Lily Bird pattern review and giveaway!

*********This giveaway is now closed.*********

I'm back with another pattern review from Lily Bird patterns-her cuffed shorts this time! Aren't they adorable?

So here's my review! I did enjoy the challenge of these shorts-but they were easier than I thought they'd be! I did have a little problem with the pockets...in the pattern they are just for looks (I think) and I couldn't figure out how to put them together. So I made 'em how it made sense to me, and made them functional. They are very shallow and small-but big enough for Sadie to stash her Pez or a hairband or two. I like how they look anyhow!

I cut out a size 2, and it fit pretty well, a little roomy in the waist (that was my bad, I should have cut my elastic for the back a little smaller), and the crotch is kind of low, but those aren't huge deal-breakers for me. Plus, Sadie is small for her age, so it's kind of her fault, really. ;)

The zipper was surprisingly not very hard to put it-I just had to read the directions a few times and use my seam ripper once or twice. (or twenty) I also love the little cuff on the bottom and button tabs on the sides-it adds a fun little detail that wasn't hard at all to do. I forgot to add the belt loops but I'm fine with that. (read: lazy!)

And I LOVE the back-the cute pockets and the elastic waist make me smile! I didn't realize how sewing through the elastic makes it look more professional, but it soo does. Right? right...

I made these from a pair of linen pants I found thrifting for $2, I wanted to make a summer staple for her wardrobe so that's why I went classic with the linen. 

Don't you love her little hip pop in this pic? lol. 

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

She would also like to give a coupon code for a 15% discount to you readers that will last throughout the the giveaway. (til Sunday night!) The coupon code is: CRAFTINESS05

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!

Additional ways to enter:

2. "Like" Craftiness is not Optional's Facebook page. 
Leave a comment on this post telling me that.
 

One comment for each...and if you make a mistake or need to add or change something, please go back 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 night, May 1st. I'll pick the winners then (using Random.org) and announce them!

Good luck!

summer lovin' top tutorial

I kept having visions of summer dancing in my head while sewing this shirt. I don't know if it was the bright yellow fabric or the warm weather I was enjoying, but it works!



I totally love Sadie in yellow. and cute shorts. 

I love the little swoops (technical term, btw) on the shoulders and the buttons. And the stripeys! Gotta love stripeys. 

Headband, purchased. Flower made with this tutorial.

 

Say, you wouldn't want to make one for yourself or a smaller person, would you?

Get the how-to after the jump!

my 241 tote

Hey lookeyloo, what's this?

Some sewing for me?

That's a rarity around here, but fun when it does happen! You may recognize the bag-it's the 241 tote from Anna. Once again, she's done it! And by "it" I mean, created a flawless pattern that is cute, easy to sew up, and functional! Seriously, it came together with no problems whatsoever. I was even able to finish up North and South while sewing it up. (fantastic show btw)

 

I took a cue from her and made the pockets, strap and lining with a linen blend, and the main fabric is Clothworks Jardin Papillions Cathedral Window Garden. (Sheesh, what a mouthful.) The blue fabric on the sides is Kate Spain Central Park Cobblestone in Aqua.

I think it'll be a fun bag for spring, if it ever fully comes, and into summer as well!

peasant tops galore! and a funny pic contest.

Ready for a barrage of peasant tops? Shield yourself! uh...anyways.

I am SOO happy to be back! It was a blast having all those lovely knock off guests over to visit, but I sure missed you guys! (here's where you say: we missed you too, Jess!)  On to the sewing! You'd better believe I've been busy!

These peasant shirts were some of the first clothing items I sewed for Sadie. Believe it or not I used to swear off sewing clothing ("too hard", I believe, was my mantra) but these tops are so easy. I used the Sweet Dress pattern from Leila and Ben, although I've used this tutorial and this one also in the past.

Ok numero uno PT: made with Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday-from my sponsor Fabric Closet, and the tie is made with  Heather Bailey Bijoux Mod Beads in Rose-from my sponsor Tuft Love!

I used this quick tutorial for the tie, and also gathered the bottom of the shirt a little bit before sewing the tie on. I love how it turned out!

Numero dos PT: This next one is simple but I added an elastic casing around the bottom for a bubble shirt effect. Cute, no? The fabric is Sanibel in Teal Mosaic, from my sponsor Ribbon Retreat!

With C's shirts I kept it simple and let the fabric speak for itself. It really does, doesn't it? This fabric is Riley Blake's Sweet Dot in Multi from the Fabric Closet also-and I adore it. You've seen a bit of it here before. YuM!

Last but not least is this one-made with Alexander Henry in Caitlin Stripe. ( I moved the casing in a little bit to get that ruffly-ish edge on the neck and sleeves) Don't even remember where I purchased this fabric...but it's so cute!

I've been trying to use up my cute fabric-and not give in to my hoarding tendencies. Doesn't it make you smile to see a pretty piece of fabric being used or worn? Well, it does for me. :D

I hope you've enjoyed this plethora of peasant tops. If not, my condolences. ;)

and if you've lasted through this whole post-why not head over to my Facebook page and check out a fun little contest for a fabric scrap bag! Give me your best line regarding Charlotte's thoughts in this pic...note the snot trails...that could be some good comedy! I'm already laughing up a storm!

the sincerest form of flattery wrap up

 WHEW! That's all I have to say about this series. (don't worry, it's a good "whew"!) It's definitely lengthened my to do list, but in a good way. I want to give a huge THANK you to all the lovely guests-here and on Kojo Designs! We couldn't have done it without you. Also a big Thank You to Kirsten and Jordan-they are superwomen, I swear! (and kinda my heroes)

Before we say farewell to The Sincerest Form of Flattery, let's have one last look at the Knock Off Goodness that's been gracing both my blog (and the Kojo Designs blog) for the last few weeks.

DECOR KNOCK OFFS

west elm pillow knock off by mmm crafts

ballard designs wall plaque knock off by gwenny penny

pier 1 pillow knock off by erin at lemontree creations

pottery barn pillow knock off by kalleen from at second street

ballard designs wall art knock off by ashley from lil blue boo

APPAREL KNOCK OFFS

shabby apple dress knock off by craftiness is not optional

mini boden knock off dress by little big girl studio

banana republic cardi knock off by kojodesigns

nordstrom kids dress knock off by the crafty cupboard

mini boden knock offs by crafterhours

axel and hudson knock off golf shirt by just another day in paradise

anthropologie sun shades knock off by kojodesigns

gap girl knock off by susan at crafterhours

j crew vest knock off by me sew crazy

mini boden ruffle dress knock off by sutton grace  

jcrew tshirt knock off by welcome to the gOOd life

jcrew dress knock off by tea rose home

ACCESSORIES KNOCK OFFS

vintage rose wrap knock off belt by kiki creates

pottery barn tote knock off by creation corner

anthropologie pin knock off by kojodesigns

anthro yoyo bobbie pin knock off by little miss momma

See why I said WHEW?!

We all knew there was a lot of knock off goodness, but when you put it in a list like that, well, let's just say our to-do lists (and houses! and wardrobes!) will never be the same. Thanks for joining us on this Knock Off adventure, friends. I've had fun! (also can't wait to show you the stuff I've made lately! you know I've been busy...)

Sincerest Form of Flattery guest: Kalleen from At Second Street

Last but not least, I want to welcome Kalleen from At Second Street-you'll remember her from Tie One on Me week, right?

This girl is flat out amazing. She is a past SYTYC competitor-that's when I first found her blog and I remember being so impressed by her projects! Still am. ;) Then I was lucky enough to get to know her and she is so sweet as well. I wish we lived closer so we could have crafty nights! Anyways...Some of my fav projects of hers are her Food Face plates (Sadie would LOVE these), this A-MA-zing wedding cake she made, this adorable tee shirt to cardigan redo, and these upcycled leather bracelets!

Take it away Kalleen!

Yeah, It's my turn. I'm so excited to be part of this amazing series. I adore and admire both Jess and Kirstin it's a real treat to do anything with them. 

When I finally decided to redecorate my son's neglected bedroom there was only one choice for a theme, Star Wars. He wouldn't have it any other way. I've been dragging my feet on this project wondering how I was going to tastefully accomplish his dreams. Then I found the Star Wars collection from Pottery Barn. 

I was so excited to find some pieces that my son wouldn't outgrow overnight and weren't too cheesy.  

I especially liked the pillows and knew they were something I could tackle on my own. 

Here is my version:

With an envelope closure and appliqued letters it was super simple make.

Get the full tutorial after the jump!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I hope it was a great one. We  Sadie had a blast finding eggs at my parent's house (well, Charlotte included) and even was able to enjoy a quiet moment of reflection on the Savior's sacrifice for us during the day. I call that a great Easter.

 

My sister sewed her dress! cute no? I believe my mom helped her as well.

Some of you may have noticed some technical difficulties the temper tantrum my blog was going through over the past few days. Luckily, my awesome blog designer figured it out, mostly. My gadgets are all over on the right now, cause my blog is PMSing or something and demands that be the way it is. OH well! hehe.

We'll be wrapping up The Sincerest Form of Flattery in the next two days and then you'd better believe I have a stack of projects to show you guys after that! So excited! See you tomorrow!

Sincerest Form of Flattery guest: Melanie from The Crafty Cupboard

Meet Melanie, from The Crafty Cupboard!

I first found her blog when she participated in Crafting with the Stars season 1, and was hooked! Check out her projects for that competition here. She has some amazing ideas and projects and two little girls just like me. :} Plus she's oh so nice!  As for some of her other projects, here is just a sampling of my favs from her blog! Her zig zag quilt (so want to try that!), lunch bag tutorial, AWEsome monster baby toy, and Lovey Dove skirt. (I lovey dove that name.)





Take it away, Melanie!Hello there, I’m Melanie from the Crafty Cupboard, a mother of two girls who I love to sew for. I’m so glad to be here today sharing a knock-off with you.
I love a good knock-off.  I’ve taken the Anthropologie letterstands and made my own using wood because I loved it so much, and I usually drool over ModCloth and Nordstrom’s clothing lines for knock-off ideas.  Most of the time I do a simpler version of things because, let’s face it, not everything can be perfectly replicated!

The Iris and Ivy Pencil Stripe Dress from Nordstrom Kids really caught my eye.  Adorable, but not to frilly.  Who doesn’t love a good pleat and some ribbons?
For our household, a $48 dress for a toddler just doesn’t cut it.  And it isn’t in the munchkin’s size.  Oh, but hey, don’t I know how to sew?



See more after the jump!