Heather's What I Wore Wednedsay

This post doubles up for my Wowzer Wednesday because I'm not really sure if this was a good idea!

I have been following The Pleated Poppy for awhile. Lindsey is extremely creative and it's always fun to read her posts! Every Wednesday she posts "What I Wore Wednesday" and then allows others to link up. She takes a picture of herself every morning and then tells you the source of all her clothing items and accessories. I have never participated but I have had fun getting to know Lindsey and looking at some of the regulars that link up their posts. I have been contemplating doing this because I really want to dig into my closet and stop wearing the same boring clothes. For the most part I wear jeans and tees everyday. I have made a lot of excuses for not starting to photograph myself every morning. Lets be real here - my most valid points as to why I should not be doing this:
1) I spilt water on my camera and my iPhone was the only way I could take pictures (UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON WHEN OUR DOORBELL RANG AND THE UPS MAN HANDED ME A BOX WITH A NEW CAMERA!!).
2) I am not comfortable with the clothes hanging in my closet and it's possible I would spend $$ trying to find cute outfits simply for THIS post.
3) After reviewing my pictures from the last week I decided this was definitely not happening. I look uncomfortable and ridiculous.
And now here's why I should participate:
1)
Yes I know, it's blank. I really want to have fun getting dressed in the morning and since I'm a stay at home mom, this is a great way to make sure I still attempt to look cute on days I don't leave the house.

Alright already....here's my week:
Please remember this is my first week and I plan on watching America's Next Top Model reruns to get some posing tips before I take any pictures next week!



Thursday - picked up my in laws from the airport.

Top - Gap
Jeans - Charlotte Russe (purchased 5+ years ago)
Shoes - Target (clearance 2 summers ago, in need of a makeover like this)
Headband - Vintage Rose Wraps
Necklace - The Vintage Pearl (received in welcome box at Creative Estates)

LOVE this necklace!!



Friday am - Toys R' Us with my daughter and step MIL.

Top - Old Navy
Jeans - Kohl's
Shoes - flips flops purchased almost 10 years ago at Universal Studios because it was raining and my shoes were slippery
Necklace - Old Navy



Friday pm - date night at The Melting Pot with my husband.

Top - Kohl's
Jeans - Kohl's
Shoes - DSW



Saturday - Boutique Shopping and family BBQ.

Top - Wal-Mart (not a maternity top but purchased while I was pregnant...still looks cute with a belt or in this case, a vest)
Vest - Express
Khakis - Ann Taylor Loft (purchased when I actually went in to an office everyday)
Shoes - Target (same worn in Thursday picture)
Headband - Vintage Rose Wraps
Necklace - The Vintage Pearl (same worn in Thursday picture)



Sunday - my daughter's friend's birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza

Top - 2 Calvin Klein layered tanks
Jeans - Kohl's (same worn in Friday pm picture)
Shoes - Target (same worn in Thursday and Saturday pictures)
Headband - Vintage Rose Wraps
Necklace - Origami Owl

I purchased this necklace the day before at a local boutique. The locket opens so it is really versatile. I'm really excited about all the fun ways I can change up this necklace!



Monday - Appointments and errands.

Top - Ross (purchased ages ago)
Jeans - Kohl's
Shoes - Target
Necklace - my very crafty MIL



Tuesday - babysitting my daughter's BFF all day.

Top - Old Navy over Calvin Klein layer tank
Jeans - local boutique



Wednesday - babysitting my daughter's BFF all day.

Embarrassing but I need you to know I didn't cheat with any of my pictures...everyone has an off day right?
Top - Wal-Mart (worn to my daughter's Cookie Monster themed birthday party last year)
Shorts - Costco (these will only ever be worn on days I am not leaving the house!)

Posting all these pictures of myself was scary. But now that I've spent the time to take all the pictures and get them up here I have to publish this post! Next week you will be seeing better pictures because our new camera was delivered today. I also plan on taking my pictures somewhere other than in my bathroom with the closet mirror leaning on the sink! With that thought, my dad called me today because my mom sent him to a sale at a hotel that was closing in their small town. He bought me three really big and heavy full length mirrors to frame for our bedroom. I am so excited about the project!! WIWW is a perfect reason to get those mirrors up ASAP!

I think Jessica needs to participate next week because she always looks so cute (and she moved away so I don't get to see her everyday anymore)! what do you think?

I'm linking up here.

 

Wowzer Wednesday-Simplicity Pattern Mess Up

Another dress WOWzer Wed. This time I actually used a pattern. I love when Joann's has patterns on sale because I stock up. A pattern for $1, even if it doesn't work out it was only a dollar. I try to stick to the brands I like, McCalls and Simplicity. This time I used a simplicity Project Runway pattern.


The Project Runway patterns have good aspects and bad aspects.

GOOD: a lot of variety and on trend designs
BAD: complicated because there are so many options it is hard to follow the pattern

In my case it wasn't necessarily the pattern instructions that I found troubling, it was the sizing. I measured Elizabeth's chest and it was 19 inches which fell in the 1.5 size range which is about right because she is small and only 19 months old. Just to be safe I made the size 2. I finished the very complicated bodice. Sometimes patterns just do things weird. Like having me put the interfacing in in a complicated way or the way they word the pattern pieces. Anyways, I decided before I go any farther I was going to check it to make sure it fits. Well....it didn't. It was way too small. I know I measured correctly this time so that wasn't the problem. I think the pattern just isn't true to size which is the case in many patterns. That is the benefit of making your own pattern in a way. You know a shirt fits your model so when creating a pattern based on the shirt you know it will fit.

By this point I was not ready to try again and risk messing it up. So as I do so often, I improvised. I used the bottom half of the bodice and made it into an A-line shape. This was not going to be long enough but I will get back to that solution later. Next I cut a lining in the same shape. I sewed the shoulders of the lining and repeated with the main fabric together then I sewed the two together. I decided to stick with the pattern idea and not put in sleeves so I made flutter sleeves and inserted those. I created a placket on the back with a button loop to go over her head. (Easier than buttons all the way down or inserting a zipper).

Next for the bottom. I sewed up the sides of the bodice. Then I made a casing and sewed that to the bottom of the bodice. Then I pulled a 1/2 inch elastic through the casing using a safety pin. The last part I cut a large rectangle about 2 times the size of the bodice width. I hemmed the bottom of the rectangle and then I sewed the ends together making a long tube shape. On the top of the rectangle (opposite the hem side) I did a loose stitch all the way around. Then I pulled on the string of one end to scrunch it to the size of the casing. I attached the skirt to the casing and finished all my edges with a zig zag stitch.

Finally I have been wanting to try out this pleated bib that I saw on craftiness is not optional. To see the tutorial click here. So I made the bib but I flipped the pleats sideways for a different look, and sewed it to the front of the bodice. Finally I finished the neck with bias tape.

I LOVE IT. It is one of a kind. I added a few flowers just to add some pizazz and I am so happy it fits her and she loves how comfy it is.

Wowzer Wednesday - "sewing" with a two year old

My husband and mom share the same birthday (day, not year). Happy Birthday! Every year I have fun trying to come up with something special for both of them. This year was easy for my husband because our daughter was very interested in making her own special gift for him. Last week I asked her what she wanted to give her daddy for his birthday. She thought about it for a minute and then said, "a teddy bear for him to snuggle with." I had the perfect idea...to get one of those stuffed animals you color and let her decorate it for his gift. When we went to Joanne's with our 40% off coupon, I was disappointed because they didn't have any coloring stuffed animals. But we did find a great Build A Bear kit to make your own little bear. She picked out a "bear" that I think looks more like a monkey. It's okay...it was her gift, not mine.

We don't have any pictures of my daughter actually using the plastic needle and sewing the bear because I was helping her carefully stitch in the designated holes on the fabric. It took us a couple of hours but she was very focused and we eventually had the bear all sewn together.

My daughter had a lot of fun stuffing the bear and she wouldn't let me help.


I let her use fabric markers to "decorate" the bear's shirt. She was so proud of her finished bear and couldn't wait to give it to her daddy!

He loved the gift!! Mr. Bear is now sitting on top of the desk in his office.

Take note that the box suggested this project for ages six and up. I took a big risk allowing my two year old daughter to make this! Fortunately she was actually able to do everything...it just took us two hours longer than it should have!

 

Wowzer Wednesday-Ric Rac Dress

This week's WOWZER WED really was a WOWZER! I had the hardest time this week making this dress from Craftiness is not Optional:

http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/03/ric-rac-dress-tutorial.html

Jess provides instructions for creating the pattern and the steps for making the dress but for some reason it is not as easy as it looks. That is part of the problem with creating a dress from scratch (no pattern). Also my other issue is that I STINK AT MEASURING! I don't know why but I have the hardest time measuring. Maybe I have measuring ADD or something because having the wrong size cut happens to me a lot. Even when I follow the rule "measure twice cut once". I think that is one of the reasons I have such a hard time quilting because I am off on my measurements. Now I am not stupid. I have a college degree and am actually really good at math so I am not sure where the measuring problems come in but I think it is laziness and a lack of concentration.

Anyways, back to the dress. My first issue was the shirt I used to measure the top. It is kind of a loose shirt to begin with plus I added a little bit to make sure it was big enough to grow into. Well I followed the directions to the best of my ability and it looked just like the picture except for I didn't cut the front crossings correct. I didn't realize that you need to cut all the way across to the side for both of the front pieces. So mine was cut off underneath but that isn't a big deal because you can't see it. Then I added the ric rac. My next step was cutting the bottom. The instructions were confusing and I measured the top without opening it up. I didn't realize that this dress is actually a wrap dress and is connected by buttons not put over the head. So my skirt was too short. No big deal I just added some more to the edge. Then I created all the pleats but I wanted to leave off the hem because I like doing that last once I try it on. Well here is what the first part of the project ended up looking like...

Too big in the neck and sides. I even made my 3 year old son try it on and it still didn't fit him. So I picked out the whole top and tried again. This time I re-cut the pieces (the correct way with each front piece reaching the sides) and finished the dress. It was still way too big but it did fit my son. So I had to decide if I wanted to just wait until it fits her or do I try one more time to make it work now. Last try, I took the 2nd top pieces I cut and used them as a guide. I ended up cutting about 1/2 an inch all the way around the top. Thankfully this time I didn't have to cut off the ric rac again I just cut it at the shoulders so the ric rac isn't all one strip but by this point I really don't care. I finished the dress and VIOLA it actually works, and it looks super cute.






After all that I am glad I redid it but next time I will make sure to read all the instructions, measure twice, and figure out what I am suppose to do for each step before I complete the step.

If you decide to make this dress here are a couple of tips:
1. measure a t-shirt that is fitted and don't add a lot to the pattern.
2. when cutting the top front pieces make sure they crisscross properly with each piece reaching side to side
3. unfold the top to measure the skirt section and make sure you only add the pleats to the front and back, not the underneath part
4. measure the length you want and hem it before you create the pleats. It is just easier.

MEASURING IS SO IMPORTANT. It will make or break your project. Make sure you measure 2 times and cut once. It will save you a lot of anguish and improvising.

Good luck, I really don't think it is as hard as I made it out to be. I think I was just having a WOWZER WEEK!

WOWZER WEDNESDAY - handmade cards

I very rarely purchase a card in the store. Occasionally if I'm out and realize I completely forgot someones birthday and need to rush to the post office that very second, I'll stop somewhere and pick up a quick card. But even then, I usually pick the cards that look crafty (not just some commercial looking card with a lame joke). Today I'll share some of my quick card tips and tricks for our Wowzer Wednesday post.

You can practically use anything to make a card: embellishments, ribbon, stickers, stamps, felt, paint, thread, fabric, etc. Most of the cards I make are done at the end of my gift projects. I am extremely organized and typically plan every element of things I can control but when it comes to making gifts, I unfortunately always push it to the very last minute. I'm usually up well after midnight finishing something that needs to be gifted the next morning. As a result, most of my cards are done as quickly as possible. I said most; some of them come with extra special planning and time put into making them. I browsed through my card folder on my desktop to show you a selection of quick and easy cards I've made.

I rarely throw away scraps of pretty paper. I have a big selection of paper ranging in sizes (some as small as 1" x 1" squares). Sometimes I just use a little scrap paper with stamps to make a cute card.

Cute stickers eliminate the need for digging through my stash of scrap paper.

Alphabet stickers are an easy way to add a message.

You can further embellish your cards with ribbon.

I use my Cricut a lot to cut out pieces for cards.




Sometimes I handstitch cards but other times I use my sewing machine to sew paper directly to the card.

Felt and lace are pretty on cards.

My daughter loves making cards too. We had so much fun making these Grandparents Day cards! This great idea came from The Splendidly Imperfect Miss M.

Sometimes I use Scrapblog to edit photos and make cute 4" x 6" cards that I print at Wal-mart and then embellish.

If I'm using a picture that I want the recipient to be able to remove from the card and keep, I always use photo corners to attach the picture.

Sometimes I use a quick trick to add a message. Would you ever know this "Happy Valentines Day" was printed on a clear label and stuck in the card?

It's an easy way to make a lot of cards at one time.

Making handmade cards isn't supposed to be expensive. All you really need is some cardstock, an envelope (you could try making your own), and your creativity. If you're trying to save time like me and purchase envelopes instead of buying them, be aware of your options. Most card envelopes from crafting stores are expensive! A package of 20 envelopes (shown below) could easily cost you over $5.

I just buy invitation envelopes (the ones shown were purchased at Target)...50 envelopes for less than $3!

Lastly, it's supposed to be fun. If you don't have time or supplies on hand, go buy a card and save yourself some stress. You can always make one next time!

 

Wowzer Wednesday-Hem your own jeans

Don't you hate it when you try on a new pair of jeans and everything feels perfect except they are too long? This happens to me ALL THE TIME. I am average height (5'6") but for some reason most jeans are too long for me. I never thought I had short legs but I must.

Any hoo. I just bought a new pair from Costco (yes sometimes I buy clothes from Costco because they are cheap). Of course they were too long. So I decided to get them anyway and hem them myself. I don't usually like doing this because it can be a tricky process, but I think this particular pair worked out just fine.

How did I do it?

Step 1.

Measure your jeans to a pair that you already like the length on from the inseam. Make sure to match it up as close as you can. Then you are going to cut the new pair so that they are about 1/2 to 1 inch longer than the old pair. (this depends on your hem length, I usually go with 1/4 inch hems so I only cut 1/2 inch)
2. You are going to fold and press the bottom to create a hem line. I fold 1 time (1/4 inch) and press. Then I folded a second time and pressed to create a clean hem line that did not have any frayed edges. The trickiest part is getting an even fold all the way around. That is where the pressing really helps.

3. Pin the pressed edge in place so there is no movement.
4. Using the same color of thread on the rest of the jeans use a straight stitch all the way around the bottom to hold the hem in place. I use a small stitch (2.5 and gold thread) for mine. If you cannot find the same color of thread try to match the color of the jeans.
5. Press again making sure everything is as flat as can be.

I just wanted to let you know that the jeans are already frayed on the bottom because I have worn them a few times since taking these pictures. Also, this technique works best on dark washes. It is much harder to create the same effect on a light wash because it is difficult to match the thread color. Dark hides all, and it makes you look skinnier (FYI). I probably should have taken a little more off the bottom so they didn't drag but I was afraid of cutting too short. I would rather have them be too long than too short. :)