So Sew Something!


Easy DIY – but one of my faves!
February 19, 2010, 12:05 am
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For today’s DIY, the only thing I can take credit for is finally finding an inexpensive frame that I like…and this was NO easy task, I can assure you.  This one came from Walmart of all places…I think it was $9.

For the silhouette, I purchased it from Nella Designs on Etsy – and I cannot wait to give these as gifts!  I totally don’t mind if you get one for your home too…you just might want to use your own names instead of ours.  But hey, it’s YOUR project, do what you want to DIY!

This is my new favorite thing in my house!



I’m back and playing catch-up!! DIY day #who even knows!?!?
February 17, 2010, 11:39 pm
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I MADE SOMETHING AND TOOK PICTURES TONIGHT!!!!  JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!!!!

Today has been a day full of making things – for me, for the kids, with the kids, against the kids, etc.  My day started with a mammogram….I found a lump a week ago and today’s mammogram held wonderful news – NOTHING BAD IN THAT LUMP, Praise the Lord!  I did not enjoy that procedure, so I’m giving myself credit for making something…I have no idea what, but I’m counting it!

Then, when I returned home, I built the kids their first FORT out of a table, chairs and sheets.  Daddy joined in on the fun…actually, I think he and I thought it was cooler than Owen and Ellie did.  Oh well.

After a trip to the library (where I checked out a book on how to make all sorts of things with paper plates…stay tuned!), it was making lunch time and then nap time for the kids.  Nap Time = Sew Time!  I was able to squeeze in two dresses from my Etsy queue and that feels fabulous!

Finally, after making spaghetti and then doing some baking with the lovely Kelly McClinton during City Group, I was able to create a long-awaited-necklace….I didn’t quite get it the way I want, but it was a fun starter necklace!  You’ll see it below along with LOTS of photos from today AND of those pillows I mentioned yesterday!

next one will use bigger beads and will be a bit longer.

the Fort!

And now for a few of those “catch up photos!”….

Ellie's color story pillow!

more pillows for Ellie's room

and finally, just a shot of those letters on her wall! Yes, i actually hung them up!

good night friends.  I’m impressed and honored that you made it this far!



I really did DIY today….really I did!!!
February 16, 2010, 11:03 pm
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As you can imagine, i’ve fallen pretty far behind on my Etsy orders after enduring that evil virus. Now, I’m all better and have been hard at work today (in between painting with two toddlers) to catch up on those orders.

Fortunately for Ellie, I can’t really work on Etsy orders while the kids are running around – it’s just too risky to have other people’s fabric too close to my darlings’ little fingers. SOOOO, I took an hour to make Ellie some of those pillows I’ve been planning on making. I’m super impressed with myself because usually these “plans” take about 3 years to come to fruition.

You will have to wait until tomorrow for proof…I’m just still too lazy to find that camera. I lie to you not, though. Today = 4 new pillows!



I’m almost back to normal!!!
February 16, 2010, 10:03 am
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Whew, what a bout with something fierce!!!!  I am almost back to normal – how I’ve missed my daily makings – including the ones that bomb!  I’ll be back this evening with something new, and I’m confident I can get back on track.

In the meantime, I saw the CUTEST quilt on Moda Bake Shop’s blog this morning, and I thought I’d pass it along.  This blog features a free tutorial on how to do it.  I have never made a quilt…but who knows, this might just be on worth diving into!

See you soon!  Stay well, stay creative!!!



Please don’t get the Yucky stomach flu!….
February 14, 2010, 9:44 pm
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That’s pretty much all I have to say tonight. If you’ve noticed there has been no DIY’ing on my part, it’s because I’ve been “otherwise occupied” with a totally horrible and disgusting virus. It’s over for me, not for Jonathan, but I’m too weak to do much else than watch the Olympics. I’m not even going to apologize….I feel like I’ve won a gold medal just for enduring the last two days!

I hope to be back tomorrow!
Good night.



It’s NEVER TOO LATE!! … DIY Day 26 & 27 (come on, show me some grace!)
February 12, 2010, 11:33 pm
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Well, I have to admit it…I did not post a DIY project yesterday.  As hard as it is for me to admit that, it’s true.  In reality, I should be very happy with myself b/c it took 26 days for me to flake out…those of you who know me can attest to what a miracle that is!!!  =)

Truthfully, I WAS working on DIY’s yesterday – 6 Dupioni silk curtains, to be exact.  I just was working very late into the night and didn’t have the wherewithall to take pictures.  So, I guess I was lazy.  I can handle that.

Tonight, though —- I’M BACK!!!  AND – I can’t believe that it has taken me 10 YEARS to make one of these little ZIPPERED POUCHES, but it did.  Most people make these very early in their sewing skills development, but for some reason I missed that appointment.

I really really really liked making this little number and you can bet that you’ll see more of these in the days and weeks and months to come…there’s just so many options!

For tonight, I made a lined zipper pouch with two Amy Butler fabrics from my stash, of course.  I didn’t even measure, I just cut 4 identical rectangles – 2 each fabric.  I attached them both to a zipper, also from my stash, and there you go.  I totally LOVE it!  (oh, and I added the big button as an afterthought – also from my stash!)

Time: about 15 minutes – I added interfacing so that added a couple of minutes.

Cost: FREE!  (This size took less than 1/8 of a yard, so this is a PERFECT WAY to take advantage of those expensive designer fabrics…an 1/8 of a yard is way more affordable than a yard!)

Yummy, this is making me so happy!

The next time I make one of these, I’ll try to create a picture tutorial so you’ll be able to make one more easily.  In the meantime, here’s proof of yesterday’s unblogged DIY -



Hooray for more Headbands! … DIY Day #25
February 10, 2010, 11:54 pm
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I have seriously got to get on the ball…this last-minute DIYing is getting old!  Thank goodness for a never decreasing stash of “one-day-I’ll-get-around-t0-making-this” stuff!

We host a city group in our home every Wednesday night – and tonight, we all enjoyed each other’s company until about 11pm.  Then,  I had to take atleast a couple of minutes to say hello to my husband for the first time today.  Then, I had to check on my Etsy convos.  And then, I had to grab a snack….and THEN… I had to make something.

Here is what I made in THREE MINUTES for $2.50…..

Supplies: headband, feather ($1.99), hotglue gun

Seriously, all you do is hotglue the feather onto the headband where you want it. hilariously easy!

Then, you can either wear it and soak in all the compliments, OR…you can sell it on Etsy for $13.00 like this one!

******* GIVEAWAY WINNER FOR LAST WEEK*******

The lovely Lacey Prewitt!



Curtains X 8! DIY Day #24
February 9, 2010, 6:00 pm
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I am working on a project for a decorator friend of mine (she’s also a killer Real Estate agent!)…it’s 6 curtain panels of beautiful red dupioni silk.  So gorgeous!!!

Before I cut into the fabric, I wanted to be sure i knew my gameplan.  How better to do that than make some curtains for ME….or, actually, ELLIE!  yes, I finally made it around to sewing up  Ellie’s curtains for her bedroom.  (the grand reveal forthcoming!)

It took me exactly 1 hour to make both panels.  I used 2 plain sheets from Ikea ($2/each) for the lining.  I cut the lining/sheets to be a couple inches narrower than my fabric and a few inches shorter.  Then, I hemmed the bottoms of both the fabric and the lining.  Joined them together on the sides, then turned right side out and ironed the sides.  I serged the top and folded it over to form the casing.  All done.  So easy and I love the impact it makes in her room!

(by the way, I just remembered I owe y’all a giveaweay winner…stay tuned, I’ll draw that tonight!)



What a Difference a Ruffle Makes…DIY Day #23
February 8, 2010, 11:39 pm
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I can honestly say that today is the first day that I almost forgot my 365 DIY challenge.  Lying in bed at 11:03, it hit me.  Being the responsible individual that I am (some of you have coughed up a lung)….I immediately got out of bed and created the first thing that came to mind (AND that was super-speed-fast!)
The week ahead seems all business, so be prepared to see lots of curtains and dresses…unless I go off course, which is certainly feasible!
But for tonight – here is another little idea for a dish towel!  None other than: A RUFFLE!

I just simply cut a strip of scrap fabric (yes, you’ve seen this fabric before!).  Made a tube, turned it right side out, and made a ruffle.  Then, I just sewed it right on top of the dish towel.  Don’t forget to close the sides of ruffle!!!

Time: 11 minutes.  (Don’t tell my students, but I did not even iron this project!)

Cost: $1.50…that’s the cost of the dish towel.

So what are you waiting for???  I dare you to turn off the TV and make one of these…just use on of your old towels because this ruffle can really add new life to dingy things!!!



Headbands and Birthdays….DIY Day #22
February 7, 2010, 11:03 pm
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Oh gosh, where to begin?!?!  Today was a wonderful day as we celebrated Ellie Christine’s 3rd birthday.  She began the weekend with lots of fever but she held on strong to have a truly wonderful party.  I have honestly never seen her so thoroughly happy…I think she may a little bit of her mother’s Party-Love in her.  Oh well, she’ll always manage to have a good time with a crowd, that’s for sure!

After a long day and a good hot bath, I sat down to make a fun headband for my jogging adventures this week.  I like those elastic headbands that have the rubbery stuff on the back – they’re skinny and hold on tight.  Problem is – they’re NOT CUTE!  Not, that is, until you add….A COVERED BUTTON, OF COURSE.  And they’re even cuter when you add THREE covered buttons!

Below, you’ll find a brief photo blog of how to assemble them….plus  a few shots of today’s party – Memaw made the trip down from Dallas after spending a week in the hospital, so I wanted to show off a couple shots of her!  Thanks, mom, for bringing her down!  I had a great time with y’all!

Materials: elastic headband, buttons to cover, twine, scissors, scrap fabric

On the back piece of the button, pull out the metal loop with your scissors leaving 2 holes.

loop twine around the elastic headband and into the two holes

twist the twine - tightly encasing the headband and securing the button back. Trim the twine close with your scissors.

cover your button as usual...add as many as you want!

Time: about 6 minutes.

Cost: 7/8″ covered buttons are about $1.25 for 4.  I used 3, so let’s round up to $1.  I had all the other supplies on hand, so total for me $1.  If you bought everything new, I’d guess this would cost you about $3..but you’ll have that twine roll around for a long time and you’ll usually get about 5 headbands in a pack, so you can make lots more of these with no extra cost!  So get to it!

And now, for the shameless birthday photos…

Jonathan with the little "bakers"

Ellie (in the middle) with a glimps of Owen on the right.

Can you believe MeMaw is 93!?!? No way!!! I want proof!

a beautiful moment with two beautiful gals!