Wednesday, April 28, 2010

NO CAMERA....NO POSTS




We are still on the search for a new camera. No decisions yet and that means that there are no photos for tutorials or new ideas. I have given up on my ancient Nikon D100 and looking to get something else. Does anyone have a camera that they are dying over? I am not in the market for a fancy DSLR. Call me crazy, but they are not convenient. I spent years lugging that big thing around with all the lenses. So, for me. I need an in between. Something that has a few manual settings for low light. Do you have any ideas?

Monday, April 26, 2010

So You Think You're Crafty is in week #2. Check out the crafts over there and see if you can spot mine.
I now know that the cute guitar dress was by Guitar Dress by Lynette @ Get Your Craft On.
Check it out. I just love it.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

SYTYC Week 1




WHO GUESSED IT?? I think I stumped a couple of my friends on this one.

This was my entry on the SYTYC craft contest for the "Folksy" themed week.
I will share a tutorial on this one soon. I am just waiting for my shiny new camera (I need a replacement for the one that my kiddo dipped in to my 44 ounce drink. )
***************
This is the entry that I voted for. Voting for your own is no fun when there are plenty of others that were fabulous. This is stinkin darling, and very well done. I don't know that I would have the patience to hand stitch those strings on the bodice. I would love to give credit where credit is due....but I don't even know who's entry this was...yet. Great job huh?


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

NEW IN THE SHOP

I have had so many requests for MODERN ANIMAL DESIGNS LATELY. I have just added giraffes. Coming soon...hippos, rhinos and whales!











Sunday, April 18, 2010

Tutorial Review: DANA'S CAN CAN or TURKEY SKIRT

When I saw Dana's Can Can/Turkey Skirt, I knew I just HAD to make one for my little gal (and 3 girl cousins). I am not a "sew from a pattern" kind of girl. I find that trying to figure stuff out myself is half the fun of sewing (sometimes it turns out like a serious disaster). Rather than trying to figure this one out myself, I decided to purchase her pattern online and do a review.


REVIEW:
1.Price of pattern: This pattern/tutorial was 6 dollars. Worth it! And she emailed it to me within a couple of hours of my purchase. Love that!

2. Actual costs of making the skirt: I bought 4 yards of non-fray nylon at 1.59 each yard and paid 6.95 shipping. If you could find this local, it would save you tons. I used an cotton bed sheet for the main portion of the skirt. It was one that I had never used and it worked great, so that cost me nothing. I also used thread I already had and paid .99 for a couple of yards of elastic for the waist band. These supplies made 2 skirts. I figured I paid about $8 dollars per skirt. Not bad considering these skirts could sell for $40 at a boutique.

3. Dana's Instructions: Instructions are easy to follow and very specific. Plenty of photos. She is great at making tutorials.

4. My rating of sewing skill level: INTERMEDIATE. I am not sure what Dana rates this pattern. It seems like it would be easy, because after all, you are sewing straight lines. The sewing isn't' difficult, but I could foresee a beginning sewer getting frustrated with the bulk and maneuvering of the skirt while trying to sew on all of the ruffles.

5. My overall rating of the pattern: 9 out of 10. There is nothing at all to complain about in this pattern, but how can you give someone a 10 out of 10?

WHAT I WOULD ADD TO THE PATTERN:
1. Cut your ruffles with a rotary cutter. I started cutting with a pair of scissors and thought I would go insane. I got out my metal yard stick, which is 2 inches wide, and used it as a guide. I folded the chiffon fabric lengthwise in fourths. I then cut the strips the width of the yard stick. It worked perfectly and all of my ruffles were cut in 10 minutes.
2. When gathering my ruffles, I knew I was going to layer them. I found that it was easier and looked tidier when I layered two unruffled strips together before I gathered (so I was gathering 2 layers of fabric at a time).
3. I figured that it would take about 3 strips of chiffon to go all the way around the skirt. So, as I was gathering my ruffles, I made one continuous ruffle with 3 strips of chiffon by tucking in one right after another as I sewed. This made it much easier for me when sewing the ruffles on the skirt.
4. I used peach, gold, white and cream colored chiffon. I loved the mix of all of these colors. I did make the mistake of using peach colored thread and I didn't like that my sewing lines were so obvious on the white and cream ruffles. So, on the second one I did (the one pictured), I used white thread and it made all the difference!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Beehive Bazaar


This year, Beehive Bazaar will be held at Thanksgiving Point. It is going to be awesome. There is a Gala Event the night before the official opening, where the public can come for a sneak preview and a chance to meet the artisans.
I will be there!!!
Here is a fun photo of the gals in charge.


The Beehive Bazaar has become all-the-buzz in Utah every spring and winter when they showcase the independent designs, arts, crafts and edibles of more than 50 trend-setting local artists. The Bazaar touts a hand-selected inventory of unique, quality and most importantly, to-die-for handmade goods including jewelry, paintings, bags, glass, vinyl, paper, clothing and accessories as well as couture cupcakes, jams, cookies, caramels and treats. This is in no way your mother’s craft boutique.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

TUTORIAL


I have posted a tutorial. Just click on the image and it will whisk you away.....

Thanks again for your votes!!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

DID YOU GUESS CORRECTLY?

DID YOU GUESS WHICH ONE WAS MINE??
It was the plates.
Thanks to all who voted!
I am excited for this
fun competition
and excited to be
associated with
some talented ladies!
I WILL POST A TUTORIAL
NEXT WEEK!
COME BACK AND SEE.