Monday, February 21, 2011

Ode to Dino

My sis-in-law got me this for my birthday!  Love it.

My. Husband. Is. Awesome.

"Ode to Dino?  I am confused!"  When Daniel and I got married and were going through our premarital counseling at church, our Pastor (NOT his Dad =D) apparently thought I was calling Daniel "Dino" in conversation.  I think I was just talking too fast and rambling, which happens often, but we never could tell him the truth.  Oh well!  Now I call him "Dino" often, so much that we don't even associate it with that time in our life.  Too funny!

Anyway- my husband.  What a great guy! Not only does he work hard to provide for us, but he comes home everyday with this smile on his face that says, "I've been waiting all day to see you"- well, at least that's what he makes me think.  Whether or not it's true doesn't really matter (and I'm sure it's not always true.  I'm a brat sometimes).  What matters is that he goes out of his way to make me feel loved.  As a wife, I pray I honor him as much as he loves me.  Tall order, but it's a work in progress.

I'm going to be a total stereotypical midwesterner and tell you he reminds me of a country song.  Yes, I did just say that.  I sometimes listen to CMT when I get ready for school in the morning and "Mama's Song" by Carrie Underwood always makes me think of him.  And my mom.  But mostly him.  Look it up.  Loving and being loved by Daniel has changed my life.  Love him so!

Okay, ENOUGH.  I thought this blog was about sewing and being creative.  On the subject of Daniel, he totally shocked me for my birthday and bought me a new laptop!  All I did for his birthday was give him giftcards and "permission" to buy a huge tool chest, as if he needed my permission in the first place.  I don't deserve it, but knowing I enjoy it makes him happy, so I might as well =)

I thought,"I need a case to take care of my new 'puter!"  All of the cases I see out and about are UGLY, so I made my own.  You can find the tutorial I used here!


My supplies- the measurements are in the Tutorial.  From start to finish- $7!

This ruffle was a little bit of a pain, but worth it.
Tada!  Sew cute!  Link to the flower tutorial is on the tutorial where I got this pattern.  They were SO easy!


Lined and all, perfect fit!


The only thing I will say is that after 5 hours of sewing, I STILL HATE lining ANYTHING, especially if it involves a zipper.  Also, sometimes high-tech computerized sewing machines just don't hold a candle to the basics.  Oh well, they turned out great.  Please notice that I chose fabric that is 1. patterned and 2. colored.  Many people make fun of the lack of color in my house and wardrobe, so this one's for you.
My sister in law has a mini-me laptop, so she got a mini-me case, too! 

Kaleigh's mini-me case.  =)

When I was done with my adventure (again, 5 hours), I realized I had neglected my puppy and he had peed on the carpet- BAD BOY!  This is where I found him after:

Poor baby!
All in all, great President's Day off.  Thankful to be an American!

My First Tutorial

I wrote yesterday about how much I LOVE online sewing tutorials- so here is the product of my first!
Daniel and I aren't quite ready for our own babies yet (soon, though!), so I tend to live vicariously through my friends who are having theirs... by sewing them things.

A friend of mine from college who was in my freshman bible study just had her beautiful baby girl and I thought, AWE I should make her something. SO here it is:

Binkie Clips!  I love them!  They were SO SO SO easy to make and cheap, too.

Fabric:  $.50 (for all three!)
Thread:  Already had it
Ribbon:  $1.25
Clip:  $1.25 each (they are mitten clips and I'm sure you can find them even cheaper online- that's not even with a JoAnn's coupon)
Total:   $5.50 for all three

To see the tutorial I used, click here!

They were folded in a mailing envelope- they DO lay flat, I promise!

LOVED this onesie!  Did NOT make it- Target!

Ribbon on the back.



The only thing I changed about the tutorial is that I didn't just fold over the strap through the clip and sew it down, trusting that the fray check would hold up.  I thought it looked unfinished, so I folded the end over several times and then sewed it down.  Once you read the tutorial, I think you'll understand.

Enjoy Tara and Baby Claira!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Rags to Stitches

I am re-starting my blog... again... because of all my house projects.  To celebrate the occasion, I renamed my blog and gave it a face lift (If only it was this fast and easy in real life, eh?).

My husband and I just bought a house at the end of 2010 and I am clearly preoccupied with decorating it.  My rules?

Cheap.
Chic.
Hand-made.
Repurposed.

I absolutely adore finding furniture pieces at thrift stores and on Craigslist and refinishing them to be my own.  I also love love LOVE to put my sewing skills to use to make our house a home.

Sewing patterns from the fabric store are great, but I love following design and DIY blogs and using tutorials.  They are easy to follow, usually have REAL step by step pictures, and, best of all, are FREE FREE FREE.  If  I make something with a tutorial, I will share the link!

Tomorrow I have a LOOONG date with my sewing machine.  On the menu?  Laptop case for my new 'puter (thanks to my handsome hubs) and pillows galore for the living room and bedroom.  I will upload in the evening!

Until then, here are my recent projects:  Re-purposed table cloths (read:  table runner and decorative towels, tutorial from a FREE library book) and shower curtains (re-usable shopping totes).








More tomorrow!
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