BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY WINNER!

First, I would like to thank all of the participants. I will have other giveaways soon! This was my first giveaway and it was a lot of fun!

So without further ado, the winner is...Sherry from Got Art? Congratulations!

Please check out Sherry's blog http://gotart4u.blogspot.com, to see her beautiful work and, where there is a wonderful collage piece for giveaway! I think I'm going to enter! Hurry...before I do!

Once again, Congratulations Sherry!

DIY Black Hair Care Treatments

As you all have seen, I have transitioned back to my beautiful natural locs! And, I am a do-it-yourself-er.

I search and search for hair care treatments for my hair. Black hair needs LOTS, LOTS of moisture and more so when living in high humidity areas (like Florida) and drastic climate changes. I also wanted to find products I could make myself.

I would like to share with you a few conditioning recipes from Motown Girl website. Try these at home and let me know how they work for you?

Here's the link http://motowngirl.com/content/Hair-Recipes/Leave-In-Conditioner-Recipes.html or you can click on the title of this post to go directly to the page.

My Organized Mess

I woke up this morning in full inspiration and so many creative ideas running through my mind! I would sew a doll using my daughter's picture as the design; sew purses; work on more t-shirt recons (reconstruction); varnish a cigar box I've painted and revamped; and, so on...so on...so on. SO MANY IDEAS running through my head!

Well, I got children off to school; cleaned the house; prepped my area, and the unmentionable happened...I got stuck! I mean, like paralyzed for about 2 hours. It was like a 'creative meltdown' or 'overload'. What do I do?

Went for a drive to my local JoAnn store and when I returned, I was feeling a bit o.k. First project, was to cut out the pattern pieces of my daughter's doll design. I then, decided to work on one of my dolls.



I think I'll paint her instead of sewing clothes for her. I'm not sure, I'll just play around in my organized mess!

Does anyone suffer with these 'creative meltdowns' or 'overloads'? What cures you?

The BIG CHOP! (My Metamorphosis)

I did the BIG CHOP! Cut all of my hair down to an inch in February. I've decided to have a healthy head of hair and needed to cut all of the chemicals out. I am going 'au naturel'.

Also, my husband and I decided to live and eat healthy. We've changed our eating habits and try to exercise more frequently. With my new hair, this makes life so much easier and me more willing to workout. The summers here in Florida are brutal! And, the heat kills your hair, especially if you have some kind of chemical treatment (i.e., perms, relaxers, color, etc.).

Usually men (my husband, included) have a fit when you cut your hair really short (I've only done this once before). He loved it!...




I love it! I feel FREE!

Happy Birthday Giveaway!!!

I am celebrating my birthday on Monday and I am having a giveaway! Everyone loves a giveaway! I know that I do.



This cute set of 3 pincushions made from vintage hankies.




"Happy Birthday Giveaway" starts Monday, 13 April through Monday, 20 April, 2009. The winner will be revealed on Tuesday, 21 April, 2009.

To participate, simply leave a comment and please include an email address.

Good wishes to all of the participants!

T-Shirt to Halter Tutorial

My teenage daughter loves her t-shirts! We did spring cleaning in her packed closet and she refused to get rid of her t-shirts. I told her we would put them into a bag until I could think of what to do with them. My first thoughts were donation or car rags. After I calmed, I had to think of how to recycle these t-shirts. Pillows, totes, etc. I needed to do something fresh. So, it's been pretty warm here (80 degrees +) and decided on a halter. Now the 6 year old wants her t-shirts recycled into halters.

It's really easy to do and I'll show you how!

Start with a t-shirt; scissors; trim or ribbon (for tie); 1/2" wide elastic; pie tin or french curve ruler. And, of course thread to match and sewing machine.

Cut the front and the back of t-shirt as follows:

Cut off the ribbing of the t-shirt.

Fold the t-shirt about 1/8" toward the wrong side at the sleeve and neck areas; stitch. At the neckline, fold another 3/4" creating a casing for the trim to feed through; stitch.

Cut a length of elastic to fit across the back for desired fit. At the back, fold t-shirt 3/4" toward the wrong side with the elastic encased in the fold. Pin the elastic short ends in place. Stretch the elastic as you sew, stitch down the elastic middle to secure. See pic below.


Pin a safety pin to one trim or ribbon short end. Thread/feed the pinned end through the neck casing. Gather the t-shirt at the neckline. Make sure the trim/ribbon is long enough to tie around neck. Remove the pin; cut and knot the trim/ribbon ends.

You're done!

Have fun!

Interview By a Great Vintage Shop

When I create, I am happy and enjoy the items. It's awesome when someone else enjoys your items, too. My passion is vintage.

Well I had an opportunity to meet a phenomenal business woman with an awesome vintage shop! You REALLY need to take a visit and see her beautiful vintage clothing and items and while you're there read the interview. Just click on the title link...and, check out the goodies! You'll be truly amazed!

One of My Favorite Places...and, not only for the obvious!

My favorite kind of shopping is fabric shopping. All the colors and textures of fabrics; all kinds of ideas and creations running through my mind. It's euphoric for me!

I visit thrift stores, garage/estate sales, and the small local fabric shops for my fabrics. If I need a 'specialty' fabric for a specific project or client, or just to see what's new, I visit my local JoAnn Fabrics in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

I LOVE this neighborhood JoAnn store! Not only for the many things I can rummage through and that 'euphoric' thing...but, most importantly, the customer service.

There is a particular employee at the store who always has a smile and is always helpful and courteous! And, by the time you leave her line (even if you're not feeling 'happy'), you will leave with a smile on your face!

This blog is in appreciation to you my friend (don't know your name, sorry) for being the person you are AND working at one of my favorite places!

Thank you!

SEWed UP...Smock Tutorial

Well, it's been rather warm here in Florida and I needed to make quick smocks for my daughter. I got cotton fabrics from my stash and pillowcases. They turned out rather well! This is my first tutorial and I hope you like it!



SMOCK TUTORIAL

Materials needed:
1/4 yard fabric (bodice front and back; and bodice facing). I used fabrics from my stash.
1/2 yard fabric (skirt/dress front and back). I used a pillowcase for one of the dresses.
scrap fabric for straps

Measurements:
Bodice and facing: across top of bust underarm-to-underarm; add 5/8" for seam allowance. Also, top of bust to under the bust.
Skirt/dress: under bust underarm-to-underarm; add 5/8" for seam allowance. That measurement mutliply by 2 (for gathering).

(The pattern above is the bodice front and back; and facing front and back. The fold line is the centerfront.)

Cutting: bodice = cut 4 on fold (2 for bodice and 2 for facing); skirt/dress = cut 2; straps = cut 2 @ 3" wide (I made my 13" in length).


LET's SEW!

Right sides together, fold strap lengthwise and stitch the length. Turn strap right side out; press with stitching in center of strap. Turn in one of the short end about 1/8" and press; stitch close. Leave other end open. Repeat steps for other strap.

Bodice: with right sides together (front and back), stitch side seams; press seams open. Repeat for facing.
On right side of bodice back, measure in 1/2" from sides and pin strap raw edge to raw edge of bodice (with center seam facing up) and machine baste. Repeat on other side of bodice with other strap.

Right sides together of bodice and facing, stitch all around the top and underarm leaving the bottom of bodice open. Clip corners; turn right side out and press. Baste bottom of bodice close.

Skirt/dress: with right sides together, sew side seams and press open. Make a basting stitch around width of skirt and another basting stitch about a 1/2" below the first.

Right sides together of bodice and skirt; pin side seams together, then pull thread to gather to fit rest of bodice. Stitch bodice to skirt. Cut excess fabric; press seam towards bodice. Turn smock right side out. Stitch hem.

To fasten straps to front of bodice, you can use buttons with buttonholes; loops to tie straps; or whatever your desire!

And, you're done! These are also great for the pool area and beach.

HAPPY SUMMER!

New Banner Design

So, I wanted a new banner and logo. Very pleased with the previous banner, but wanted something more 'artsy'. So I summoned this great guy to re-design a banner and logo for me that showed his true talents. He sketched-out this banner and digitized it. I love it! By the way, he's my husband.

Check out his artwork by clicking on the title of this post...you will be truly amazed!