(eyeCandy) babies...

So we are finally in the final stages of getting approved again for adoption.  

The mountain of paperwork is done!  :)

Even though we have no idea what is in store for us...nor how long it will take, 

I've started to pin baby stuff.

Here are two on my must do list (when that time comes!)

Source: Running With Scissors  Tutorial: Here

and

Source: Sugar Tart Crafts guest posting on Naptime Crafters  Tutorial: Here

(SewItGirl.com) Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Sew It Girl giveaway!

The winner is...

Monsters33June 22, 2012 9:32 AM

I follow SewItGirl.com through email.

Contact us within 48 hours to claim your prize!

(tutorial) ruched flag pillow

With the 4th of July coming up fast, I thought I'd re-surface a post that I did last year right before the 4th of July as a guest post for Becky over at the Crafting Chicks.  {here}  I never got around to posting it officially on iCandy, so here's a fun 4th of July project for you to bust out real fast.

The Ruched Flag Pillow

I think I have an obsession with pillows  because I make and remake them all the time, but this one is small and fun to make, and it just uses a pillow form, so I can stow it away easily.  I used the same technique as I did here with our ruched pillow tutorial, but this one's just a little different!

Here we go!

(shoeology) Winner!

Thank you all for entering the giveaway to win $25.00 to the shoeology etsy shop!

I'm very excited to try to make a pair of my own shoes, and excited to see what the winner comes up with!

So, the winner of the $25 gift certificate to shoeology and the sweet pea pattern etsy shops is:

Andrea

who pinned the Gilligan shoe.

Andrea, email us within 24 hours to claim your prize!

(iCandy) Scarlet's Blessing Dress

I've been so excited to share this project with you!  I've been anticipating it ever since I found out that I was having a girl, and my Mother-in-Law asked if I'd like her to make Scarlet's Blessing Dress.

In our church, when a new baby is born, the baby is given a special blessing, in which their name is recognized on the records of the church.  Most often the babies are dressed in white, baby girls get all fancified, and its an event in their new little lives that we as families look forward to, and treasure.  

If you'd like to look more into what a baby blessing is, check out {this website}

Anyways, Scarlet was blessed at the beginning of this month, and was able to wear this new beautiful dress:

Her Grandma made the dress for her, from a snapshot seen somewhere on the internet years ago...I never even had a link, I'm so sorry, all we had was a printed picture of a dress!  Anyways, when we found out we were going to have a girl, this was the dress I wanted her to be blessed in, and how much better that Grandma made it for her!  Isn't it beautiful!?

So, since I wasn't the seamstress, here's what I can tell you!

She started out with that delicious pre-ruffled fabric that we purchased at the LA fabric district (just at some random shop right up the main drag...they have very high-quality pre-ruffled fabric that's more opaque, compared to the 'cheaper' kind; it sort of reminds me of little girls tights..thicker, you know?)

It's not pure 'white', so my MIL found some knit that matched and made the teeny-tiny bodice by altering an old existing pattern to make it have a cap sleeve.  

She handed it over to me with a bag of some flowers, some made from the ruffled fabric itself, some from felted wool that she felted herself, and some that were store bought...but the real treasure is the lace in the upper left-hand corner, which was a part of a collection of old lace that belonged to her mother, Evelyn.  (Scarlet's middle name is Evelyn after her Great-Grandma, so that makes it special x 2!)

I got to hand-stitch the flowers and lace on how I wanted them.  

Scarlet looked beautiful, of course, in her little white dress, and maybe when she's a mommy her little girl can wear it, too.  It's definitely something we'll treasure!

Did you notice her bracelette?  I love it, and I've had her wear it to church every week since!  It's the {bling} from one of our sponsors {Oh Baby Baby Boutique}.  It's so dainty and sparkly, and I love that it's adjustable, so she can continue to wear it as her tiny wrists get bigger.   

...and her headband is {the box-fold felt flower} that we shared with you previously!

Extending the Life of Your Sewing Machine

A few months ago I bought a new sewing machine.

It was a very exciting day.  (I'm such a nerd)

I had had my Viking Lena for 5+ years, and I wasn't in love with it.  

A good basic, solid machine, but I sew so much that it was time for an upgrade.

I had saved up some money, then asked for money instead of gifts for Christmas and my birthday.

I then started my research.

I really wanted a Bernina, after sewing on my mom's growing up.  

But I couldn't really afford one, except maybe an ancient one off of Craigslist.  

So after doing hours of research online, I chose the Juki HZL-F600.

Juki is not a super well known brand for home sewing machines.  They actually are the main manufacturer of the industrial machines used in the garment industry and have now created a line of home machines.

 I read tons of AMAZING reviews on this machine, then went to a dealer and sewed on it.  It was a workhorse, sewing on 8 layers of denim like a dream, as well as any other fabric I fed through it.  It was super quiet, and has tons of stitches, automatic tension (MY FAVORITE!), an automatic threader, and even a button that clips the thread.  

I fell in LOVE.  And 4 months later, still am.  

Such a great price for the quality of this machine. Works like a champ!

So after I bought it, I decided to attend a class at the dealer.  I thought I would share some of the things I learned there.  I have been sewing for 21 years, and at this class, 

I learned some things I had never known before.

• If you own a relatively new machine, you really need to make sure you sew periodically on it.  Ideally, once a week, for a few minutes.  This is because most modern sewing machines are self lubricating, and when you run them, their gears get lubed up.  If the machine sits for too long, the gears can dry out and lock up.
• If you buy a machine and it sits in the box for 6 months without using it, or something to that effect, you should take it to a dealer for a tune-up prior to sewing on it.  Better to pay a tune-up fee than to ruin a perfectly nice machine by running dried out gears.
• Never turn the wheel backwards.
• Never pull the thread out from the top of the machine.  This causes lint to go into the part of the machine that you cannot clean and excessive lint in there can ruin your machine.  (I am so guilty of this one!)
• Needles last for about 8 hours of sewing time. (40,000 stitches)
• You should clean out the lint under the bobbin area every 8-10 hours of sewing.
• Store your machine with the presser foot down, resting on a scrap of fabric.

Here are a couple of tips that are about thread:

• Ideally, you should match your thread fiber to your cloth, i.e. cotton thread to cotton, etc.
• Don't use vintage thread, for the most part.  (I have been guilty of this one...thrift store thread, anyone?)  Prior to using older thread, pull it taught and yank.  It should NOT break.  Unless you want your project to unravel after the fact...(I went through my thread and did this and almost all of the older thread broke SO easily.  OOPS!)

So that is what I learned from my class in a nutshell!  (Plus hands on stuff...)

I highly recommend attending one of these types of classes if you buy a machine from a dealer.

(eyeCandy) the secret to crisp lines...

I blog-surfed today...I haven't done that in forever!  

But, I'm glad I did today because I found a trick that made {this project} even easier than it was before!

Mod Podge

I already knew I liked Mod Podge...I use it all the time, but I never thought to use it this way!

So, check out Sugar Bee craft's genius tutorial {here} on how to have the crispest of crisp lines while painting...(you have to scroll down about half-way through the post!)

(giveaway) Shoeology

We have another opportunity for you to win a pattern and this time, it's for a pair of shoes!  And don't let your mind automatically head straight for toddler and baby shoes (while you could still pick those).  I was delighted when I looked up this etsy shop to find patterns for women's shoes as well...and women's shoes that I would really enjoy wearing!

I give you Shoeology:

Here's a couple of pics of the pairs of shoe patterns available at Shoeology:

Also, if you're looking for some toddler and baby shoe patterns, Cheri also is the owner of the Sweet Pea Pattern shop that offers patterns for children's shoes such as these:

Reversible Mary Janes:

 or the Little London Loafers: (Darling for a little boy to wear to church...or whatever!  oh my!)

And the one hang up that I had when looking through this pattern was the fact that I wouldn't be able to find a good fabric to use as the sole of my shoe...problem solved, they sell the waterproof soling material in their shop, too... 

 The only problem now is...which fabric in my stash to I want to have a pair of shoes out of?  I've got some fun canvas-ish fabrics in my stash I'm deliberating about! 

Want to win a pattern or 2?

I double-dog dare you to make a pair of your own shoes...seriously, how fun!

The giveaway is for $25.00 to either www.shoeology.etsy.com orwww.sweetpeapattern.etsy.com (or from both if you'd like). 

To win, here's what you have to do:

**Please pin one of your favorite shoe patterns from the Pinterest Shoeology Board {here}

**Like Shoeology on Facebook {here}

**AND heart your fav item, or heart her either of her shops {here} and {here} on etsy.

So, 4 entries max...do each and come back here and leave us a comment telling us you've done it...and that's it, and what you liked!  We really do like to hear from you, and hear what your favorite things are!

(guest blogging) Color My Summer: The Little Scarlet Number

We are so excited to be participating in one of our favorite series this year!

Such fun guest posts/tutorials to be found at Kojo Designs and Delia Creates.  

Go check them out!

Here is a little preview of what we made....

Head on over to Kojo Designs to see baby Scarlet's modeling debut!

(iCandy) Beach Towels (my fav's)

I made a couple of personalized beach towels a couple of summers ago using some Costco bath sheets (you know those huge bath towels they have?)  and some fabric scraps.  In preparing for Summer here at the Beach, I knew I had to make another towel for my new little one (though she won't be doing much swimming this year).  I just thought I'd share the idea with everyone, because we've loved every part of these simple beach towels.   

Directions?

-Apply Wonder-Under or Heat n Bond to the back side of fabric scraps.

-Cut your fabric letters using either your Cricut or print out a font from your computer and trace it onto the back of your wonder under (backwards, so that when you flip it over it will be the correct orientation)

-Once cut, peel off the back of the wonder-under paper and Iron letters onto the towel

-Reinforce by stitching around the perimeter of each letter.

This is a perfect idea for a Spring or Summer birthday gift...or perhaps just the ticket to jump start your summer for your kids.  

...and speaking of Beach Towels, go here to see my new Favorite!

here's a little sneaky peek...isn't it pretty!?!

Happy Summer

(Sponsor Spotlight and Giveaway) Sew It Girl

We are so excited to have a new sponsor!  

Zoe, the creator of SewItGirl 

specializes in Custom (eReader) Kindle, Nook, Ipad covers and 

other accessories like coffee sleeves, tea wallets, and tea pot cozies.  

Check out these beauties!

Kindle Fire Cover:

They look so well made...!

She has a nice selection of ready-mades, and also does custom orders!  She has a huge variety of fabrics to choose from, and you get one custom made for your device!

She is getting ready to expand her line into bags and purses of all shapes and sizes and we can't wait to see what she comes up with!

SewItGirl is giving away a $50 gift certificate to her shop to iCandy readers!

To enter, you must be an iCandy follower, and do the following:

Each counts for one entry:

1. Visit SewItGirl Etsy Shop and pick what you would buy.  Come back and leave a comment.

2. Like SewitGirl on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment.

3. Become a follower of SewItGirl.com, Zoe's blog. Come back and leave a comment.

(mini-tut and pattern) Mismatched Maxi Skirt

You all know that I have a love affair with knits, stripes and maxi's...don't you?

So here is my latest knit striped maxi:

Thanks to the brilliant Elle Apparel skirt, as well as using a similar skirt I bought at Brass Plum last year as a pattern, making these types of maxi skirts has never been easier.  I have SO many that I want to make.

I have a really good friend that I just love, and she is moving out of state, 

so as a sort of 'thank you for all that you do plus goodbye' gift, I made her this skirt.  

(I thought I would have enough fabric for one for me too, 

but with the diagonals involved, there wasn't enough.  Bummer! 

So I just cut out a summer knit cardigan out of the rest.  

Still not sewn, but hopefully soon.)

It fit her perfectly, and she loved it!

 Definitely need to make one for me soon!

What I really need is a whole weekend to myself to just sew everything I have on my list.  

Ha!

Keep Dreaming.

Here is my pattern for download, in a size Medium. (Scribd) or here (Google Docs)

If you don't have any cute striped knit, you could do two colors of solid, for a color blocked look!

If you aren't a size Medium, you can make your own pattern using a maxi skirt you own, 

or follow the Elle Apparel tutorial.

If you create your own pattern, this one is a little straighter.   

Remember to draw the diagonal line and cut your pattern into two sections.

To make one, here is what you do:

Here is the pattern is layed out after you print it:

Cut 2 of each piece, laying the pattern on the diagonal the way you like it.  Pay attention to the right side and wrong sides of the fabric.

Cut the waistband.  If you are using my pattern, cut a rectangle 10" tall by 28" wide.  (The 28" along the stretch.)  If your fabric is super thin or extra stretchy, you might want to go 27")

If you are making your own pattern, measure your waist and subtract about 2-3" allowing for stretch) to get the width.

By the way, I made it extra long, so try it on before you hem it.  You may have to cut some off.

Pin on the diagonal line, as shown, with right sides together.  Sew.

Once you  have your skirt front and back, follow my tutorial for the Everyday Skirt for the rest.  Even though that skirt is short, the steps are the same for a maxi.

Have fun, this is a super fun, easy project!

(Winners!) Raspberry Creek and PrintRunner

We have 2 winners for you today!!!

First, the winner of 5 yards from the new Riley Blake line, sponsored by Raspberry Creek Fabrics

#17 maryMay 27, 2012 1:20 PM {who said:}

I love the Floral and Chevron prints, both in grape! Makes me want a grape popsicle now!

And the winner of 250 custom stickers sponsored by PrintRunner

#3 EmilyJune 4, 2012 10:56 AM {who said:}

Sweet! I'd get some personalized ones for my daughter to label her stuff. :)

Congrats, ladies!

Mary and Emily, please email us within 24 hours to claim your prize, or we'll select someone else!!

(Review) Fresh Produce Tango Skirt

I just received the most fun skirt, perfect for the toasty summer season! 

 Here's a little sneak peek, but please go check out iCandy's reviews and giveaways blog for more details!

(iCandy) Father's Day: Ten Things I Love About You

Every two weeks, I (and another lady from my church) come up with an activity to do with about ten to fourteen 8-11 year old girls.  This last week's activity was our Father's Day one.  We wanted to keep it simple, so we were thinking of having the girls write a letter to their dads, which I thought the dads would appreciate much more than a craft project.  I was thinking of a way to have the girls make pretty cards to put their letters in, but I just don't have all the card making/scrapbooking supplies, and didn't want to go spend a lot of money on tons of stuff.

So when perusing blogs last week, I saw these amazing sewn journals on Made.  I had just bought a little pack of 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" scrapbook paper for the cards, and thought, wouldn't little sewn books be so much better?  So I got to work.

I love how they turned out.  The activity was a success and the girls loved writing in and decorating their little books for their dads.

Sewing books was SOOO easy, and fast.  Who knew?  Fun thing for your little one's to do for their dads. Even if they can't write, they can draw pictures of what they love about or love to do with their daddy.