Peek-A-Boo Surprise :)

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Hey Everyone! I have exciting news to share! Peek-a-Boo Patterns is having an AMAZING holiday sale! I went a little crazy with it myself (I bought five patterns or was that six??), as I am sure you will.
 Click here to visit Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.                

Here is a cute video created by the lovely owner of Peek-a-Boo Patterns. It will give you a great preview of some of her amazing patterns before you head off to shop! I know it is hard to choose between all these lovely patterns, but don't worry! The more you buy the more you save! :) Happy Shopping Everyone! Also, this sale ends on Saturday, so make sure you don't miss out!
Click here to visit Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.

   
                               

The Little Gentleman Tie and Bow Tie by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

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"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" I LOVE this time of year so very much for so many reasons! I love Thanksgiving! I love Christmas! I love New Years! I just LOVE the holidays. I love that we set aside a day to take a break from our busy lives to remember all the things we have to be thankful for, and there really are so many thing!. Thanksgiving really should be a year long celebration.

Christmas is my ultimate favorite holiday! Christmastime is truly magical, the season of hope. I have always felt this way since a child and I think it ultimately has to do with the fact that Christmas is the time to celebrate Christ's birth, a truly miraculous event and the greatest gift ever given to humankind.

For me, New Years is bittersweet. I always become reflective on New Years Eve as I say farewell to the past year and welcome in the new, reflecting on the past memories of the year and wondering what memories the new one holds.

With all that said, I am definitely in the holiday spirit! Ready to break out that Christmas music and decorate my apartment this weekend!

I am also ready to start working on those Christmas gifts!!! And speaking of which, I have to share a project I whipped up last Friday with one of my new Peek-a-Boo patterns. I sort of went on a pattern splurge last week! Haha but it was so worth it!!! Have you seen all the amazing new patterns that have been added over the past month????

Anyways, check out these adorable bow ties I made using the Little Gentleman Tie and Bow Tie pattern. Click here to view more details

Aren't these adorable??? (You'll recognize the fabric, as I used it for the small stripe on my Betty bag) I seriously LOVE this pattern! It results in perfect bows! And there are so many options to it. You can make the tie or bow ties in four different sizes. You can make a single bow tie (like mine) or you can make a stacked bow tie (which looks adorable!). You can use Velcro or snaps for the closure. I love the Velcro because it makes the neck width easily adjustable.

So cute!

This pattern is so easy to follow, with clear instructions and accompanying pictures. From cut to finish, these can easily be whipped up in an hour for newer sewers, and those expert sewers can probably whip them out in half that time. And these bow ties are excellent scrap buster projects!

They really are just perfect! And you might not be able to tell from the pics, but these bows are not floppy! They have great shape and structure! Interfacing is a wonder! I can't wait to make more of these and to try out the tie version of the pattern! I know some little gentlemen that need one of each! :)

Don't wait around! ;) Go get your Little Gentleman Tie and Bow Tie pattern today! :)

What a Betty!

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Today is a VERY special day! :) Well yes, it is my birthday, so of course, I am partial to this day! :) However, today is also Betty's birthday (or debut)! Who is Betty you ask??? Why she is the newly released (as in TODAY) Betty Bowler Bag by Swoon Sewing Patterns !!!!
Can I just say I LOVE this pattern????? Yes, I know I say this about every Swoon pattern, but Betty is my most favorite (Sorry Stella, Eleanor, and Rosie! I still love you all too)!!!! There is just something about her. She really is a true Betty! A classic/vintage beauty, a babe of a bag!

So without further ado, here is .....(drum roll)....BETTY Swoon Sewing Patterns!!!

Isn't she one classy lady?!?!?! Can't you see why she is my ultimate fav????? Now that you have gotten some good visuals, let's discuss her specs!

First, she has great structure, as you can tell from her photo shoot above. This structure is created using Craft Fuse and Fleece interfacing. This was my first time using Craft Fuse and I love it! It sure adds structure and crispness to fabric! Like Stella, she also has a stiff bottom that is made using two pieces of Peltex. (All of the interfacing/stabilizers used to make this bag are Pellon products and can be purchased at Jo-Ann's.)

Secondly, she has beautiful piping that really adds to her classic beauty. This was my first time with piping (well minus one other attempt but I never completed that project and it was only a short straight line)! I was nervous but it really turned out well. There are so many tutorials out there too that really help you overcome any piping apprehensions! And if you are just too scared, you can make Betty without piping, as a few of the Swoon testers did (and they were all lovely!). The pattern also shows you how to make your own piping, which is nice since it is often hard to find pre-made piping that matches your fabric choices perfectly. I got lucky, so I went the easy (lazy) route. :)

By the way, this video showed me an easy method for connecting piping.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZESVL1Fmiw


Thirdly, this pattern is so versatile. She has different handle options. You can use hardware like I did or you can make them without. Instructions are given for both.  (Hardware purchased from strapworks.com)

Her stripe panels add to her versatility, for you can use just one stripe or none at all, or you can adjust the width to your liking. Like I said above, the piping is optional too. No two Betty's will ever look alike, unless of course, you want to make twins. :)


Concerning compartments, this girl has a very cool vertical, exterior zipper pocket, which is the perfect size for your passport or cell phone or both (Betty is a perfect carry-on bag)!

Passport

Passport and Cell phone

On one of the inside panels, there is one long slip pocket that extends the length of the bag; perfect for your Nook or Tablet! :)

Now lets have a size comparison. Here is a picture of Betty alongside Stella, so you can see the difference.

They are very similar in height; however, Stella is longer and a little bulkier. Honestly, if you are torn between the two, you should really just make yourself both! A matching set even! Won't you be the Bell of the airport, with a Betty and Stella on each arm!!! :)

Well I have gone on enough about my new love Betty, so I will be silent now. But I will leave you with the following song. The start of the chorus is perfect for Betty! And I don't know about you but I just felt that Betty deserved a song on her big day! :) And she sure is "strong and steady" but don't worry, you won't have to sell your jalopy to buy her. ;) (Listen to the song and you'll get it)

New Peek-a-Boo Patterns!!

Hurry over to Peek-a-Boo Patterns! The Comfy Cozy Robe and Slippers have been released! If you purchase them together, you save! Seriously, you can't have the robe without the slippers. ;)  And what a perfect Christmas gift! I bought my set! Can't wait to make some matching robes and slippers! I'll be sure to share pics when I do. :) Happy sewing everyone!

The Newsie Cap by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

So last week, Peek-a-Boo patterns started a new Friday tradition: Customer Appreciation Day! Every Friday, the lovely owner of this pattern shop will give away a free pattern to one lucky customer. In order to participate and have a chance at winning a free pattern, you must have made something in the past week using a Peek-a-Boo pattern. How fun is that! Last week, I wasn't able to participate, but this week I am! Yesterday, I made my first Peek-a-Boo Newsie Cap.

Isn't it adorable???? And talk about a fun, quick sew with a perfectly beautiful result!  This was my first time working with corduroy and I believe my first time sewing a real hat (at least I think). This pattern is great! It comes with several size options. I made the child size option, which I could almost fit on my head. So maybe the biggest size would be perfect for me??? ;) This hat is meant to be roomy and slouchy. If you are worried about sizing, don't be. The finished circumference of each size is given (and it is accurate), and there is also a formula for making a custom fit band. 

This pattern walks you through each step, with clear instructions and pictures. This hat is fully lined! You could use the same color for the lining or you could add a pop of color for a hidden surprise (like I did)!

Don't you love this lining fabric??? This fun apple print makes it the perfect little school girl hat! I have to tell you, I got both of these fabrics at Jo-Ann's one day when the red tag clearance was an additional 50% off. I think I got the apple print for like a $1 something a yard and the corduroy for $3 something.

I finished off the top of my hat with an adorable, large covered button.

Is that just perfect or what??? Even my husband was like "No way! That is so cute!" But don't tell anyone he said that. ;)

I am so pleased with this pattern! I can't wait to make more! This one is going to a special little six year old girl! I want to make some matching ones for my little nieces next. These really are just too adorable! If you haven't already, you used definitely get this pattern! :)

Ribbons and Bows

Here is another fun project that I completed about two weeks ago.

You might remember that I made these once before and shared them in this post. Several weeks ago, I realized Jo-Ann carries small rolls of grosgrain ribbon for $1. (The purple floral and chevron stripes were small rolls; the purple with teal polka-dots was a regular roll.) I was able to make three bows with the small rolls.

Also around that same time, I found some different shelf liner that was actually about half the thickness of regular shelf liner, yet it works just as good. No slipping at all!

I love making these bows and adding them to gifts! I loved hair bows when I was little, so seriously what little girl wouldn't love them. I mentioned this before, but I found this excellent tutorial here.
I definitely recommend making them! They would make a cute addition to any holiday outfit!

And speaking of holiday outfits! Today is Thursday and you know what that means?!?!?! It is Thrifty Thursday over at Peek-a-Boo patterns! Today's amazing deal is the Elaina Pintuck Party Dress!

Click here to view more details about this dress and its amazing features! Talk about adorable and perfect for Christmas! Grab this pattern up today for only $4 and make some matching no-slip hair bows! Your little lady/ladies will be the bell/bells of the ball! ;) Oh and to sweeten the deal, Peek-a-Boo patterns is also offering a bundle deal for those purchasing this dress along with her bolero pattern!!! Save even more and buy the two together! :)

Pillows Here And Pillows There

The other day I shared with you the big project I had completed last week, so today, I thought I would share with you one of my recent smaller projects. I like to have balance in life and in sewing. I like to complete difficult projects to stretch my skills, but I also like to throw in those easier projects so I don't go insane. Sometimes it is just nice to sit back and work on a project that doesn't require as much focus or detail.

Pillow covers are definitely a simple project (yet I think there is or can be an art to making them), but one that I actually enjoy. Don't ask me why. :) And I LOVE how a set of pillow covers can transform a couch. About two and a half weeks ago, I made my mom some pillow covers for her family room couch.

Here is the burgundy couch with its burgundy pillows. I know, lots of burgundy! But let me tell you this is the most comfortable couch in the world! For real! 

So with all that burgundy, we decided to add a pop of color.

What do you think? Same comfy couch and pillows with a new splash of color.

I made these covers with a deep envelope closure, which makes for no gaping holes and easy removal. Plus, you can actually wash these covers!

See that nice generous closure? Remember how I said that pillow covers are simple, yet there can be an art to them? Well I was referring to their construction. This pillow cover could be whipped out in 10-15 min, from cut to finish. However, I like to make professional looking pillow covers. Professional pillow covers have finished seams and reinforced tension points. To finish the raw edges of my seams, I used my serger. And to reinforce this pillow cover, I used a triple stitch along both edges.

Now another method for making removable pillow covers is the invisible zipper method. I like this method as well, primarily because both sides of the pillow can be displayed. Several months ago, I made my mom a set of pillow covers with this type of closure for her front living room couch. Here are some before and after pictures of those as well.

Before

After

This is Ty Pennington home decor fabric that I really got for a steal! I just love the feel and look of this fabric. The flowers have a velvety-like texture.

Close up

Invisible Zipper

See how nice this closure is? It really is practically invisible. And the zipper was the perfect blue, which makes the zipper tab even harder to see.

So which pillow cover closure do you prefer?

A Stellar Announcement

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Yesterday,  Swoon Sewing Patterns released yet another great pattern to its already marvelous collection of PDF sewing patterns! Let's all give a warm welcome to the Stella Weekender Bag ! As many of you have probably already guessed (due to many blog posts featuring a Swoon project), I really am in love with all things Swoon! This pattern is no exception! I became a Swoon pattern tester about a month ago, my first tester project being the little girl's cardigan. Stella, however, is my first bag to test, so she is extra special!

So without further ado, let me introduce you to Stella (well at least my version of Stella)!

Front Pic

Back Pic

Isn't she amazing??? The evening I finished her, I just sat and stared, hardly believing I had actually made such a bag! Trust me, it wasn't like I just snapped my fingers and presto, there she was! This girl takes work, but as you can see, the end result is kind of worth all that hard work. :)

So what makes Stella so special? Well let's put her under the microscope. Stella is full of some serious interfacing and stabilizer! Her exterior pieces are reinforced with fleece, while her lining pieces are reinforced with a lightweight interfacing. Her handles and bottom are reinforced with Peltex, a seriously wicked stabilizer. Before attaching the lining to the exterior part, I actually snapped a picture of her insides. Poor Stella would be so mortified. ;)

She definitely has plenty of body! Can I be biased and say that my stitching looks pretty darn good, even on the inside?!?!?! :)

On top of excellent structure and form, this girl is fully lined.  

I LOVE the chocolate polka dots!

She has carrying options. If your hands need a rest, throw her over your shoulder with her removable strap. I added a nice shoulder pad to my Stella, which I purchased from Strapworks.com. This is also where I purchased her strap loops and swivel snaps. Strapworks is the place to buy bag hardware (and straps of course)! Seriously, you won't be able to find better deals!

Another fabulous feature of Stella is all her room! She definitely has enough compartments to hold all you need for a quick weekend getaway or the necessary essentials to carry on your flight in case the worst happens: your luggage fails to make it to your vacation destination. Stella is also the perfect size for a roomy diaper bag. Who says diaper bags can't have style??? I packed my Stella with some perfect weekender/travel essentials just so you could see how roomy this girl is.

Speaking of room and compartments, does this girl have pockets!!! Stella is the queen of pockets! She has pockets on the outside and pockets on the inside.

She has an exterior zipper pocket,

cargo pockets (my first time making!!!),

open pockets (inside and outside),

Inside Open Pockets

Outside Open Pockets

and even side pockets.

After such an impressive resume, are you really that surprised by her name? She really is out of this world great!

Now, I must be honest with you. This bag is not a simple project. If you are looking for a quick afternoon project, Stella is NOT your girl.  Stella takes time, patience, and determination. My suggestion is to tackle Stella in parts. Spend an afternoon (or two) cutting out all her pieces, another fusing all that interfacing to the fabric, and another (or two) putting her together. Take your time and enjoy the project, keeping a mental picture of the beautiful finished project in your mind. And honestly, if you can get past the cutting and fusing, you've accomplished over half the battle. Putting her together is the fun part! Don't be intimidated! I have only been sewing for a little over a year and look at my Stella! The instructions to this pattern are so clear and detailed, and the accompanying illustrations are an added bonus! You really can do this!

So what are you waiting for??? Go visit Swoon Sewing Patterns today and pick up Stella ! Make yourself a weekender bag that everyone will be talking about! Make one for someone on your Christmas list!

Material Credits:

Exterior fabric (Home Decor)- Premier Prints Traditions French Blue/Brown (purchased on fabric.com)
Interior/lining fabric (Quilting Cotton)- Spot On II Polka Dots White/Brown (purchased on fabric.com 

Pellon Products-
Pellon 971F (Fleece)
Pellon 911FF (Lightweight interfacing)
Peltex 71F (Stabilizer)

Hardware and Notions-
Magnetic snaps (cargo pocket closures)-Jo-Ann's 
Zippers-purchased from http://www.etsy.com/shop/zipit
Strap loops, swivel snaps, and shoulder pad-purchased from strapworks.com