Halloween Treats & Giveaway Winner!

This Halloween has been pretty exciting around my house. My kids are old enough this year to enjoy the activities that come with the holiday. I'm looking forward to taking them to our friends houses in our neighborhood. In the past, pre kiddos, I used to make special treats for our friends kids who come to our house. Last year I didn't do it, and I missed it. I decided to reclaim my tradition this year, including our niece and nephew. I will have to make a special trip for them because they don't live in our neighborhood, but I know they will enjoy them.

I started by making the popcorn cartons that the treat is in. I used my Tags, Bags, Boxes, and more Cricut cartridge. It was the first time that I used this cartridge, and I was really excited about all the possibilities. I cut them out 6 inches. These do require folding and gluing, but it doesn't take much time at all. I used my Doodlcharms cartridge for the pumpkin (2") and spider (3") decoration, and of course googly eyes. I think that comes from all of my years working in childcare. Everything is better with googly eyes.

For the most important part, the treats. I popped one bag of popcorn, and melted 8 bakers chocolate squares. When the chocolate is fully melted, I covered the popcorn with it. I just stirred it around till the popcorn was mostly covered. After your happy with the coverage, poor it out on wax paper. I spread mine out so the chocolate will harden quicker. It may take about an hour. I had some chocolate squares left over, so I decided to cover pretzel sticks. I used the same method of covering them. When all the chocolate had hardened, I put it all in goodie bags, and tied it with Halloween ribbon. I will still give them the traditional candy that makes dentists cringe, but I thought I would add a little something else. 

On a different note I have been busy catching up on some scrapbooking. I did a layout for our pumpkin patch trip, and a layout of just me and the hubby. 

I used The Paper Company cardstock, and K & Company patterned paper. For accents I used the Paper Studio fibers, and brads. For my title I used chipboard letters, from Joann's, and my Plantin Schoolbook Cricut cartridge.

This was a fun layout for me, because I rarely scrapbook pictures of me and my husband, now that the kids have come along. I used Core'dinations cardstock. It's lots of fun because you can sand it, emboss it, and certain kinds have a different color core so when you tear it, it gives you a unique look. I used American Crafts patterned paper, to add a little pop to an all b&w layout. For the title I used my Opposites Attract cricut cartridge, and Creative Imagination sticky letters.

**The winner to my 100 followers giveaway is Jessica over at A Look into my Life. Thanks for entering.

Thanks for checking out my blog.

Giveaway!! {Celebrating 100 Followers}

I hope everyone enjoyed the guest tutorial from Dorian over at that's Sew Me yesterday. I had lots of fun being her guest. On a different note, I am super excited that I hit 100 followers yesterday. I wanted to do a giveaway to celebrate. I wasn't sure what would be best so I would like some of my lovely followers feedback. I can't decide between two of my favorite projects.

This project is one of my favorites, that I use all the time. I am sure this little case is the only reason I can find my glasses in my diaper bag. I'm sure my fellow mommy bloggers can understand that.

This was my most recent project that I used for a guest post over at that's SEW me. It is a really fun hair accessory, that I could make in black or brown.

If you would like to enter the giveaway, leave a comment on which you like best, and why. In your comment, leave the best way to contact you, either an email, or your blog address. I will also post the winner on my blog. Thanks to all who enter.

Shirt Refashion {Friendly Friday Guest Post}

 Hi all! I'd like to introduce myself...my name's Dorian and I'm D from dthatssewme.  I'm a SAHM to two beautiful lil' guys. Lovey, who's 2 1/2 and Babes, who's 6 month old. My sweet Babes is deaf. That has really changed who we are, we are learning ASL and honestly...LOVING it! It's pretty easy and fun too! Our lil' guy is our decor inspiration...you can find out why at my blog!
Oh...but I do have such a soft spot for *fashion*. Doesn't every girl LOVE fashion and all the pretty things out there? But, yeah, I don't have the budget for the big designer names. Soooo....I make my own! Please come along as I show you how to make this GORGEOUS shirt...or one just like it :)

Taken from the J Crew...originally $42.50!

Made by me....for $7.00!!!

 SUPPLIES:

-A long sleeve tee, preferably a jersey cotton so you don't have to do seams and not worry about fraying (you can get a new one, but this would work well with an old one you're bored of or is stained down the front)

-sewing machine

-thread :)

-pins

-scissors

Easy ,so far right?

 HERE WE GO!

So, you take your long sleeve tee...and cut of the sleeves (NOTE* I chose to cut of the sleeves because I don't mind making it short sleeved, but if you wanted to keep 'em, you'll be needing a second shirt of the same fabric to cut up for the ruffle part)

This is what you'll have after cutting...

Next, you cut of the sleeve hem...this part here in the picture...

Once you've done that, fold it in half...

Then, you're going to cut the sides edges so that you'll have a even shaped rectangle...
Here, I've already cut the opposite edge...

Open them up and you should have this...

Okay, now RIGHT SIDES together and pin at ONE end...do that to both...
You'll now have this...

Sew along the edge where you've placed your pins...

You should now have this....remove pins...

And open, laying flat, seam part down...

Set your machine at the longest stitch length...

And all the way UP either edge of one strip and up only ONE side for the other...
See, here...the one on the right has been sewn up both edge (kinda like a hem) making it all bumpy like that. The one on the left, has been sewn up only ONE side...allowing the other side to lay flat.
NOTE* For the one where you'll only sew one side...sew it on the RIGHT edge...WRONG SIDE DOWN.
Leave a piece of long thread when you finish sewing up sides.

You then take the long thread you left and pull on the one that gives more easily. Just play around with it till you get it...it doesn't have to be neat.

It should be bunching up, like so....

This is the one with the one sewn side...I cut scallops into the side NOT SEWN...to make it prettier....
gather this one like I just mentioned...

This is what you should end up with...
The left one looks like a "C" shape because, we only gathered and sew one side :)

Place on shirt...you can tell that right now it's too short...

Fold the top part of the ruffled piece...attach with pins...and then begin CAREFULLY and SLOWLY...pulling at the fabric to make loosen the gathering, therefore, creating a longer piece of fabric...

When you've done that...it should look like this...make sure you arrange the gathers to look the way you want them, so there are no gaps or flat parts...

Pin on the right side of gathered fabric....like so...

Take your other piece of fabric (the "C" shaped one), lay it on shirt....hmm...too small...but you know what to do!
Slowly and careful, loosen gather and stretch out the fabric to make it longer...

When it is the size of the front of the tee, slide it UNDER your un-pinned side...the gathered section should be what's showing...making it look like the ruffles are part of the whole thing...

See how it's UNDER the main piece?

Pin it down being careful to get the ruffled piece properly aligned with the top gathered piece.
Only the top piece should show. So hide that ruffle gather underneath!

SEW! Start at top corner...

Then turn and go all the way down...basically sewing a rectangle to secure the gathered piece and ruffles all at once. Finish at the corner you started...securing well. Snip. Cut. Done.

It should look like this when done...

See how pretty?

And that, my dears...is it! A brand new shirt in 30 mins! That is, if you can get away from the kids that long!

Hope you liked it! Enjoy!
Oh and don't forget to check me out at:

Cowl Neck Scarf

I am really into scarves this year. I have several different styles and colors. I have been looking at some cowl neck scarves on Etsy, and other department stores, I just couldn't bring myself to pay the prices. When I found this great cowl neck scarf tutorial from Elizabeth of Twelve Crafts Till Christmas, I knew I had to try it. She simply salvaged an old sweater. I knew that I had a couple that were heading to the good will, so I pulled out one and went to work. In just a half hour I had a great cowl neck scarf, for free.

Here is a sample of my tutorial. If you would like to learn more, come check out my guest post.

I also wanted to let all of my awesome followers know that I will be doing my first guest post for Dorian over at that's SEW me. She will also be doing a guest post for me. We are calling it Friendly Friday. I will be posting a tutorial on how to make some cute zipper accessories, and she will be posting a t shirt refashion. I hope everyone stops by both blogs to check them out. Don't forget to leave comments, we love them.

I've been tagged!

I was tagged by Robyn at

 

 

Here are the rules...
She asks me 8 questions, I answer them and then I tag 8 friends and ask them 8 questions :) Sounds like fun so lets get started...

1) What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

I love the leaves changing. I love the weather being comfortable all day and only needing a light jacket at night.

2) Are there any big changes in your life now compared to this time last year?

 My kids are now 19 months. They run around and get into everything. They keep me very busy. Last year at this time they were barely crawling.

3) What is something about you not many people know?

I love to sing. I'm not very good, but when I'm in my car, I belt it out. 

4) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?

Italy, I would love to eat Italian food and drink wine all day.

5) What are the websites you can't go a day without visiting?

Etsy, Facebook, and of course all of my favorite blogs.

6) What is your favorite pasttime/hobby?

I used to only scrapbook, but I have recently found a love for sewing. It's something about making something from a simple piece of fabric.

7) What do you enjoy the most about blogging?

Learning so much from so many people. I can't believe how creative people can be. It's so inspiring.

8) What is something you really want for Christmas?
(don't hold back, anything your little heart desires

Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens. If you read this tell Santa I've been very good. If he's really proud of me, maybe he will bring the the 50mm 1.4 lens.

The people I'm tagging are...

3 Four and Under

Mama,Mommy,Mom

Peace, Love, Quack

thats sew me

Two Children and a Migraine

Dragonfly Designs

Daffodil Mama

A Forty Year-Old Ranch

And these are the questions for them to answer...

1.) What is your favorite food?

2.) What do you love most about blogging?

3.) What is your favorite time of year? Why?

4.) What is the one thing you just can't live without?

5.) What is the last movie you watched?

6.) If you could visit anywhere in the world...where would it be?

7.) What do you listen to while driving?

8.) What is your favorite T.V. show?

I hope everyone has fun with it. It's a fun way to learn a little more about each other.

50's Poodle Skirt Tutorial

When it came time to choose Halloween costumes, my husband and I couldn't decide. Last year was our kids first Halloween and we made them Luke and Leia. My husband loved the idea since they were twins. I couldn't decide if I wanted them to have completely different costumes this year or have them related. While discussing it with a friend, she brought up the idea of my daughter wearing a poodle skirt, and my son being a 50's greaser. I was immediately sold on the idea. I already had everything I would need for my son, and knew I wanted to make the poodle skirt. I found it to be very simple and inexpensive. Two of my favorite things.

Supplies:
1/2 yard of felt 
1/2 yard ric rac ribbon
Elastic 3/4" width
Tulle
Thread
Steam a Seam

While doing some research on how to make a poodle skirt, I found it was made from a circle skirt. It was very common from the era. It can be made from a simple math formula. I know, MATH, that's what I thought. I enlisted my hubby to help with this one. Math is not my strong point. I found some simple instructions on What The Craft. You may want to practice on some spare fabric before cutting your felt. I only needed 1/2 yard of felt, because my daughter is 18 months. You may need more depending on the measurements you have.

  

I decided I wanted my poodle skirt to be a little more full, so I added a tutu underneath. This is optional you may be happy with the fullness of just the felt. I made my tutu with two colors of tulle. First I measured my daughters waist. It was 18 inches, so I cut my elastic 17 1/2. I used a zig zag stitch to connect the ends of my elastic. Second you will need to know how long to cut your tulle. Use the measurements from the waist to the knee, and add a few inches. You can make tutus different ways. For this one I kept it simple, and just tied knots around the elastic. I used a lot less tulle this way. I didn't think it mattered since it would be covered up by felt.



Once you have done the math and cut the circle skirt out, the fun part begins. With any poodle skirt, you need a poodle pattern. I found a perfect one here. After cutting my pattern out of my fabric, I decided to put it on the easy way. I love Steam A Seam, and try to use it whenever I can. This one was a little tricky since you can't iron felt. I used a scrap piece of fabric to lay over my poodle and ironed that. I love it when things work out.

I pinned the ric rac where I like it, then used my sewing machine to sew it on. I just sewed down the center of the ribbon.

To connect my tutu to my circle skirt I pinned it together, and put a few hand stitches every place I pinned it.

I decided I wanted it to have a more finished look, so I took wide black ribbon and made a waist band. I used my Steam A Seam to add that too. I also added some jewels to the poodles neck to look like a collar. I love how it turned out. My daughter loved wearing it, and didn't want to take it off. I will probably add it to her dress up clothes when halloween is over.

You can see where I will be linking this week here.