Wednesday, December 26, 2012

2012 Favorite Projects!

2012 was a good year.  This was the first full year I've been off of work since I was 14.  Many improvements were made to my health so I'm pleased.  My family has become closer and we enjoy each other's company.  Sewing really became a priority for me this year too!

Here is a look at my top 8 favorite projects of 2012


Top Left: Mushroom Grocery Bag
Top Middle: Pokemon Upcycled Mini Backpack
Top Right: Green Sundress
Middle Left: Owl Circle Skirt and Shirt
Middle Right: Me Shorts
Bottom Left: Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress
Bottom Middle: Mushroom Shirt
Bottom Right: Blue Soft Nightgown

I hope you had a great 2012 as well and were happy with your projects.

Here's to a wonderful 2012 and I look forward to all the projects I work on in 2013.  Remember, it's the journey that counts...enjoy the moments.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Pneumonia and the Blizzard

Where have I been?  Sorry guys; I've been really under the weather.  The Monday after Thanksgiving I had a chest cold and figured it would just go away.  However, days turned to weeks and I kept getting worse.  Three trips to the doctor and finally they did a chest x-ray. Pneumonia.   Just what I didn't want for Xmas!

So I've actually been on the couch and in and out of the hospital the last week and a half.

I think I can hear my sewing machines crying for me; I know my fabric is.  But I'm out of the hospital and on some good meds.  I'm feeling a bit better already and know I'm on the mend.  I'll be back in the sewing saddle soon! I have a few crochet projects to share soon too (I can work on those from the couch!)

Oh!  And we are having the most beautiful blizzard today.  It is marvelous to look at!

I hope you are all in good health and excited for the coming holidays!


~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Giveaway Winner #3 ~ Vintage Pattern


The last giveaway was for a pick of any vintage pattern in my shop

And the final giveaway winner is.....

















Congratulations KellyS!  I will be emailing you shortly.

Thanks everyone who participated.  I look forward to the next giveaway day!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Giveaway Winner #2 ~ Coin Pouch


It is so much fun to read all the comments on giveaway day; so thank you for making me smile. 

The second giveaway was for a coin pouch or gift card holder as shown here

The two winners from the eligible comments were......












Congratulations Katie!  I will be emailing you shortly.

















Congratulations Michele!  I will be emailing you shortly as well.

Thanks again to everyone who entered!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Giveaway Winner #1 ~ Circle Skirt!

Thanks to all who participated in Giveaway Day with me; it is awesome to read all the comments.

The first giveaway was for a circle skirt as shown here

The winner from the eligible comments was......


Congratulations Amy!  I will be emailing you shortly.

Thanks again to everyone who entered!

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Thrifty to Nifty in 20 minutes! ~ Upcycle

I hope the cold/flu/bug/illness thingy has avoided you and yours. It sure is hitting us pretty hard. I've been sick since Thanksgiving and Miss K is on round two of it. Mr. T had it a few days and now even the puppy is sick.

When Miss K gets ill she turns into more of a diva than normal. We found this really crazy pillow case at Goodwill last week ~ she had to have, wouldn't walk away ~ and I didn't know what I was going to do with it. It is faded and super long for a pillow.  I think it's even long for a king sized pillow.  Nonetheless it was 99 cents so I let her get it.

Tonight, 30 minutes ago, Miss K decided she needed something done with it, immediately. Sigh.  I'm running on really low sleep and I just didn't feel like arguing.  I told her I'd make her a cute little sleep dress out of it.

It took me 20 minutes and I like how it turned out!

First I measured how long I wanted it on Miss K.  I kept the open, hemmed part of the pillowcase to the floor so I wouldn't have to do any hemming on it. I added an inch to the length and then cut the rest off.

Next I took the top of it (at the chest) and flipped it down 1/2 inch and again, making a casing for the elastic.  I measured 1/2 inch elastic around Miss K's chest and subtracted 1 inch, I wanted it a bit snug. Sewed around and left a hole for the elastic to thread through. 

Next I cut up some of the leftover for the straps.  I folded the two outer dark pinks into the center, ironed, then folded one side on top of the other; topstitched down both sides and wa-lah.  I measured them on Miss K to know how long I needed them and cut off the remainder.



To attach the straps I flipped 1/4 inch up on one end and then again.  I put that little square on the inside of the chest of the main part.  To figure out where to place them I found the halfway point of the chest; and placed the straps 1/4 of the way between both sides.  Worked great!

Like I said, Miss K is sick so pictures were fun to take!



 twirling
puppy had to join in! 



Originally I was in the sewing room to work on my super awesome skirt I need to finish, but is taking forever.  I drafted the pattern up from my exact measurements (more to come on how to do this yourself).  I made 2 different muslin's and added darts. I have been trying to perfect this stinker before cutting the fabric. It is an A line with a side zipper and facing on the waist - fitted, no elastic.  Here is my work in progress shot :D

What projects are you working on?

 ~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

* CLOSED * Giveaway Day ~ Part 3 ~ Vintage Patterns!

It's Giveaway Day!  I had a blast participating in the one back in May so this time around I am offering a few!
                                                      Giveaway Day

Some will be for supplies and some will be for completed items.

The first giveaway was for a girl's circle skirt. 
The second giveaway was for coin purses or gift card pouches


This third giveaway is for your pick of a VINTAGE PATTERN!
  • One winner will be picked from the comments!
  • I will email the Winner who will be able to pick any one pattern from my etsy shop!
  • I won't ask you to go look now (unless you want too!) because I know you have other giveaway's to enter ;-)

How do I enter?
  • Sorry but this is only open to US residents (I will only ship to a US address)
  • Be a follower of my blog (upper right hand sidebar)
  • Leave a comment ~ TODAY I'M ASKING: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE FABRIC STORE?
  • Make sure I have a way to contact you!
  • Giveaway open until Dec. 7th; I will email the winner by Dec. 9th and ship by Dec 14th.  Random number generator to pick a winner from the comments. Winner will then be able to choose one pattern from the shop.  
That's it! Below is a link and some pics from the shop (if the link feels like working...). Thanks and good luck!



~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Monday, December 3, 2012

* CLOSED* Giveaway Day ~ Part 2 ~ Coin Purse or Gift Card Pouches


I'm so excited that Giveaway Day has come!  I had a blast participating in the one back in May.
                                                      Giveaway Day

I plan on having a few giveaway's this time.  Some will be for supplies and some will be for completed items.
The first giveaway was for a girl's circle skirt. 


The second giveaway is COIN PURSE OR GIFT CARD POUCHES!

  • Two winners will be picked from the comments!
  • I will give you a choice of 3 different fabrics (you pick one and I'll use that to make it)
  • Measures roughly 3 1/2 inches by 4 inches wide









How do I enter?
  • Sorry but this is only open to US residents (I will only ship to a US address)
  • Be a follower of my blog (upper right hand sidebar)
  • Leave a comment ~ can be about anything
  • Make sure I have a way to contact you!
  • Giveaway open until Dec. 7th; I will email the winner by Dec. 9th and ship by Dec 14th.  Random number generator to pick two winners from the comments. Winner will receive one pouch.  
That's it!  Thanks and good luck!

I'll be listing other Giveaway's in the next day or two so come back to check them out!



~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

* CLOSED* Giveaway Day ~ Part 1 ~ Circle Skirt



Yay! Giveaway Day is here!  I'm so excited.  I had a blast participating in the one back in May.

Giveaway Day

I plan on having a few giveaway's this time.  Some will be for supplies and some will be for completed items.

The first one up is a GIRL'S CIRCLE SKIRT!



  • I will make the skirt according to the measurements you provide. (will need waist and length)
  • I will give you a choice of 3 different fabrics (you pick one and I'll use that to make the skirt)
  • I will also ask if you want exposed 3 inch elastic or normal; as well as bias trim on the bottom or a double hem. 
  • Must be for a girl between 0-16 years old


How do I enter?
  • Sorry but this is only open to US residents (I will only ship to a US address)
  • Be a follower of my blog here (upper right hand sidebar)
  • Leave one comment ~ can be about anything
  • Make sure I have a way to contact you!
  • Giveaway open until Dec. 7th; I will email the winner by Dec. 9th and ship by Dec 14th.  Random number generator to pick the winner from the comments.  
That's it!  Thanks and good luck!

I'll be listing other Giveaway's in the next day or two so come back to check them out!



~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~