newly recovered chairs

Remember those chairs I got thrifting awhile back? Well, I finally got around to recovering them. It wasn't a matter of the fabric-that I had picked out hours days after buying the chairs. (a steal at $5 a pop)

Speaking of the fabric, it's a lovely zig zag home dec fabric I got from my even lovelier sponsor, Tuft Love. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

I absolutely LOVEly the shade of blue and the zig zags. I was of course, drawn to the florals first-but forced myself to choose something different-and I'm so glad I did!

It was a pretty simple recover-I un-screwed the seats, pulled out the old staples and old fabric, bought some chair foam squares at Joann's for $3 a piece (on sale!), glued those to the chair seat, then cut fabric to fit, pulled the fabric tightly around and stapled it on. It didn't take too long-an hour or two?

Here's a Before:

and After!

Sorry about the fabulous backdrop for these pics. It's what I had to work with-our house has almost zero natural light. We're hoping to work on the backyard with our tax refund this year-here's to making those dollars STREETCH! It needs a lot of work.

So what do you think? (About the chairs, not the backyard. Please spare me from your thoughts on that, lol)

So Tei Tei pattern review and giveaway!

*******giveaway is now closed********

I'm here today with a pattern review for this cute shirt, and a giveaway! (more on that later) I chose to review the Summer Blouse for Girls pattern from So Tei Tei. (one of my awesome sponsors)

I made it with Weekends fabric by Erin McMorris, Hopscotch in Butter. Love the oranges, yellows, and pinks in this fabric!

 

It was a pretty easy shirt to put together, and the pattern itself was easy-print, cut, and tape where it tells you. Took me about 5 minutes. I used almost a yard of fabric for it and cut out a size 2, which was a little large for Sadie, but she'll grow into it and be able to wear it longer, so I like that!

I added some peach bias tape along the seams on the front and back for a faux piping look-I like it but it added a lot of bulk in the front so I probably would just do that in the back if I did it again. It also made the buttonholes hard. Again, this was my decision-does not reflect on the pattern, lol. Just me playing around. 

The ruffle collar was pretty simple-and I like the look! The buttons I got from this etsy shop, and I love them! They're in Israel I think so shipping took a little while but was worth it. I ordered a bunch that I can't wait to use in projects.

I used our shed in the backyard for our backdrop. chic, no?  lol.

So, an all around great pattern! can't wait to make some more :D

So!

Would you like to win a pattern from the So Tei Tei shop? Then today is your lucky day...she is giving away 3 patterns to 3 lucky winners! 

How to enter:

1. Head over to her shop, poke around a bit, come back here and leave a comment on this post, telling me which pattern you'd choose if you won!

More ways to enter:

2. Become a follower of So Tei Tei on Twitter.   

Leave a comment on this post telling me that.

3. Become a follower of So Tei Tei's blog.  

Leave a comment on this post telling me that.

One comment for each way...and if you make a mistake or need to add or change something, please delete the first comment-thanks!

Also...Please, for each entry, leave an email address so I can contact you if you win! You can write it out if you prefer, like this: craftinessisnotoptional(at)gmail(dot)com.

This giveaway will end Sunday Feb 27th. (in the evening, sometime....sorry I can't always pinpoint a time I'll be free) I'll pick the winners (using Random.org) and announce them on Monday!

Good luck!

The three winners for the So Tei Tei pattern giveaway are.....

Sagittmama

So Bella

and Courtney Soleil!

Charlotte dress part 5: the invisible zipper

So I thought I'd just go ahead and post this today-so if anyone wanted to finish it tonight they could! Check back tomorrow cause I have a cool giveaway for you guys!

So here's a zipper. Pretty tiny right? Not intimidating at all! Or at least, won't be after this tutorial.(hopefully)

See more after the jump!

Charlotte dress Part 4-skirt and sash

Now you'll cut out your skirt pieces-I cut mine about 36"long by 10" wide-and the same length for the accent fabric, only I cut that about 3.5"wide.

See more after the jump!

Charlotte dress Part 3: sleeves

Download and print here.

Ok, first off today, we're gonna cut some pieces from our accent fabric for the sleeve binding.

 


See more after the jump!

market skirt

So I finally made a market skirt! It's been on my to do list since the beginning of time. (ok, since I started blogging and found Dana's blog) I made it with some super cute fabric I got from my awesome sponsor,  The Ribbon Retreat. (they have tons of fabric, not to mention their...ya know...ribbon!)

I also used some of the buttons my pal Katie sent me-they are the perfect color! 

I love how the skirt turned out and so does Sadie. score. ;)

Charlotte dress Part 2: bodice

So! Time to put together the bodice!

Printable version 

See more after the jump!

Charlotte dress Part 1: making your pattern

Hellooo! and welcome to the Charlotte dress sew along, part 1!

Today we'll be making the pattern for the dress. If you have the 9 month pattern already, skip to the bottom, if not, follow along!

See more after the jump!

random things

Post Edit:
Fun news! I was chosen to compete on One Month to Win It! It's a new crafty competition blog and sounds like it's going to be fun! Can't wait to get started! Check it out here:

 A little update on the Potty Training: yesterday Sadie did REALLY well! She got like 5 potty prizes for going in the potty. Woohoo! She is recognizing what it feels like and acting on it-so I'm feeling much more optimistic. It's taken a week to get to this point though. We went through all 21 pairs of underwear we bought in less than a week-lots of accidents! lol. So, it looks like the worst may be behind us. Of course now I'm inviting ALL sorts of bad karma and such by saying that. Well, I'll just hope for the best I guess!

More about her potty prizes: I got them through CSN stores, and picked out these two sets of Melissa and Doug play food for me Sadie. (click on pics for links)

They are working out perfectly to be our potty prizes-she gets one piece per potty success. So far she's gotten the ice cream, (which is blue in the set but brown online?) yogurt, orange juice, milk, and crackers. I ordered them on Monday and they got here Wednesday-how's that for quick shipping? wow! I was impressed. They are also the best deal for those sets that I've found-about $15 a set. 

I also got something else for me-a huge pack of disposable pastry/frosting bags-sweet! Now I'll never run out! Like, really never. They didn't come on a roll though like it said, they were stacked up in a bag-not really a big deal just thought I'd mention it. All in all, another great experience with CSN stores!

And hey! it sounds like you guys are psyched for the Charlotte dress-awesome! I'll plan on that for next week-and I have a pattern drawn out for a 9 month size-but it will be an easy one to make the pattern for if you have a different size to sew for.  If you do want the 9 month size, email me and I'll send it to you.

Update: 9 month pattern is available to download here.

So look for the first post Monday! This one will be a week long sew along just "sew" you know. (HAHAHAHaa...ha.) You can probably plan on it taking about 1/2 hour a day. For an intermediate sewer, that's pretty doable.

I also got an awesome package from my good pal Katie the other day-I need to take pics of the cute little slippers she made me! (edit: see below!)

Even Sadie's jealous. Seriously, she keeps trying to steal them.

Check out her cute little tag! and some fabric I picked out for a new skirt for Sadie-hopefully someday soon I will make her a market skirt-finally! It's been on my list for ages.

and she sent some of her awesome handmade buttons, among other things! Thanks Katie!

Alright I'm done with those lame excuses. Anyone watching Survivor this season? We're big fans and are so excited it's started up again. We can't help it-we love the drama I think. lol! We got my sis Janae hooked last season and now she's a survivor nerd too. 

WOw randomest post eva, huh?

Oh well! Have a great weekend everybody!

the Charlotte dress

Simple, cute, and the perfect starter dress. That's the Charlotte dress! It's basically this dress reincarnated. (although maybe not....cause she still wears that one... hmm. never mind)

and minus the bow cause, Um...laziness struck. It's easy to make though! Maybe I'll whip one up.

It has a contrast band around the waist, the bottom of the skirt, and around the gathered sleeves.

I used some Nicey Jane fabrics for this dress, from my awesome sponsor, Lily Bella Fabrics!

I made a quick matching flower to clip to her headband.

Sorry about this next pic, it just always gets me when their faces get all scrunched up and angry.

Like, is your life really THAT rough?

Besides, 2.5 seconds later, I snapped this shot. (sorry so blurry)

So the answer is, no, your life is not THAT rough, little miss.

So what I'm getting at, not so slyly, is this is the next sew along! If you guys are down for it. I'm thinking maybe next week, but it seems so close to the last one...but I was wanting to make this a monthly thing. Thoughts anyone?

I do have instructions to put in an invisible zipper! Does that entice you?

(it might not be absolutely positively the right way to do it/correct, but it works, soo...)

 

Supplies:

fabric (main and contrast) 

I used probably 3/4 yard for the main, and about 1/4 yard for the contrast for my 8 month old.

matching invisible zipper (I got a 9" one)

thread

Sewing stuff

machine

rotary cutter/board

scissors, all that jazz

So I'll let you know when it's all going down. :D 

P.S. Thanks for all the advice on potty training yesterday! I read every single comment and got a lot of good advice and tips. I'll keep ya posted on any developments on that front!

nicey jane skirt and the dreaded training of the potty.

Sometimes it's nice to just sew something easy, with no thought involved. (well, minimal)

Like a skirt-this literally about 20 minutes start to finish.

I had this scrap of Nicey Jane from Anna begging to be made into a skirt-it was the perfect size, no cutting required. Awesome.

Added some vintage trim along the bottom gifted to me by my cousin-in-law Courtenay, and called it a day.

I think I'll be building up her skirt stash in her wardrobe-anything to make potty training easier.

Although she's going mostly nekked besides her underpants these days.

Yes, we started potty training last week! Any tips? I know you guys have got some tips for me. LAY it on! We're not doing so well but she's trying hard! And I'm trying hard to be patient with her. And Charlotte's trying hard to deal with being left in the hall outside the bathroom door twenty times a day.

We all have our problems, sister. ;)

scallop shirt on Project Run and Play

 

Hey guys-head over to Project Run and Play to see the tutorial for what I call the Scallop Shirt. (my thought process on this name was very short, lol)

Anyways, it's simple and sweet, just my style. (luckily Sadie's too, for now at least!)

Can't wait to see the designers stuff this week! Should be awesome! 

Click below for more details!

a thrifting I will go...and other things.

I was trying (very last minute) to think of a Valentine-sy post to put up-but....well couldn't think of anything....and I love thrifting, so this is what ya get today!


 I have to say thanks again to my sister Julia for baby sitting while I ran to the store-you just can't miss those 50% off sales-and MUST go right when they open, which unfortunately is during Charlotte's nap time. Luckily my sister is home schooled, so can obviously do her school anywhere!

It was a bit of a drama filled shopping trip-a woman's wallet got stolen right out of her purse while I was there! yikes. That made me glad I hadn't brought the kids, I might have been distracted and I like having my wallet right where it is.



Here's my haul-minus a skirt you can see later...

this old jar thing that has measurement conversions on it-it will go above my cabinets with my other vintage junk stuff.

 This is also going in the....laundry room.

haha just kidding. that sign is going in the kitchen. lol, yes I am too funny. chirp chirp...ok..

I have one of these exact wire baskets already-but you can never have too many baskets-and the other day I was thinking I needed to get something like this but now I can't remember what for. hmm. It'll come to me, I hope.

not pictured in the first pic cause it got left out, sorry skirt-you're super cute! I bought it without trying it on cause I loved the fabric, but I think it'll fit actually! if not, another refashion for Sadie will be in the works.

L-R: a vintage green pillowcase (I'm working on a fun project involving these... more to come), 3 or so yards of this black checkered fabric (for $1.50!), two more pillowcases with some eyelet lace trim, and an Ikea hippo duvet cover. ($1)

Plastic Belle was not from the thrift store....she was a present from Sadie's uncle Josh that morning. She is a bit of a camera hog apparently. and prone to fainting spells.

 

Look for a makeover of this kitschy little sign ($2.25) soon! I can't wait to see how it turns out. :)

Oh lookie here! It's already done. ;) Some sandpaper, a couple of quick coats of spray paint=almost instant redo. This is hanging in our entry now.

Total for this trip was around $17.

and now, cause this blog has been severely lacking in Charlotte cuteness lately, here's a quick pic. 

I can't believe she'll be eight months old this week! She is getting to be so fun lately-and her and Sadie are definitely acting more like sisters-giggling at each other and swiping each others toys. She's finally sleeping longer stretches-she did 6 or 7 hours the other night, which was heaven. (and the longest she's ever done, ugh) She figured out she likes to sleep on her tummy-so whatever works, right? She wants to crawl so bad too! It's cute and kinda funny to see her little booty waggling in the air from her trying to move. Ok, sorry about that side note. But not really, cause oh how cute is her little face? 

OK! really done now! lol.

Other random notes I want to leave with you:

*I did a tutorial for Project Run and Play's last week which will go up tomorrow, I believe, so check back for that!

*I have some other exciting things in the works that I can't wait to tell ya about-some fun blog  collaborations and such!

*I am too excited to see that people are using Ana's plans for my dress up storage! You can see the pics by clicking on her photos page-they're scattered among the first few pages. It's so fun to see people using your idea. (and of course, Ana's awesome plans)

*I have got the feedsack dress tutorial written, but wanted to give you the pattern pieces (or, my 2T pattern at least), so still trying to figure out the best way for that.

*Have got the next sew-along ready for you guys! I'm thinking this could be a monthly thing? This time it's a dress for Charlotte! Can't wait to share. Maybe next week? (21-25) February is such a short month! It's almost over already.

Phew. That was a lot of info, huh? Hope you stuck through it ok.

Anyways...