Guest Contributor @ Sew Mama Sew

And just one more thing to share - I have a guest post up on the Sew Mama Sew blog today - Finishing A Garment Without A Serger. If you are interested in sewing but want results that look more handmade than homemade, take a peek at this article. They have tons of other fantastic sewing tutorials too and a shop full of beautiful, high-quality designer fabrics.

Thanks sew much for having me SMS :) It's such an honor!

Fabric Stamping!

Hey there. 2 posts today wow!! Just letting you know that I have a new video tutorial up today on the Clearsnap blog combining two of my favorite things - fabric and stamping!! And it uses a brand new stamp set from the My First Colorbox line.

You can check it out here.

Rollagraphed Paper Party Ball

Hi! Just dropping in today to share a video I have up the Clearsnap YouTube Channel - it's a paper party ball to hang with your tissue paper pom-pom displays and uses several Rollagraph stamp wheels + my favorite glitter.

Check out the video below:

PBD Anniversary Challenge

Hi there, I am actually out of town right now either at my high school reunion or my mom's 50th birthday party, but wanted to drop in to remind you about the 2 Year Anniversary celebration going on right now at Pink by Design. Join us for the hourly challenges and the chance to win some really awesome prizes!!

This is my card for the 6:00 challenge - Single Layer card. Easy enough right? I've included a video too for your viewing pleasure :)


Hope your weekend is going great!

Handmade Hair Bows

Hello! I have a new video tutorial up on the Clearsnap blog today. Would love if you stopped over to check it out.

Hope your weekend is going great!

Butterfly Crown

Hi there, it's been awhile! Just popping in to share that I have a new video tutorial up on the Clearsnap blog today with a few techniques for using your Smooch Spritz and how to make your own glittered embossing powder as well. You can see the post here.

Hope your summer is awesome so far! Will have lots more to share next week ♥

Pretty Party Banner

Hello! Just dropping in today to share a party banner I created earlier this month for the Clearsnap blog using the luscious Mix'd Media Inx and Embossing Powders. I'll post just the photos below - you can find more details, the video tutorial and a complete supply list on this post.

Have a great day!

I'm So Sorry Card with Watermark Twinkle

Just popping in to share a card that was up last month on the Clearsnap blog. If you are interested in learning more about Watermark Twinkle and ways to add extra sparkle to your projects be sure to check out this blog post for some new techniques.

Stamps are Hero Arts and Pink by Design.

Sweet Baby Mini Book

Hi there. Just wanted to share a post I had up on the Clearsnap blog earlier this month. It's a teeny tiny little accordian mini book tucked into a Bare Neccessitites tin. I used lots of Clearsnap goodies along my March kit from The Paper Bakery and is really came together in a snap! Perfect for proud grandparents, mommies and daddies-to be or anyone who has a new little one coming into their life.

I'll share the pictures below and you can visit the original post to find out more how-to info. Have a lovely day!

InLinkz.com

Other Supplies
Stamps: The Stamps of Life, My Mind's Eye
Paper: Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye
Chipboard: My Mind's Eye
Stickers: Authentique
Template: The Crafter's Workshop
Dies: Sizzix
Twine: The Twinery
Button: Hydrangea Hippo
Adhesive: Scor-Tape, Therm-o-Web
Kit Club: The Paper Bakery

Hand Dyed Feather Earrings

Hello! Just wanted to share a project and video tutorial I put together for the Clearsnap blog earlier this month and one of my favorite things about springtime - new accessories! Don't get me wrong, fall and winter neutrals are great but after 8 long months of grays, browns and whites I am ready for some sunshine and color!

Check out the full tutorial here!

InLinkz.com
 

 

Ruffle Pillows

Hi! Just wanted to share my ruffle pillows again that were included in the Simply Handmade Holidays 2011 issue. I know someone had asked for a tutorial and there are step-by-step directions included in the magazine that are super easy to follow and much better photographed than I could have done!

So happy to finally have these pillowcases back home to me! They are the perfect neutral accessory and pretty much the only thing that works with these purple couches my husband brought home! sigh.

DIY: Sweetheart Crop Top

Hello! I have a little refashion/DIY toddler top to share with you today! It's been forever since I've done one of these and am really hoping to get back in to doing clothing tutorials, after all that was one of the main reasons I started this blog :)

As you can tell, my own little sweetheart wasn't much in the mood for posing and modeling this morning, but her and her sister both adore their new tops for Valentine's Day. The heart ribbon was made from a die intended for cutting paper but those hearts are just too cute to stay tucked away in the pages of a scrapbook!

(I'm also giving away some felt heart ribbon - more on that below).

This top has such a cute shape and the best part is you hardly have to stitch any seams since it's refashioned from a ladies button-up top. I never ever buy new material for a project like this that will likely be outgrown or just plain abandoned within a few months - or let's be realistic, a few wears -it is white after all :)

Okay, ready to make one yourself?!!

You will need just a couple things -
*adult white button-up shirt
*5 shades of ribbon -> any will do, I cut felt to make mine (from Felt On The Fly - amazing quality, made from 100% merino wool)
*1/4" elastic
*sewing machine and thread
*pattern to make the top or draft your own

To get started -

1. Cut out your pattern. I just had 2 pieces - the body and the sleeve. Shorten the body to make the cropped shape.You can use a smock top pattern you already have or create your own by tracing the outline of a shirt - remember to leave a little room for seams! I like to use that shipping paper that comes in boxes for making patterns. It's just the right weight and you can iron it flat too (and it's free).

2. Trace your pattern onto material and cut out. I placed the pattern directly in the middle of the shirt, with the bottom of the hem at the bottom edge of the pattern. You should end up with:
- 1 front piece (cut from back of shirt)
- 1 back piece (cut from front of shirt)
- 2 sleeves (cut from extra body material)
- 1 long length of trim for bias tape around neckline

3. Position your ribbon across the front where you want it to stay and cut to measure.

4. Attach ribbon in place with vertical pins and stitch on. Use a lot of pins so it stays in place. If you want you can switch out the thread with each color of ribbon but I thought the white looked just fine - ie. I'm not that ambitious :)

5. Now stitch the garment together. (right sides together!) This is the order that works best for me...
- shoulders
- sleeves to bodice
- sides
- bottom hem if needed
- bias tape around neckline

Serge or pink your seams.

6. Figure where your child's waistline hits on the shirt and sew the elastic in there. Pin it in the middle to start with and stretch to edges to ensure even gathering. Sew in place with a zig zag stitch.

That's it! Your all done. It looks extra cute with a matching tank underneath - otherwise you could see her tummy!

If you're still reading and if your interested, I cut a little extra ribbon from all 7 colors of my felt and I'd like to send it to one of my followers so you can create your own top or just whatever you'd like. :) Just leave a comment letting me know your interested (and please follow me if you don't already) and I'll choose a winner in a week or so.

Thanks so much for stopping by!