger rookie

Category: everyday | October 27th, 2009

nifty serger

all you serger experts (or those who know what they are doing) I need your help! my grannie gave me this wonderful new serger awhile back and I have not mastered it down yet. I’ve read the instructions, researched online, and guessed and checked til I was sick of the machine. lol I can’t seem to get the tension down right so it just looks like it doesn’t hug the edge correctly (if that makes sense). it is a little frustrating because I would use it all the time if I could…blah
blah again

this is the front and back view of what happens when I try to use the serger. see how it doesn’t wrap around the edge nicely. : ( I have messed with the numbers at the top so many times: lowering one thread, raising the other, etcetc. (this is also with 3 threads…so who knows, that might be my problem right there, not using 4 threads)

***if anyone has one of these beauties (mine is the 14SH744/14CG744 or 14SH754/14CG754 model) or just know some tips/advice/suggestions I would be one happy camper.


on another happy note…this lovely lil blue jersey skirt (that has pockets!) is going to get a makeover….stay tuned… : ) I hope everyone has a fabulous day and be blessed!

new project

peace and love
xox

* the only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary.  -Mary Kurtz

everyone should own a handmade key chain

Category: DIY | October 25th, 2009

heart

I heart the weekends….I especially love Sundays. they make me happy. I love spending about half of my day at church and allll day with my husband (it’s the only day we both don’t work)….on a random/side note: I realized I need to post more often. if I want to keep y’all interested I need to step it up. : ) here’s a fun tutorial I did the other day with my friend ellen. her friend diana deane originally made one of these beauties for ellen and myself, so the idea and inspiration go out to her! not really sure how she did it, I kind of made up my own way and used my different materials…

* all you need is fun fabric, embroidery thread, embroidery needle (or a needle big enough to have that thread go through), scissors, pattern piece if you’d like, and plastic canvas (I used this because I had some randomly, but if not, you can use anything that’s sturdy or just a lot of fabric to make it thick)
materials

* use the pattern you want (I just cut mine out of cardboard) and trace/cut out a front and a back piece along with the plastic canvas for inside
heart pieces

* before you get started, cut a little whole in the two fabric pieces and canvas where the key ring loop thingy can go through.
cut hole

* layer them in a sandwich (hmm I’m hungry) and I used a glue stick to hold the pieces together (since pins wouldn’t work with the canvas). then start with the ring hole area.  I tied a knot at the end of my thread and started inside the heart so the knot wouldn’t show. make sure you pull the thread tight as you go so it makes enough room for the ring (on the first one I did, I didn’t do that. but it does go through…barely).
hole

* once you finish the hole, finish it off with knots and try to hide them as best as you can (I don’t know the secret to this otherwise I would tell you).
finished hole

* then start on the outside threading anywhere you’d like. I started at the bottom. again start the knot from underneath a fabric layer to hide the knot. I just went in, out, and around…in, out, and around…until you get alllll the way around. you can spread out your thread if you’d like of you can cover the entire thing like I did.
starting outside

* now if you are like me and don’t know how much thread to use : ) and you run out before you are done, then just simply tie another strand of thread to the first one and keep on going! I attempted to knot them underneath the fabric again. (there might be an extra bump there but it just adds character).
ran out of thread

* then again magically tie up the thread with knots and maneuver it underneath the fabric to hide the ends. and then you’re done!!!
ta da!

* you can use a key ring loop or one of these beaded snap fastener things. you can do any shape, any size, the sky is the limit!
key chain

here’s to a fabulous week ahead!!
peace and love
xox

* weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.  -John Shirley

all you coffee lovers out there!!!

Category: giveaways | October 21st, 2009

how cute are these?!!? brilliant idea! I love them.

coffee cuffs

Jaime over at CHIRPINGS OF LITTLE BIRD has this lovely Coffee (or Tea) Lover Giveaway!!! You should check out her site and her super cute ideas too! I know my coffee would taste better with this super cute and eco friendly sleeve holder. : ) I can’t wait to work on some new projects! I heart Wednesdays!

peace and love
xox

*I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.    -Frank A. Clark

old meets new

Category: DIY | October 20th, 2009

so I have a ton of random clothing articles that do not fit or just need some TLC. here are the lucky contestants this time….

before
what do you get when you mix an old shirt that is too short and an old but clean fitted bed sheet???
molly panda was curious too…

tessa1
TADA!!! a lil cutting, some seaming, more cutting, seam ripping, more sewing…and there ya go. : ) I am in need of brushing up on my sewing skills. but this was fun, and I was super excited because the waste band of the fitted sheet was already done. I am all about the short cuts.

pocketribbon edge
some more random fabric which made a lovely pocket and I even lined the bottom of the sheet with ribbon for fun!  : ) (and yes, it was fun. ha) threw in some lace to spice it up too.

tessa2
tessa3

I have more leftover fitted and flat sheets and tons of old shirts….hmmmm what to do next??

peace and love
xox

*I orchestrate my mornings to the tune of coffee.  -Harry Mahtar