Thursday, June 30, 2011

Guest Blogger - Nap Time Crafters - Halter Tee




Hi! I'm Amy from Nap Time Crafters!








I LOVE every kind of craft, but if I had to pick a fav it would definitely be sewing for my little girl. I also love decorating my apartment with very budget friendly projects. Nap Time Crafters is home to 90 free Tutorials {and growing!}, the American Crafter Competition, Friday Favs Party, & a Giveaway every Saturday!






Some of my very favorite tutorials {at least at the moment...} are:














The tutorial I have for you today is one of my new favs- something about those polka dots just has me smitten:)





Bring on summer! The sweetheart halter is ready to take on the heat in style!




"oh my! Am I looking cute or what?!"




And of course, it ties in the back with a nice big bow.






Ready to sew?

Materials:

1/2 yard main fabric (for size 18 mos)


Scrap of contrast fabric


1/2" ish elastic

1. Cut out your pieces. The strap needs to be cut along the bias (diagonal to the selvage), so it has some stretch. I sewed 2 pieces together. My strap was pretty long, but I wanted the tails of the bow to hang down in the back. I did a narrow hem, so if you like a chunkier hem I'd make the body piece a bit longer. And as long as we're changing things up, I'd suggest making the front body piece a little narrower (13") and the back a bit wider (15"). Trust me on this:)




2. Gather the front body piece to match the length of your bodice (7" for me).


3. Fold the front tie in half with right sides together (RST) and sew up one short edge and the long edge. Turn right side out {just start with the sewn shut end and guide it back through using the end of a pen} and press flat.




4. While you're ironing, let's make bias tape:) The long strap is really extra wide bias tape. Iron the top and bottom edge in 1/4". Then fold it in half and iron again.




5. With RST, sew the gathered body to the bodice- tuck the front tie in the seam right in the center (it doesn't matter which end you use).




6. Cinch the front tie in a bit to form your sweetheart neckline.




7. Tuck all of your raw edges up inside the bodice (including the front tie) and then topstitch in place. (It will look like the photo in #6 when you're finished).




8. With RST, sew the front to the back along the side seams.





9. Find the center of your strap and pin to the back, so that it encloses the raw edge. Wrap around to the front and up the sides. The bodice will lay best if at the bottom you enclose just the edge with the strap and at the top you enclose as much as possible (I hadn't done that and you can see mine is a bit bubbly). Stitch along the bottom edge of the strap just past the bodice






9. Thread your elastic through the strap. Pull it slowly until the end of the elastic is about to move from the front to the back of the shirt. Tack the end of the elastic in place by sewing across the strap in a diagonal starting at the side seam. Pull your elastic to the desired snugness (you don't want the back to gape open) and then tack the other end in place. Pull up on your elastic as far as you can and trim the excess.








10. If your bodice seems to be moving around a bit, you can sew along each side of the tie to keep it in place.



11. Sew along the rest of the edge of your strap. Hem the bottom and you're done!




Enjoy!


Why does she always look so mischievous???





Thanks, Michelle!








Amy, Thank YOU! Visit Nap Time Crafters for more amazing tutorials and fun ideas. (Especially if you like sewing for little girls!!!!) She also has an Etsy shop where she sells patterns and is having a BOGO sale today! Head over to Nap Time Crafters today and check it out!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Giveaway Directory #63




<center><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/seventhirtythreeblog/Someday_Crafts/Giveaway_Directory-1.png"/></center></div>



Here is your best chance at FREE stuff on the web!!! Join these giveaways!!!!

If you don't know what this is, the giveaway directory is a place to promote a giveaway on your blog of your "goods" (or even someone else's). Link up the giveaway.



If you are looking to win free "stuff," visit the other blogs and enter. It's that easy!!!! Some of these giveaways only have a few entries so your chance of winning is great!



I only leave this link open for 48hrs because giveaways are time sensitive. So if you are going to have a giveaway in the future and want to link it up on Someday Crafts, please plan it accordingly:)





My Newest Creation!

I proud to show my newest creation.


Introducing:


Remington Cache!


8 lbs. 12 oz.
\

20 1/2" long


Born Monday at 5pm.


Sweetest little bundle of joy!






We are home from the hospital and happy to be a family of 5!!!!


My almost 5-yr-old will not put the baby down! She is loving being a big sister!!!


In just two days, Remington is much less puffy, opening his eyes, sucking on a binkie, nursing well, pooping like crazy and being spoiled! We love our new creation!

Whatever Goes Wednesday #72





Welcome to this crazy day of linky love and blog exploration! I love to see what is new out there in blog land. Get started clicking away to view everyone's creations!



MY NEWEST CREATION!



I'm out of the hospital and home with my newest creation - A BABY! He's so cute and cuddly! Come back tonight to see a picture of him and learn the rockstar name we have chosen! YEAH!




NEW SPONSOR


Whimsy Couture



Whimsy Couture has amazing patterns for boutique style children clothing!!! When you are looking to sew adorable clothing for a girl, head over to Whimsy Couture to grab some patterns!





GIVEAWAY (Winner From Last Week)


pick your plum



The PICK YOUR PLUM winner for $75 worth of fabulous crafting supplies is



#91 - Amanda at Frills and Frolic.


Congrads! Please email me to claim your prize!



I check Pick Your Plum every morning and drool at the crafty deal of the day! And believe me, they are DEALS!!!! Check out Pick Your Plum today!




MOST VIEWED LINK LAST WEEK!




The most viewed link last week were these watermelon pops from Phaedra's Adventures. Not only are they cute at which to look, but they are made with Kool-Aid, cream cheese, Cool Whip and chocolate chips! Sounds delicious!!!!!


BLOG TIP





The blog tip of the week is from seven thirty three - A Creative Blog.



Did you like my blog makeover by Kim, at seven thirty three Custom Blog Design? Not only did she pretty up my blog, but she also added a custom favicon next to my browser tag. I love it and feel like a real rockstar. You can have one too by following the custom favicon tutorial at seven thirty three - A Creative Blog.




If you are looking for someone to add some spice to your blog, I HIGHLY recommend Kim at seven thirty three Custom Blog Design.





CRAFTING FOR A CAUSE




Crafting for a Cause








Don't forget about this month's Crafting for a Cause! PILLOW FIGHT! The pillows are in and you can vote for your 3 favorites HERE! There are some great prizes for the winners!



Don't forget that it is NEVER TOO LATE to donate a pillowcase to this cause or to a local hospital!









Don't forget to check out the Giveaway Directory tomorrow! It amazes me how few people enter giveaways. This is your chance at free stuff! FYI, this link is only open for two days. If you are going to do a giveaway and want to feature it here, make sure you link it up sometime on Thursday or Friday.




Visit or add your ideas to the Fourth of July (Patriotic) Categorically Crafting party. Link up your red, white and blue ideas!!!!! There are more than 90 ideas so far and they are AWESOME!






You know what to do. Enter your project (up to 4 links), tip, idea, recipe, whatever. Visit others. Leave comments. PLEASE NO ETSY SHOPS! Come back again in the next few days more projects are added throughout the week. Let the fun begin! (Because blogging is not my full-time job, I will not be able to visit every link. I apologize.)




Sunday, June 26, 2011

Heading to the Hospital!!!

Well, I'm a pretty big girl by now! My belly is poking out quite a bit. I've gained some weight!

It's hard for my kids to give me hugs and to see past my belly! They like giving the baby belly kisses and talking to it.


Most of the "big" things I wanted to get done before the baby got here are done... mainly, the baby's room.



The crib is set up and the kids are excited to get a new baby brother!



What does that mean? It means it is TIME TO GET THAT BABY OUT of my belly!


Tomorrow morning, I will be heading to the hospital to be induced. I need to be out of the hospital by June 30th and tomorrow is a great day to have a baby.



Stay tuned for the name, some pictures and a wonderful and painless birth experience (LOL!)


I've got some great guest posts set up for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I may not be answering emails for a few days!





Styrofoam Wall Art

With a little bit of styrofoam and fabric, you can build an eye-catching piece of art for your wall. I love that the material you use can match your bedding, window treatments, pillows or other decor you have made. This beauty is from Sew Dang Cute to go with her so dang cute bedroom.


Silhouette and Tattoos!





This months Silhouette promotion is:

1 Silhouette SD
2 Packages Temporary Tattoo Paper

for $199 (U.S. only)
That's $120 in savings!


Also, (wait for it…)
25% off all other products in the Silhouette shop
(excluding gift cards and download codes)!






Don't have a Silhouette and still want to make tatoos? You still can. The Silhouette just helps!

The promo will run until June 29.

Remember to enter the code: SOMEDAY at check out!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Darling Tied Bow Shirt

icandy handmade has some incredible tutorials!!!! You need to go over and spend a couple hours looking through their site! I'm loving this refashioned shirt that looks like it ties in a bow in the front!!!! GORGEOUS! It's made from two t-shirts!


Also, make sure you check out their series of Fun in the Sun (dress)! Lots of great inspiration on summer dresses!


Ruched Flag Pillow

ICandy Handmade sewed this beautiful ruched flag pillow. It's gorgeous!!!! You've got to check it out at The Crafting Chicks (because it is a guest post.) Will this sit on your couch for the month of July?




Friday, June 24, 2011

Women's T-shirt Skirt

Monkey See, Monkey Do! shows us how to make a comfortable, inexpensive, quick and fun skirt from two t-shirts! That looks like it could be a lounge around or wear it to church type skirt! Lovely.


The Square Top

Lil Blue Boo has come up with a new tutorial for a darling kid's top! It's called the square top and it looks pretty easy to make. I love how it flows as her daughter runs!


Patriotic Ideas Galore!!!


Welcome to the
Patriotic / Fourth of July
Categorically Crafting Show .



where you can show off all of your patriotic ideas!

The Fourth of July is coming up quickly. What do you plan on doing? I will be celebrating the 5th birthday of my daughter! I have a few patriotic store bought items up around the house.

Here are a few ideas to get you started on your month of patriotism!
I'm loving this star made from slates! The aqua blue is so pretty! Sassy Sanctuary has the tutorial.
Head over to Sun Scholars for lots of great patriotic ideas including a link to this flag made from driftwood!
How unique!
Celebrate the holidays with a flag cake made with strawberries and blueberries. It almost looks too nice too eat. See this at The Caffeinated Globe.
Naptime Crafters turned a women's tank into an adorable patriotic romper for her daughter. It was so easy!!!!
Both the button flag and "Wave On" printable can be found at Polka Dots On Parade. Super Cute!

Because I would love to see more ideas (and probably some of you want to see more) Feel free to link your idea to share or if you don't have a post up, leave it in the comments. The more, the merrier!!!! You can repost an idea from the last year or two!!!!

Please join your crafty post if, and only if, it corresponds with the category and theme if Patriotic. (If it doesn't fit in this category, please link it up to Whatever Goes Wednesday.) Link up crafts, decor, sewing projects, food, tips, etc, that has to do with Patriotic. If you have joined a Patriotic project to a party on my blog before, feel free to add it to this show too! If you have a lot of turkey projects, please choose your favorites. (Please no more than 4 posts per blog). Link to the specific posts, not to your main blog page. Let's see what you have created (either recently or in the past)!

You can paste the "Categorically Crafting" button (click the button above for the html) onto your blog post. I would love to see these floating around so more people can post their themed projects. I will leave this linky post open until AFTER the Fourth of July so you can link up after you post. Keep checking back for more ideas!!