recent loves

I think i'm getting sick, ugh... Bring on the EmergenC and Zicam! I really hope I'm not getting sick because this is the WORST week ever to be under the weather. I have to finish sewing 6 more dresses, 10 headbands, and 6 pairs of babylegs by the end of the week...shoot me now.

Onto other things, I recently came across the blog Elements of Style, and got sucked into a 2 day non-stop blog reading fest. I couldn't help myself but read back over a year in Erin's posts. Her writing is witty, hilariously funny, and her sense of style is spot on. 

Now my design style is somewhere in between Pottery Barn/Vintage/Luxe/Modern and Classic...wow, that really narrowed it down eh? Really I just love all type of styles and decor and am drawn to just plain beautiful things! Even before I got stuck on Elements of Style, I've always been a a fan of geometric designs (hello lattice/greek key/chevron). I thought today I'd share a few personal/home decor things I'm loving right now.

First, I've been using the stationary below for quite some time. I love it. So fresh and modern, it really does make me smile when I write a note onto one of these bad boys.

my personal stationary via shutterfly

Second, I had to return something at Bath and Body Works (the smelly car air freshener scent thingy, which didn't work very well) and while I was there I saw this AMAZING candle holder. Seriously?! When did BBW start making chic candle holders? They never had anything this fashion forward when I worked there...I snagged this one for $5 (yes, $5!!!).

candle holders via bath & body works

The next item is a lucite tray. Basically from what I gather is that lucite is really just acrylic (read: plastic). Now maybe I'm missing something, but why is it that an acrylic tray costs $50-$200?!! I'm going to hunt one of these down somewhere, and DIY myself one of these monogramed trays. Mark my word.

lucite tray via iomoi

Last but not least meet Chevron's trendy and exotic cousin, Ikat. Ikat has been seen around for a while now, and while searching around for some new throw pillows for our bed I thought this print would be perfect. While I do like Chevron, it seems every other person on the face of the earth (or at least Pinterest) likes Chevron too. I ordered a yard of this black + ivory ikat print which I'll make some pillows for the bed from, and I think it's a little more chic and exotic than your standard design.

black + white ikat pillow via kassapanola

{Projects: Bibs}

Ok, I debated on whether or not to post this project because since I made these months ago I have changed the design to what I think is now a much improved version. There is no hyping these bad boys up - they are your basic snap closure terry backed bibs. Purpose--keep spills and spit up off baby's cute clothes. I used patterned cotton for the front, and terrycloth (think towel material) for the back. They should be very absorbent for a messy baby.

The patterns you can find for bibs are numerous. Just google "baby bib patterns" and a bunch of different styles and such will come up. I just freehanded the pattern for this one, sewed my fabric right sides together (leaving a gap for turning), flipped inside out and top stitched (for durability and to close the gap). Lastly I added a snap closure at the top (better than velcro in my opinion, however you could use velcro if you have it handy). It's a very simple project. Like I said earlier, I have a few jazzed up versions to share later on, but for now i'll leave you with a link with a great basic template and basic instructions for making your own bibs. Just click HERE.

{Projects: Wipes Case}

Ok, by far my favorite tutorial is this next one. Maybe I like it so much because it's more for mom than for baby. Poopy diapers are not exactly a glamorous part of parenthood (maybe when it's your own baby you don't mind so much, i've still got 4 months until I know...) but with a wipes clutch like the one I'm about to show you I can't imagine it being that bad--until you get poop on it. Ew.

The wipes clutch is getting to be a rather popular item as of late. They are just too cute, and very non-babyesq. Great for on the go, and looking good. I know a lot of crafters and etsy-ers making these and selling them (maybe one day i'll even put some in my store and you can save yourself the hassle of making your own, even though it is very easy to do).

Again, I'll save myself the hassle and post a link to an already fabulous tutorial from homemadebyjill. I've made several myself and they are EASY to do! And don't worry if your sewing challenged, it is a no-sew project. Don't wait, make one soon. Your sanity after 6+ diaper changes a day will appreciate it!

{Projects: Burp Cloths}

Ok, the next little project I made for Brooke's gift bag was patterned burp cloths. Sure they get spit up on, wipe snotty noses and clean grubby little hands, but at least doing that stuff with something cute is bound to keep your spirits high in the midst of all the...ahem, uncleanliness.

I could post a tutorial on how to make this (believe me it's simple) but i'll spare myself the work and link you to a tutorial that's already done (and so easy to follow). Plus, it has pictures, and tutorials with pictures are a good thing.

This tutorial is courtesy of Chick Pea Studios, and you can view it here.

{Little Shoes for Little Feet}

Like I mentioned before, I've been sewing a lot. And it seems that all I'm sewing lately are patterns for baby related items. While I have no kiddos, everyone else seems to be adding new additions to their family, and it's keeping my fingers busy.

These are the most adorable little cloth baby shoes. The pattern is relatively easy, and free to download here (thank you Michael Miller Fabrics and this lovely blog). The great thing about this pattern is that all the pieces are so small it's a great project to do with all those scraps of fabric you can't bear to throw out, but don't know what to do with.

The pattern says it fits babies from 0-6 months. I would suggest that it can be altered as far as materials go. Skip the bonded fleece (I used what I had on hand--standard felt) and interfacing, or substitute with what ever you have and all will turn out fine. In essence this is a basic pattern that can be used to make casual lightweight slippers or bulked up with leather bottoms for a dressier look.

Either way your baby will be adorable in them. These green polka dot and pink striped booties are going to a special little someone due this Fall. Meanwhile, if you're curious about what other people have done with the pattern, check out this Flickr group!

{A Headache of A Project}

So, I started on the Amy Butler Birdie Sling pattern two days ago. I made a trip down to Beverly's Fabrics  to pick up some Amy Butler fabric (they were one of the only one's who carried the line, plus they take competitor's coupons-BONUS!) and while there asked one of their salespeople for a recommendation on fusible interfacing. This is where all went wrong. 

She led me to some interfacing which she said "would be great for the project". I took her up on her advice and bought the stuff-even though my intuition told me, uh...i'm not so sure about this.... 

Well...to cut a long story short...my Birdie Sling turned out beautiully-except that it was crinkly like a plastic bag. Litterly. The interfacing she told me to get was so stiff and paper-like that my bag made crunching noises at every touch. My husband even said-"Um...I could hear you coming with that thing, it's definitely not right". It was obvious the sales lady DID NOT sell me woven interfacing, and my beautiful (not to mention expensive-nearly $40) project was a bust. 

So...this is where the redemption happens. I called up Beverly's and talked to the manager. Telling her that the recommendation the sales women gave me was severely wrong, thus ruining my project. She told me to come in with the bag and she'd take care of it. So...I drove down to Beverly's, very disappointed I'd have to take another 6 hours to make a new bag. 

Well, now I'm a Beverly's fan for life. Not only did the manager give me all new fabric, interfacing and supplies to make a new bag, she gave me my money back as well!! Discouraged at the idea of having to make an all new bag, I tore open a seam and ripped all the paper out I could, barely salvaging the thing. It's no where near what the right one would have been (not to mention I had to cut two huge holes inside the handle) but at least its not crunching when I put it over my shoulder. (You can see in the photo how crinkly the handle looks. That was pre-paper rip out.)

On the other side of it- this bag is just too cute. I want to make a ton of them in all colors for summer. The bag is just the right size for me-HUGE. I love big bags that fit everything you could every want. Perfect for summertime. Perfect for springtime. Perfect, perfect, perfect. 

{Busy Bee}

I've been MIA since Valentines Day, almost a full month! My apologies. But i've been busy sewing and crafting away. More specifically, starting my spring veggie garden, tending to my tulip bed, paper cutting (three designs done!), building my little craft/sewing area (in pink and brown), sewing baby cloth shoes, dolls, and working on this little beauty as of this morning. Hopefully it'll be finished by tonight. Have fun looking at the Flikr group for this project, i'll post pics of mine when I finish it.