Tuesday, June 28, 2011

We Did It! Wednesday

Welcome to We Did It! Wednesday, Sew Much Ado's weekly linky party where you can show off all your creations!

Here's how We Did It! Wednesday works:
1. Enter a link (specific blog post, not your homepage) using the Linky Tools below to something you made that you want to share. It can be something you sewed, crafted, painted, baked, or anything else you made that you want to share.
2. Try to check out at least one other link on the list (and I'm sure they'd love it if you left a comment too).
3. Post the We Did It! Wednesday button below to your post or sidebar to let others know your participating.

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Monday, June 27, 2011

A Little Quilting



I've almost finished up a baby quilt that I've wanted to make for a few months. The binding is attached and just needs to be handstitched to the back. I'm dying to show the entire quilt, but for now this will have to do. I temporarily abandoned another pattern I've been working on to make this quilt and pattern, and it was one of those rare projects that worked out exactly how I imagined it the first try, which I think every sewer deserves once in awhile :). Am I right?


I used a mix of three or four different red/turquoise fabric lines, which all came from my ever-growing fabric stash. It was so nice to use up some fabric, and especially nice that all the lines went so well together. Funny how that happens when you have a red/turquoise fixation.

The binding will be stitched during tonight's Bachelorette episode. Good excuse to sit and watch 2 hours of TV!

Friday, June 24, 2011

A Couple Ruby Lous

Just wanted to share a couple of Ruby Lous that I've made lately.

Gotta love the mushroom print...

And don't we all wish we could pull off argyle leggings (okay, and red hair too)?!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

We Did It! Wednesday

Welcome to We Did It! Wednesday! What have you been busy creating this week? I can't wait to see!

Here's how We Did It! Wednesday works:
1. Enter a link (specific blog post, not your homepage) using the Linky Tools below to something you made that you want to share. It can be something you sewed, crafted, painted, baked, or anything else you made that you want to share.
2. Try to check out at least one other link on the list (and I'm sure they'd love it if you left a comment too).
3. Post the We Did It! Wednesday button below to your post or sidebar to let others know your participating.

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Copy and paste the HTML text below to your own blog or website.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Tutorial: How to Hem Jeans {And Keep The Original Hem}

Tell me you don't have at least one pair of jeans sitting in your closet, waiting to be hemmed. You don't want to pay someone to hem the jeans for you, but aren't quite confident in your hemming skills. Hence, the jeans continue to sit... Sound familiar?!


No more excuses! Give your wardrobe and your confidence a boost by hemming them yourself! This easy method is both fast and easy, and even allows you to keep the original hem. Your jeans will fit like a charm in no time, and soon all your friends will be dropping off their too-long jeans for you to hem!

Got 15 minutes? You're golden. Here we go...

Materials:
Your favorite pair of too-long jeans!
Measuring Tape
Thread

Instructions:
1. Try on your jeans and fold the hem up (right sides together) to the length that you'd like your finished hem. Remember to wear a pair of shoes that you would normally wear with the jeans. If you wear flats most often, throw on a pair. If you like to wear wedges, go with those.

2. Take off your jeans and measure from the bottom fold to the bottom of the original hem.

3. Divide the measurement from step 2 by 2. Example: I folded my jeans up 2 inches in step 1, and divided that 2 inch measurement by 2 to get 1 inch. Using the new measurement, fold the hem up again and pin in place (remember to ignore the original hem when measuring).

4. Continue pinning each pant leg as in step 3, until both hems are completely pinned.

5. Using a zipper foot, stitch around each jean leg, through both layers of jean, as close to original hem as possible. Note: Do not stitch ON original hem, but immediately adjacent to it.

6. Turn folded edges to inside of jean legs and try your jeans on to make sure you're happy with the new length!

7. Press the folded edges upward toward the inside of each jean leg. You can also sew a couple of hand stitches at each side seam on the inside of each leg to tack the folded edges in place if you'd like. Note: If you had to hem a large amount from your jeans (I'd say greater than 2 inches or so), you may prefer to trim the folded edge and serge or zig zag the edges to reduce bulk. Make sure to press each jean leg from the outside as well to give a nice clean hemline.

Now, go grab your favorite flats...

And feel confident in your newly hemmed jeans and in your new skill!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Bruschetta Chicken Over Linguine


If I had to pick my very favorite meal, this recipe would be it. My sister shared it with me after receiving it from a friend (thanks, Nicki!), and I promise it does not disappoint. If you're a fan of bruschetta, you'll love this. It takes a bit of time to prepare, but the chicken can be prepared in the morning (topping and all) and kept in the fridge until you're ready to cook it that evening.

I could go on about Bruschetta Chicken all day, but I won't :)...


Bruschetta chicken over linguine

½ cup flour
2 eggs lightly beaten
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (if large, I often only use 3 and it fills up an entire 9x13 pan)

Topping for chicken
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsp melted butter

Bruschetta
8-10 Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh Basil leaves, chopped fine
Garlic to taste (I love garlic and use 5-6 cloves)
Olive oil
Salt to taste

Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Take each chicken breast and pound between plastic or wax paper. Pound to about 1/4 inch thick.

2. Toss chicken in flour and coat well. Then lightly coat each piece in the egg mixture. Do not drench, just lightly coat. Then place flat in a 9x13 pan. Spread out chicken to cover entire bottom of the pan. (I usually cut my chicken in smaller pieces and just arrange them in the pan close together kind of like a puzzle.)
After you have arranged the chicken in the pan, take your topping and spread over the chicken.

3. Cover pan with tin foil the cook for 20 min. Then cook uncovered for 5-10 min to brown the topping.

4. While chicken is cooking, prepare bruschetta by removing seeds and dicing tomatoes. Mince garlic and combine tomatoes, basil, and garlic. Add olive oil and salt to taste.

5. When chicken is done cooking, spread the bruschetta over the chicken and put back in the oven for another 5 mins. Serve over linguine. We just scoop the chicken and bruschetta and put it over the pasta.

Bon Apetit!


I may or may not have taken the entire 9x13 pan of leftovers to the couch with me to eat while watching The Bachelor the last time I made this recipe. If you know me, that may not sound all that crazy, but be warned, you may find yourself doing the same thing!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered last week's pattern giveaway!

The winner of the autographed Heather Bailey pattern is:

And the three winners who each get to pick their favorite Sew Much Ado pattern are:

If you are one of the lucky winners, I will be emailing you soon!



Oh, and if you didn't win, Just Sew Sassy is giving away Sew Much Ado patterns this week and you can go here to enter!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

We Did It! Wednesday

Welcome to We Did It! Wednesday! I'm so glad that the weather has finally been nice in Utah - I've already made a couple of "outdoor" projects, and am excited to make some more!

Here's how We Did It! Wednesday works:
1. Enter a link (specific blog post, not your homepage) using the Linky Tools below to something you made that you want to share. It can be something you sewed, crafted, painted, baked, or anything else you made that you want to share.
2. Try to check out at least one other link on the list (and I'm sure they'd love it if you left a comment too).
3. Post the We Did It! Wednesday button below to your post or sidebar to let others know your participating.

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Copy and paste the HTML text below to your own blog or website.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Birthday boy


My baby is two today! I'm not quite sure how that happened. He sure is fun though, and there's nothing better than watching Weston and Wyatt play and laugh together. We're going to keep things simple to celebrate, and hopefully I'll decide on a cake sometime before tonight!


Also, my pattern giveaway (who wouldn't want an autographed Heather Bailey pattern?!) ends tonight, so make sure to enter if you haven't yet!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Sew Cherry Apron


I made this little Mommy & Mia Apron recently using Sew Cherry by Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet. Sew Cherry is Lori's first fabric line, and, as you can see, it's fabulous!

The colors are beautiful and fresh.

The prints are adorable.

The fabric I used for the body of the apron is my favorite print of the line.

You can bet that I have a few more ideas up my sleeve for Sew Cherry! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

We Did It! Wednesday

Welcome to We Did It! Wednesday! Linky Tools has some new features that we're going to try out this week, so let me know if you have any opinions or issues! And don't forget about my Heather Bailey autographed pattern giveaway. You can enter here!

Here's how We Did It! Wednesday works:
1. Enter a link (specific blog post, not your homepage) using the Linky Tools below to something you made that you want to share. It can be something you sewed, crafted, painted, baked, or anything else you made that you want to share.
2. Try to check out at least one other link on the list (and I'm sure they'd love it if you left a comment too).
3. Post the We Did It! Wednesday button below to your post or sidebar to let others know your participating.

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Copy and paste the HTML text below to your own blog or website.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Heather Bailey Pattern Giveaway!


During all the Quilt Market festivities, I got to go to a fun meet and greet with Heather Bailey at Material Girls Quilts.


I purchased her Clara and Clancy Pig Dolls pattern that I've wanted for awhile, but of course I couldn't forget about all of you! I made sure to get an extra pattern for one of you lucky readers, and Heather Bailey herself was nice enough to autograph it for you!


Can you get any cuter than these pigs in their little clothes?!


I really just want to say thank you for reading my blog. I wouldn't write it if I didn't love it, and I'm so grateful for all of you that take the time to read it, comment, and offer so much great advice that I always need :). I also want you to know my sincere appreciation for all the friendships I've made through my blog and your blogs -- you are some wonderful people!

Oh, and just for fun, I'll throw in a Sew Much Ado pattern for three more winners. You'll get to choose between:




To enter to win this giveaway, just leave a comment! Include your email address if it's not linked to your profile so I can contact you if you win!

One entry per person, nice and simple :). Giveaway closes to new entries on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 11:59 MST, and winners will be announced on Sew Much Ado shortly after.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Hair pins, Hair Pins, and Hair Pins


I work with about a dozen girls ages 12-17 in my church and made them each one of these hair pins.

Once you get going, you can make a lot in a little time, which is great!

There are a ton of great tutorials around to make rolled fabric flowers, so I won't add another one to blogland, but here are a few to check out if you're interested:

I used photoshop to create a Barbie-like silhouette (search Google Images for "Barbie" and you'll find lots of images to help out), and cut a couple of slits in each near the ponytail. Remember the 4 stitches I had in my finger a week or so ago? That was thanks to the very last cut out of about 28 cuts - go figure :). I'm happy to say now that it's feeling much better!

Next I threaded the bobby pin through the slits, and voila!

Inside each card was the contact information for all of us that work with the girls and a special note.