Sewing for Girls

 I have done a few very simple projects lately for my little miss. Girls are so much fun to sew for though I oftentimes feel overwhelmed with all the options. Should I add lace? Maybe ric rac? Keep it simple? Extra ruffles? So many decisions!

This outfit ended up being Miss T's Easter outfit. I made a very simple twirl skirt with two fabrics, appliqued a little flower onto an inexpensive shirt and then whipped up a headband.

This little tank dress started with a cheap tank top from W@lmart. I gathered up a skirt and attached it to the tank. The extra tank fabric was bulky so I trimmed it off.  I finished it off with a ruffle and some matching fabric covered buttons.

Here is Miss T modeling her tank dress after church

This peasant dress was a possible Easter dress for Miss T... the same colors as her above outfit. I just wasn't sure if I liked the body fabric so I went with Plan B. BUT, I do love this dress. I found the free pattern on fabric.com.

This tank was a birthday gift for one of my niece's. I really love the spring colors and am planning on making one similar - I love it so much!

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Pork Chop Rub Recipe - to die for! And Winner!

We've had some pressing family matters going on around here so it's put crafting, sewing and blogging on the back burner. I'm dying to sew a few projects up but it will wait. I do want to share a quick and easy rub for pork chops that I tried this week and it turned out awesome! Love, love, love!

Excuse the bad photo - I snapped it with my phone. Obviously!

I found this on the Betty Crocker app on my phone when I was trying to figure out what to make with these pork chops.

Spicy Rub

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
8 pork loin or rib chops

In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients except for the pork chops. Rub the seasoning mixture on both sides of the pork. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors blend. Grill as usual and enjoy!


I also finally did the drawing for the giveaway! So excited that The Northern Cottage is the winner! Yay! E-mail me your mailing info and I'll drop these in the mail to you (sarah.jarnagin at yahoo dot com)! I hope you and your daughter enjoy them!

Weekend Warrior: IKEA Curtain Hack

I bought two packages of these LONG IKEA curtains two years ago... yes, 2 years ago! My plans were to use three panels to cover my closet which is a floor to ceiling opening and use the final panel for our bedroom window. I knew they would need a little fabric added to the bottom to make them long enough which is why I put it off and off and off. So, this project was a long time coming! I got some awesome gray fabric that I figured was neutral enough to go with my winter and summer duvets and anything in between.

Adding designer fabric to cheap IKEA curtains is such an economical way to get the custom look. These curtains started out as tab tops which was not the look I was going for. I needed something to hug the curtain rod so no piles in my closet peeked out.

I cut all the tabs right off and then pinned the top over to sew a pocket for the curtain rod.

For the curtain for the window, I added the little ruffle thing on top. This is my cheat way of getting an even hem when doing a deeper hem. I just stick on a piece of painters tape to use as a guide. So easy!

The window curtain, finished! Not the best photos but I am loving the gray fabric on the bottom. It matches the pillow I made here for our bed!

 

Here are the closet curtains finished!

Tab tops no more! These curtains were much wider than my old Pottery Barn set so it only took two to span the opening. I was planning on using three but this made it much easier. I am afraid if I had 3 panels, it would have been hard to slide them out of the way to access my wardrobe.

AND, I do realize these desperately need to be steamed... soon, I promise. I did press them but that obviously did not do a good enough job.

One thing I learned BIG time was to pay attention to the fabric repeat dimension... I did not even think about that before I cut my strips of fabric. I was trying to piece it out after the fact so that they strips matched up. They are all off a bit but it's not too noticeable when hanging... this one was the absolute worst! Oh, well. At least it's in my own house and not for someone else! 

A Bless Others Giveaway!

I am going through Beth Moore's James Mercy Triumphs study at church and this week our mission is to bless others. I am working on things to bless my family and a few others but I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway on the ole' blog to help others bless more!

So, I am giving away 2 tissue pockets to one lucky winner with the hopes that you will keep one for yourself and bless someone with an unexpected small gift!

To enter, leave a comment telling me who you'd like to share your winnings with. For a second entry, become a follower of my blog! Leave a comment for each entry. The giveaway will close next Monday evening!

Giveaway Time!!! Holla!

I am hosting a little Valentine's Day giveaway over on my Facebook page. Hurry over and comment to win a colorful infinity scarf! The giveaway closes tonight!

Gray & Yellow Baby Banner

I was asked to make a banner for a baby shower where the theme was yellow and gray along with giraffes. I really am loving the gray and yellow combination right now. So darling! I could not find a patterned paper to match so I went with solid card stock and used yellow polka dot ribbon.

I have found some great gray and yellow inspiration lately on Pinterest.... expect a post dedicated to that soon!

Minnie Mouse Birthday Bash

I did a Mickey Mouse birthday party for our son's 2nd birthday so throwing a Minnie Mouse bash for our daughter's 2nd birthday was so much fun, again! This time, we hosted it at our house and kept it small and simple. I incorporated some of my Valentine's Day decorations too since Miss T loves hearts and it was a perfect mash up!

I was nervous about making the Minnie Mouse cupcakes but I think they turned out cute and definitely set the tone for the food table. I actually spiffy-ed up the cupcakes by putting cookie dough in first before the cake batter to make a cookie bottom. I frosted with butter cream icing and then dipped the cupcake into crushed Oreos. I used two toothpick halves to support mini-Oreos as the ears. The bows were just a dollop of pink frosting in the middle. They aren't technically bows but I think they'll pass.

I also served chocolate chip cookies, strawberry cupcakes with sour cream frosting (yum!), V-Day m&m's, strawberry heart shaped marshmallows and a fruit tray (got to get some healthy in there!). We served strawberry lemonade to drink.

This tower has been such an asset for parties! I cut coordinating scrapbook paper to fit the trays and added the shape to the top. Instant, coordinating cupcake tower!

I took down our usual curtains in the dining room just leaving the sheer curtain and then hung streamers from the curtain rod. I topped it by hanging the pinata there.

I used my Cricut and Mickey Mouse cartridge to make the name banners to hang up. I had also made the heart bunting for Valentine's Day and it matched the party theme perfectly!

I think that's about it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Sources:

Minnie appliqued shirt and polka dot pettiskirt: etsy seller but shop has since closed- which is probably good because I had a bad experience. This outfit was ordered for our Disney trip but I did not receive it until 2 weeks after we got home. So, it worked out perfect for her birthday. :)
Minnie Mouse bow: Giggle Baby Designs on etsy
Photographer: RM Photography
Cupcakes, tissue poms, banners: Me

Found: Antique Theater Seats

I found these beauties hiding in the very back of one of my dad's storage garages. As in, my husband had to pull out all kinds of awkward, heavy objects to unearth these. I'm so glad I married a strong man!

They were covered with lots of Oklahoma red dirt and were missing a few bolts and screws.

After a little elbow grease, they came out looking pretty spiffy! Don't you think they would be perfect in a country farmhouse mudroom? Ah! I love them! I want to keep them!

Weekly Booth Update

I am so lucky to have a husband who encourages my dreams and helps me explore them! He has been such a big help in working on my booth space. I know it's not where I'd like it to be yet... I am not crazy about the red wall that shows along with the shelves. I'm debating on painting the wall or covering those shelves with a curtain. It is a work in progress....

We were excited to see a few things sold this past week. The antique medicine cabinet already sold along with one of the soda pop crates and a few other little things. So, I got in and had to do a little rearranging. I brought in a few more pillows to fluff things up.

We added a few magnetic chalkboards along with a selection of my magnetic clips and rosettes.

Isn't this chair divine? A cute pop of color, for sure!



Our newest treasure to move in is this trio of antique theater seats. These come from a local theater and are an awesome statement piece! I am secretly hoping they don't sell so I can place them in our *future* aka larger home!