Bunting DIY

Today is DIY day.  I will show you how to make your own bunting.  This is a very easy project and does not take much time.  I'm sorry I don't have more pictures of the details, but I will try to describe the steps well enough so you can figure it out.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will most definitely get back to you.

My bunting was being used outside, so I made the triangles rather large.  You can make them any size you want depending on where it will be placed.

I used a rotary cutter and cut out a front and back for each triangle.  Scissors will also work. I made my triangles 14" on the long sides and 9" on the short side.  After I cut out the triangles, I placed 2 triangle pieces right sides together and sewed down both long sides.  Turn right side out and press.

I determined how long I wanted my bunting to be and then divided by the width of the top of the triangle to find out how many triangles I needed.  

To attach the triangle pieces to ribbon, I used vintage ribbon that was 2" wide.  I ironed it in half length wise.  I then pinned each triangle inside the fold of the ribbon.  Sew down the edge of the ribbon to enclose the triangles into the folded ribbon.

Here is the bunting draped over the stair railing for some cute pictures of Miss Chloe. 

Her cute little matching dress will be a DIY later this week.

We used the bunting as a decoration for Chloe's first birthday.

Here is the buntings new home.  On my daughter Bailey's bed.  I love that we found another use for it.  I would be so sad to have it used for only one day.

This is what 15 year old's beds look like...who am I kidding, that is whay my bed looks like as well.
Who has time to make beds when you are busy sewing?

I think the hardest part about blogging a DIY is remembering to take pictures of all the steps.  I'll try to get better at taking more pictures the next time I do a DIY project.  I'll be posting about our stockings after this Saturdays Craftivism day.  We'll see how it goes.  Maybe I can talk someone else into being the designated photographer.  :)

That's some serious baggage!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days.  I had a fun filled weekend with my kids and hubby. 

Pretty relaxing actually.  

I did go to the Alameda Antique Faire and got some great stuff for our craft day coming up this Saturday.

How was your weekend?

I went on a road trip for a weekend a while back and this is how many different bags I had.  

This is so ridiculous!

How many bags does a girl need?  Now Really.

Did I say all this was for only a weekend?

I do love bags.  

And each one has it's own purpose.

Suitcase for Clothes. (I need to find a great vintage suitcase.)

Duffle bag for bathroom items. (This is just unacceptable for a bathroom bag.)

Knitting bag.

Insulated lunch bag.

Computer bag.

Camera bag.

Basket for trunk to hold miscellaneous items.

I made myself an Amy Butler bag to hold my knitting things.  

I loved this bag so much...

I had to make some for a few friends. 

I'm starting to get requests for them now.  I wish I had time to make them for everyone.

A girl can never have too many bags. 

xoxo,

Carol

One Cha Cha

My friend Alexis taught me an important life statement.  In fashion and style you should only have "one cha cha".  In other words, let one items stand out, whether it is a piece of jewelry, or shoes or a piece of clothing.  In my case, however, she says Tom is my "one cha cha".  He is my one item that stands out.  He doesn't quite get what she means by this, but it is true.

He is loyal and protective,  funny and outgoing and always says it like it is.  Some of our friends even call his sayings "Tom-isms".  He likes to say things like "you over it?"  or "front butt" or "it is what it is."

We have been married, off and on (that will be a whole other blog post) for 27 years today.   We have had great times and hard times.  We are very passionate. Whether we are getting along or not, it is always passionate.  I feel like this is partly what has kept our marriage lasting so long.   He is truely my soul mate and my best friend.  I can't imagine life without him.

I have no idea where we were here.

Walnut Creek Kaiser after Chloe was born.

Great America. This is one of his favorite pics of us. He knows why.

Being Silly at Hubcaps Diner in Walnut Creek.

Vegas Baby!!

Kona.

Awesome Date Night!  Last Week.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

xoxo,

Carol

Craft Day...Please join us!

We are partnering againwith Craft Hope and  Christmas in Dixie  ( here is their Facebook page ).  Our hope is to love on others by doing something we love.  Please join us!

This time we are looking ahead a few months to Christmas.  Yes!  Christmas in September.  
It's time, right?

We will be making handmade stockings for the Tornado Survivors. Over 12,000 families lost everything in the Alabama 2011 Tornados.  There are many many organizations helping these families put their lives back together.  This Christmas, however, they will have to start over with their Christmas decorations.  I would be so sad to loose my decorations, they have great sentimental value to me.

Sometimes things like this seem so little, but to the person receiving them they make a big difference.  They will know that someone all the way across the country cares for them.

We will be meeting again at my house.

On September 10, 2011

from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (or whenever)

Feel free to bring any fabric, trims, vintage doilies, or even vintage sheets.  See the Craft Hope web site for some really cute stocking ideas.   But feel free to come with your own ideas and inspiration as well.  If you have a sewing machine, that would be great too.  If you don't know how to sew, never fear.  There will be plenty to do for non-sewers.

Let me know if you can make it.  We would love to see you here.

xoxo,

Carol

P.S.  Will it be legal to play Christmas music while we are working away?

Easy Chicken Costume

Fall is just around the corner and it's time to start thinking of Halloween Costumes.

Last year we dressed Chloe up like the cutest little chicken I've ever seen.

Most items were purchased.

White long sleeve onsie

White tights

And white feather boa.

I made the hat by just drawing a 1/2 circle and then a strip for the middle section.

I added ribbon to tie it on.

I then drew out the comb of the chicken head on paper and cut out of red felt.

I stuffed it with fiberfill and hand stitched it to the hat.

I think you may be able to find a hat online to avoid having to make one.  I just waited too long.

We pinned the boa to the onsie with safety pins.

And that was it!  How simple and adorable!

xoxo,

Carol

Sewing Room Update

I've added a few items to the walls in my sewing room since I last posted about this project.  This is one of my favorite places to be in my house, but I haven't spent a whole lot of time here lately.  With summer here and the beautiful whether we have been having, I just want to be outside. 

I am starting to get antsy for fall, though and with that I always want to get back to sewing and crafting.

I added some embroidery hoops with fabric. This just makes me happy!

I also found this vintage box spring at an antique store on my last trip to my happy place.

I decided to use it for my inpsiration board.

What is your favorite spot in your house?

xoxo,

Carol

What do you do when your 14 year old asks for Justin Bieber and Cash for her birthday?

You give her what she wants!

Cali hid Justin in her older sisters bed to scare her later that night.

It worked!

Justin was then put just inside the front door and scared everyone who walked in, including Tom, who almost swung at poor Justin.  Haha!

xoxo,

Carol