Sewing With Boys: an interview

So, I'm super excited to be a part of the team Sewing With Boys! Sewing With Boys is a new web site dedicated to promoting creating for our guys...of all ages! If you'd like to know a bit more about me and my boys, hop on over here to check out my interview! 

The Ultimate DIY Bundle

It seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day, right? With work, helping the kids with their homework, preparing meals, cleaning up after everyone and putting yet another load of laundry in, it seems harder and harder to squeeze in all of our DIY and crafting!


But do you look at that bare wall in the den and that tatty tablecloth on the kitchen table, and just wish you had a few extra hours to do something about them? Or do you browse through those wonderful crafting successes on Pinterest and think to yourself that “one day” you’ll have a few more minutes to yourself so that you can create something incredible?

You’re not alone – there’s a huge community of people out there who are feeling just as frustrated as we are!

So today, I'm sharing something fun with you! It’s called The Ultimate DIY Bundle, and it’s a collection of carefully curated DIY and crafting eBooks and eCourses from the world’s leading authors and bloggers in the industry.

For the crazy low price of just $34.95, you get access to a carefully curated library of over 76 eBooks and eCourses. And let me reassure you that this really is great value: the Ultimate Bundles team (who produced the resource) has spent MONTHS seeking out the most respected experts in the industry and asking them to contribute their premium-quality eBooks and eCourses. These really are the best of the best when it comes to DIY and crafting advice and information.
Topics in the bundle include:

• Home decor
• Furniture painting
• Photography
• Chalk pastels
• Handmade gifts
• Homemade skincare products
• Cake decorating
• Photography and photo-editing
• Paint colors and interior design
• …and a whole lot more (76 eBooks and eCourses in total) – to help you be inspired or get started with your next DIY or crafting project!

There’s no need to worry about information overload though: The Ultimate DIY Bundle comes with a complete guide to getting started, so that you can know exactly which resource to use for your specific crafting or DIY project and jump straight into it with confidence!






Hurry though! The Ultimate DIY Bundle will only be on sale for 6 days – from 8am EST on Wednesday, January 21 until 11.59pm EST on Monday, January 26.
You can buy with complete confidence because you’re covered by the Ultimate Bundles 30-day money-back guarantee. That means you have a full 30 days to enjoy all the eBooks and eCourses in the bundle, and if you don’t think they provided enough value, you’ll get a full refund.
Not only that, but The Ultimate DIY Bundle comes with 4 awesome bonuses, worth over $118. That’s 3x the price of the bundle alone! These include…
A free $15 Store Credit PLUS 8×10 Art Print from Hope Ink ($43 Value), a free online class from Craftsy (up to $60 Value), free $15 store credit to Fawnsberg.com, and a free sewing pattern PLUS a Premium Video Class from UpCraft Club ($19.99 Value).

So, don’t miss your chance to grab The Ultimate DIY Bundle, and get 76 incredible eBooks and eCourses for just $34.95. All you need to do is take action by midnight on Monday, January 26!
This amazing deal ends in just…



Pick up your copy right now, before it’s too late. Or, learn more here.




**Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

Faux Fur Collar Tutorial for Sew McCool

Hi, all! 

I'm over at Sew McCool today for one last tutorial before the end of the year. 

To create a sweet faux fur collar of your own, click here! 

Happy Holidays! 

**Time to Vote!** Gold Foil Dress: a tutorial

It's time! Please hop on over to Sew McCool to vote for your favorite project! 

So winter is upon us, and I am excited to be celebrating all the events this season brings! 

Among these is the anniversary of Sew McCool's first blogging year! Deanna from Sew McCool is sharing the party by hosting a 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Blogger Challenge, and I am really honored to be counted as one of the talented participants!

I adore a sweet and sparkly holiday dress on my daughter, but I also adore items of clothing that can be used again and again. After all, I put a fair amount of sweat and love into her handmade items...I want them to be used--and adored--as much as possible (before I blink and she grows another 3 inches!)

Using my tutorial for the Sunshine Tank (shared on Sew McCool earlier this year) I created a sweet and innocent jumper and added some gold foiling to glam it up for this Christmas season...as well as the seasons to follow! Want to do some glamming of your own? It's an easy process that gives a big punch...so let's begin! 

You will need: 

*gold foil (I purchased mine here)

*foil glue (I purchased mine here)

*stencil

*brush (to paint on glue)
*modified Sunshine Tank (or other item to be foiled)

Now, before we dive into this, I highly recommend you take some time to play around on scrap piece of your fabric with your stencil, some foil, and some glue. When applying the glue, the thickness of it determines how your foil will adhere to your fabric. 

For example: I made my jumper out of a cotton/linen blend, so when I applied my glue thinly and then applied my foil, I could see the distinct patterning of the fabric through the foiling. This is fine, if that's the look you are going for. A thicker layer of glue removes the fabric pattern. That's the beauty of foiling! You get to create something completely unique to you...no right or wrong here!

Once you've discovered your favorite glue:foil ratio, it's time for the fun! 

To create my daughter's jumper, I made a minor change to the tutorial for the Sunshine Tank. I simply eliminated the original hi-low hem and lengthened it based on preference. 

To prepare for the foil, begin by determining your desired design placement. In this tutorial, I chose to rim the bottom of the jumper with golden birds and also added one little golden bird to the shoulder. The placing of this design required me to sew up my jumper before I foiled. 

If you are using a finished garment, layer cardboard between your top and bottom fabric layers to prevent the glue from bleeding through. Lay your stencil on the fabric, and use your brush to carefully paint inside the stencil with your foil glue. Start lightly, and brush from the middle out. Build your glue as needed. It's easier to add glue than to remove it when you've glunked on too much! (Ask me how I know.)

Once you've prepped your stenciled area with glue, let it dry (as directed on your glue bottle.) Your glue will look opaque and will feel wet to the touch until it is 'dry'. Once your stenciled area looks clear, and feels tacky to the touch, it is ready to hold your foil. 

Cut out a piece of foil to the size of your stenciled area, and lay it on top of the foil, color side up.

Rub the foil with your finger, or use a burnishing tool. Then, carefully peel back your sheet, and voila! 

Look at that shine! 

Now, if you find that your glue didn't grab all of your foil for some reason, don't panic! You can simply re-apply another layer of foil in that spot, or over the whole thing. Again, the beauty of the project is that it will be a look that is uniquely yours!

Isn't it pretty?

When you're all finished, slip it on your favorite girl and let her get her glam on! 

Dress: Self Drafted/Foiled || Tee: Crazy 8 || Tights: Gymboree || Boots: Target 

I love the pop of gold against the blue!

Now that you've seen how easy it is to foil, what will you be shining up? Before you run off to get started, check out the plethora of talent in Sew McCool's 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Blogger Challenge blog tour, and check back in when the voting begins to support your favorite project!

Don't forget to visit all of the bloggers who are creating tutorials for the Sew McCool 12 Days of Christmas challenge! Voting will begin on www.sewmccool.com on December 13 and go through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on December 20. The blogger with the most votes will win $100 - just in time for Christmas!

December 1

Ren @ The Inspired Wren * Stephanie @ Swoodson Says * Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs

December 2

Natalie @ Sew Outnumbered *Deby @ So-Sew-Easy * Ajaire @ Call Ajaire

December 3

Amy @ Friends Stitched Together * Maris @ Sew Maris * Gemia @ Phat Quarters

December 4

Amy @ How I Make Stuff * Michelle @ Falafel and the Bee

December 5

Beth @ Beth Jarrett * Jen @ Just Joshin

December 6

Lauren @ Molly and Mama * Krista @ Bee Quilted Beauties

December 7

Vicky @ Vicky Myers Creations * Deb @ Sprouting Jube Jube

December 8

Addie @ Addie K * Michelle @ Not My Tree

December 9

Ula @ Lulu & Celeste * Sara @ Made By Sara * Chelsea @ GYCT Designs

December 10

Nichole @ Bluebird & the Boy * Darcy @ Ginger House Designs * Shelly @ Coral & Co.

December 11

Amy @ Britches 'n Bloomers * Kelly @ Kelly J Designs

December 12

Maegen @ Mae and K * Jess @ Gracious Threads * Jone @ Knot Sew Normal

 (psst! One more thing! Love the faux fur collar my daughter is wearing in some of these pics? Find me over at Sew McCool soon for the tutorial!) 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

Everyday Tank Blog Tour for Serger Pepper (with a GIVEAWAY!)

Hello, everyone! I'm honored to be a part of the magnificent group of bloggers participating in the Everyday Tank Blog Tour! 

At a glance, this pattern seems very basic...a tank top...but the options for making this pattern uniquely yours are quite numerous! It is a well written pattern that comes together quickly, and from top to dress, a little imagination will take this style a long way! My knit vest is just one of many variations you'll see along this tour. 

I used the Everyday Tank pattern to create a v-neck knit vest for my little guy. I started with the basic pattern, and added a couple touches to make this a perfect layering piece for a Minnesota Fall. 

Ready to see some more? Check out this amazing list:

Monday, 3rd

Veronica @ Sew Very - Karly @ Paisley Roots -

RaeAnna @ Sewing Mama RaeAnna

Jessica @ Snickerdoodle Stew - Pam @ Threading My Way

Tuesday, 4th

Scary/Al @ Shaffer Sisters - Amy @ Sews N Bows - Melissa @ Rebel and Malice

Deanna @ Sew Mc Cool - Lisa @ Cucicucicoo

Wednesday, 5th

Terra @ Mama Says Sew  - Nichole @ Bluebird and the Boy - Ajaire @ Call Ajaire

Sara @ Made By Sara - Annemieke @ Sofilantjes

Thursday, 6th

Bethany @ Two Novembers - Joy @ xoxo Grandma - Courtney @ Sweeter Than Cupcakes

Olga @ Kid Approved - Cassie @ Lily Shine Boutique

Friday, 7th

Becka @ Probably Crafting  - Nienke @ Pienkel - Renee @ Two Many

Shelly @ Coral and Co. - Michelle @ Falafel and the Bee

Saturday, 8th

- Bethany @ Wildflower Child Create - Jennifer @ Diary of a MadMama - Sabra @ Sew a Straight Line

Daniela @ On The Cutting Floor - Suzanne @ Winter Wonderings

Sunday, 9th

Magda @ House of Estrela - Shino @ Nutta - Jonie @ Knot Sew Normal - Kara @ Sweeter Than It Seams

That's quite a line-up, right?? I can guarantee you will be inspired in more ways than one! 

Now, on to some pattern goodies. Through Sunday, November 9, use the code BLOGTOUR40 at either Serger Pepper's shop or Serger Pepper's etsy shop for 40% of your entire purchase! Plus, enter below to win your own copy of the Everyday Tank Pattern from Serger Pepper! 

(If you are a winner of one of the two Everyday Tank patterns up for grabs, but you've already purchased it, you will be given the choice of another pattern, or a $10 coupon code to be used towards a future purchase through the end of 2015.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and thanks for stopping by to check out my Everyday Tank! 

Child Sized Tool Belt for Sew McCool

Hello, everyone! Join me over at Sew McCool today, sharing a tutorial for this Junior Tool Belt! 

Click Here for more details.

Scooter Buddy Blog Tour for Sew Outnumbered

Okay, I know we all know this by now, but I have to point it out once again...how awesome is this Scooter Buddy?!

(and how awesome is it that I get to be a part of the Tour for this genius little bag??) 

When Nat from Sew Outnumbered originally put together this tutorial for Sew McCool, the Scooter Buddy went to the top of my to-do list. Although I try, my little man doesn't get as much Mama-Made as his sister does. (In my defense, his sister is much more demanding of my sewing prowess than he is right now!;) Being able to be a part of this blog tour alongside so much talent is just icing on the cake! 

You've spent the last week checking out all the other handsome (and lovely!) Scooter Buddies...now let's take a peek at mine. I'll show you some of my favorite features, and throw in a couple pictures of sweet little preschool hands, still sporting baby dimples! (Who can resist that??)

Nat hit the nail on the head with the concept for this thing. A simple solution for hydration-on-wheels that is washable, durable, and doesn't have to be carried by Mom!  The tutorial is easy to follow, quick to come together, and leaves plenty of room for personal alterations. 

The zipper pocket is perfect for treasures...or as Amy so aptly put it, my keys and cell phone!! These yoga pants don't have pockets, son! 

My Boy can easily maneuver his water bottles in and out of it, so it gives him complete control..something I've heard that preschoolers love...ahem. 

With three secure straps, it also holds up to tugging from little hands. (And scooters that tip over. And fingers that like the sound of velcro ripping apart. If you're dealing with these sorts of things.) 

And Bonus! If you're feeling indecisive, and decide on a whim to ride your bike instead, The Scooter Buddy will happily pull double-duty! 

So there you have it...the many ways we love our Scooter Buddy! Thanks for the wonderfully useful tutorial, Nat! 

And thanks to all of you for stopping by! If you haven't had a chance to review the other inspiring ladies on the Scooter Buddy Blog Tour, it's worth your time to go check them out now!