Pocket Die Cut Card

This is a project I started (gulp) two years ago.  The reason I know its been two years, is that they were supposed to be for one my girls' birthday invitations.....and her birthday is coming up...again.

I bought this fun pocket die cut (in retrospect I would not have purchased it, instead I would just sew up the sides) using the excuse of the invitations.  I make enough invites for baby showers, birthday's, etc, that I do use the dies.

 

This time instead of using them for invites, I'm using them for cards!

I added an eyelet from my collection of embellishments, ribbon from my scrap ribbon container, and a butterfly punch sewn on the inside to tie it into the paper.

Applique Monogrammed Onsie {tutorial}

 

This was one of my baby shower gifts for my friend (does the fabric look familiar).  The process is very similar to my heart applique shirt and my knee patches.

Supplies:

Clothing

Fabric

Wonder under

Iron

Pencil

Scissors

Optional: machine stitching edges

How to:

Figure out what letter you want (I use a template.) Cut a piece of wonder under a little bigger than your final shape, and a piece of fabric a little bigger than your wonder under.

Iron WU onto fabric per included instructions.  Flip it over and trace or draw your letter onto the back.  IMPORTANT: Draw your letter in reverse.  

Cut it out, peel backing of your letter, place in center of your shirt and iron on following instructions.

 With that, you can be done, but you can also take it a step further and sew the edges of the letter.  I use heave duty wonder under that says "no sewing needed" but I always finish it off.  I have found that maneuvering those tiny little onsies on my sewing machine is a little bit easier if I take off my tool box.  Also make sure when you are sewing you are only sewing the top layer!  (Ask me how I know that?? ;)

I straight stitched my edges this time, but sometimes I zig-zag.  Just depends what kind of mood I'm in.  Around the tight little corners, I don't use my foot pedal and "hand crank" the machine.

There you go!  You can put these on blankets, bibs, burp cloths, you name it! 

(This is also Sewing Challenge #19)

Crib Bumper

First off....I will take a proper picture of this in a crib once the baby's room is done.  For now this is all I have. :)

This bumper is one piece of a set that I'm making for my friend, Katie.  Its my baby gift to her.  She chose the colors, fabric, and style of the bumper and I'm the labor.  I enjoy sewing and decorating so this a really fun project.

I didn't use a pattern or a tutorial, I just kind of wung it.  That's how I roll with these type of projects.  I'll read a few sets of directions, then do what makes the most sense to me.  If anyone reading this is thinking about tackling a bumper and wants more info...contact me.  Its really just like making a giant pillowcase for a really, really, really long pillow.

I put piping only on the top (since the bottom is not going to show, why waste the time and materials?)  The bottom was the last part I sewed, done with a simple straight stitch as close to the edge as possible while still sewing on the material.

The ties were not put on the top, but on the side...

...and made to knot, not tie in a bow....

...so they were made shorter.

Pretty picture to come once its in the baby's room. ;)

(This is also sewing challenge #18.)

Owl Pillow

Isn't he cute???  I found this idea from this etsy shop.  (Aren't her things adorable!!!) 

 I made up the pattern and used scraps from the bedding I am making for my friend.  The bumper is behind the owl and will be another post.  The eyes and nose are felt scraps.  The wings can fold out and are white and grey.  The whole thing took less than an hour.  

I surprised her with it at the shower yesterday.  She loved is so much she wants another in the alternating fabric and her sister ordered a "girl" one too!

(This is also sewing challenge #15.)

Fabric Pennant Garlad {tutorial}

I whipped this up for a baby shower decoration that can then be used in baby's room.  I'm making the bedding as a gift to my friend, so snagged some scraps for this.  (This is also sewing challenge #14.)

Supplies:

Fabric

1/2" double fold bias tape (or you can make your own)

How to:

Decide how long you want your garland and make (or cut bias tape) to that length.  I made my bias tape since I had white fabric and it was late at night when I decided to do this (which is pretty much normal for me!) so didn't have the option of running to the store.  I used a manual bias tape maker (first time) and it was kinda fun.  I made single fold, then folded/ironed in half to make double fold bias tape.  Then ending width is 1/2" and its perfect for this size pennant.

I didn't start taking pictures until half way through the project....sorry!

Cut your pennant shapes.  I used this die and love it so much!!!  I made 8, but you can make as many or few as you'd like.  They are 4" across by about 6" high, with tails cut on both ends.

I sewed the bottoms of my pennants together, but you can just as easily leave them be.  Fold your pennant in half then sew a straight stitch down one side, up then down the tail, then back up the other side.  I left the top just folded and didn't stitch it.

An option is to leave a large seam allowance and use your pinking shears on the edges, but I kind of like the shabbyness of the slightly frayed edges.

Once they are all sewn (or not if you choose), then pick your pattern.

Mark the center of your bias tape.

Start pinning the pennants in following your pattern.

I spaced mine 2" apart, but play around with it until its to your liking.  I left about 18" at each end of the bias tape for tying.

Sew it up and tie a knot in each end of the tape.  

Here is it hanging at the shower.

Making your own party Invitations {tutorial}

First off....the orange is really not that bright!!!  Its more of a burnt orange.  As usual, I'm working on these at night and taking pics with a flash.  I can never get oranges and reds to be true.  Any hints from you photographer types???

I know it would be so easy to just pull up a site that prints invitations, insert your information, type in your credit card information and hit send.....but not for this crafty gal!  I always make my own invitations, baby announcements, and cards.  I even volunteered to make my sisters wedding invitations....all 300+ of them!

These are for a friend of mine who is having her third boy.  She is decorating the room with grey, orange and white, so that's what we're going with for the party theme.

Instead of making every invite the exact same, I usually go with a color theme and vary the card stock.  I use the same "template" but different card stock.  In this instance, I was making about 50 invites.  It was just as cost effective for me to buy an entire pack of patterned card stock (on sale) as it was to buy just the individual sheets I would need...and I have a lot left over!

Supplies:

Card stock, colored and white

Paper cutter

Paper punch or die cut (or scissors)

Adhesive

How to:

Cut your base card stocks (12x12 size) into three 4" strips, then score them at 2 3/4" and 8 1/4."  This is so you can fold the edges in and the top flap hits directly in the middle.

I have a wonderful cutter (Zutter Dreamkuts) that I use all the time!  But a paper cutter works just as well.  I also have a scoring board (Scor-Pal), but if you have a dry embossing stylus, you can use it on your paper trimmer in the little gully where the blade cuts.

I type up my own invites using Publisher....and that's a whole other tutorial.  I use it for the invites, the saying on the front and the directions.  Then print and cut.  If you have a square paper punch it makes the cutting much easier...and exact!

I die cut my antique squares, but you can make a template, trace and hand cut if you need to.

Cut your band strips.  I made mine 9 inches by 1 inch.  Make sure to make them long enough to wrap around the card plus overlap a little so you can adhere it together. 

Here are the supplies for one invite.  Once everything is cut, its a really simple assembly.

Fold up your base on the score lines and adhere you invite info.  I put some adhesive on all four corners of the back side of the invite, plus a little strip in the middle.

Make sure you get the right side up.  You want the bigger flap to fold up first.

Add a line of adhesive to one end of the back of the band.

Set your invite (right side up) on you band (pattern side down) with the adhesive at the top.  I leave about 2 inches of overlap on the top.  Fold up your band, then fold down the top and put to secure.

The reason I put the seam in front is because I'm going to cove over it with the die cut.  It leaves the back clean and looks nicer.

Add your die cut and then your quote to the front.  Instead of a quote you can stamp a picture or layer another die cut.  Options are endless.

That's it!

For under $0.50 per invite (including the envelope!) I'll take that considering just a quick search on the internet was coming back with anywhere between $1.19-$3.85 a piece!!!

My Paper Garlands were Featured!!!

I sell these paper garlands in my etsy shop (along with a few other things.)  I have a handful of designs and will be adding more.

For birthday parties, showers and nurseries

And for the boys

And lately for Halloween

and Christmas

A few days ago I was convo'd about someone featuring my garlands on their website.  She's a designer who specializes in nurseries and children's rooms.  You can find her here.  And my feature here.